Growing up in Ringwood - where there is a great brewery (well, was great before Marstens took it over) I lived on Ringwood Fortyniner, a great traditional ale - though you have to buy it on Tap, as for some unfathomable reason when they bottle it they Carbonate it, which completely changes the taste!

In recent times, I've turned to The darkside of craft beer, the market is flooded with ipa's wcipa's, neipa's and seemingly hundreds of marshmallow and fruit flavoured beers. Of which the vast amount of have taken the word beer or ale and twisted it beyond all recognition. Can't say i'm a Fan of the more extravagent ones, but a good Neipa is a lovely drop.
Current favourite Brewery is one called BetterWorld brewery, brewed From Borehamwood.. think they have A Taproom in Elephant & Castle.. great range of beers all really good, nothing too 'out there'.

"It was a Team effort, I guess it took all players working together to lose this one"

If you fancy trying a few different ales in a relaxed atmosphere then there is a beer festival this weekend in Orpington at Orpington Liberal club.

Easy to find a short walk from the station and opposite the big Tesco a range of ales bitters and stouts.

Best beer I ever tasted were the ones Del bought me

Aah, Feeling Foul's Double Dragon as I used to call it after a rather heavy session.

Fullers do some excellent special beers or they did. Use to do Past Masters (old beers brought back), Brewers Reserves (left in whisky/bourbon barrels) and a wonderful Imperial Stout, which I still think is the best beer I have ever had.

Over the last couple of years (since the Asahi takeover) they have trimmed it down to just their standard ales and market London Pride like it's something special, when it's probably their blandest beer.

Do still like ESB though, and London Porter, 1845 and Bengal Lancer are also worthwhile.

When I have mentioned 'Felinfoel Double Dragon' in conversation, I have heard the response of "Feeling Foul" !

In terms of 'Brains SA' I was once informed that SA stands for 'Skull attack' !

Apropos 'Fullers ESB' I heard of a gentleman who consumed 6 pints at lunchtime and was 'Out for the count'. He was taken to his abode and was tucked into his bed'. He slept from late afternoon, all through the night and into the afternoon.He later admitted that he felt as rough as a dingo's paw.

Used the need to celebrate this evening, by checking the taste of the Sainsbury's Coronation Ale (£2.50 Sainsbury's Purley Way) during Match of the Day. A good pint produced, (I believe) by the Eagle Brewery, Bedford, which is the former Charles Wells Brewery. My enjoyment was aided by the absence of MR Lineker and Palace being fourth in the line up.