TodaysAdvisor.com

THE ALE: Boddingtons

 

This is the ale, and straight off, there are a lot of great beers that you can enjoy just sitting around the house, watching the game,

sitting by the pool, and so on, that don’t weigh you down. Boddingtons, or “Boddies”, as it is called by the locals, is not one of them.

This beer is just this side of qualifying as a meal. It’s smooth alright, but creamy smooth and it's heavy.

Still, make no mistake, this is a great beer. As mentioned, it is smooth, its is creamy and it is one beer that is truly best enjoyed

in a small pub, during the colder months. While it is a meal in itself, its not as heavy as Guinness, but is certainly heavier than a

lager. One of the great things about Boddingtons is that it is so much less bitter than other Ales. Boddingtons is one of those

beers that you can truly recognize just sitting in a plain glass its distinct creamy head and richer color allow for instant recognition.

Boddingtons Bitter, as its called (even though its anything but bitter), or Boddingtons Draught Bitter, as the label indicates, was the

pride of the working class city of Manchester, England. First brewed there in 1778, it is known for its more malty taste, indicative

of Ale’s, as well as its creamy head and smoothness.

As opposed to Lager’s, where the cold is the key, and aside from the special yeast used, Ale’s are brewed at higher temperatures

(up to about 20 degrees C, or 75 degrees F). This is done primarily to unlock more flavors from the yeast. Because of its

constitution I recommend sticking to Boddingtons on tap. It’s OK from the can, but due to its consistency it’s best straight out of

the tap. Again, this is one beer screaming to be consumed on premises.

Before becoming part of the InBev group, Boddingtons was brewed at the fantastically named Strangeways Brewery, founded by

two grain merchants in the 18th century. Henry Boddington, the beers namesake, came along in 1832, apparently as a traveling

salesman of sorts, eventually becoming a partner. By 1853 he had raised enough funds to buy the brewery outright.

Boddingtons remained a family run operation until 1989 when it was sold to Whitbread, which was subsequently acquired by InBev.

In 2004, InBev announced that they were going to close the old Strangeways brewery and move the entire operation from Manchester

to three different UK locations: Lancashire, South Wales and Glasgow. Boddingtons also brews an Ale (as opposed to the Bitter,

even though it’s an Ale as well) and the Ale will continue to be brewed in Manchester, but now at Hydes Brewery .

In 2005 the Strangeways brewery closed for good, amidst a considerable, and understandable, amount of angst and protests from

the locals. Production has since commenced at the new locations around the U.K. Since the original well that produced the water

used in making “Boddies” is located under Strangeways Brewery we’ll have to see if new water has any affect on the traditional flavor.

So far, so good. It’s been nearly two years and it seems as good as ever.

http://www.inbev.com/brands/2__3__8__boddingtons.cfm 

ALE: Smithwick's

Coming from Ireland's oldest brewery, Smithwick's (pronounced SMIT-icks) is owned by Guinness, and the similarities are everywhere, despite

a long tradition of independence and originating from different cities. It has a carmel color  - as opposed to Guinness's dark chocolate brown -

but comes complete with something very similar to Guinness's trademark foamy head.

The flavor is absolutely reminiscent and evocative of Guinness.  Connoisseurs might argue, but I would say that it is nearly the same flavor,

but about half as strong.  If you are one of those people who likes Guinness, and would really like to drink it, but who finds it just too robust

and heavy, Smithwick's might be for you.

Smithwick’s was originally brewed in St. Francis Abbey Brewery in Kilkenny, situated on the site of a Franciscan abbey, where monks had

brewed ale since the 14th century. It is Ireland’s oldest operating brewery founded by John Smithwicks on land owned by the Duke of Ormonde.

Smithwick’s has been the largest selling Ale in Ireland since the 1920s - a position it holds to this day. Smithwick’s is now brewed in Dundalk,

as well as in Kilkenny.

Guinness is not considered an Ale, but a Stout, and it is the best selling Stout in the world. Due to its popularity it is brewed in over 50 countries

and to be clear, there are some marked differences between the two. For example, there is an extra amount of roasted barley added-in that gives

Guinness its signature dark color. Also, Guinness was started not in Kilkenny, but in Dublin, at St. James's Gate.

Not nearly as hardy, Smithwick'sis very much made in the mold of a traditional Ale's.Certainly, as compared to Guinness, Smithwick's is much

more drinkable. While easier to drink, this is still no light beer. It has plenty of body. The thing we like best about Smithwick's is that it tastes

like Guinness, and while not as hearty, it is ceretainly substantial in its own right and will provide you with a satisfying experience, with some

staying power.

We tested it on tap, not out of the bottle, but one must assume that you're going to want to drink Smithwick's on tap whenever possible and stay

away from it in the bottle. Lets face it, some beers are just made to be drank in a pub.  This is one of them.  Good stuff. 

For those of you who like Guinness, stick with it -  chances are you won't be satisified with Smithwick's, but then, if you drink Guinness, is there

any other beer in the world that's going to get it done for you?  Probably not. 

http://www.diageo.ie/brands/smithwicks 

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Micro Brews From Cape Cod & the Islands

For those of you heading to Cape Cod and the Islands this summer we recommend brews from three fine local micro breweries:

Offshore Ale Co. Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

 Offshore Ale, from Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard (but served throughout Massachusetts). Known for their crisp,

golden lagers, copper colored Pale Ales, highly aromatic IPAs (India Pale Ale's), an award winning Nutbrown Ale, unique Belgian Style offerings,

and coal black stouts (think Guinness) www.offshoreale.com

Cape Cod Beer, Hyannis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

  out of Hyannis, and makers of   Cape Cod Beer IPA (India Pale Ale) And   

Cape Cod Beer Red (a "North American Style" Amber Ale). www.capecodbeer.com. Served on tap throughout the Cape from Sandwich & Bourne,

to Eastham.

Cisco Brewers, Cisco, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts

 from Nantucket, makers of the "Whale's Tale Pale Ale" and 5 other fanciful named Ale's (such as "Sankaty

Light" a brand new American Golden Ale, named after the famous Sankaty Head Light House, which guards the eastern shore  - or the Sankaty

Head - of Nantucket) and a summer Lager (named the "Summer of Lager"). You can find Cisco Beer along the eastern seaboard from

Massachusetts, south, to Maryland. www.ciscobrewers.com

Also, watch for a new brewery opening soon in Plymouth; the Mayflower Brewing Company, being started by one of Offshore Ale's experienced

brewers.

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Reviewed (and thoroughly tasted) by Carter Lyman Hall, Television and Bevarge Critic-at-Large