For my 40th birthday Brad and I considered getting a barrel of ale from a local Free House. Brad had salvaged a proper Ale pump from a local skip and we reckoned it would be cool to rig one up.
After much faffing about we decided against it – mainly due to the short life of the stuff – and the effort involved.
Browsing the Internet we came across the Nethergate Brewery. They supply their own ales in Polypins (plastic containers much like a wine box) in 18 pint and 36 pint sizes.
Being a bit over zealous, I bought 4 barrels for the party, Old Growler, Umbel Magna, Essex Border and Augustinian.
This stuff keeps for up to a month (a barrel keeps for a few days) – just as well really as less than half of the 90+ pints were consumed. It is hard to say which was the best – in my eyes it was the Umbel Magna, but others thought differently.
The 3 weeks after the party saw Brad, myself, Brad’s parents, my wife, and anyone who wanted any, necking the stuff before it went off. You don’t waste good ale.
Why am I telling you all this. Well – I don’t drink wine anymore. Think about it. £20 for a box of wine, or £27.50 for 18 pints of really good ale. You can’t lose really – it’s a no brainer. And they even deliver it to you.
