Tag: Ron Pattinson

Posted on

Blitzing

Ron Pattinson if the Shut Up About Barclay Perkins blog has been amassing a history of brewing in the United Kingdom and his latest chunk of the timeline has been released ( find it HERE ) .

Blitzkrieg! covers the World War II years and along the other three books: Armistice!, Peace! and Austerity!. The years 1914 to 1973 are now accounted for.

Blitzkrieg! is in two parts, according to Pattinson, “the first volume cover all the fun history bits: brewing materials, techniques and equipment. Along with beer styles and background information about taxation, pubs and brewing restrictions.” The second volume has the recipes along with more brewery information.

The next book is in the pipeline, Free!, covers the years from 1880 to 1914. 

Posted on

More Pattinson

I am a fan of many things in #independent beer world and one of them is both the reverence and irreverence to old styles. American breweries will add anything and everything to Gose, IPA, Stouts and Saisons. But there is also an undercurrent of bringing back the classics in a more pure form.

So I was excited to see this label from Jester King…

…that is made with noted beer historian Ron Pattinson. Who I hope will make more of these beers with many different breweries across the country. The future is limitless but the past can be mined for good beers too.

Posted on

Once Upon a Craft Beer

1939CSI have been lucky enough to snare a couple of the “old Beers” made by Pretty Things and was impressed not only by the history and scholarship behind the beers but by the taste too!  And now a 1939 Scottish ale.  I will be on the lookout for it.

Others in the series are East India Pale Ale from 1879, KK from 1901, East India Porter from 1855 an XXXX Mild from 1832 and two XX ales one 1838 and the other 1945.

Posted on

Past Masters


Dogfish Head has resurrected a few ancient recipes but it is good to see that the folks at Fuller’s (teamed with Ron Pattinson) have dug into their own backyard to bring back some old recipes from their archives.

As their website explains, “The Brew Book has been the bible of brewing at Fuller’s since 1845. Every recipe of every beer ever brewed at the Griffin Brewery has been recorded in meticulous details, documenting the profound skills of generations of Master Brewers.

Today’s Master Brewer, John Keeling, will be recreating a number of epic ales, named ‘Past Masters’, with those precise recipes from the Brew Book.

Sourcing ingredients as close as possible to those originally used, each Past Master will be brewed with traditional techniques to recreate a truly authentic taste.

Only one Past Masters beer will be brewed in a single batch for each release. Each will be unique in its character, and will be a very special opportunity for beer lovers to taste the beer of our forefathers.”

And these are the first two beers made:
“XX Strong Ale
The first beer in the Past Masters series we have chosen to recreate is XX, a strong ale which is perfect for bottle conditioning. Brewed at 7.5% ABV, with the original recipe first used on September 2, 1891, it is dark, rich and full flavoured, with a distinctly warming character.

XX is deeply satisfying, and an unforgettable experience for those who love traditional English beer.

Double Stout
Past Masters Double Stout is the second in the series, brewed to a recipe from 4th August 1893 – a time when ‘stout’ meant ‘strong’. Its signature ingredient is Plumage Archer barley, carefully malted and kilned using 19th Century methods. Dark, brown and creamy this beer is brewed to 7.4% ABV and balances a rich fruity aroma with smoky, bittersweet chocolate notes.”

Posted on

Review – Pretty Things November 22nd Mild

We have returned to Pretty Things and the other “mild” that is nowhere near the one reviewed earlier or the Eagle Rock mild for that matter.

Here is the review…..

…and here is what Pretty Things says about Once Upon a Time….
“X Ales: 1838 & 1945
Two versions of the same X (Mild) Ale brewed by the same London brewery 107 years apart.

Our new releases in March 2012! Two X Ales from the same London brewery, 107 years apart: these beers were brewed and sold as the “same beer”. But they weren’t the same beer at all! This side-by-side release allows you to taste history in a very direct, beat-you-about-the-head kind of way. The beers are whoppingly, fantastically different. There’s no way you would think they are connected by the same brewery, brand name and style. Isn’t history wonderful? Ron Pattinson once again provided recipes and brewday documents for these beers. The 1838 Mild (X Ale) is 7.4%, golden and very hoppy: if you tried our 1832 XXXX Mild ale, you could certainly see this as it’s little brother. The 1945 Mild (X Ale) is 2.8% and more of a mild-as-we-know-it. Dark, weak, grainy. It’s a fantastic way to get yourself into a World War II rationing frame of mind (Note; we recommend drinking this a bit warmer than the fridge). All in all, these beers drunk either alone or side by side demonstrate brewing history in action, and even more wonderfully, they reflect the massive changes that occurred in London between 1838 and 1945, the intimate relationship between working people and their beers, and the passion and creativity that brewers throughout the ages have applied to their craft. We are honored to re-brew these beers, and we give Ron our heartfelt thanks once again for making it possible. Prepare for some time traveling from the comfort of your pint-glass-accompanied armchair! Cheers!”

Posted on

Review – Pretty Things February 22nd Mild

I admit it. The main reason that I wanted this beer is because that is my birthday. Not the year part, but the day.

Here is the review…..

…and here is what Pretty Things says about Once Upon a Time….
“X Ales: 1838 & 1945
Two versions of the same X (Mild) Ale brewed by the same London brewery 107 years apart.

Our new releases in March 2012! Two X Ales from the same London brewery, 107 years apart: these beers were brewed and sold as the “same beer”. But they weren’t the same beer at all! This side-by-side release allows you to taste history in a very direct, beat-you-about-the-head kind of way. The beers are whoppingly, fantastically different. There’s no way you would think they are connected by the same brewery, brand name and style. Isn’t history wonderful? Ron Pattinson once again provided recipes and brewday documents for these beers. The 1838 Mild (X Ale) is 7.4%, golden and very hoppy: if you tried our 1832 XXXX Mild ale, you could certainly see this as it’s little brother. The 1945 Mild (X Ale) is 2.8% and more of a mild-as-we-know-it. Dark, weak, grainy. It’s a fantastic way to get yourself into a World War II rationing frame of mind (Note; we recommend drinking this a bit warmer than the fridge). All in all, these beers drunk either alone or side by side demonstrate brewing history in action, and even more wonderfully, they reflect the massive changes that occurred in London between 1838 and 1945, the intimate relationship between working people and their beers, and the passion and creativity that brewers throughout the ages have applied to their craft. We are honored to re-brew these beers, and we give Ron our heartfelt thanks once again for making it possible. Prepare for some time traveling from the comfort of your pint-glass-accompanied armchair! Cheers!”