English styles

Well, many of the British beers I have are old and they are fine (beers from the big breweries, at least)...The fact is they are far inferior to cask. I've certainly never detected 'oxidisation' (from age, unless the beer has been years old (Fullers Vintage Ale)). Papery malts might just be a reflection of the difference between cask and bottles which are usually pasteurised...this must have a profound influence on the flavour. I've had beer well after the best before date (this is almost always a year) that's been fine...I certainly wouldn't worry at all, especially if the beer is within its best before date.

 

I recommend Greene King IPA, as an example of an IPA from the last century...You might be surprised that it is only 3.6%, but they weren't strong in those days...it might actually be one of the few remaining of its type from this period of English brewing...

 

Of course, I could be totally wrong (!)...but I do wonder if contemporary American beer lovers are rather over sensitive here...

 

Eek! Get your arse over here. If you think that stuff's good you'll be blown away by the less pedestrian offerings. Drinks are on me.

 

Thornbridge, Wild Beer Company if you're looking for sours.

 

Fullers are always a good choice, as are Samuel Smith's. Might keep an eye out for Adnam's Southwold Bitter or another from them. Courage and JW Lees will cost you, but are worth a small snifter if you can find them.

Grammer Nancy here. 'Penultimate' means next to last, not best.

 

I've always been quite partial to St. Peter's

 

Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout is great. Much different than your average American imperial stout. Their Oatmeal Stout is also good.

 

I know its not in anyway traditional british, and i know the dudes tend to act like asses on the esquire network, but brewdog makes some really good beer. Im especially fond of their hardcore and punk ipas

 

Be careful, English imports tend to be notoriously outdated. Unless I'm 100% positive it's within date, I've stopped buying English imports, and I absolutely love traditional English beer. That being said, Maine Brewing Co. makes a very good English pale ale. The name escapes me, but it's tastes pretty much how a traditional English pale ale should.

 

A US brewery that makes high quality English style beers is Yards Brewing but unfortunately that beer is not distributed to your area. I would have recommended the ESA, IPA, Love Stout and Brawler (a Mild Ale).

http://www.yardsbrewing.com/signature-ales

Cheers!

 

Great Divide Denver Pale Ale (DPA) is their attempt at an English pale ale. Still a bit hoppier than one might expect, but very tasty and a good attempt at the style.

Believe it or not, I happen to think that Magic Hat Heart of Darkness is a tasty, widely available take on the English stout. Better than some reviews might suggest.

 

Tea. With fish and chips you drink tea.

Beer might be involved beforehand if fish supper is purchased on the way home from the pub but fish and chips as a traditional English meal is eaten with tea not beer. It is traditionally sold in places without a licence and is far too heavy to sup a pint alongside. If it must be beer five pints of bitter or mild before eating would be traditional.

Tea . Tea . Tea.

 

Fish and chips are on every menu in every pub and often it's beer-battered. We don't usually pair tea with anything savoury.

 

Thank goodness no one has suggested Bass Pale Ale. Although on cask it's a different drink.

 

Ditto, though the Stilton stuffed dates wrapped in bacon is a spectacular dish!

 

Tea with a fry up is a match made in heaven. Is this the exception that proves the rule?

 

Hmm, I'd much prefer coffee with that.

 

The traditional drink with takeaway 'Chippy' fish and chips is a can of Ben Shaw's pop, preferably Dandelion and Burdock, maybe shandy.
http://benshawsdrinks.co.uk/our-drinks/

And any self respecting English gent has Viennetta for 'afters'.
http://www.walls.co.uk/Brand/Viennetta.aspx

Don't forget to eat your chips with a wooden fork

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Disposable-Wooden-Chip-Fork-Pack/dp/B003MARMWO

Hmm, getting hungry.