ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END

Well the beer launch is well and truly over.

Thanks to all those who came to the launch at the Crown, including the CAMRA beer festival trip on a divert back from Masham and the Darlington Traditional Brewing Group. As I left just before 11pm all casks were on tilt and Peter told me he doubted anything would be left once he opened the next day for lunch. I was informed that the Route A66 seemed be be going down the best.

Thanks to Pete and Karen for their bar nibbles timed just right for the CAMRA trip coming in!

Thanks also to all who came to the launch when we moved to the Quakerhouse in Darlington (and how glad was I could still watch the England match upstairs). Some more nice nibbles, and some extra sarnies timed just right for half time. Surprisingly Local seemed to the the quickest seller this time around. By the time I left just before 7pm there was only the angels share left for supping.

In case you are wondering I did make it to work the next day

ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO!

HAD A GREAT NIGHT AT THE FIRST LAUNCH AT THE STANWICK INN LAST NIGHT. THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO ATTENDED, FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LOCALS. THEY WERE ALSO SOME PEOPLE FROM FURTHER AFIELD AND I APPRECIATE YOUR DRIVING OUT TO SUPPORT ME. I ALSO MET A WHITE WITCH WHO HAS OFFERED TO DO A BLESSING ON BREWERY !

WEATHER STAYED NICE DESPITE SOME THREATS OF RAIN - AND DIDN'T NEED TO RUN DOWN SO EARLY TO GRAB A SEAT INSIDE. IT WAS SO WARM MOST OF US WERE OUTSIDE ANYWAY MOST OF THE NIGHT

LOVELY NIBBLES PROVIDED BY PUB (SAUSAGE ROLLS, VOL AU VENTS, RIBS, SARNIES AND CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS) AND BEER SEEMED TO BE GOING DOWN WELL WITH FLOWER POWER BEING THE FIRST TO SELL OUT. I ALSO HAD A SUPRISE CAKE, WHICH CAME FROM MICHAEL'S BAKERY IN DARLINGTON WITH THE MITHRIL ALES MOTIF - DIDN'T WANT TO CUT IT, BUT THE CROWD WAS BAYING FOR SWEET.

GETTING SHIRTY

MITHRIL ALES NOW HAS IT'S OWN BEER T SHIRT WHICH SHOULD BE APPEARING ON THE WEBSITE IMMINENTLY. THANKS TO CRE8IVE GRAPHICS FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE, AND ALSO FELLOW BREWERS FOR LETTING ON WHERE THEY GET THEIR SHIRTS FROM!

ALTHOUGH INITIALLY DONE IN BLACK, IT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN OTHER COLOURWAYS - SIZES WILL START AT THE BEGINNER BEER DRINKER (THE XS) UP TO THE MORE DEDICATED CRAFT DRINKER (XXXXL).

ANYONE WHO ATTENDS ALL THREE LAUNCHES THIS WEEKEND CAN BE ENTERED INTO A DRAW TO WIN THEIR OWN SHIRT - JUST MAKE SURE YOU SEARCH OUT ME ON THE FRIDAY AND I WILL EXPLAIN ALL.

WARNING SALADS HAVE LOTS OF CALORIES!

As you will know from blog we went to Peter from Darlington Snooker Club's 40th last Saturday. We decided to take in a few pre party aperitifs - first at the Quays - nice pint of Adnams Bitter, and then Quaker where the best laugh of the night was when I was wished a happy 40th (thanks - but you got the wrong Peter).

We then enjoyed a speedwalk down to the Snooker Club, as well as eight great cask ales Peter also had a lovely buffet on.

On the way back into town, to catch a drink at the Tapas and Tap and Spile we both had to sit down just before the underpass opposite M & S due to our heaving stomachs. The effect of a hearty amount of buffet salad on the old weight was confirmed by the extra poundage being carried on Monday.

WHAT A LOAD OF SHIVE

Spent today casking beer ready for launches. To be able to hammer those pesky little shives into casks you need to undertake the sort of training Hollywood actors do before their big action movies. When Arnie is no longer governor of California I have a job that he can do - Hasta La Vista shives for today.

"OF ALL THE CASKS IN ALL THE BARS IN THE WORLD IT HAD TO WALK INTO HIS''

As a number of you may know it was Big Peter's 40th birthday on the Saturday just gone. I dropped off a cask of World Sup (which I had secretly rebadged as a surprise 'Little Big Man's 40th). It had a picture of Peter when he was cute (or he will say he still is). Anyway the surprise was rather mooted when the beer had not cleared by this date. After discussions with fellow brewers - thanks Rob - to my horror I realised of all the casks in all the world it appeared I had forgotton to add finings to his. This was swiftly remedied on Saturday night, and the cask cleared fully and went on the bar on Monday.

THE GODFATHER (IN LAW)

Nowt to do with brewing - but like the film The Godfather, people do you favours they expect favours back. Hence father in law had to undertake his bagpipe practice at our house - as it was too late by the time we finished for him to do it at his.

A CASK WASHER IN TIME SAVES NINE! (hours)

After spending the last couple of months washing and sterilising casks by hand, a critical job but in terms of the brewing process akin in excitement to watching paint dry I ordered a cask washer prior to going on holiday. The sight of my new cask washer on pallet outside my house was a beautiful moment. Albeit, temporarily offset by the knowledge it had no instructions and apparently I am the first customer to ever ask for them?

Anyway, thanks to Rob at Yorkshire Dales Brewery, Homecare in Darlington and father in law (as well the company I bought it from) for getting me on track. Still not an exciting job - but now considerably quicker - perhaps more time for actually brewing!

HEY BIG CELLER!

Been round the pubs tonight picking up my empties. Was pleased to hear that Baydale Beck Festival had gone well, and they sold out of beer come Monday. Was even more pleased to hear that Number 10 (brewed by you know who) had been the first beer to sell out over the Festival!