A pint of Magnet

[vorpal blade]

I think I've tried them all, thanks for the tip Coco - but I don't like them, though I don't know where the Hallamshire is (stupid/forgetful of me), in Doncaster still can get very drinkable Timmy Taylor's and Tetleys at the Mason's so long as there isn't a heat wave.

I must say I used to love French 'pression' beer but having spent a fortnight in Chamonix recently, I was sadly disappointed to only find Aussie stuff or 'Artisan' beers which have forced the nice lager out (same with bread there too) - it was only when I had a couple of beers at Geneva Airport on the way back that I tasted the old, fizzy, cold drink I used to love.

I understand that Chamonix, full of well off would be hippy (hirsute) snowboarders is going to be infected first - 'artisan' only ever really describes a publicity campaign based on the middle-classes having a go at making foodstuffs that working class people used to do on a larger scale. I get the impression that sometimes a bit of mass-production actually helps the taste.

 

[Eddiecolquhounsleg]

I was raised on proper Northern REAL ale mainly, Tetley's & Sam Smith's, smooth, cool and aerated (i.e. it had a durable head with a foam of little bubbles), it didn't taste overly of hops - I'd drink it in pubs that had just one or two beers on offer thus ensuring freshness.

Now since lads have made money in London and find Northern pubs cheap to buy, they have started brewing what the they call 'real' ale, what they actually have done in the process is imported southern beers into the North. Served too warm and too flat, in most Sheffield pubs, this Northern middle-aged food & drink lover no longer has beer to drink that doesn't make him feel a bit sick.

I lived in London for years and gave up on their beer because it made me ill, now they sell the same stuff up North. The description of beer with words like 'citrussy' is stolen from Wine criticism and is a pretentious joke.

I don't doubt that some people like the beer marketed as 'real' and sold in Pubs in Sheffield, but it has replaced beer that was really enjoyed by a lot of us - in a pub like the Sheffield Tap or the Rutland, I am reduced to drinking lager..... it's a pity.

I'm not averse to a decent brown beer, but on the day I'm talking about the alternative to the Maltsmiths IPA was John Smith's Smooth, a beer so pasteurised and lifeless that only it and cockroaches would survive in the event of a nuclear war. So in describing the Maltsmiths as citrus flavoured would be accurate. If it had been a dark beer as an alternative I would have described it differently.

I'm just saying the offer at the Lane has improved (slightly) with the addition of Maltsmiths IPA and Lager and now Magnet.

 

[vorpal blade]

what's a Maltsmith ? actually Eddie, I reckon that if they served some of the beers you and Coco mention, cooler and with a head nearer that of Guiness , with a tighter sparkler, so as to get more air into the beer and make it creamier, I might well enjoy drinking the stuff - because of course making it cooler suppresses the taste somewhat.

That's what we used to be able to buy in the North but now if you ask for it, all you get is a lecture about how warm the beer is supposed to be from some kid-barman in his 20s.

You would never think of drinking a WARM white wine would you? equally the entire world, bar the SOUTH of England likes cool beer too.

 

[Piffle and Tosh]

Sod the kop, what about us poor sods in the BL corner? We have no draft beer at all and the slowest serving staff who even struggle to get the tops off bottles at a reasonable pace.

Sod the BL corner what about the south stand

 

[I should coco]

I think I've tried them all, thanks for the tip Coco - but I don't like them, though I don't know where the Hallamshire is (stupid/forgetful of me),

Commonside, opposite the Closed Shop (now Stancil) - they make the shortest pub crawl in Sheffield, about 7 yards door to door.

I like your 'Artisan' cynicism but just be careful that the Grumpy Old Man thing, doesn't automatically rule out everything. There are still plenty of decent beers without citrus, or passion fruit or any other bollocks. Timmy Taylor's Landlord can be an excellent drop but seems to be one of those beers easily ruined if not kept tip top. Tetleys is brewed god knows where and isn't a patch on the stuff you drank in your yoof.

 

[vorpal blade]

look Coco, I understand and in fact worry about your psychological analysis, you're quite right. BUT are YOU sure that your analysis of Tetley's is correct, are you sure you're not just thinking it can't be as good as it was because they moved the brewery from Leeds?

I've been drinking it straight through the move (as far as I know) and for me, it doesn't taste very different now than it did then.

Oh yes, I know that Hallamshire - the only time I ever used it, I was driving!

 

[Eddiecolquhounsleg]

what's a Maltsmith ? actually Eddie, I reckon that if they served some of the beers you and Coco mention, cooler and with a head nearer that of Guiness , with a tighter sparkler, so as to get more air into the beer and make it creamier, I might well enjoy drinking the stuff - because of course making it cooler suppresses the taste somewhat.

That's what we used to be able to buy in the North but now if you ask for it, all you get is a lecture about how warm the beer is supposed to be from some kid-barman in his 20s.

You would never think of drinking a WARM white wine would you? equally the entire world, bar the SOUTH of England likes cool beer too.

Maltsmiths are a subsidiary of Caledonian Brewing Company of Edinburgh who (I think) are owned by Heineken. I know the name is a bit poncy, but there you go.

The beer I had was cold, but not so cold that I couldn't taste it. They also had a lager which I didn't try as I get fed up continually having to pop out for a piss during the match.

I too like a nice head on my beer but that is often down to a good barman rather than the beer itself.

I don' t expect The Lane to be a real ale haven, nor do I expect it to serve "old style" Brown beers, but absolutely anything is a step up from John Smiths Smooth

 

[bromtom]

Used to be able to get Magnet at the Dove and Rainbow in town, used to get it quite often.

Doesn't add much if anything to this thread but thought I'd share.

 

[GodricBlade]

Why would I do that? I was talking about citrus flavours in beers from hops like Centennial and Citra. Why would I spoil beer by putting lemonade in it? Philistine

Mmmmmm - Citra........

 

[SalopianBlade]

Whether someone enjoys a Magnet or not is down to their mettle.

Some are attracted, some repelled.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Had a cracking pint of Salopian IPA after the Burton match at the Holly Bush in Makeney. 6.9%.

Now that’s what I call good beer. Salopian Blade you should check this out. Presume it’s available to you locally?

 

[SalopianBlade]

Had a cracking pint of Salopian IPA after the Burton match at the Holly Bush in Makeney. 6.9%.

Now that’s what I call good beer. Salopian Blade you should check this out. Presume it’s available to you locally?

I'm not sure if it is actually. 6.9% sounds rather strong.

 

[GrayBlade]

Whether someone enjoys a Magnet or not is down to their mettle.

Some are attracted, some repelled.

Looking at this thread it seems like some Blades are poles apart. Personally I’m drawn to the idea.

 

[Canterbury Blade]

Used to be able to get Magnet at the Dove and Rainbow in town, used to get it quite often.

Doesn't add much if anything to this thread but thought I'd share.

Used to be able to get a lot more at the Dove and Rainbow and Magnet was probably one of the options least likely to need a Hospital/clinic visit...

Not a pub in any guide I've ever read...

 

[Linz]

"Real" Ale enthusiasts are as hysterical and shallow as Remoaners.

Wow.

Now that's top quality, if mildly bewildering, shoehorning right there.

As for Magnet, I'll pass ta. Especially when The Cremorne has Titanic's rather lovely Plum Porter on. I've treated myself to a bottle of their Grand Reserve infused with port. I was going to save it for Christmas, but fear it won't see out the week.

 

[DaveBassettsgoneonholiday]

Had a cracking pint of Salopian IPA after the Burton match at the Holly Bush in Makeney. 6.9%.

Now that’s what I call good beer. Salopian Blade you should check this out. Presume it’s available to you locally?

You didn't bump into Nigel by any chance he only lives half a mile up the road?

 

[Ferenc Blade]

Magnet was naughty beer....make you piss in wardrobes

 

[metalblade]

I don't think the Magnet will be strong enough to pull me out of the Royal Standard or wherever I roam.

 

[I should coco]

look Coco, I understand and in fact worry about your psychological analysis, you're quite right. BUT are YOU sure that your analysis of Tetley's is correct, are you sure you're not just thinking it can't be as good as it was because they moved the brewery from Leeds?

Stones was moved to Burton and was promised to be made to exactly the same with even the same yeast. It wasn't. That scummy hard Midlands water that comes from underground, isn't a patch on our soft Peak District stuff. Similar with Tetleys. Of course like any self respecting Blade, I'm no fan of Leeds, but Teltleys was brewed in massive bulk and always tasted the better for it. Now it just seems a rather ordinary session beer.

Especially when The Cremorne has Titanic's rather lovely Plum Porter on

A pre-match regular in the Cremorne then? I'd be very happy to buy you and Foxy a pint there for everything you do on here.

 

[pommpey]

Whether someone enjoys a Magnet or not is down to their mettle.

Some are attracted, some repelled.

Some remain in flux. It's a field in which people can easily cross the polarisation boundaries and become easily induced, either way.

Nothing to get too excited about, I think. We in the South don't know much about the strengths of this beer, whereas the North seems very aligned favourably.

pommpey

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Fantastic news. Let's hope this is the beginning of it making a return to our pubs.

Along with Wards please.

 

[northsomersetblade]

Opportunistic rewriting of history

Magnet is gnats piss anyway, up there with watneys red barrel

 

[vorpal blade]

whereas the North seems very aligned favourably.

Ooo, so close but you missed the open goal pun about the South being your domain ........ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_domain

perhaps you just hit the bar.

 

[Blade for Sale]

Magnet was naughty beer....make you piss in wardrobes

If only CS Lewis had access to a gallon of the stuff. Those Narnia novels could have turned out quite differently.

 

[Paulus]

I was raised on proper Northern REAL ale mainly, Tetley's & Sam Smith's, smooth, cool and aerated (i.e. it had a durable head with a foam of little bubbles), it didn't taste overly of hops - I'd drink it in pubs that had just one or two beers on offer thus ensuring freshness.

Now since lads have made money in London and find Northern pubs cheap to buy, they have started brewing what the they call 'real' ale, what they actually have done in the process is imported southern beers into the North. Served too warm and too flat, in most Sheffield pubs, this Northern middle-aged food & drink lover no longer has beer to drink that doesn't make him feel a bit sick.

I lived in London for years and gave up on their beer because it made me ill, now they sell the same stuff up North. The description of beer with words like 'citrussy' is stolen from Wine criticism and is a pretentious joke.

I don't doubt that some people like the beer marketed as 'real' and sold in Pubs in Sheffield, but it has replaced beer that was really enjoyed by a lot of us - in a pub like the Sheffield Tap or the Rutland, I am reduced to drinking lager..... it's a pity.

I had a couple of pints of Tetley's in the Bessemer the other day and whilst it wasn't like a proper creamy hand pulled Tetley's of yore it was quite passable

 

[Harrisblade]

If only CS Lewis had access to a gallon of the stuff. Those Narnia novels could have turned out quite differently.

If Tolkien had a gallon or 2 of Magnet, Bilbo Baggins would have been too pissed to leave Hobbiton with those bloody dwarves.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

look Coco, I understand and in fact worry about your psychological analysis, you're quite right. BUT are YOU sure that your analysis of Tetley's is correct, are you sure you're not just thinking it can't be as good as it was because they moved the brewery from Leeds?

I won't drink Tetley's or Stones on principle because they moved the brewery out of their traditional homes. Why is that wrong?

 

[vorpal blade]

Dear Hamburger, it's not 'wrong' for you to have a principled stance like this but our conversation is about the flavour of the beer.

Because you haven't drunk Tetley's since it left Leeds you cannot have an opinion on whether you like it's taste or not anymore.

Oddly I did have an 'unreal' pint of Stones's in the Barrel last night, and I have been a Tetley's hand-pulled bitter drinker since I was 16 which is 38 years ago. TTYTT, I also drank a pint of Stancill's Barnsley Bitter in the Red Lion later because Coco had recommended it to me. Sad to relate, I preferred the Stones's, it was a bit 'gassy' (I don't mean sparkling) in flavour but it was cool and quenched my thirst I think these are the minimum standards to be fulfilled by a pint of beer, - I found the "Barnsley Bitter" stale tasting, too warm and poor, now it's a moot point as to whose 'fault' this is but it is very similar to a lot of the 'real' ale sold in Sheffield these days so I don't think it was merely badly kept - I note Barnsley Bitter doesn't come from Barnsley anymore and the current offering is woeful compared with the original that it pretends to be.

Again, I don't doubt that some people love the flat, warm southern beer that is now ubiquitous in Sheffield, the self-styled Home of 'Real' Ale, but it's preponderance has left a lot of us with no bitter to drink there anymore.

They'd never let the standard slip so low in Germany would they?

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Dear Hamburger, it's not 'wrong' for you to have a principled stance like this but our conversation is about the flavour of the beer.

Because you haven't drunk Tetley's since it left Leeds you cannot have an opinion on whether you like it's taste or not anymore.

Oddly I did have an 'unreal' pint of Stones's in the Barrel last night, and I have been a Tetley's hand-pulled bitter drinker since I was 16 which is 38 years ago. TTYTT, I also drank a pint of Stancill's Barnsley Bitter in the Red Lion later because Coco had recommended it to me. Sad to relate, I preferred the Stones's, it was a bit 'gassy' (I don't mean sparkling) in flavour but it was cool and quenched my thirst I think these are the minimum standards to be fulfilled by a pint of beer, - I found the "Barnsley Bitter" stale tasting, too warm and poor, now it's a moot point as to whose 'fault' this is but it is very similar to a lot of the 'real' ale sold in Sheffield these days so I don't think it was merely badly kept - I note Barnsley Bitter doesn't come from Barnsley anymore and the current offering is woeful compared with the original that it pretends to be.

Again, I don't doubt that some people love the flat, warm southern beer that is now ubiquitous in Sheffield, the self-styled Home of 'Real' Ale, but it's preponderance has left a lot of us with no bitter to drink there anymore.

They'd never let the standard slip so low in Germany would they?

I have definately had Stones after the move but I think Tetley's only from electric, not hand pull. I found them both pretty bland. They were both amongst the mass-produced type of beer before anyway, but in those days there weren't all the mini-breweries to choose from. I like to try different beers and enjoy a wide variety of flavours, but always tend towards the darker, thicker, heavier beers, bitter rather than sweet, and tend to veer away from lagers and bubbly beers. I often try something I haven't had before, though of course there's a fair chance of getting a duffer, but I like the new experiences.
I don't like the way the big brewery conglomorates buy up, chew and spit out brewing company after brewing company. There's so much choice, I see no reason to support them.
My favourites are probably Black Sheep and Theakston's XB. Saltaire Blonde is a good summer beer, but a little on the light, bubbly side for me to have too many. I used to love the Samuel Smiths Stout (I think it was the stout) but haven't had that for many years, it may have changed. Tim Taylors is also pretty good, again fairly light, I prefer their Best.
Germany is a mixed bag and is by no means exempt from the curse of the big brewing corporation. Each region has it's own beer culture and I much prefer the south for its many small breweries and Hefeweizen, Hamburg has probably the worst beer culture in Germany Lots of cool bars though. They stick to their "Reinheitsgebot" nonsense though, which limits flavour (and actually they don't stick to the strict letter of the Reinheitsgebot anyway, so it's all pretty pointless). The Dutch and Belgian beers knock the Germans into touch.

 

[vorpal blade]

Well Hamburg, I think the smaller breweries in England just aren't very good at it perhaps there is some fundamental in the brewing process that they cannot acheive with the plant that they can afford - in my view the latter-day 'craft' beer invasion is just a fad, the emperor's new clothes - a bit like tattoos have become 'trendy' for people who have no interest in style and are easily led, it wouldn't bother me apart from it has wiped the sort of beer I like to drink from the map of Sheffield.

I have visited Hamburg many times love it (how much better is a German city compared with an English one) and drunk there very often, to tell you the truth, I've never had much complaint about the beer there. I used to love French beer but they too have been over-thought hence I couldn't find any decent stuff there last time I went (alluded to above).

I must say, if the rules mean German beer is restricted in flavour then for me and my taste, I'm all in favour - the best wines of all three hues that I have drunk almost vanish in the mouth, they have subtle flavour and luckily for me, the world agrees (bar southern England and recently established small scale brewers up here) that beer should be similarly light on the palette.

Again, I question the quality of the product that now calls itself 'real' ale a lot of it tastes stale .... cooling it down would help, but presumably that would be more expensive because it would involve some refridgeration, I think it's probably the lack of investment that makes small time brewers' produce taste as bad as it does.

BUT, the beauty of a beer is in the mouth of the beholder, it's all about taste and if you like it fine but I'm not alone in disliking the stuff, far from it, why is lager so popular now btw. after the "Barnsley Bitter" (not from Barnsley) I had last night, I resorted to a G&T.