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John Clarke

@beer4john.bsky.social

620 followers 490 following 420 posts

Lover of British, Belgian and Dutch beers. CAMRA activist who enjoys beer in all its forms. Beer writer (of sorts), beer judge, host of talks and tastings. Editor of Opening Times maagzine: ssm.camra.org.uk/magazine

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John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 7h

Currently in @yeoldevic.bsky.social

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 8h

This really is on top form. I am having a second pint.

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John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 8h

Well this has been a good night. Me and my Friday drinking pal decided to go to Manchester and spent our time in the @trackbrewingco.bsky.social tap where Sonoma was joyously good. Back in Stockport and @yeoldevic.bsky.social where perfectly cellared Harvey's Sussex Best is on the bar. Glorious.

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 13d

I generally like the other Het Kapitel range, it's just this one.

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 13d

That's one of those beers that I always think I should really like but am invariably disappointed to realise I don't.

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 19d

Back to Dranklokaal 1650 for this craziness. From Breda's Big Belly Brewing I give you Grannie's Hazelnut Apple Pie Quadrupel at 10.5%. Well made and great fun.

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 19d

Last night in Leiden and the Netherlands. We have walked down to the lovely Bonte Koe, and have tried two beers from local brewery Pronck. The Citra Rye IPA did what you'd expect and was very enjoyable. This is the tripel (9%) which is satisfactorily tripel-y.

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 20d

After a lengthy and very enjoyable visit to the botanical gardens, followed by lunch in its café, now dropped into Dranklokaal 1650. Starting with Cantillon Gueze on draught. This is just one of about 230 beers on their list.

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Reposted by John Clarke

Petersgate Tap @petersgatetap.bsky.social · 20d

Christmas Update: well if they’re selling crackers in the shops, we’re not so outrageous selling tktts for our Christmas ales tastings with @beer4john.bsky.social Both dates 14 and 21 Dec are over half sold so both will likely sell out. 6 amazing beers plus cheese and home made cake £30

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John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 21d

Still at Borefts Bierfestival of course. Been having too much fun to post but this 14% stout with vanilla and maple from California's Bottle Logic is superb.

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 21d

Finally made it to Borefts after rail issues. Starting with a kriek from my old pal Tommie Sjef...

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John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 21d

Today is going to be great fun but also slightly poignant as it's the first day of the last ever Borefts Bierfestival.

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John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 22d

Staying at Stadsbrouwerij Leiden for a final beer. This is Hippy Hippy, a black IPA from the always reliable VandeStreek. It's very good of course.

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 22d

Staying at Stadsbrouwerij Leiden on this excellent West Coast IPA from Brouwerij Kees, although here it's on tap. brouwerijkees.nl/onze-bieren/...

Burorina - Brouwerij KEES

Een dark barleywine, gebrouwen met honing en een klein beetje rookmout. Een mooi vol bier met flinke tonen van karamel, honing en een vleugje rook.

brouwerijkees.nl

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 22d

Starting my first visit to Leiden with a visit to Stadsbrouwerij Leiden for beer and food. This Super Session Sipper is a beautifully refreshing 4% saison. On my second glass. I have now ordered the tripel.

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 22d

I don't know what all the beers are but one, which we've not had before, is a real star turn.

Petersgate Tap @petersgatetap.bsky.social · 23d

As you’d expect the Christmas ales are totalling up to be another classic afternoon with @beer4john.bsky.social Still plenty of tickets left so , well, just saying…

a man dressed as santa claus is dancing in a room

ALT: a man dressed as santa claus is dancing in a room

media.tenor.com

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 22d

Weirdly, I never do train beers.

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John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 22d

I'm travelling by train all the way.

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John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 22d

Thank you! My journey has started.

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Reposted by John Clarke

Petersgate Tap @petersgatetap.bsky.social · 23d

As you’d expect the Christmas ales are totalling up to be another classic afternoon with @beer4john.bsky.social Still plenty of tickets left so , well, just saying…

a man dressed as santa claus is dancing in a room

ALT: a man dressed as santa claus is dancing in a room

media.tenor.com

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John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 26d

Final beer at Brugs Bierfestival. Vliegende Paard Quadrupel (brandy cask aged). A warming 10%.

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 26d

Currently on Nico Forus from Brouwerij De Hophemel. It's a 7.3% white stout (which actually works) so one for @goodfordshire.bsky.social

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 26d

Day two of Brugs Bierfestival and I am starting with De Ranke again. This is the IPA, Amer Amer. Good to see De Ranke are going to be putting their sour beers in 37.5cl bottles.

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 27d

Starting to wind this session down as we are eating at 7pm. So this is Rye Tuos from Straete Brouwerie. It's a rye wine aged in a Portuguese cherry liqueur cask. It's very tasty. It's also 16%.

John Clarke @beer4john.bsky.social · 27d

Moving on to this from BramBrass, a 11% peated whisky imperial stout called Autopsy of the Devil's Brain. Not half bad.