Sneak's Blog

July 2005

25th - Sneak has been sampling the delights of Triple fff's " Summer Is Icumenin". Only Sneak's feet failed to follow him afterwards. It was then the real meaning of a light summer ale of 6% struck home! Then again Sneak hopes Triple fff know something he doesn't as summer (at least here) does not seem to be icumenin!

13th - Sneak's spies have been out in force and it turns out that Bleak House has not "yet" been sold to [alledgedly] a courageous scottish brewing empire. Seems they can't quite agree on how much beer the said pub has! But one fact remains the beer festival is off - thank goodness.

12th - Dutch blows it all and emails everyone the answers to the competition. Never mind it was only a bit of fun!

11th - Sneak sampled the delights of Dark Star IPA. It was more like "Tanglefoot" (only in name not as a beer!) and stumbled home after sampling this splended 6.2% IPA. Bring back APA - at least Sneak can get home after two pints!

6th - Sneak heard that Bleak House has finally been sold (to who is still to be discovered - but it seems to be a "large company") but for what appears to be a lot less than was asked. It also seems for those who went to it that the beer festival will not take place this year. Beer range may be reduced also - which may not be bad as Sneak would always prefer a decent pint of a selection of two than a cr*p one of eight.

June 2005

24th - Curse of Sneak II. Sneak attended Kingston Beer Festival this year and excellent it was to. But true to form it pi**ed down.

13th - Sneak would advise not rushing to the World's End (or at least checking in advance) as Badger First Gold was conspicuous by its absence - so far ...

7th - Sneak has been asked by Mr Badger to sample his new golden ale (Badger First Gold). Seems of all Mr Badger's pubs in the land our very own Horse & Groom (sorry World's End) in Patching has been selected as one of the 20. So if you want to try it and even perhaps influence Mr Badger's head brewer. Stop off and try the brew and send you comments along with the pub name and the date and time to Hall & Woodhouse Ltd (Marketing Dept), The Brewery, Blandford St. Mary, Dorset DT11 9LR, or fax it to 01258 486076. Don’t forget to include your contact details so that they can send you a Badger t-shirt as well! Maybe worth a go?

3rd - Sneak has been asked not to attend any more beer festivals. Not, as you might imagine, by Mrs Sneak, but by the organisers and visitors. Seems Sneak has a reputation recently of bringing on the weather and not clement weather either. Saying that standing in a queue in the rain this weekend was a bit fun and many were the breweries that Sneak had not heard of at this years Glastonwick @ Shoreham Airport Beer Festival.

May 2005

22nd - On another note Sneak heard from the Eurosceptic today. Seems said sceptic was over in Norfolk for a brewery visit recently and the brewer was having a moan about costs etc. Seems the most expensive thing for the brewery is ... water. It takes about six pints of water to make one pint of beer. It seems water is very expensive in Norfolk.

20th - Sneak heard from the "Old Bedwetter" (don't ask) today about a certain pub in Warwick Street. Old Speakled Hen was £2.80, more for the fizzy amber stuff. Looks like three pounds a pint is just around the corner.

15th - Sneak visited the other McSpoons in LA. Sneak thinks that if they loaned some staff to Worthing you might be served quicker there, but was surprised to find the price difference. £1.65 a pint and 99p a half of Old Tom. However, the beer was well kept and the selection excellent.

14th - Sneak visited Worthing's McSpoons today to sample some of the delights of its biggest ever beer festival. The beer was good. Sneak even managed a mix (pint of bitter mixed with a half of the famous Robinson's Old Tom) and £1.49 was very happy indeed. One point of order though, another gentleman ordered a pint of Old Tom, was refused but purchased two halves instead. When aforementioned halves were transferred to a pint glass there was a lot of room in the glass, the reason? "There is supposed to be a 5% head". Well ate £1.49 a pint (sorry 75p an half) Sneak didn't complain too much.

4th - Sneak hadn't given much thought into the little picture that accompanies this page. But don't you think it looks a tad like a certain British Prime Minister who is seeking re-election?

April 2005

29th - Maybe you 'heard' Dark Star have been press ganged in to making a Double Chocolate Stout for next Winter (name to be confirmed - perhaps another competition?). Biggest debate Sneak heard was would it be Bournville or Cadbury's Milk.

27th (part two) - Sneak understand that we may have our very own Princess (Fergie not D) in our midst. However, Sneak will not be publishing any of the photos for fear of reprisals (from viewers that is). Well not just yet anyway!

27th (part one) - Sneak has a new competition, apart from McSpoons when did anyone have a decent pint of beer for a £1? Well Sneak managed to slip "a few" under his belt today. And very much appreciated they were. Sneak could let you know but it would be like rubbing salt and pepper in to the wound ... Sneak even tried to buy some on account (like a years worth) but was politely told where to go.

20th - Sneak heard that the White Horse in Stenying is up for grabs. Seems the previous tenant had made a really success of the pub and trade was picking up. So what does the Jolly Greene Giant do ... up the rent so said tenant up sticks. Not that Sneak thinks this is just the JGG is the only pub company do this (allegedly!).

6th - Sneak has come in to the debate about smoking in pubs a bit late. However, Sneak's personal opinion is that there should be an 'All or Nothing' approach. (Or leave it up to the landlord/pub company/brewer don't legislate.) This smacks of the lined glasses debate - if one pub does it it isn't a level playing field (supposedly McSpoons - who used lined glasses for a year or so a few years ago - "lost" £1m in 'over filled glasses' in a year - and that was from a manager Sneak knew well in London!) While we're on the subject Sneak's - also personal - opinion is that to have a no smoking area in a room is like having a 'no peeing' area in a swimming pool and we know where that leads ...

5th - While doing some 'research' Sneak came across AWOL. An insidious device from across the water (the good old 'US of A' not France) the Alcohol Without Liquid (AWOL) vaporiser. AWOL consists of two components: an oxygen generator and a hand-held vaporizer. Tubes from the generator attach to the vaporizer. The user chooses an 80-proof spirit, which is poured into the vaporizer. Oxygen mixes with the alcohol producing a mist which is inhaled through the mouth. Well that sounds fine, Sneak will have his in a jug please.

2nd - Sneak was perusing a certain web site when he came across an article about Banks & Taylor's 'Stuff the Royal Wedding Ale' in the Comet. Sneak was reminded of 1996's Norwich Beer Festival when Buffy's brewed an exceptionally fine ale called (appropriately enough) Royal Divorse Ale.