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.
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.
ReplyDeleteVery clever idea. I wonder what similar themes one could think up for wildlife?
ReplyDeleteNow that's a beer I have to seek out.
ReplyDeletePhil, Research can be such a chore, you have my heart-felt sympathies :o)
ReplyDeleteSir has lain down a challenge. There's a PHD in there surely ...
ReplyDeleteAny 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.
ReplyDeleteI already have several with an ornithological theme in our fridge, toffeeapple, that I'm preparing to investigate...
ReplyDeleteWell, after the beers there's whisky - Famous Grouse - then after that I may be past caring John!
ReplyDeleteA very satisfying tipple on a sunny afternoon Keith - I think Sainsbuy's stock it...
ReplyDeleteGruelling work Graeme, but someone has to do it...
ReplyDeleteGood idea Dougie, that would add an air of respectability to the enterprise .... I wonder if I could apply for grant funding?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there's a newt beer John? They are notoriously inebriate...
ReplyDeletePhil, plenty along an ornithological theme from Allendale Brewery...
ReplyDeleteWagtail
Black Grouse
Swift
and soon time for...
Golden Plover
and Curlew's Return
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...
ReplyDelete