Food

Young’s 186th Birthday Celebrations

Young's 186th birthday cake  Happy 186th Birthday to Youngs Pubs! To celebrate, Onin.London was invited to attend the Hop On, Hop Off bus tour on 21st September that featured three of Young’s Pubs in South West London. This event is just one of the many events Youngs, along with Geronimo Inns, is hosting as part of their The Great Hop Expedition.

At each pub we met the brewers, learnt the stories, ingredients and tastes of some of the beers on offer, with a particular focus on hops (the herbs of beer). I learnt more about beer in this one evening then I have learnt in my entire life so far. It was an educational and enjoyable evening.

Yeastie Boys

We started at the Dukes Head in Putney. Here we sampled Beavertown Neck Oil session IPA (4.3% alcohol) which is a light, crisp, drinkable beer that can be enjoyed anytime of the day. Beaverton Gamma Ray (5.4% alcohol) is also an easy-drinking, American pale ale bursting with tropical flavours of melon, mango and grapefruit, and a caramel malt further enhances the fruitiness. The design on the cans is bright and features skulls, and is meant to represent a mystic journey.

Yeastie Boys Bigmouth session IPA (4.4% alcohol) is a light, easy drink bursting with South Pacific hobs and passionfruit characteristics. The bright red and white design on the can references music and art. Yeastie Boys is a New Zealand brand that has been established for about ten years there, but is new to the UK market.

We then bordered a traditional Routemaster to take us to two further Young’s pubs. At The Alma we had a talk on beer and hobs from members of Founders Brewing which provides alcohol to 46 American states and 25 countries worldwide. Here we tried Fourpure Session IPA (4.2% alcohol) which is a big, bold beer with transatlantic influences in the hops. The design features and is inspired by New York City. We also tried the All Day session IPA ale (4.7% alcohol) which is clean and aromatic.

Camden Hells

The Ship, Wandsworth, was our third and final destination. Young’s Special London Ale (6.4%) is rich and malty with notes of fruit and spices, and provides an alternative to the more fruitier beers. Like the name suggests, the decoration features names of London attractions and areas.

Here we were able to enjoy a delicious three course meal designed by Mark Dredge to match the beers we were about to taste. The starter was venison carpaccio, parsnip puree, pickled baby beetroot and shaved Berkswell cheese. It was paired with Camden Town Brewery’s Camden Pils Lager (4.6%) which is fresh, piney and hoppy. The delicious main was steamed fillet of sea bream, battered native oyster, straw fries and Nutbourne tomato nage. Camden Hells Lager which is clean, crisp and dry accompanied it.  The mouth-watering desert was carrot cake trifle which was partnered with Camden IHL lager (6.2%). This is very clean and strong with citrus flavours of orange and pineapple.

Young's beer & hops

If you would like to hear the stories of the brewers, learn about beer making and sample some craft beers and cask ales, then Young’s and Geronimo Inns have an excellent range of events upcoming. These include:

Meet the Brewer with Guiness at The Windmill, Mayfair on 19th October; Coach and Horse, Isleworth on 26th October or the Hand and Spear, Weybridge, on 2nd November. Here you’ll learn the story of Guiness from 1959 to present day, learn about the brewing process and sample some of their iconic brews alongside paired food menu. Tickets are £25.

Pursuit of Hoppiness with Meantime showcases five different styles of beer from London Brewery Meantime and a stand-up from an Australian comedian Big Al. Islington; 18th October at The Phoenix, Victoria; and 2nd November at The Dial Arch, Woolwich. Tickets are £15.

The Science of Beer and Food with Sambrook’s where you can meet the brewers and sample their brand. At The Britannia, Kensington on 27th September, The Bull, Streatham on 12th October and The Leather Bottle, Earlsfield on 19th October. Tickets are £15.
Yeastie Boys Beers where you here their story while tasting their brews. On 26th September at The Brewers Inn, Wandsworth; 26th October at The Hammersmith Ram, and 2nd November at Dial Arch, Woolwich. Tickets start at £12.

Belville’s American Road Trip features five iconic brews of this American company and is on for one night only on 12th October atr The Windmill, Clapham. Tickets are £10.

Founders Meets where you’ll discover the perfect food and Founders brews to enjoy paired together. Starting at 4th October at Defector’s Weld, Shepards Bush, then 24th October at The White Bear, Kennington, and finishing on 1st November at The Trinity Arms, Brixton. Tickets are £15.

Or if you just wish to sample, then why not pick up a Disloyalty Card which is operating throughout participating Young’s Pubs. You receive a stamp every time you try a new craft beer or cask ale. Copmpleting the card means you could be rewarded with tickets to Young’s Beer Festival on Saturday 20th January 2018 at the Half Moon, Putney. Here you can meet breweries from around the world, enjoy live music and snack from Burger Shacks. You can also  win tickets to the next bus tour via Young’s social feeds.

Website: www.youngs.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/YoungsPubs
Twitter: www.witter.com/YoungsPubs
Instagram: www.instagram.com/youngspubs

Written by Caitlin Neal