大象传媒

Great, we have a booming real ale market here in the UK, driven by lots of people who want to show the world what a great product we have and what thanks do we get beyond the government taxing us to death, complete disregard from the 大象传媒 food writers and program makers! Unless Madonna pops up some where or Saturday shows get a kick back, British real ale is lost as too down market for the 大象传媒. If foreign companies want free advertising for their products, let them pay for the TV licences, come on 大象传媒, show a little more imagination. And YES I do work in the industry and more than aware of the very historical nature of REAL ALE AND LOCAL food styles.

Blimey! clickinhistory has come in hard and fast. He/she is spot on though, although ignoring that our hero is extolling foreign wallop in this latest blog. No matter; you've got me speared up clickinhistory. There was a programme a year or two back involving James May and Oz Clarke prowling the country in pursuit of the brown stuff but that's about it so far as I can remember. Enough of this. I'm off to launch an offensive on the poncy winebibbers behind the 大象传媒 food programming.

Again Nigel, I feel that if I wasnt paying for you to write this I wouldnt care but seen as I am footing the bill for you to tell me "Drinking beer while you eat is great!" I am somewhat annoyed. You do very little more than name a type of beer and then slam as many exotic dishes into a paragraph as you can. You don't seem to metion any combinations that dont go together and "everything from Mexican salsa to battered squid or seafood" is ambiguous to the point where this is just a man writing about his love for a beer with his dinner... I have nothing against that however you dont deserve to be payed for it; any man who has ever ordered a beer in an indian restaurant could have written this.

Well I like the idea of talking about beer and what food it might go with. We have some very excellent brews and breweries in this country and don't make enough people aware of the range and quality. I have visited Bruges a couple of times in the last two years and the Belgians can certainly recommend a beer for each course in a meal. I was happy too to find a restaurant in Canterbury, La Trappiste, which also gives tips for what beer to drink with your food.(And no I don't work there or have any connection with them at all) Why can't some of our brewers get onto this? Maybe some of them have; what do I know? I only drink the stuff.

I agree with most of these comments (not too sure about ernest though) I have been attending a beer festival in Alloa for the past 11 years and the range of real ale on display is brilliant, and from all over the U.K. I don't think I have ever had a pint with my food and thought this dosn't taste right, beer is meant to be enjoyed, on its on or with ANY type of food, I think the article is a bit pretentious. (hope I spelled that correctly).

Are you all sure Nigel gets paid for these blogs? I don't know him but I've written for various blogs and magazines (not for the Beeb I hasten to add) in the past and never been paid a penny. Perhaps you should check before you criticise? (Apologies if I've missed something). Moreover, although I'm a HUGE fan and advocate of British ale, and particularly the stuff local to me in Newcastle, we don't have the variety they have on the Continent, or even in Belgium alone. Wylam Brewery make some great beers, as does Sam Smiths, but I've not heard of anyone making a decent wheat beer around here?

Its charming, should help us. but im still quite interested about beer.. !!
Im Beverage Consultant , I know some tech tics between them.. :)

The thing that's fantastic about beer (and food) is its dazzling variety. Great beer doesn鈥檛 stop at Dover. Remember that in the Middle Ages, hops were regarded by some as a dangerous foreign development!

It is interesting to note the various reactions to these blogs. Firstly I would emphasise that I do not get paid to sit around drinking beer and eat then write a blog. Secondly in a somewhat limited space I have to convey a message and hopefully get people to try some of the various combinations I suggest. Also I would mention there are 133 recognised and judged beer style in the world and in excess of 45,000 brands, how much can you fit into 500 words? Thirdly I am a successful craft brewer/tutor in the UK and wholeheartedly support the beer industry in this country, to a greater degree than most I would add. Finally as a sommelier it is my job to be aware of foreign foods and beers and offer comment on them, this is not a blog about British food and British Ale. Thank you for reading.

Personally I love wheat beers with Fish and Chips. A Classic English food that really doesn't go well with wine. That is about as English as you can get on the food front. There are some great english wheat beers - (Titanic I am sure do one) but we should do more wheat beers, particularly for fish and chips.

As one of Nigel's fellow Beer Academy accredited beer sommeliers I have to applaud the comments in his latest blog and response above. I too have worked within the industry for many years and something that it seems all to easy to forget is the sheer, wonderful diversity in the range of beer styles that are available today. Real Ale...i don't know that i've ever tasted virtual beer! However, whilst we do indeed produce some amazing cask conditioned beer here in the UK, including cask conditioned lager, without the influence of the foreign 'wallop' beer styles and the passion and brilliance of the UK's brewers...both large and small...the offering would not be nearly as exciting or diverse as it is. Let alone the fact that this means there is pretty much a beer to satisfy all tastes, it is this range of flavours and character that makes the ability to match food with beer such an exciting experience. Cheers to beer!

The wonderful thing about beer is its diversity! All beer styles add to the enjoyment of beer - everyone has their own individual preferences - but because of the rich tapestry of choices then there really is a beer for everyone and for every occasion.
Perhaps a fine british traditional beer is the right beer for friendly socialising in your local, whereas a beautiful crisp pilsner lager is the right beer for sharing with friends while enjoying a meal.
Lets celebrate the diversity of beer styles and the way in which beer is the natural companion to food - no other drink can match the potential of beer to enhance food on every occasion.
Beer is Best folks - even if you have your own individual preference!

Kudos to you Nigel Sandler, firstly for writing an interesting piece on beer and food, and secondly for making the effort to respond to some, ahem, interesting comments. I'm sure you didn't have to respond, but for me it makes it much more real and personal, and I thank you for your work.

Unsurprisingly, I have ordered a beer or two in an Indian restaurant (as mentioned above in one of the comments), but I hardly think that makes me an expert...

I do however have the savvy to substitute several local/UK ales in places where Nigel has suggested Czech or Indian ones, should I see fit or allowing for availability. I am allowed to do that aren't I? Or will the UK real-ale nazis be knocking on my door soon?

Thanks again Nigel.

Pete, Edinburgh.

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