Why You Should Seek Out a Joule’s Pub if You’re in the Midlands

When exploring the Midlands, one of the most quintessential experiences you can enjoy is a visit to a traditional British pub. But not just any pub—a Joule’s pub.

Steeped in history and charm, Joule’s Brewery and its collection of unique establishments offer an authentic taste of British brewing heritage. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, seeking out a Joule’s pub is a must if you’re looking to experience the true spirit of the Midlands.

A Rich Brewing Legacy

Joule’s Brewery has a long-standing tradition that dates back to the 18th century. Founded in 1780 by Francis Joule in Stone, Staffordshire, the brewery quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality ales. The iconic Joule’s Red Cross symbol became a trusted mark of quality across the region. Although the original brewery closed its doors in the 1970s, Joule’s was revived in 2010, bringing this historic brand back to life with a new brewery in nearby Market Drayton, Shropshire.

Today, Joule’s pubs are a celebration of that rich brewing legacy, offering a unique blend of history, craftsmanship, and community spirit.

Craftsmanship at Its Finest

At the heart of every Joule’s pub is a commitment to quality and craftsmanship. The brewery focuses on producing traditional, unpretentious ales using the finest ingredients and time-honoured brewing methods. Their signature ales, such as Joule’s Pale Ale, Slumbering Monk, and Pure Blonde, are brewed with care and precision, delivering flavours that reflect the true essence of British brewing.

When you step into a Joule’s pub, you can expect not only a perfectly poured pint but also an environment that celebrates the art of brewing. Each pub is designed with attention to detail, combining rustic features, handcrafted furnishings, and cosy interiors to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. From exposed wooden beams to traditional fireplaces, Joule’s pubs evoke a sense of nostalgia while offering modern comforts.

The Charm of Joule’s Pubs

What sets Joule’s pubs apart is their distinct charm. Unlike many chain pubs that can feel impersonal and generic, every Joule’s pub has its own character. The brewery takes great pride in restoring historic buildings and preserving their unique features, whether it’s a centuries-old coaching inn or a former market hall.

These pubs are often the heart of the communities they serve, offering a gathering place where locals can come together to enjoy great beer, hearty food, and friendly conversation. Whether you’re visiting for a quiet pint after a long walk in the countryside or meeting friends for an evening out, a Joule’s pub offers the perfect backdrop.

A True Midlands Experience

The Midlands is a region known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant local culture. A visit to a Joule’s pub is a way to immerse yourself in that local tradition. Many of the pubs are nestled in picturesque villages or historic market towns, making them an ideal stop during a day of exploring the region.

The staff at Joule’s pubs are known for their warm hospitality and love of their local area, so don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations on things to see and do nearby. From walks through the Shropshire hills to discovering hidden gems in Staffordshire, visiting a Joule’s pub is an experience that connects you to the heart of the Midlands.

A Focus on Sustainability

Joule’s Brewery is also committed to sustainability, taking steps to reduce its environmental impact. Their brewery in Market Drayton is designed to be energy-efficient, and they’ve implemented various initiatives to reduce waste and promote eco-friendly practices. By supporting a Joule’s pub, you’re not only enjoying quality beer, but also contributing to a more sustainable approach to brewing.

Great Food and Local Produce

Many Joule’s pubs offer a menu that’s just as appealing as the beer. From classic pub favourites like fish and chips and homemade pies to seasonal specials, the food at Joule’s pubs is hearty and locally sourced where possible. Whether you’re after a light bite or a full meal, the emphasis is always on fresh ingredients and quality cooking.

Pair your meal with one of their handcrafted ales, and you’ve got a perfect combination for a satisfying pub experience.

A Growing Network of Pubs

With pubs in counties such as Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire, you’re never too far away from a Joule’s pub when you’re in the region.

Conclusion

If you’re in the Midlands and want to experience a true British pub with a strong sense of history, community, and craftsmanship, seeking out a Joule’s pub should be at the top of your list. Whether it’s the perfectly brewed ale, the welcoming atmosphere, or the beautiful surroundings, a Joule’s pub offers an authentic taste of the Midlands’ heritage.

So, next time you’re in the area, stop by a Joule’s pub, raise a glass, and savour the rich history and craftsmanship that have made this brewery a cherished part of British pub culture.

Incidentally their pubs are already taking bookings for Christmas parties.

To learn more and to locate a Joules pub visit https://www.joulesbrewery.co.uk

The Perfect Pint: Matching Beer Styles with Every Course

Beer and food pairing is an art that, when mastered, can elevate your dining experience to extraordinary heights. 

From the crispness of a lager to the richness of a stout, the myriad of flavours found in different beer styles can complement and enhance a wide variety of dishes. 

In this blog post, we'll explore how to match different styles of beers with starters, main courses, and desserts, ensuring your next meal is a true gastronomic delight.

Starters

1. Light Lagers and Pilsners with Salads and Seafood

Light lagers and pilsners, known for their crisp and clean profiles, pair wonderfully with fresh salads and seafood dishes. The beer's mild bitterness and subtle maltiness provide a refreshing contrast to the zesty flavours of a Caesar salad or the delicate taste of shrimp cocktails.

2. Wheat Beers with Spicy Starters

Wheat beers, often characterised by their light body and slightly sweet, fruity notes, are ideal for spicy starters. The soft, pillowy texture of a wheat beer, such as a Hefeweizen, can soothe the palate and temper the heat of spicy chicken wings or jalapeño poppers.

3. Belgian Ales with Cheese Platters

Belgian ales, with their rich and complex flavours, are perfect for cheese platters. The sweetness and spice notes of a Belgian Dubbel or Tripel can stand up to robust cheeses like aged Cheddar or Stilton, creating a harmonious balance of flavours.

Main Courses

1. Pale Ales with Grilled Meats

Pale ales, which have a balanced malt profile and a moderate hop bitterness, pair beautifully with grilled meats. The hoppy notes of an India Pale Ale (IPA) can cut through the richness of a juicy burger or a well-seasoned steak, enhancing the flavours of the meat.

2. Brown Ales with Roasted Poultry

Brown ales, with their nutty and caramel flavours, complement roasted poultry dishes such as turkey or chicken. The beer's maltiness echoes the caramelised skin of the roasted bird, while its moderate bitterness provides a pleasant counterpoint to the savoury meat.

3. Stouts and Porters with Hearty Stews

Stouts and porters, known for their dark, robust profiles and notes of chocolate and coffee, are excellent choices for hearty stews and braised dishes. A beef stew or a slow-cooked lamb shank finds a perfect partner in the rich, roasted flavours of a stout, which can accentuate the depth of the dish.

Desserts

1. Fruit Beers with Light Desserts

Fruit beers, often sweet and tart, pair well with light desserts such as fruit tarts or sorbets. The beer's fruity notes can complement the natural sweetness of the dessert, creating a refreshing end to the meal.

2. Strong Ales with Rich, Creamy Desserts

Strong ales, with their high alcohol content and rich, complex flavours, are an excellent match for rich, creamy desserts like cheesecake or crème brûlée. The beer's sweetness and warmth can mirror the dessert's richness, providing a luxurious finish to the meal.

3. Imperial Stouts with Chocolate Desserts

Imperial stouts, with their intense flavours of dark chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt, are the ultimate pairing for chocolate desserts. A dark chocolate cake or a fudgy brownie finds its ideal partner in an imperial stout, where the beer's bitterness balances the dessert's sweetness.

Conclusion

Pairing beer with food is a journey of exploration and discovery. By understanding the unique characteristics of different beer styles and how they interact with various dishes, you can create a dining experience that is both satisfying and memorable. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or enjoying a quiet meal at home, consider these beer and food pairings to enhance your culinary adventures. Cheers!

Cooking with Beer: A British Perspective

Beer, a beloved British beverage, isn't just for sipping; it can also be a versatile and flavourful ingredient in cooking. 

Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook, incorporating beer into your recipes can elevate your dishes, adding depth and complexity. 

Let's explore how you can use beer in your cooking, from classic British pub fare to innovative culinary experiments.

The Basics of Cooking with Beer

Cooking with beer isn't new; it's a tradition that dates back centuries. Beer can be used in various forms, including:

Marinades: Beer tenderises meat and infuses it with flavour. The acidity in beer helps break down tough fibres, making it an excellent choice for marinating beef, pork, or chicken.

Braising and Stewing: Dark ales and stouts are perfect for slow-cooking meats. The beer's rich, malty flavours meld beautifully with ingredients, resulting in hearty, comforting dishes.

Baking: Surprisingly, beer can be an ingredient in baking too. It adds a subtle yeasty flavour to bread and can make cakes and pastries lighter and more moist.

Batter and Breading: Beer batters are famous for their light, crispy texture. The carbonation in beer creates bubbles in the batter, leading to a delightful crunch.

Choosing the Right Beer

The type of beer you use can significantly impact the final dish. Here’s a quick guide:

Lager: Light and crisp, lager is great for batters and light dishes. It adds a subtle flavour without overpowering the other ingredients.

Ale: With its rich, malty taste, ale is excellent for stews, braises, and marinades. It complements hearty dishes like beef stew or shepherd’s pie.

Stout and Porter: These dark beers have robust flavours with hints of coffee, chocolate, and caramel. They are ideal for rich desserts, braised meats, and even chilli con carne.

Wheat Beer: Fruity and spicy, wheat beers pair well with seafood and lighter dishes. They can add a refreshing note to salads and sauces.

Classic British Dishes with Beer

Beef and Ale Pie: A quintessential British comfort food, this dish combines tender chunks of beef slow-cooked in a rich ale sauce. The beer not only tenderises the meat but also adds a deep, malty flavour that complements the flaky pastry.

Beer-Battered Fish and Chips: A staple of British cuisine, fish and chips take on a new level of crispiness when the batter is made with beer. The carbonation in the beer creates a light, airy batter that fries to perfection.

Welsh Rarebit: This traditional dish is a savoury cheese sauce made with ale, poured over toast. The beer adds a slight tanginess and enhances the cheese's flavour, making for a deliciously rich dish.

Guinness Chocolate Cake: For dessert, consider a rich chocolate cake made with stout. The beer adds moisture and depth to the cake, with subtle coffee and chocolate undertones that elevate the cocoa's richness.

Tips for Cooking with Beer

Mind the Bitterness: Beer can impart a bitter taste, especially darker varieties. Balance this with sweetness or acidity in your dish.

Cook with What You Drink: Use a beer you'd enjoy drinking. The flavour will intensify during cooking, so choosing a beer you like ensures you'll enjoy the final dish.

Start Small: If you're new to cooking with beer, start with small amounts and gradually adjust to taste. It's easier to add more than to take away!

Experiment and Enjoy

Cooking with beer is all about experimentation and enjoying the process. It’s a wonderful way to add new dimensions to your cooking and explore different flavours. Whether you're making a hearty stew, a light batter, or even a decadent dessert, beer can be a delightful addition to your culinary repertoire. So, next time you're in the kitchen, don't just pour yourself a pint—consider pouring some into your dish as well!

Happy cooking, and cheers to delicious beery good meals! (Sorry!) 

Exploring the World of Craft Beer: Styles and Flavours

Craft beer has undergone a renaissance in recent years, captivating the taste buds of enthusiasts worldwide. 

From the hoppy bitterness of an IPA to the smooth richness of a stout, the world of craft beer offers an extensive array of styles and flavours to explore. Let's embark on a journey through this diverse and fascinating landscape.

The Rise of Craft Beer

Craft beer, unlike mass-produced commercial brews, is typically produced by small, independent breweries. These breweries prioritise quality, innovation, and flavour over mass production. This dedication has led to an explosion of creativity within the craft beer industry, with brewers experimenting with unique ingredients, brewing techniques, and flavour profiles.

Understanding Beer Styles

One of the most intriguing aspects of craft beer is its diversity of styles. Each style offers its own distinctive characteristics, from colour and aroma to taste and mouthfeel. Here are some popular craft beer styles you might encounter:

India Pale Ale (IPA): Renowned for its hop-forward bitterness, IPAs often feature prominent citrus, pine, and floral notes. Variations include American IPA, English IPA, Double IPA (DIPA), and New England IPA (NEIPA).

Stout: Dark, robust, and full-bodied, stouts are characterized by their rich flavours of roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, and sometimes hints of caramel or toffee. Examples include Irish Dry Stout, Imperial Stout, and Milk Stout.

Pale Ale: Pale ales strike a balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness, with a focus on showcasing the flavours of the hops. They come in various iterations such as American Pale Ale, English Bitter, and Belgian Pale Ale.

Sour Ale: Known for their tartness and acidity, sour ales encompass a broad spectrum of styles, including Berliner Weisse, Gose, Lambic, and Flanders Red Ale. They often feature fruity, funky, or complex flavours derived from wild yeast or bacteria.

Wheat Beer: Brewed with a significant proportion of wheat in addition to barley, wheat beers are typically light-bodied and refreshing, with flavours ranging from citrus and spice to banana and clove. Examples include Hefeweizen, Witbier, and Berliner Weisse.

Exploring Flavours

Craft brewers are constantly pushing the boundaries of flavour, incorporating a diverse range of ingredients to create unique and memorable brews. Whether it's adding fruits, spices, herbs, or even coffee and chocolate, there's no shortage of experimentation in the world of craft beer.

Some breweries specialise in barrel-aged beers, which are aged in wooden barrels previously used for aging spirits such as whiskey, rum, or wine. This process imparts complex flavours and aromas, often with notes of oak, vanilla, and the spirit itself.

Conclusion

The world of craft beer is a vibrant tapestry of styles, flavours, and experiences waiting to be explored. Whether you're a seasoned beer aficionado or just beginning your journey, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So, raise a glass to the creativity and passion of craft brewers everywhere, and embark on a delicious adventure through the world of craft beer. Cheers!

Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival 11 to 22 October

Between Wednesday 11th October to Sunday 22nd October the Wetherspoon pub company is running another of its highly successful and very popular real ale festivals at all of its pubs up and down the country.

Real ale fans will be able to sample beers from award-winning brewers, taste brews from five international breweries, take a look at 25 ales that are totally new to Wetherspoon pubs and enjoy up to 30 different ales and beers.

Beers you could try will include Conwy Kashmir IPA, Harviestoun Broken Dial, Joe’s Garage

Bohemian Pale Ale, all the way from the Czech Republic, From the USA there's New Realm Hoptropolis IPA, Robinsons Fear Of The Dark, Steel & Oak Easy Stout from Canada, Yazoo Dos Perros from Tennessee, Zululand Zulu Blonde from South Africa.

Also there's Salopian The Murmurings of a Lost Leviathan, Titanic Cherry Porter, Thornbridge Hubble, Wychwood King Goblin, Hogs Back Ratfink & Ripsnorter, Evan Evans Challenger, Maxim Slovenian Pale Ale, Inveralmond Ossian Oatmeal Stout, Castle Rock Phoenix Tears and other beers besides, plus the usual array of other ales. Plus several ciders (including craft ciders, usually) and food is available all day.

Prices may vary between pubs, also check if the Festival Third of a Pint scheme is still operating.

For full details check out the link here https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/news/2023/09/autumn-real-ale-festival

We are fortunate that we have four Wetherspoon pubs all reasonably local to us and we'll plan our visits accordingly. 

Timothy Taylor's Brewery Receives Two Top Awards for Can Design

Timothy Taylor's Hopical Storm, a 4% triple-hopped session pale ale, was recently launched in cans to provide an additional packaging format that suited the brand and widened the appeal and availability to a younger, legal drinking-age audience.

Announcing the awards, Timothy Taylor's CEO Tim Dewey said “Having successfully launched Hopical Storm to pubs and restaurants in kegs, we realised cans were a logical extension to our range. 

"Not only would they provide an option for venues without cellar space or rate of sale required for serving draught beers, but would also enable customers to enjoy this refreshing triple-hopped pale ale away from bars, wherever they are and whatever the occasion.”

The Hopical Storm 440ml aluminium cans feature distinctive orange branding, characterising the burst of fruit aroma and flavours of the beer, with a cut-out silver lightning flash symbolising Hopical Storm's ability to strike thirst. 

The multi award-winning design was developed by Springetts Brand Design in conjunction with the Timothy Taylor's in-house marketing team of Jane Jenkins and Scott Cameron and the can labels printed by Reflex Label Plus, who used their expertise to include tactile varnishing, lending to an enhanced ergonomic feel, too.

“Timothy Taylor's is an independent business fully committed to brewing quality beers” added Dewey. 

“And the mandarin, mango, and passion fruit of Hopical Storm unleashes a tropical cyclone of refreshment that strikes your thirst. It's a characterful twist on the tradition associated with Timothy Taylor's and the can design needed to reflect this new approach for a brewery that was established back in 1858, 165 years ago.

"The attention to detail combines the vibrant, tropical colour and the lightning strike, with the depiction of the famous Timothy Taylor's barley sheaf also updated to show it being buffeted by a strong wind to create the perfect Hopical Storm.

“At 4% ABV Hopical Storm is more accessible than some higher ABV beers in the IPA category and has gained widespread distribution and positive tasting reviews. 

"For the can to now be recognised by the International Beer Challenge and receiving the accolade of World's Best Can Design at the World Beer Awards is the crowning glory and ultimate accolade for everybody who has worked so hard on development of the beer and how it is presented.”

Hopical Storm is brewed using five UK-grown hops in three stages of hopping, Cascade and Whitbread Goldings in the copper, Cascade and Chinook at the hop back stage, then dry-hopped with Jester and Ernest. 

Combined with Timothy Taylor's natural Knowle Spring water, fine barley malts and the unique Taylor's Taste yeast to create the tropical storm of flavour and aroma. Hopical Storm is notable for its pale golden appearance and clarity and is vegan-friendly, wearing the distinctive Vegan Trademark and certified by The Vegan Society.

Timothy Taylor's Hopical Storm was also recognised with a silver medal in the taste category at the International Beer Challenge.

The can has secured listings in selected Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Booths, and Waitrose stores and has had a full calendar of marketing activity over the summer including print and digital advertising. It also had presence at events including BrewLDN, the Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, and as one of the brands poured by Timothy Taylor's as the official beer partner of CarFest, where the award-winning cans were also enjoyed across all the festival's bars.

https://www.timothytaylor.co.uk

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Co-op expands Goose Island partnership with launch of two frozen pizzas

The Co-op has announced it's set to expand its popular Goose Island frozen food range with the launch of two new exciting pizza flavours, taking the total number of products in the collaboration to a magnificent seven.

New additions to the bar snacks range include a Double Pepperoni Pizza (515g) and BBQ Cheese Feast Pizza (510g), which have both been developed with the bold American flavours from Goose Island’s IPA to enhance the takeaway style home dining experience with authentic Italian cooking methods.

A testimony to Co-op’s commitment to high-quality produce, the pizzas are actually made in the heart of Italy, hand-stretched with 24hr leavened dough and baked in a traditional wood-fired oven, thus ensuring a light and airy crust. 

Comprising of a deep pan pizza base topped with Goose Island IPA BBQ sauce, the Double Pepperoni Pizza is nicely finished off with mozzarella and pepperoni pieces whilst the Cheese Feast Pizza combines mozzarella, Emmental, provolone and Italian hard cheese.

Targeting foodie customers who are seeking out quick and easy dinner solutions, the new pizzas are an ideal match for the brewery’s beers which includes Goose Island IPA Single Can (330m) and Goose Island IPA Cans (4 x 330ml). The pizzas also join the existing line-up of Goose Island snacking SKUs which launched back in 2021 and are infused with the brewery’s iconic award winning IPA. The five “finger-food favourites” includes: onion rings, halloumi fries, mac ‘n’ cheese bites, chilli cheese bites and loaded fries.

Rebecca Oliver Mooney, who is the Head of Commercial at Co-op, said: “We’ve seen a phenomenal response to our bar snacks collaboration with Goose Island and the new pizzas are the perfect way to add innovation to the popular range as they continue the food and beer pairing.

“We are focused on providing our members and customers with convenient solutions, so we’re confident our members and customers will buy into the range even more so with these new additions which provide shoppers with a complete ‘fakeaway’ range to conveniently cook up at home."

Olivia Moore, Goose Island Brand Manager said: “We’re incredibly excited to be bringing this new addition, which gives consumers the opportunity to perfectly match their pizza and beer. The Goose Island IPA BBQ sauce is infused with our award winning IPA, the flavours from which bring something really special to the range.”

The pizzas are available now in the frozen food section across 816 Co-op stores and online at shop.coop.uk, priced at £3.75 each.

Chur Bro New Zealand IPA

Another of my beer purchases from Home Bargains was a can of Chur Bro New Zealand IPA.

It's from the Off Axis Brew Company and has an alcohol vol of 6.2%.

It's brewed and canned under contract in the UK exclusively for TJM Ltd, the owners of Home Bargains.

It's a delightfully hoppy IPA, which is brewed using the following New Zealand hops: Pacific Jade, Motueka, Raku and Wakatu.

Unlike some heavily hopped IPAs this has a strong level of hoppiness, but it's not overbearing as can be the case with some IPAs, especially those produced by some brewers on the West Coast of the USA.

New Zealand has, over the past decade or so, began to forge a pathway to become a centre of IP excellence, but with a style all of its own.

There's an excellent mouthfeel, an enticing bitterness and a good degree of hop flavours that mean this beer is a great IPA right to the last drop.

I think it's about £1.49 for a 440ml can.

https://untappd.com/b/tiny-rebel-brewing-co-chur-bro/2821834

Give the Gift of Artisan Beer This Father's Day With Empress Ale

This Father's Day, British artisan beer brand Empress Ale is offering the perfect gift for dads everywhere. 

Empress Ales are premium craft British beers made using the finest natural ingredients, sourced as locally as possible, wherever this is possible. 

The range, which includes a Pale Ale, an IPA, and a Pilsner-style lager that's gluten-free, organic and vegan, are smooth, light and easy to drink and are designed to be enjoyed whatever the occasion.

They're stocked in venues and restaurants all over the UK, including City Social by Jason Atherton, the Goodman Group, and Adams in Birmingham, plus in branches of Waitrose.

But the perfect way to get a gift direct to a dad this Father's Day is to order from the Empress website, treating the beer fan in your life to a selection of the Empress beers or perhaps a few bottles of their favourite?

To celebrate the occasion, Empress is giving an extra 10% discount for online orders for Father's Day, along with free shipping. 

Entrepreneur Surj Virk set up Empress in 2016, growing it into a premium brand stocked in some of the top hospitality venues across the UK.

A dad himself, he said the range makes the perfect gift, on Father's Day or all-year round, - because of the personal touch that's gone into creating it. 

“Empress is a hugely personal beer brand," he said. “The whole range has been created with love - a British-made beer using old English recipes for inspiration, but also with a nod to my Indian heritage and some very personal tributes to members of my family.

“Our Pale Ale, IPA, and Pilsner-style Lager are all proving hugely popular - both when served with food in restaurants across the country, and when bought direct from us to either go with food at home, or to drink with family and friends.

“That means they make great gift options for any occasion, and for Father's Day we're offering a special discount code to treat the dad in your life. Just add FATHER2023 when at the online checkout and you'll get an extra 10% off and free shipping when you spend over £45.”

For more information and to order online, visit www.empressale.com.