Hastings Jack in the Green Ales!

I very recently drank 3 local ales brewed especially for the Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green May Day events (website). In brewery alphabetical order, from Brewing Brothers (website) 4.0% Ol' Jack Pale Ale, brewed with Citra (hopslist), Mosaic (hopslist) and Strata (Indie Hops) hops, and imbibed at the Jenny Lind (website) and Dolphin Inn (website). Looking at the name and those hops will give you a clue, and you'd not be surprised, this is a pale ale, tropical and citrus fruit aroma and taste, pale and dry, and very refreshing, nice one!

Second, from FILO Brewing Company (website), and imbibed at their own pub the First In Last Out (website), their 4.1% Thirst of May - Green Man Ale, brewed with English hops, Olicana (British Hop Association), Celeia (hopslist) and Pioneer (hopslist). Consequently the more bitter of these 3 ales, quite pale, but slightly darker than the other two. More body, and certainly a more traditional style English ale, but with subtle tropical and citrus fruit flavours, another nice one!

Finally, from a little further away just over the border in West Sussex, and Only With Love (website) 4.2% Jack's Back Spring Ale, and another brewery that has discovered you can brew vegan friendly ale that is clear, yay! 👍 Imbibed at The Crown (website), but they don't advertise the hops used, however, from their past brews, and strength of this ale, I'm guessing Harlequin hops (British Hop Association), but I have got in touch with them and will correct if they advise me otherwise (still waiting). Whatever, a very easy pale ale to drink, quite gentle hop wise, and not very bitter. And yet another very decent ale indeed, cheers m'dears! 😁

Hastings Tap Takeover On NOW!

Indeed, Hastings Tap Takeover 2025 is on this weekend, see the image above for participating venues and the breweries taking over their taps (facebook), cheers folks!

I've already visited the Crown and Jolly Fisherman. 😁

December Whiskey of the Month

My 'first' December 'Whiskey of the Month' is from Dublin distillery Teeling, the first new distillery to open in Dublin for over 125 years in 2015 (website). Why my first of the month? I have to admit I already have another new whiskey for me put by in a kitchen cupboard for Christmas. 😉 Anyhow Teeling's Small Batch (46%). This triple distilled whiskey is a blend of 'hand-selected' grain and malt whiskeys, separately fully aged in ex-bourbon barrels, and then 'married' in Central American rum casks to develop and age for up to a further 12 months. 

The Small Batch is a bright golden colour, with a spicy rum, vanilla and dried fruit aroma. It is slightly sweet to taste, with subtle hints of rum, caramel and cinnamon flavours. Another very smooth and luxurious Irish whiskey, with a bit of warmth when going down the throat and, again, another easy to drink whiskey, slainte! 👍

Incidentally, my previous November Whiskey of the Month The Sexton (blog), I very recently saw on the shelf at The Crown, 64-66 All Saints Street, Hastings TN34 3BN, a coincidence! 😲

Hastings Old Town Cider Festival 2023

The first annual Hastings Old Town Cider Festival 11-18 November 2023 begins today at 4 old town pubs, The Albion, 33 George Street TN34 3EA (website), The Crown, 64-66 All Saints Street TN34 3BN (website), The Jenny Lind, 69 High Street TN34 3EW (website), and at the Jolly Fisherman, 3 East Beach Street TN34 3AR (facebook).

This new added festival to Hastings' events has been arranged by the licensees of the 4 public houses and promises a large sample of ciders and perries, still and fizzy, and from near and far, and you have a week in which to sample the many delights on offer, enjoy, cheers! 🍻