My ‘taste a new beer a week’ resolution has been falling behind with this lurgy, today being the first day I’ve got some tastebuds back since the beginning of the week.

Anyway I’ve been meaning to report on a bottle which I freely admit I bought entirely for the name – Gorge Best from Cheddar Ales in Somerset. It’s a typically British bitter, all hefty and malty – not my favourite style, if truth be told* – but a classic of its kind. And even I would like it in – or with – a steak and ale pie or a rarebit.

The name though is ace, a joint allusion, of course, to the Cheddar Gorge and the great Georgie B (who I admire even tho’ he played for Man U). Such jokey names are much more popular in beers than wines which leads me to wonder if beerdrinkers have a better sense of humour than winedrinkers? Or just take themselves less seriously?

* For a more sympathetic assessment, or possibly simply one unaffected by cold, read Roger Protz’s tasting note here.

By andrei