tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post5906638777564363392..comments2024-03-29T12:39:30.010+00:00Comments on Paul's Beer & Travel Blog: Craft Comes to KentPaul Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-10031276595955440162012-09-19T22:36:38.540+01:002012-09-19T22:36:38.540+01:00Thank-you Alex, for taking the time to respond to ...Thank-you Alex, for taking the time to respond to the points I raised in my post. It ia always good to get feedback.<br /><br />Whilst I take on board some of your points about the price of craft beer, especially those about the imported ingredients and higher strength beers, I still think there's a hint of elitism amongst some of the producers, which I think is mis-guided. Time will tell though.<br /><br />Moving your cask into the cellar is definitely a good move. Casks always look appealing when perched up behind the bar, but there's nothing to beat storage in a proper temperature controlled cellar.<br /><br />I think we all enjoyed our visit to the Well's Kitchen the other week. I certainly did, and will definitely be back, but not for a while as I'm off to Prague next week to enjoy some real Bohemian lagers!<br /><br />In the meantime I wish you every success, and keep up the good work.<br /><br />PaulPaul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-82899068764534120122012-09-19T16:30:41.146+01:002012-09-19T16:30:41.146+01:00Hi Gents!
Good to read the write up Paul and in l...Hi Gents!<br /><br />Good to read the write up Paul and in line with being passionate I thought I'd respond a little bit!<br /><br />Firstly regarding the price of craft beer - yes it is expensive. Part of this is down to the ingredients (a lot of the ingredients, hops etc are imported from the US, New Zealand etc which adds to production cost, whereas a lot of local breweries use local, or English hops. Secondly the ABV of a lot of these beers is way higher, for example the Anchor Liberty is 5.9% which has a massive impact on price due to the duty impacted upon it, which is true of many a craft beer as they tend to be stronger ABV's than cask/session bitters. They are the 2 primary reasons for the expense as well as the importing costs with US beers in particular. The perfect example of a local comparison would be Darkstar's Revelation, reguarly on at an expensive price due to the ABV.<br /><br />Also - you have to look at some of these in a similar way to wine - you wouldn't scoff at paying £8 for a nice glass of Rioja and we look at our craft beers in the same way.<br /><br />With regard to my Larkins, I'm more than happy to hold my hands up and admit it wasn't great. The jackets are cooled however they occasionally struggle with the room temperature. We have recently been looking at our cask sales and ways to improve them and you'll be pleased to know that we are attempting to ensure the quality of the 1 we do have on at all times and as such we will be binning the beer if it's past it's best. The hope being to ensure that the pint you do get is good at all times with the view to improving sales so I don't have to worry about shelf life so much! <br /><br />In the new year we intend to move our cask into the cellar for better controls over it's quality, storage temp and life. It will also hopefully allow us to have more on hoorah!<br /><br />Look forward to seeing you all soon and thank you for the feedback, I really do pay attention to these things and it helps me improve, get better and serve you all better!!<br /><br />AlexAlex Greighttp://www.thewellskitchen.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-45265202384546736732012-09-17T20:41:17.760+01:002012-09-17T20:41:17.760+01:00I tend to agree with your comment about the dodgy ...I tend to agree with your comment about the dodgy cask Anonymous Matt. If the place is unable to shift cask beer then they are better off knocking it on the head completely.Paul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-26858732581972508982012-09-17T10:32:29.475+01:002012-09-17T10:32:29.475+01:00Hmm, will have to check it out. Although the fact ...Hmm, will have to check it out. Although the fact the manager knew his cask was ropey but still decided to try and flog it to people who wouldn't know any better, doesn't fill me with confidence.<br />As someone used to Londons craft scene 6 quid a pint sounds a bargain!Although yes... why the feck is so much British craft as expensive as stuff imported from US is a remains a mystery. A good example recently, was Lovibonds brewery in Henley - brewery tap 2 yards from the brewery and yet they're selling it for the same price as those establishments down the river in London.<br /><br />MattAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-27234284446962216732012-09-13T21:50:39.208+01:002012-09-13T21:50:39.208+01:00Chris, there are certain imported beers that I am ...Chris, there are certain imported beers that I am prepared to pay over the odds for, but when they are £6.00 a pint, then I draw the line. Even five pound is far too expensive, so far as I am concerned.<br />Paul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-31822709010898136772012-09-13T18:46:06.638+01:002012-09-13T18:46:06.638+01:00I don't mind paying £4+ a pint for imported be...I don't mind paying £4+ a pint for imported beers, but something brewed down the road, keg or otherwise, shouldn't be so expensive.ChrisMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09088526990457894540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-89595262060052245832012-09-12T20:58:58.537+01:002012-09-12T20:58:58.537+01:00There's no excuse for the high prices, unless ...There's no excuse for the high prices, unless it's a deliberate ploy on the part of craft keg producers to create an elitist image for their product. If this is the case one has to ask "Why?", and then ask "When will the bubble burst?" <br /><br />Like you say Tandleman, questions are already being raised. People are not stupid and are perhaps starting to see through the smoke and mirrors behind the marketing of craft keg.Paul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-36770450869716785312012-09-12T08:27:38.060+01:002012-09-12T08:27:38.060+01:00It is noticeable that questions are starting to be...It is noticeable that questions are starting to be voiced about the absurd priced of craft keg. This clamour will grow I think.Tandlemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06804499573827044693noreply@blogger.com