Ticking in 2012

I'm not going to meet my target. 335 beers in 335 days. From the start of the blog to my wedding day. At the moment I have 151 beers left to try and less than 36 days in which to drink them. Wedding planning is reaching a whole new level, dwindling funds are being directed towards name cards and glass hire.

But, the target is no longer the important thing. It began as a focus for the blog, and a way in which to structure an education into beer. My journey isn't finished. It won't be finished at the end of the 335 days. It will never be finished. That said, my knowledge has increased tenfold. To those who aren't in the know, I can impart a little wisdom, and to those who are, I can at least keep up with the conversation, even occasionally contribute. Mr Ticker and I share yet another interest, and that's incredibly valuable to me.

This week I watched Jamie and Jimmy's Food Fight, and it was beer related, a battle between British and Belgian beers. During the show I got embarrassingly excited because I guessed beers that would come up before they mentioned them, and recognised bottles from a distance. All a bit sad pants, but I don't care, I had fun!

So, I may be on track to lose the challenge.... But winning comes in many different forms...

Street food + beer=happiness

December 14th, a rare night off for both of us, at a time where everything seems very busy and cram packed with Christmas plans. We don't often get out on an evening, preferring a few beers in the afternoon, or evening beer drinking at home instead.... Old fogies in our late twenties, doesn't bode well for twenty years time!

We visited the Sparrow, I've blogged before how much I like it there. It's the first time I've been there on a Friday night, and it was a lot busier than it usually is when I go, prompting me and Mr Ticker to find a quiet corner to hibernate in.

The Sparrow have begun street food Friday where different foodie vans park up outside and serve up their grub. Tonight was El Topo (@ElTopoUK) which served burritos, tamales and quesadillas. We piped for a couple of burritos and a tamale to share, and were treated to a beautifully cooked, deliciously flavoured tea. Perfect with beer, perfect for an evening at the pub.

169: Earl Grey IPA, Marble Brewery, 6%
Smells delicate, but full of flavour. Tastes sweet, with a hint of bitterness after the first mouthful. It tastes pretty. I think that is the best phrase to use. Not brash and in your face, but pleasant, with depth and easy to drink. A lovely treat after some recent abstention from beer.

170: Winter Ale, De Koninck, 6.5%
I ordered this via Mr Ticker based purely on the name. I have to admit I was hoping for a stout, a rich heavy dark beer for a freezing winters night. Wasn't as I was hoping, but was still nice. My now familiar "red" flavour was predominant, and it was a nice enough beer. Perhaps a recent cold had squished my taste buds a bit, because Mr Ticker thought this tasted peppery... Couldn't taste this myself though.

Sorry for the poor photographs  I'm not going to take the big camera out on a Friday night. A shortish quiet evening, but a lovely venture out on a Friday night, thanks again Sparrow!

Wish me luck

So, it appears I have agreed to become a ticker. A beer ticker. A trainspotter, but for beer.

I've drunk beer, enjoyed beer, attended beer festivals AND even helped once to brew beer (well... I made cups of tea and sort of watched...).

But ask me to name 10 breweries and I would struggle. 

Ask me what the difference between an IPA and a Best Bitter, and I have no idea. 

Talk to me about the "mouth feel" and I giggle. 

Talk to me about what hops were used in the brewing process and I blankly smile and nod.

When my other half decided to embark upon a beer ticking challenge, not wanting to be left out, I agreed to go along for the ride.

In an attempt to actually achieve something, we decided to set a target. It is 335 days until we tie the knot. So the challenge. To tick 335 beers before our wedding.

Not a challenge conducive to squeezing into a bridal gown, or to successfully paying for said bridal gown... but nonetheless, one intended to be completed.

Will my attitude to beer change? Will I learn anything? Will I care which types of hops were used to make my pint? Who knows...

Wish me luck!