Sunday, February 19, 2012

Wildlife Viewed Through Beer Goggles: Badgers and Hares

























We're in the 'Phoney War' period at the moment while we wait for spring to really hit its stride, so I've been casting around for a worthy project while we wait for the first summer migrants to reach our shores - and I think I've found the perfect one: wildlife-themed beers. This is this evening's sunset viewed through a glass of Badger Breweries Hopping Hare ale. 
























I've noticed a remarkable proliferation of wildlife-themed beers in recent years so this is a project that could keep a dedicated naturalist busy well into summer and beyond. 


And this is a good place to start - a brew celebrating not one but two much-loved British mammals and containing a host of botanical ingredients, including no less than three hop varieties; 'Thrice Hopped', as the brewers charmingly put it. When did you last hear the word 'thrice' used? The English language is alive and well and inscribed on a beer bottle.


Oh, and since you asked, they're Goldings and Cascade, combined with First Gold. They add a warm golden glow to sundown.

14 comments:

  1. What a lovely post! I wasn't aware of wildlife themed beers, I must pay more attention the next time I go to a pub.

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  2. Very clever idea. I wonder what similar themes one could think up for wildlife?

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  3. Now that's a beer I have to seek out.

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  4. Phil, Research can be such a chore, you have my heart-felt sympathies :o)

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  5. Sir has lain down a challenge. There's a PHD in there surely ...

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  6. Any excuse for a tipple lol. Maybe 'animal ale' will get a few more people interested in wildlife, as long as they don't end up seeing everything in duplicate.

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  7. I already have several with an ornithological theme in our fridge, toffeeapple, that I'm preparing to investigate...

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  8. Well, after the beers there's whisky - Famous Grouse - then after that I may be past caring John!

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  9. A very satisfying tipple on a sunny afternoon Keith - I think Sainsbuy's stock it...

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  10. Gruelling work Graeme, but someone has to do it...

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  11. Good idea Dougie, that would add an air of respectability to the enterprise .... I wonder if I could apply for grant funding?

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  12. I wonder if there's a newt beer John? They are notoriously inebriate...

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  13. Phil, plenty along an ornithological theme from Allendale Brewery...

    Wagtail
    Black Grouse
    Swift

    and soon time for...

    Golden Plover
    and Curlew's Return

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  14. Thanks, Unknown - this sounds like my kind of ornithology. I've recently been given a bottle of Black grouse porter which I thoroughly enjoyed and will 'twitch' the rest of the brewery's flock...

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