Fantastic! Caskmarque launches Real Ale Trail Caskfinder App!

The popular CaskFinder smartphone application has launched the World’s Biggest Ale Trail.

Available for iPhone and Android, the World's Biggest Ale Trail offers customers the chance to use their phone's camera to scan QR codes placed on Cask Marque certificates in accredited pubs. There are 7,500 Cask Marque pubs and bars across the UK to choose from to take part in the World’s Biggest Ale Trail.

The app records the number of pubs visited and rewards prizes for milestones of 25, 50 and 100 pubs. Once you have scanned 100 pub barcodes you become a Cask Marque ambassador, which includes the opportunity to spend the day with an assessor, visiting a number of pubs to see how Cask Marque ensure a quality pint.

Real ale is helping to save the great British institution of the pub - the recent Cask Report found cask drinkers are more than twice more likely to visit pubs on a regular basis than non-cask drinkers. With the opportunity to try before you buy, cask is recruiting new drinkers – 10% of drinkers tried it for the first time in the last 12 months.

Cask Marque Director, Paul Nunny, who is responsible for the quality of ale in pubs said: “Cask ale is a British institution which should be celebrated by everyone up and down the country. The CaskFinder app helps customers get the most out of their pub visits and rate their favourite beers, sharing tried and tested favourites with other app users.”

Download the upgraded version of CaskFinder straightaway to start your very own World’s Biggest Ale Trail.

For any further information please contact Anna Jones or Sarah Stevenson at Seal on 0121 616 5800 or sarahstevenson@seal.uk.com

FACTFILE:

CaskFinder is designed to help consumers enjoy and appreciate Cask Ale wherever they may be in the UK! Combining data from the Cask Marque pub quality inspection scheme and the Cyclops® beer standardisation initiative, both industry sponsored bodies, CaskFinder has a host of features to aid customers in the pursuit of ale drinking.

On top of the NEW World’s Biggest Ale trail, CaskFinder has a range of features for any beer enthusiast:

• CaskFinder uses the location-awareness of the smartphone to show customers their nearest Cask Marque award winning pubs – 7,500 to choose from
• Details of the cask beers on sale in each pub
• Description of over 1,000 beers from 250 brewers using Cyclops Beer database
• Rate beers to help other ale fans
• Find similar beers
• Beer Festivals – a complete list with contact details, admission prices and maps
• Beer Blog – from award winning writer, Pete Brown, that gives you an inside track on the beer industry
• Beer of the Week – a featured beer of interest
• New Bar code reader for bottled beers – try it on your Tiger beer to get the full Cyclops descriptors and suggested beers for you to try

Cask Marque was set up in 1998 to promote cask ale but in particular beer quality.

The 7,500 award winning Cask Marque pubs receive 2 unannounced visits a year and the qualified assessors check up to six beers on the bar for temperature, taste, appearance and aroma. Any adverse consumer feedback triggers a mystery drinker visit.

The app allows consumers to keep a pub guide in their pocket with stacks of useful information. Currently 46% of consumers who drink cask ale recognise the Cask Marque plaque (NOP survey)

Scottish Win for Costa Coffee's Barista of the Year's Speciality Drink

Costa Coffee's (www.costa.co.uk) Winner of Best Speciality Drink at this year's Barista of the Year Awards was Boyd Murdock from Scotland with his Cranachan Affogato, an espresso based coffee. He fought off tough competition which was open to all 25,000 barista's worldwide and ended with a final twelve baristas from India, Asia and Europe, after weeks of perfecting the final recipes.

The Winning Drink - A Cranachan Affogato

1 teaspoon Honey
1 small scoop of vanilla icecream
3 teaspoons raspberry coulis
Raspberry syrup
1 teaspoon toasted pin head oatmeal
1 shot of Costa mocha Italia coffee

Layer ingredients into the glass. First add the honey, next the icecream and raspberry coulis. Then sprinkle the oatmeal over the top and drizzle a little of the syrup. At the last minute, add the shot of hot Costa coffee. Serve immediately and enjoy. In this way the coffee stays hot and the icecream doesn’t melt.

Flying the flag for Scotland, Boyd who works at the Ayr Central Costa Coffee store, wanted to prove that great coffee can be found just as easily in a quiet seaside town as it can in a bustling metropolis.

(PICTURED: Boyd Murdoch experimenting with ingredients)

The Blue Nun Sparkling Gold ... For Life’s Golden Moments

It may be a little early for some, but the party season is just around the corner and that means plenty of sparkle and a glass or two of fizz! (EDITOR: Never too early for a bit of fizz!)

 

For all those celebrations and family get togethers, Blue Nun has released a new sparkling Gold Edition white wine, complete with distinctive fine flecks of delicate 22 carat gold leaf!

Designed with all the glitz and glamour of the party season in mind, the iconic brand, owned by Langguth Wines in Germany, has used their passion, heritage and expertise to create a delicate, subtle quality sparkling white wine with a lovely light fruitiness (alc 11.00%). 

Blue Nun has crafted the Gold Edition with a full, rounded flavour, this light and elegant style wine has the exciting addition of gold flecks to highlight the natural effervescence of sparkling white wine.

The Gold Edition is ideal as an aperitif or to accompany light bites and hors d’oevres so it’s well suited for the party season, special occasions, celebrations or just for fun!

Blue Nun Sparkling Gold Edition is priced at £6.99 per 75cl bottle and is available to buy on-line from www.drinks2home.co.uk. or   www.drinksdirect.co.uk

The Blue Nun Sparkling will also be available to buy at the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC Birmingham which runs from 23-27^th November 2011, stand number U70.

(EDITOR: OK, some will say this is a gimmick.  All my wife and I know is that when we gently (VERY gently!) inverted the bottle and put it upright again, the flecks of genuine gold danced and shimmered in the light from our Christmas candles as they slowly fluttered down to the bottom of the bottle.

As for the taste? Absolutely gorgeous. It is not too dry, nor is it too sweet, it has a fruity and pleasing taste and it has just the right amount of bubbles. It is one of the nicest sparkling white wines of any type that we have ever tried. Getting some in for Christmas? At £6.99 a bottle? I should think so!)

Redwood Food voted 'most ethical'

The Redwood Wholefood Company is the most ethical vegetarian food firm in the UK, says The Good Shopping Guide.

Every year, the consumer handbook reveals ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’ of the country’s companies and brands, giving each an ethical score out of 100 based on factors such as animal welfare, the environment and workers’ rights.

This year Corby-based Redwood, which produces over 50 different cruelty-free foods under the Cheatin’, Cheezly and Vegideli brand name, scores 96%, the highest rating of any vegetarian food company included.

Others brands featured are Linda McCartney which scores 75%, Realeat (75%), Cauldron (71%), Quorn (71%), Fry’s (67%), Wicken Fen (67%), Dalepak (63%) and Tivall (54%).

“While some are undoubtedly cashing in on a well-meaning but time-poor veggie community, others are producing genuinely innovative vegetarian and vegan products,” reports the guide. “One such company is Redwood Wholefoods.”

Commenting on the rating, Nigel Phillips, Redwood’s managing director, said: “I am delighted to be heading up such an ethical company. Although we are at the top of the class we are not going to sit back but continue to move forward with the aim of getting that 100% spot.”

All Redwood foods are made from 100% natural plant-based ingredients and free from animal products/derivatives, cholesterol, artificial colours/preservatives, lactose, hydrogenated fats and GMOs. They are also kosher certified.

You’ll find them in good health food stores including Holland and Barrett, selected supermarkets and online at
www.redwoodfoods.co.uk.

FACTFILE:
(www.redwoodfoods.co.uk)

Owned by charity campaigner Heather Mills, Redwood is the leading supplier of vegan foods to the health trade and 100% British. Rated the UK’s most ethical vegetarian foods supplier by The Ethical Company Organisation, Redwood produces more than 50 different foods under the Vegideli, Cheatin’ and Cheezly brand names at its animal-free factory in Corby, Northamptonshire.

Everything in its range is made from 100% natural plant-based ingredients so free from animal products and derivatives as well as cholesterol, artificial colours/preservatives, lactose, hydrogenated fats and GMOs, making them suitable for vegetarians and vegans as well as those looking for healthier and more ethical lifestyles. Widely recognised as one of the most innovative and inspirational vegetarian food companies in the UK, Redwood is renowned for being at the cutting edge of food manufacturing and exports to 18 countries worldwide.

That's Health: Antioxidant-Packed Winter Drinks Recipes

That's Health: Antioxidant-Packed Winter Drinks Recipes: AOk Drinks is the perfect drink to serve at parties during the festive season: with or without alcohol www.aokdrinks.com AOk Winter Warm...

New range of delicious British pies from Walkers

A brand new line of quintessentially British pies is being launched into stores this month (November) by Walkers. This traditional brand, known for its authentically British pies, is undertaking a complete re-launch and branching into the hot pie sector. The new hot pie range is designed to appeal to those looking for premium produce that stands out from the crowd.

The new range of Walkers pies includes three different varieties of two-pie packs; Supreme Steak & Stilton, Sumptuous Steak and Classic Chicken, White Wine & Mushroom (2 x 250g) and a single Glorious Chicken & Chorizo Pie (250g). These mouth-watering, impeccably flavoured pies are perfect for foodies seeking high quality wholesome British produce.

The year 2012 will bring a host of prestigious events to the UK and what better way to celebrate than with a perfectly British pie. Embracing the brand’s love for all things British, the packaging comprises a bright and bold Union Jack design. These pies are ideal for dinner parties with a difference and as a hot gastronomic treat for friends and family.
Walkers uses only the best quality British meats in its pies. Superbly flavoured with herbs, spices and complementary ingredients such as Stilton and Chorizo, each pie is skilfully encased in a rich and crisp short crust pastry.

With a distinct heritage in pie making, Walkers was born from Walker & Son, founded in Leicester in 1824. The brand has grown over the years and as well as launching the new hot-pie range, now also offers the re-branded Walkers Pork Pie, which will also include the new Union Jack themed branding.

The hot pie range is available from 14th November in Waitrose supermarkets. The single pie retails at the RRP of £2.79 and the two-pack pies at £4.99.

Walkers also has a cold pie range, consisting of The Picnic Pie (148g), The Crispy Classic (300g) and The Original (440g) available in The Co-operative, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Waitrose and retailing between £0.95 - £2.99 respectively.

For more information on Walkers and its range of pies, please see www.walkerspies.co.uk

FSA warning on certain jars of Loyd Grossman Korma sauce

The Food Standards Agency is advising people not to consume specific jars of Loyd Grossman Korma sauce. This is because of the risk of botulism poisoning.

Only one jar from the batch is known to have been contaminated with the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism, but the Agency is advising people not to eat products from this batch as a precautionary measure.

The affected batch is:

• 350g jars of Loyd Grossman Korma sauce with a 'best before' date of February 2013.
• The sauce has a batch code of: 1218R 07:21.

Anyone who has any of the jars from this batch of Loyd Grossman Korma sauce should not eat it. No other batches of Loyd Grossman products are thought to be affected.
Two members of the same family who have contracted botulism and have eaten from a jar of this batch of sauce have been hospitalised in Scotland. The FSA will issue more information as it becomes available.

FACTFILE:

Botulism is rare in the UK and is caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which attacks the nervous system and can affect people of any age. The infection is not contagious and so cannot be spread from person to person. Symptoms of foodborne botulism typically begin between 12 and 36 hours after ingestion of contaminated food, but may appear in as little as six hours.

Symptoms to look out for are a combination of blurred vision, difficulty swallowing and difficulty speaking – symptoms that rapidly worsen. They are then followed by general muscle weakness. Any person, child or adult, with these symptoms should seek urgent medical advice. Antitoxins have proved very effective in treating the condition if treated early, although full recovery may take several months.

Anyone who has consumed this product and is concerned about the symptoms above should seek urgent medical advice. Outside of normal hours, they can contact NHS DIRECT on 08454647.

Five fabulous japanese whisky cocktails for Christmas

Suntory Japanese whisky proposes a quintet of flavoursome cocktails to make the Christmas festivities go with a swing.

Created by top mixologist Zoran Peric, two of the cocktails celebrate the winter months of the traditional 24-season Japanese year. Three have been created by Zoran especially for a British Christmas with a Christmas Eve cocktail to set the mood, a Christmas Day aperitif in preparation for lunch and a Boxing Day Banger to make the party start.

Zoran has chosen ingredients likely to be found on Christmas drinks trolleys up and down the land for simple, easy- to-make drinks.

Christmas Eve cocktail

Recipe:

• 50ml Hibiki 17 YO blended whisky
• 25ml Mandarine Napoleon
• Vanilla pod (opened)
• Mandarin orange peel/
• Tangerine peel

Christmas Day aperitif

Recipe:
• 50ml Hakushu 12 YO single malt whisky
• 20ml dry sherry
• 6ml sugar syrup
• lemon peel.grapefruit peel

Boxing Day Banger

Recipe:

• 50ml Yamazaki 12 YO single malt whisky
• 15ml sweet sherry
• Orange peel

Name: HIBIKI HOLIDAY TOAST

Method:

• Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass
• Add vanilla pod and mandarin zest
• Strain over ice into a whisky glass
• Garnish with curled tangerine peel

Name: SMOKEY HAKUSHU MARTINI

Method:

• Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass
• Stir 30 times with lemon peel
• Strain into a martini glass
• Garnish with curled grapefruit peel

Name: YAMAZAKI YELL

Method:

• Pour ingredients over ice in a mixing glass
• Stir 30 times
• Strain into a chilled martini glass
• Garnish with curled orange peel

The refined flavours and meticulous attention to detail of Japanese whisky are echoed in the subtle variations of the 24 Japanese seasons. Harmony with nature is a defining characteristic of Japanese culture. The cocktails for the month of December echo the seasons and their names. The first two weeks of December are called Taisetsu – the period of the large snows. The second two weeks are called Toji – the winter solstice – for which Zoran has created a flaming Christmas Blazer.

In celebrating these two seasons, Zoran has chosen elaborate symbols of Japan to create cocktails with a touch of luxury.

Early December

Recipe:

• 40ml Hibiki 17 YO blended whisky
• 20ml Umeshu plum sake
• 2 drops of chocolate bitters
• 20ml hot water
• Green tea
• Orange Zest
• Dried tea flower

Winter Solstice (Christmas Blazer)

Recipe:

• 50ml Yamazaki 12 YO single malt whisky
• 15ml Mandarine Napoleon
• 6ml absinthe
• Brown sugar, vanilla pod, cinnamon,
• Cloves, star anise
• Orange peel

Name: HIBIKI TAISETSU

Method:

• Stir all ingredients with green tea
• Strain into a warm balloon glass
• Place flower into an old-fashioned glass
topped up with hot water
• Place balloon glass on top of warm
old-fashioned glass and serve

Name: YAMAZAKI TOJI

Method:

• Stir half the whisky and all ingredients into a wide-topped glass and flame for 15 seconds
• Warm rest of Yamazaki in a balloon glass
• Pour flaming mix into the balloon glass for 5 seconds then extinquish by placing a napkin over the glass
Zoran, who is Brand Ambassador of Suntory whiskies, says: “The whiskies are exquisite and in these simple and adventurous recipes they add a new dimension to Christmas pleasure”.

Note: Pronounciation of the whiskies’ names
• Yamazaki – (Ya-ma-zarkee)
• Hakushu – (Ha-koo-shoe)
• Hibiki – (Hee-bee-kee)
Suntory single malt and blended whiskies are available from: Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, independent specialist retailers and drinkon.com priced from:
Yamazaki 12 year old £42
Hakushu 12 year old £49.95
Hibiki 17 year old £70

The Yamazaki range of single malt whiskies from Suntory is distributed in the UK by Cellar Trends. For all sales enquiries contact: sales@cellartrends.co.uk

Gran Stead' s New Christmas drink raises a festive cheer

Sussex’s award-winning drinks creators Gran Stead’s are turning up the heat this winter with a new alcohol-free tipple which makes a hearty Christmas drink.

Gran Stead’s Light and Fiery Ginger Wine has been created in response to calls for an even more deeply-spiced sister to top-selling Gran Stead’s Dark and Mellow Ginger Wine.

Both these handmade beverages are big on flavour, making them a satisfying choice for drivers and those avoiding alcohol - they certainly won’t be left feeling hard done by.

“Our new drink is unashamedly fiery and is targeted at those who love their ginger,” says Chris Knox, who with wife and business partner Rosemary developed the latest recipe at their Sussex base.

“It is proving to be a real hit with our customers, and is particularly popular now the cold nights have set in, as people appreciate a smooth drink that gives a bit of a kick.”

Gran Stead’s website is a great place to find festive cocktail ideas - unleash your imagination and have fun using the drinks as a base to make some creative concoctions to warm the taste buds. Mix with whiskey and warm gently, or add to a punch or mulled wine. Alternatively sip through crushed ice or blend with apple, orange or Gran Stead’s Traditional Still Lemonade.

Gran Stead’s drinks are prepared by Chris and Rosemary at Mile Oak Farm in East Sussex. The full range of non-alcoholic drinks comprises:

•Gran Stead’s Light and Fiery Ginger Wine (RRP £4.25 75 cl)
•Gran Stead’s Dark and Mellow Ginger Wine (RRP £4.25 75 cl)
•Gran Stead’s Traditional Still Lemonade RRP (£2.25 75cl)
•Gran Stead’s Still Lemonade With A Zing Of Ginger (£2.25 75cl)

OK: Where can we buy Gran Stead's? Or how can we stock it?

Gran Stead’s traditional drinks are available online at www.GranSteadsGinger.co.uk and from stockists throughout the UK. Find your nearest retailer or buy on-line by visiting www.gransteadsginger.co.uk/stockists

Paski Sir and more

The Sirena Dairy of the island of Pag in Croatia is one of the region's foremost producers and exportersof flavoursome, traditional cheeses.

The first of their cheeses that I was introduced to is Paski Sir, a hard cheese made from the milk of the sheep that are indigenous to the island of Pag.

The cheese has a subtle blend of flavours and is a hard and somewhat dry cheese. But the dryness is pleasant and fits well with the range of flavours that this cheese posses.

It is piquant, yet sweet. But it is not a cloying sweetness, because there are subtle undercurrents of various herbs, too. And the special grasses that the sheep feed on is also well represented.

This cheese is wonderful in cooking, a must for the sophisticated cheese board, excellent with grapes, apples and other fruits and the temptation to nibble “just one more piece of this wonderful cheese” is difficult to resist!

But it would be wrong to presume that this is the only type of cheese that the Gligoira Dairy makes.

Žigljen is a hard cheese made from a delicate blend of cow, sheep and goat milk from the Dalmatian region of Croatia. The cheesemakers believe it is “an abundance of spring water in the region together with the rich minerals of the land, our Žigljen cheese is slightly spicy with a distinctive aroma” and it is not possible to argue with that descrpition.

They age this cheese for a minimum of 3 months, they point out they present their mature Žigljen at 6 and 12 months.

Zigljen goes well with white wines, they recommend white wines such as Grasevina and Welschriesling.

They do point out that, should the Žigljen be more mature, you might find it profits to enjoy it with a red wine, instead, perhaps a Merlot or a Terran?

.

Kolan is another hard cow's milk cheese. This has a somewhat milder taste, though it should be recognised that it is still just as flavour-filled as its more mature sister cheeses. Kolan takes 3 months to mature. What wines do the cheese makers recommend? Paška Zutica, Riesling, Malvasia or other softer reds.

Kozlar is a goat's milk cheese. Which is a popular cheese, on account of its fruity, fresh taste. Popular cheese made from goats milk.

Figurica is a hard cheese thatr is produced using a combination of cow and sheep milk. It's matured form between 3 to 6 months, and has a spicy, pleasing taste. The wine recommendations are the same as for Zigljen. white wine like Grasevina and Welschriesling. If the Figurica is more mature, then reds such as Merlot or Terran are perfect.

The cheeses we were able to taste proves beyond a shadow of doubt that the day of the Artisan cheese maker is in the ascendancy!

Incidentally, if your local cheesemonger does not sell these cheeses yet, ask them why not? If they claim that they do not have their details, gently suggest that they should visit http://www.sirena.hr to find out how they can become an official stockist.