MINICASKS

This post has been inspired by the visit of the Flying Scotsman ( the loco, not the beer) to Shildon Railway Museum. But first :--

In 2011 one of my mates hosted an indoor sports evening ( lads only) to help him drink two 9 pint minicasks he had just brought back from Fyne Ales Brewery.  As if we needed an excuse to help him drink it  but we thought it would be a fine ( sorry about the pun) way to enjoy the evening. With his family out of the way and dressed in various sports outfits, we participated in such strenuous activities as Wii Tennis, Jenga and Magnetic Darts ; - I am not making this up. 

Towards the end of the evening, with the beers and the contest in full flow, the front door opened and in walked one of his daughters. We all froze like rabbits caught in headlights as she paused in the hallway, looked around to take in the scene in front of her, 6 guys boozing and playing silly games, tutted briefly  then headed up the stairs without a word. We were pissing ourselves.

I found later that nearly all 18 pints of the beer had been consumed, leaving just the sediment for our host to enjoy the next day " You bastards drank the lot"  I believe was the expression used next time me met.

COPPY LANE STOUT

Since then I have enjoyed minicasks on an occasional basis. One Christmas I bought myself a cask of Coppy Lane Stout from the Stables Brewery in Beamish and earlier this year treated myself to a Maxim Coffee Porter.

COFFER PORTER

This Easter we visited our daughter , who works in Glasgow. We drove north along the western lochs towards  Loch Fyne, the car miraculously finding its way to the aforesaid Loch Fyne brewery. I bought myself a couple of bottle from the shop but daughter acquired a minicask of Highlander  , clutching it tightly as we headed back to the car. 

Now we are nearly up to date. For a weeks holiday she decided , with a group of mates, to stay in Aviemore. I emailed her some suggested pubs and subtly  mentioned the Cairngorm Brewery in the town.

So yesterday she drove down to come with us to see the Flying Scotsman at Shildon. On arrival, in she came, brandishing 3 bottles of Cairngorm beers and a minicask  of 5% Highland IPA!! 

HIGHLAND IPA

After our visit to Shildon and allowing the beer to settle, we tucked into the IPA. Now I usually prefer dark sweetish beers but this has very hoppy taste with a bitter finish, but it didnt take long before multiple visits into the kitchen were made for top ups.

As I type , there is still some left so will have to do it all again tonight. Hard work this beer drinking business.