BrewDog Edge

Although BD first brewed this a while back, Edge remained one of the few from their stable that I hadn't yet tried - until this afternoon. I was looking for a pleasant, lunchtime sesssioner, and found it in spades. At 3.2% abv, present-day Edge is a little stronger than when it first appeared (which I understand was around 2.7%abv!) but it remains a wonderful, wonderful beer, and a joy to drink on draught. A thick, tan head gives way to a black-pepper and coffee-led body, with a wonderfully refreshing fruitiness underpinning the whole thing. Despite being packed with flavour, the whole package is stupidly easy to drink. Given the current trend for 'Cascadian Dark Ale' (or whatever they're called this month), this makes a whole lot of sense. The weather is pulling us toward the season for dark milds, stouts and porters, and my lunchtime pint was supremely enjoyable. Nice to see that BD can still pull it out of the bag for lower-strength beers.

I enjoyed Edge in The Victoria, Leeds - should still be on now if you want to try it.

Yep, Another Post About Milds

Sorry, Pete. Luckily I don't really consider myself a 'beer writer' (on account I've not published any books on the subject), so I thought I'd add to the hundreds of 'repetitive' posts about CAMRA's Mild Month out there.

Actually, the reason for this post isn't simply to wind up Pete. I was at work yesterday talking about beer (as often happens), and a quick poll revealed that more of my buddies knew what Wheat beer was, and could identify one at a bar (Erdinger being the ubiquitous one) than Mild. That's a shame - and it probably applies to other styles, too. As we've all said before, maybe it's a little silly to promote one beer during one month, but I think the campaign works, and anything that serves to promote and advertise the good work our breweries do is ok by me. That is, after all, the point of TGS.

Pubs in Leeds are doing their bit, without a doubt. But for the sake of all those casually curious people out there (I know you're there, hiding behind those emptying pint glasses, wondering whether to take the plunge or order another Tuborg), here's a quick rundown of some Milds being produced this month and throughout the year by (mostly northern) breweries:

If it's the stronger, darker end of the market that's your taste, then look no further than Leeds's Midnight Bell or York's Centurions Ghost. Both are loaded with dark chocolate and sweet smoke, and despite their moreishness (which is a trait of all good dark milds), both pack a hefty alcohol wallop. Rudgate's excellent Ruby Mild combines an even smokier taste with a hint of red fruits, as does Nottingham's wonderful Rock Mild. Abbeydale's Daily Bread is slightly paler, with a much more pronounced peppery hop nose and is one of those beers you could drink all day - as is Timothy Taylor's smooth, satisfying Dark Mild. Elland are also brewing Born To Be Mild this month.

Alongside regular Emley Moor Mild, Mallinson's are producing Denby Light Mild this month, and although I've not tried it yet, Mallinson's simply don't seem to make bad beer. Neither do Acorn, whose is Darkness is as suppable as their classic Yorkshire-style bitter. Cropton's Balmy Mild is another lighter-hued, slightly hoppier affair, and if it's a pub-brewed beer you're after, Fox Brewing's Clarendon Dark Mild is a really tasty affair, and available at The Fox & Newt Brewpub on Burley Road, Leeds.

All these locally-brewed gems are in addition to the more established beers popping up as well, such as Fuller's Hock and Festival Mild, Elgood's Black Dog, Thwaites Nutty Black, Harvey's Knots Of May, Hydes Light and Traditional Milds, Okell's Mild, Moorhouse's Black Cat and Cain's Dark Mild.

So - simply get out there, and try some. If you like a pint of mild, try something else from that brewery. Before you know it - you're a beer drinker. Huzzah!

The Midweek: Cairngorm's Autumn Nuts

The midweek's a little late posting this week, apologies! I've kept an eye out for Cairngorm's stuff recently; so when a seasonal brew appeared at The Palace midweek I couldn't resist. I really love this time of year; I've a real soft spot for milds and the like, and now they are starting to pop up as often as the leaves on the trees turn brown and drop.

Autumn Nuts (3.8%) tastes exactly how you'd imagine with that name - malty, a slight toasted malt body and a smooth, smooth mouthfeel with a slight hint of red fruit lingering in there. Ruby in colour, it's a lovely pint - although a little more warming alcohol wouldn't have gone amiss. Good work, Cairngorm.