When the sun does shine......

After a hectic day paddling in the rain on Friday, and feeling damp and miserable most of Saturday morning at work, I arrived home to the joys of CBeebies, Minecraft and other associated rackets one enjoys when Grand-children visit. Loom bands and squeaky toys avoided, like a Ninja warrior, I managed to make it to the sanctuary of the sodden (or is that sodding!!) garden. The sun had managed to pop it's well shrouded haze through to the moistened gatherings of plants I humbly look on as our outdoor living area. The heat was slowly building, and soon, it was rumoured, we were to be freed from the cacophony of being beloved. Not long now and we will have this pleasure for a whole seven days on a small boat in Norfolk. Gonna love it. No, We really will.

Well after deciding on a bit of shopping, we headed into town, bedecked in shorts and t-shirts and we were soon finding ourselves in the small beer garden of Wetherspoons' Yarborough hotel. Very conscious of work the following morning,this was just a breather session to relieve the throbbing temples and also to help with the external drying out! I started with "Phoenix West Coast IPA" from Manchester.

At 4.6 % this golden beer was surpisingly smooth. With a long hoppy finish, it certainly quenched the thirst. T'other arf chose the the Butcombe "Yeti". A light coloured Golden ale at 4%, this too was very refreshing. It is probably the most civilised way to wile away a couple of hours on a sunny afternoon. Wine tasters may look down on beer drinkers and scorn, but with so many varied styles in both "hobbies" I think our pallettes need to be mutually admired. I decided to try the "Independence American IPA" next. Brewed in conjunction with Banks, this brew from The Devil's Backbone Brewers was a powerful but moreish ale. At 4.7% it is one to be respected. A good brew from these American craft brewers. The football had just started so we decided to have a last one in The Parity. One does feel for the pubs since the World cup has seen the exit of England.If only. Saying that, I have enjoyed this tounament immensly. It has been full of good football, surprising results and just seems to give you that feelgood factor. I hope the "Friendly Games" in Glagow offers the same "buzz". In the Parity I went for Springhead's "The Leveller". A dark Belgian Trappist styled beer. 4.8% and a real rounded taste to it. A slight burnt toffee aroma adds to the satisfying finish. The "Sunny Daze" from Oldershaw's, a wheat beer at 4.2% was sampled by my partner. Another beer to enjoy in the sun........even though we were drinking inside watching the big screen footie!

Anyway, that was tahat, as they say, so Cheers, and keep it "real"