New Lager at the Gtech? Blind Testers Required

[BIAS]

This short notice alert just received from the club -

Hi all,
Levy have recently proposed replacing Grolsch with a new alternative, Pride Lager, as part of an ongoing review of the stadium's lager offering.
This review is being driven by a number of factors, including:
A higher ABV than Grolsch, while still remaining fully compliant with our licensing requirements.
Feedback received through post-match supporter surveys.
The sustainability benefits of sourcing a product that is brewed locally in Chiswick.

To help inform any future decision, we suggested holding a 'blind tasting session' at the stadium on Thursday 9 July. Attendees will be given a half pint of each beer but not be told which they have received. They will then vote for which they prefer and fill out a short form.
The session will be very informal, with doors opening at 4:30pm and supporters welcome to drop in at any point until around 6:00pm. We're also hoping Levy will be able to put out some snacks (TBC).
Apologies for the short notice. Unfortunately, our options are limited due to the ongoing stadium renovation works and venue availability. In addition, we need to reach a decision on our lager offering as soon as possible.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could share this opportunity with any BIAS or Bees United representatives, or any supporters who may be interested in attending. While there will be Brentford and Levy staff present, supporter feedback will be a key part of the process, and we'd value as many fan perspectives as possible.
If you have supporters who would like to attend, please send across their name so we can add them to the guest list.

 

[Houghton Bee]

Dont blink, just agree to it. That f***ing Grolsch is utter pisswater and whatever Pride Lager is can't possibly be any worse.

 

[Old B]

Fully inclusive lager, what’s not to love.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Fuller's Pride lager.

Fuller's London Pride | Fuller's Pride Lager | 100% British Ingredients | From Griffin Brewery

Discover Fuller's Pride Lager. A crisp, refreshing British lager brewed at the iconic Griffin Brewery in Chiswick. Made with 100% British hop and malt, supporting UK farmers. 4.5% ABV.

londonpride.co.uk

 

[hobbsy]

My only concern with these pre season tasting sessions, is you will likely get a fresh keg of both beers probably from the dugout, which is unlikely to bear any resemblance to what it's like during the season.

 

[Banana]

Dont blink, just agree to it. That f***ing Grolsch is utter pisswater and whatever Pride Lager is can't possibly be any worse.

Agree. The Grolsch is absolutely revolting.

Cancel this blind testing now on the basis that people know jack sh*t and there's a 50/50 chance that we will get the wrong answer

 

[Wayne]

Just give us stella or peroni!

 

[Banana]

Just give us stella or peroni!

You've got that already.

 

[TorbayBee]

Or a sweet sherry (asking for a Fulham friend)

 

[gbems92]

The grolsch was probably the worst beer I've ever had

 

[Bill Benn]

Budweiser please or Asahi

 

[brentford born & bred]

My only concern with these pre season tasting sessions, is you will likely get a fresh keg of both beers probably from the dugout, which is unlikely to bear any resemblance to what it's like during the season.

Providing the lager keg is kept at correct temperature and with correct blanket of gas it will be good for around a month once put on sale, so should not be an issue between fresh or breached kegs between games. However the important aspect is clean beer lines and dispensing taps which in a pub should be cleaned weekly or at the Gtech between games.

 

[hobbsy]

Providing the lager keg is kept at correct temperature and with correct blanket of gas it will be good for around a month once put on sale, so should not be an issue between fresh or breached kegs between games. However the important aspect is clean beer lines and dispensing taps which in a pub should be cleaned weekly or at the Gtech between games.

Yes, I suspect we fail on all of those points.

 

[Lush55]

Do a deal with Jezza, Hawkstone Lager and Cider, lovely drop, supports British farming and get cider on tap.

Those lines would need doing the day before every match/event due to the turnover.

 

[hobbsy]

Do a deal with Jezza, Hawkstone Lager and Cider, lovely drop, supports British farming and get cider on tap.

Those lines would need doing the day before every match/event due to the turnover.

We have an exclusive deal with Asahi, so they would need to do it. I suspect as they have Cornish Orchards in their portfolio that is unlikely to happen.

 

[thomasBee]

Asahi....

 

[KenCootesNephew]

Asahi....

Bless you

 

[brentford born & bred]

We have an exclusive deal with Asahi, so they would need to do it. I suspect as they have Cornish Orchards in their portfolio that is unlikely to happen.

I am unaware of the details of the deal with Asahi, but I would be surprised if they sent in people to clean beer lines. I had a freehouse and I did an exclusive deal with Fullers (Asahi acquired Fullers brewing business after I left the pub) for draught beer. Under the deal they supplied draught beer, some equipment such as coolers, glassware and technical services, however line cleaning was always the responsibility of the publican. I always got top marks on any Cask Marque independent inspection, but I always wondered what Fullers would do with any deal where publican who were too lazy to clean the lines on a regular basis.

 

[Lush55]

I am unaware of the details of the deal with Asahi, but I would be surprised if they sent in people to clean beer lines. I had a freehouse and I did an exclusive deal with Fullers (Asahi acquired Fullers brewing business after I left the pub) for draught beer. Under the deal they supplied draught beer, some equipment such as coolers, glassware and technical services, however line cleaning was always the responsibility of the publican. I always got top marks on any Cask Marque independent inspection, but I always wondered what Fullers would do with any deal where publican who were too lazy to clean the lines on a regular basis.

They do send engineer in, at cost, if the venue is large enough.
Any publican who is too lazy to clean lines weekly, glass washer and ice machine daily,shouldn't be in the trade.

 

[hobbsy]

I am unaware of the details of the deal with Asahi, but I would be surprised if they sent in people to clean beer lines. I had a freehouse and I did an exclusive deal with Fullers (Asahi acquired Fullers brewing business after I left the pub) for draught beer. Under the deal they supplied draught beer, some equipment such as coolers, glassware and technical services, however line cleaning was always the responsibility of the publican. I always got top marks on any Cask Marque independent inspection, but I always wondered what Fullers would do with any deal where publican who were too lazy to clean the lines on a regular basis.

Correct that is the clubs responsibility, the deal with Asahi is a pouring rights deal only.

 

[Alex]

Yes, I suspect we fail on all of those points.

Guaranteed, every game we send the first few pints of meantime back as they are off.

 

[Untouchable]

Correct that is the clubs responsibility,

And BFC don’t clean the lines?

I’m assuming they’ve been asked about this. What have they said?

 

[ChessingtonBee]

Just get the Indian shop by Kew Bridge station to supply tins of Zubr.

A nice Polish lager, still brewed in Poland, unlike Tyskie which is brewed elsewhere for UK market, - 6% alcohol.

He sells it at a reasonable price in the shop, so a chance to go local with the replacement.

I am more of an ale drinker, but in hot weather will go with a cold Budvar or Weihefstephaner wheat beer.

By the way, beers from the wood festival is back at the Musical Museum in May next year. Not on a match day though.

 

[hobbsy]

And BFC don’t clean the lines?

I’m assuming they’ve been asked about this. What have they said?

They say they do.

 

[ChessingtonBee]

Fuller's Pride lager.

Fuller's London Pride | Fuller's Pride Lager | 100% British Ingredients | From Griffin Brewery

Discover Fuller's Pride Lager. A crisp, refreshing British lager brewed at the iconic Griffin Brewery in Chiswick. Made with 100% British hop and malt, supporting UK farmers. 4.5% ABV.

londonpride.co.uk

Unfortunately England is not great at brewing lager. The water in Burton on Trent is great for IPA and bitter, but not so much for the host of beers with foreign names that the big corporations market so heavily and now brew there.

Yes, Fullers is brewed in London. However I would be happier if they reinstated Chiswick bitter - their great session beer, which they decided to drop. Instead we are offered stuff like Oliver’s Island or Seafarers. Neither appeals to me,

 

[brentford born & bred]

Any publican who is too lazy to clean lines weekly, glass washer and ice machine daily,shouldn't be in the trade.

Funny story. Our old ice machine was struggling during a heatwave, whilst we were awaiting a new machine to arrive we called in some favours from local restaurants. I went across the road to a French Brasserie with an ice bucket and asked if they could spare some ice. Yes they said no problem, I was astounded when they opened their ice machine cover to see bottles of champagne also stored in the ice! I made my excuses and left without their contaminated ice.

 

[brentford born & bred]

Unfortunately England is not great at brewing lager. The water in Burton on Trent is great for IPA and bitter, but not so much for the host of beers with foreign names that the big corporations market so heavily and now brew there.

Yes, Fullers is brewed in London. However I would be happier if they reinstated Chiswick bitter - their great session beer, which they decided to drop. Instead we are offered stuff like Oliver’s Island or Seafarers. Neither appeals to me,

You do realise that most brewers change the chemical constitution of water in the brewing process. I remember a brewery tour at Fullers Chiswick Brewery and was fascinated to learn they take mains tap water and Burtonise it to replicate the chemical constitution of clean water from the Trent.

 

[LongLostBee]

Unfortunately England is not great at brewing lager.

I disagree.
Sharp's Offshore is bloody lovely and that's brewed in Cornwall.

 

[hobbsy]

I disagree.
Sharp's Offshore is bloody lovely and that's brewed in Cornwall.

Doubt it, as Coors have closed the Sharps brewery

 

[ChessingtonBee]

You do realise that most brewers change the chemical constitution of water in the brewing process. I remember a brewery tour at Fullers Chiswick Brewery and was fascinated to learn they take mains tap water and Burtonise it to replicate the chemical constitution of clean water from the Trent.

Yes. I have done the Fullers tour twice. First time the landlord of a great Kingston pub got us all in for free. The guide said ‘you all know how brewing works’ and then he gave a brief tour so we could spend the rest of the evening drinking free Fullers beers.

One of the Fullers family gave a brief speech.

So, yes, you can tamper with the water but English brewers still have not been able to brew a great lager.

Also reminded of a tour of Harvey’s in Lewes. The guide gave a lengthy tour but failed to mention the brewing syrup that was laying around in big quantities. He was not keen on questions about that, but we still had a decent drink at the end.

 

[LongLostBee]

Doubt it, as Coors have closed the Sharps brewery

Utter b*stards!

 

[LongLostBee]

Doubt it, as Coors have closed the Sharps brewery

Utter b*stards!

Panic over. Sounds like just moving to Burton (the stuff that wasn't brewed there already). Offshore not killed-off

 

[ChessingtonBee]

Panic over. Sounds like just moving to Burton (the stuff that wasn't brewed there already). Offshore not killed-off

Burton is just another location now.

The big multinational corporations were not worried about dismantling the Burton union pipes. Goodbye Pedigree. Goodbye Bass too.

Accountants run the show - not brewers.

 

[hobbsy]

Burton is just another location now.

The big multinational corporations were not worried about dismantling the Burton union pipes. Goodbye Pedigree. Goodbye Bass too.

Accountants run the show - not brewers.

Yes, they even ship water in and Burtonise the water in Burton!

 

[Lush55]

Yes, they even ship water in and Burtonise the water in Burton!

They should ship water in from Spain then, so we can get a decent pint of Madri instead of the crap they serve up here!!!

 

[BEEcool]

Save our Grolsch!

 

[hobbsy]

They should ship water in from Spain then, so we can get a decent pint of Madri instead of the crap they serve up here!!!

Madri isn't Spanish mate

 

[Chomp]

They should ship water in from Spain then, so we can get a decent pint of Madri instead of the crap they serve up here!!!

Madri has been created by a marketing department. It is not remotely Spanish.

 

[Lush55]

Madri has been created by a marketing department. It is not remotely Spanish.

Yes mate, spot on, I was using the name Madri to highlight the rip off and consumer blindness, maybe Mahou, Estrella, Cruzcampo, would have been better.
But even those, when you find them are brewed under license in UK and nothing like what you buy or drink in Spain.

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

Big for Pride Lager from me. Did the brewery tour a couple of weeks ago with my son. At the end of the tour there is a 30 minute sampling session where you are allowed to cram in the whole range. Tried the lager early on and have to say it was bloody lovely! Even the lad thought so and he doesn’t usually drink lager. The only negative comment came from the tour guide who endorsed the product but not its name, which she finds pathetically unimaginative.

 

[The Joker]

Yes. I have done the Fullers tour twice. First time the landlord of a great Kingston pub got us all in for free. The guide said ‘you all know how brewing works’ and then he gave a brief tour so we could spend the rest of the evening drinking free Fullers beers.

One of the Fullers family gave a brief speech.

So, yes, you can tamper with the water but English brewers still have not been able to brew a great lager.

Also reminded of a tour of Harvey’s in Lewes. The guide gave a lengthy tour but failed to mention the brewing syrup that was laying around in big quantities. He was not keen on questions about that, but we still had a decent drink at the end.

If you get a chance, try the excellent lagers from Home — Utopian Brewing or Braybrooke Beer Co

Burton is just another location now.

The big multinational corporations were not worried about dismantling the Burton union pipes. Goodbye Pedigree. Goodbye Bass too.

Accountants run the show - not brewers.

You're probably aware that Thornbridge rescued a Burton union and have been brewing beer for cask, keg and bottle on it to great acclaim.

While AB Inbev have put marketing spend behind Bass and it's having a bit of a revival. Still always available in the Express Tavern.

 

[Houghton Bee]

Save our Grolsch!

Just scoop your cup in the urinals if you want something similar.

 

[brentford born & bred]

On the subject of where beers are brewed I wondered now Asahi own Fullers Griffin Brewery if they now brew their own beers there. After a little research the answer is no, the famous Japanese beer is brewed for Europe in.......Italy.

 

[LongLostBee]

They should ship water in from Spain then, so we can get a decent pint of Madri instead of the crap they serve up here!!!

I think I had my first and only pint of Madri in the Spurs stadium.
Was possibly the worst beer I've ever had.
(OK technically that's not true....I bought two at the time because the queues were long but it was the only occasion)

 

[Gawain]

Do a deal with Jezza, Hawkstone Lager and Cider, lovely drop, supports British farming and get cider on tap.

I'd sooner go Teetotal than put money into the pocket of that prat. Support your local brewery (Fullers) instead.

 

[Gawain]

While AB Inbev have put marketing spend behind Bass and it's having a bit of a revival. Still always available in the Express Tavern.

Back in the day, the draught Bass you got in London/Scotland/NI etc was distinctively different in each location, I'm certain they altered it to suit the local preferred taste.

Cannot imagine that's the case now with AB Inbev.

 

[Bizzy Bee]

Unfortunately England is not great at brewing lager. The water in Burton on Trent is great for IPA and bitter, but not so much for the host of beers with foreign names that the big corporations market so heavily and now brew there.

Yes, Fullers is brewed in London. However I would be happier if they reinstated Chiswick bitter - their great session beer, which they decided to drop. Instead we are offered stuff like Oliver’s Island or Seafarers. Neither appeals to me,

Or bring back Bengal Lancer!

 

[ChessingtonBee]

If you get a chance, try the excellent lagers from Home — Utopian Brewing or Braybrooke Beer Co




You're probably aware that Thornbridge rescued a Burton union and have been brewing beer for cask, keg and bottle on it to great acclaim.

While AB Inbev have put marketing spend behind Bass and it's having a bit of a revival. Still always available in the Express Tavern.

Yes. Thornbridge did not take the whole lot though.

Last time I was in the Express, a few Saturdays ago, my beer (Harvey’s) was warm. The others, on different ales, also had warm beer. If you can’t keep your cellar cool don’t sell ale without warning customers in advance.

 

[ChessingtonBee]

Thornbridge has a new pub in Fetter Lane. Had a swift half there before heading to Waterloo.

 

[I'll Bee Damned]

New Lager at the Gtech? Blind Testers Required​

DEI gone mad! Not sure how they are allowed to discriminate against sighted people wanting to taste the new stuff.