tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post1221220502997038224..comments2024-03-28T12:16:58.318+00:00Comments on Paul's Beer & Travel Blog: Old Family Brewers of Britain. Part Three (a) of an Occasional Series - Shepherd Neame of Faversham Paul Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-17342295146523608092014-05-20T22:56:28.078+01:002014-05-20T22:56:28.078+01:00I didn't realise how much of an ale snob I'...I didn't realise how much of an ale snob I'd become until I spent an evening at a pub that only had Adnam's, Spitfire and Bombardier. I didn't fancy any of them, but I ordered the Adnam's more or less at random and was very pleasantly surprised. "Maybe I've been underestimating these family brewers," I thought, and ordered a pint of Spitfire. Oh dear. The head was, quite literally, like dishwater - and the beer behind it was too. It's thin and it's, well, <b>nasty</b>. The 'legacy' bottles are OK - not brilliant, but basically good beer - but for me Spitfire in any form is one to avoid. Philhttp://ohgoodale.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-28548154886850306282014-05-20T20:53:00.571+01:002014-05-20T20:53:00.571+01:00I think "thin" is a very apt description...I think "thin" is a very apt description of both Master Brew and Spitfire, Brett.<br /><br />Shep's must use a yeast with a high attenuation rate, ie. one which ferments out all the residual sugars in the beers, leaving them thin and lacking in body. An incorrect mashing regime could also contribute to this lack of body. If the mashing temperature is incorrect (too low, I think), then the dextrins released during the first stage of mashing will mainly be broken down to maltose. The latter will ferment right out, whereas dextrins are much more slowly atacked by the yeast, and remain in the beer giving it body and a pleasant mouthfeel.Paul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-43267730673457161092014-05-20T14:56:10.821+01:002014-05-20T14:56:10.821+01:00A few of the shep's pubs in London have Bishop...A few of the shep's pubs in London have Bishops Finger on tap - a real nice pint and one I tend to stick to if in the city... I live in Tonbridge also and find it is Spitfire that is on tap around here (and Masterbrew) - it has a strange taste - seems 'thin' - if thats a correct description?... <br />Bretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11408163901285928844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-57940831981269265782014-05-19T21:59:23.100+01:002014-05-19T21:59:23.100+01:00They don't make landlords like that any more!<br />They don't make landlords like that any more!Paul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-44224762449024468142014-05-19T13:59:33.650+01:002014-05-19T13:59:33.650+01:00That brings back memories. My Uncle lived in Lenha...That brings back memories. My Uncle lived in Lenham for many years and he was a regular in the Dog and Bear. I often went down there from London for a Sunday lunchtime pint with him and well remember SquirrelEdbecknoreply@blogger.com