19^th October 2008 – Ian (Jacko) Jackson’s do. The Tees Creek Brewing Company.

On a night when all things formula one were very much the order of the day – Jacko’s pump clips and his choice of big screen entertainment being a case in point – it seemed fitting that there was a new contender for pole position tonight. When I arrived, the traditional holder of this honour, Big Rich was still reeling after a nifty manoeuvre by Big John to secure the coveted bar stool! Actually when I say, nifty manoeuvre, all Big John really did was to arrive before Big Rich, although, now I think about it, this is a feat in itself!

So it is fitting that the first brew up for sampling had the tag Down to the Wire (4.2% abv) and the 50/50 balance of Palisade and Challenger hops, to make up the 30 EBUs, certainly added to the neck and neck theme. This was a cracking pale ale with a lovely unobtrusive aroma and it became my favourite to take the chequered flag on the night.

Oh, I forgot to mention with all the carry on about who arrived first, etc., but, shortly after I got to Jacko’s, Big Rich offered the absolute golden nugget of a revelation that strong cheese is not good with porter. At least this is what I read from his gurning face as he sampled the afore mentioned combo!

And so what of the porter? Well it was a porter (a good one mind) and it was called Darlo Porter (4.4% abv).

At this point I get a little stuck for words as my note-taking momentarily ceased when I got distracted by John W passing a motion (I suppose it makes a change from his now famous double blow-backs) and the rest of the group helping this forward by putting up their hands. Just to relieve you of a terrible James Herriot type mental image this activity was being carried out to reach agreement on the subject of hops being paid for on collection from John, which we have all agreed to do in future.

More gurning – first as Big John tried to remove the lid from a jar of prehistoric looking pickled eggs, second as we sampled said eggs. Once I’d regained the power of speech I did actually compliment Jacko on his eggs (steady!) and they really were very good and not as old as they looked. Looking back I also recall Big Rich eventually taking the lid off the jar with gentlest of tickles after it had defeated Big John.

 Last up, Green Hop Yal (4.1% abv). Slightly darker than Down to the Wire, this ale was the result of a combination of pale, crystal and wheat malt with Goldings as the main hop and very nice it was too – drier than the other light ale and with complex spice notes. This was the winner on the night by one vote from Darlo Porter,with Down to the Wire trailing a long way back in third – so much for my earlier predictions.

Nearly done now, just enough time to mention that Stuart was first to have his face in the Goulash, which was a very welcome punctuation to an excellent evening – the goulash that is, not Stuart’s face!

That’s your lot for now, Dave.

Copyright Darlington Traditional Brewing Group 2002

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