Bird's Eye View: Turned to the Dark Side

My dad liked his beer; he was an ale man.  My mum liked beer; her favourite tipple was a Makeson.  My first husband was a lager drinker; clearly that marriage wasn’t destined to go the distance. Husband number two (the Chap), I can safely say, appreciates real beer.

I love my beer.  To those who say that it is full of carbs and calories I say “It’s not a beer belly darling, it’s the fuel tank for this love machine!”  I once read somewhere that certain vitamins in beer can regenerate the skin and have a positive impact on pigmentation. Your skin becomes smoother and suppler. I’m not sure if that is true but after my third pint I want to believe! 

I guess a lot of us started on cider, before moving on to maybe a shandy or a lager-top.  I was no exception but it didn’t take me long to get a taste of beer, with Ruddles being an early favourite. 

These days I’m particularly partial to golden ales but I’ll try pretty much anything (within reason!).  But dark beers?  I don’t know why but they never really appealed.  I always imagined those dark intimidating brews being very bitter, and they looked so heavy and hard to drink.  Then a few months back the Chap suggested I try Titanic Plum Porter.  Yes, there was a bitter finish, but a calm, gentle bitterness.  And that sweet plumy fruitiness and aroma….I was hooked.  Another instant hit was Damson Stout from Burton Bridge, and on recent trip to The Chap’s home county of Sussex I tasted what is surely nectar of the gods; Dark Star’s Crème Brulee.  

So to all those girls out there who are afraid of what is lurking in the dark, I say be bold.  If you enjoy dark fruits, and rich and intense coffee and chocolate (don’t we all?), then I’m sure you can find a beer that you’ll adore.

I’m off now for a pint of Plum Porter and a cheese roll in the Fat Cat.  Heaven.  See you there.

The Beer Bird

(This article first appeared in Norfolk Nips March 2016)

                                             

        Dark Fruits!