The Week So Far in Beer

With the weather being so damn humid, the pull of the quick beer after work has seemed stronger this week. What better way then to let the rush hour pass sipping a decent pint, so that you can enjoy a much less stressed journey home?

First up, Shepherd Neame's Whitstable Bay Organic Ale. A beer I've tried in the past in bottled form, and been fairly unimpressed. The draught version is a little creamier, but still doesn't have a lot of body. Some would say perfect for this kind of weather! It's got a great colour, though, and a really peppery hop nose.

Next up, St Austell IPA. Again, I expected a little more from this in the way of hops. However, it does have a nice, biscuity body and a refreshing, sweet aftertaste. I could probably drink a lot more of this, and I don't see it often in Leeds.

Sleeman's IPA on the other hand, is a different beast. Since being permanently installed at Foley's Cask Ale House, I've been drinking a lot of it. Sweet, but with a bitter hop bite, it's a wonderful, frosty friend in these climes. My personal nadir of Sleeman's IPA worship was taking three colleagues to Foley's post-meeting, all self-confessed Lagerheads, and convincing them all to try one. They did, and declared it 'Fucking nice, that, man'. And my work here is done, as they say.

Red Squirell's Conservation Bitter is another solid, sweet, easy-drinking beer that further enhances my respect for them, and Cairngorm's ludicrously named Nessie's Monster Mash kept up the standards too, although this ruby-coloured leviathan was a little heavy for the weather.

All in all, a good week so far. Bring on the weekend!

These fine beers were sampled in The Palace, Mr Foley's Cask Ale House, and The Scarbrough Taps.