John Clarke
@beer4john.bsky.social
Lover of British, Belgian and Dutch beers. CAMRA activist who enjoys beer in all its forms. Beer writer (of sorts), beer judge, host of talks and tastings. Editor of Opening Times maagzine: ssm.camra.org.uk/magazine
Other beers have now been opened...
December 14, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Other beers have now been opened...
And we have a great crowd
December 14, 2025 at 2:26 PM
And we have a great crowd
Great to be back at the @petersgatetap.bsky.social hosting another talk. It's Christmas and Winter beers and we have a cracking lineup.
December 14, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Great to be back at the @petersgatetap.bsky.social hosting another talk. It's Christmas and Winter beers and we have a cracking lineup.
The cheese & onion cobs at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social are delicious and the Green Hop Bitter is a perfect match. Yum.
December 13, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The cheese & onion cobs at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social are delicious and the Green Hop Bitter is a perfect match. Yum.
Starting the Block Party at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social Tap. Excellent food options here.
December 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Starting the Block Party at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social Tap. Excellent food options here.
I had a few people round for beers last night. My good friend @daveratkins.bsky.social brought some elderly Belgian Christmas beers along. This one, from a brewery closed in 1954, was astonishing with a trace of carbonation and wonderful depth of flavour with no oxidation at all.
December 7, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I had a few people round for beers last night. My good friend @daveratkins.bsky.social brought some elderly Belgian Christmas beers along. This one, from a brewery closed in 1954, was astonishing with a trace of carbonation and wonderful depth of flavour with no oxidation at all.
Pleased to say I have now purchased a ticket for the Sunday session at @torrside.bsky.social Smokefest 2026. So looking forward to this.
December 1, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Pleased to say I have now purchased a ticket for the Sunday session at @torrside.bsky.social Smokefest 2026. So looking forward to this.
This might be one of the beers of the day...
November 29, 2025 at 7:08 PM
This might be one of the beers of the day...
The bottle share continues..
November 29, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The bottle share continues..
This perry is an early highlight, courtesy of @jamesksowerby.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
This perry is an early highlight, courtesy of @jamesksowerby.bsky.social
Just about to embark on a bottle share. This might get messy.
November 29, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Just about to embark on a bottle share. This might get messy.
Today I spent several hours tidying and sorting out my beer cellar, and also updated my spreadsheet. Always slightly surprised by some of the stuff I come across. Treated myself to this 13.5% number, which is a Pohjala/Pinta collab. The word lush doesn't do it justice.
November 22, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Today I spent several hours tidying and sorting out my beer cellar, and also updated my spreadsheet. Always slightly surprised by some of the stuff I come across. Treated myself to this 13.5% number, which is a Pohjala/Pinta collab. The word lush doesn't do it justice.
Just started on the notes for my Christmas/Winter Beer talks at @petersgatetap.bsky.social . Of the six beers, only one has an ABV below 10%. Yikes! It's all sold out for 14th December but tickets may be available for 21st. You don't want to miss this.
November 14, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Just started on the notes for my Christmas/Winter Beer talks at @petersgatetap.bsky.social . Of the six beers, only one has an ABV below 10%. Yikes! It's all sold out for 14th December but tickets may be available for 21st. You don't want to miss this.
Although I didn't post anything yesterday afternoon, it was because I was having such a great time at @salfordbeerfest.bsky.social . Great beer, great atmosphere and great company. What more could you want?
November 8, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Although I didn't post anything yesterday afternoon, it was because I was having such a great time at @salfordbeerfest.bsky.social . Great beer, great atmosphere and great company. What more could you want?
We finish on a bit of a lower point. Not sure about this one and certainly the least successful of the beers we have had. Not sure it works.
November 4, 2025 at 5:23 PM
We finish on a bit of a lower point. Not sure about this one and certainly the least successful of the beers we have had. Not sure it works.
Our penultimate beer (number eight) is Sorachi Brut (9.4%) - very enjoyable. A great way to use Sorachi do it doesn't dominate. Good dry and subtle bitterness on the finish.
November 4, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Our penultimate beer (number eight) is Sorachi Brut (9.4%) - very enjoyable. A great way to use Sorachi do it doesn't dominate. Good dry and subtle bitterness on the finish.
Beer number seven is a collaboration with Manchester's. @balancebrew.bsky.social . We think West Country IPA is basically a Cantillon Iris clone (says @daveratkins , and he should know) but none the worse for that.
November 4, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Beer number seven is a collaboration with Manchester's. @balancebrew.bsky.social . We think West Country IPA is basically a Cantillon Iris clone (says @daveratkins , and he should know) but none the worse for that.
Beer six is Saison Wet Stone (6.5%). Definitely in the saison ball park. Quite easy drinking but also extremely pleasant. Really enjoyable.
November 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Beer six is Saison Wet Stone (6.5%). Definitely in the saison ball park. Quite easy drinking but also extremely pleasant. Really enjoyable.
We reach beer number five: Munich (6.4%). Malt on the nose, good body and depth of flavour. Not sure what the aged Citra hops bring to the party. Lovely dry finish.
November 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
We reach beer number five: Munich (6.4%). Malt on the nose, good body and depth of flavour. Not sure what the aged Citra hops bring to the party. Lovely dry finish.
Next is Saison Spelt (5.8%). Not quite a saison but well on the way. Nonetheless, it's rather good and it's certainly something we'd seek out.
November 4, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Next is Saison Spelt (5.8%). Not quite a saison but well on the way. Nonetheless, it's rather good and it's certainly something we'd seek out.
Beer number three is Old Cellar (5.2%) - aged in cask for five years. Rather musty, lots of Brett on the nose and on the palate. We aren't sure about this one.
November 4, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Beer number three is Old Cellar (5.2%) - aged in cask for five years. Rather musty, lots of Brett on the nose and on the palate. We aren't sure about this one.
Second beer is Cherry Reds (5.2%). It's quite 'krieky' but also with definite Flemish Red notes, particularly in the nose. We are impressed.
November 4, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Second beer is Cherry Reds (5.2%). It's quite 'krieky' but also with definite Flemish Red notes, particularly in the nose. We are impressed.
First is Airy Okay bottle conditioned with local honey. Sharpness perhaps softened by the honey. Some woodiness. An uncomplicated beer.
November 4, 2025 at 2:15 PM
First is Airy Okay bottle conditioned with local honey. Sharpness perhaps softened by the honey. Some woodiness. An uncomplicated beer.