I say seasonal… not Christmas, as in the words of the Otter Brewery website:

We firmly believe that one particularly good beer is better than a bucketful of seasonals. So, although it may be a bit cheeky, we have one winter ale that forms the basis of our seasonal range. This delicious 5% beer is dark ruby in colour and has a well balanced flavour with a bittersweet chocolate edge. This comes from the careful use of Fuggles and Challenger hops.

Yes it is a little cheeky, but its a nice beer – and if Otter have an excuse to offer the beer at other times of the year, then it can only be good for us.

If you hang around Devon, then I would recommend checking out Darts Farm to pick up a bottle.

(Yes I am gushing… no this post wasn’t sponsored by Otter…)

A couple of days I posted about a bottle of Otter Bright, that seemed to include some floaty bits… which well looked wrong.

Being a little bit disgruntled, I emailed the Otter Brewery about this, and I have to say I am well impressed with how the issue has been dealt with.

Yes the Gift Case is very nice, but I’m mostly impressed with the focus that Otter seem to have given to me, going out of their way to apologise, and keeping me in the loop with whats going on.

Nice one.

The best before date is next year… So I’m kinda confused.

I am a fan of Otter Bright…but I really hope the other one I have isn’t like this!

Needless to say – this bottle of Otter Bright wasn’t drunk…

The Fortescue Inn was a nice little place, split into two this is a pub that is tailed for many different people. One half, it’s a Very gentle looking pub, serving Otter. Now anyone who reads this blog on a regular basis should know, serving Otter is one way to get my love!

Walking towards the toilets and wondering into the wrong (or Right door) leads you into the bar section. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the main live music venue for Salcombe. Didn’t try any of the drinks here, but I imagine it’s much the same as the main pub. Sadly our evening came to an end here as the Stag was starting to feel a little worse for wear… Didn’t stop him from ruining some of the way back to the youth hostel!

Sorry for the mess btw…

From BBC News …

Rise in local brewers’ popularity

CAMRA says sales in Devon are bucking the national trend The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has credited the wide variety of beers in Devon for the growth of the industry. The county has 27 brewers, the fifth highest in England, and the industry is booming despite a national slump in beer sales and a rise in pub closures. Sales at the Dartmoor Brewery, which started business in 1994, rose by 35% last year. Owner Simon Lovelass said the brewery was now selling about 200,000 gallons of ale a year. He believes customers are looking for consistency and quality. People like to see beer that’s been produced on their doorstep Carol Doree, Royal Oak “If they come back and buy our products again and again, then everybody’s happy,” Mr Lovelass told the BBC. “If they don’t like it they shift to somebody else and that’s when things start to go downhill.” Landlady Carol Doree, from the Royal Oak in South Brent, said a brewery’s “localness” also appeals to customers. “We do food with local produce, but you can’t really see that, whereas with the brewers you’ve got the name pack which shows it’s come from just down the road,” she said. “People like to see beer that’s been produced on their doorstep.” Ian Packham, the regional director of the CAMRA, said nationally the number of brewers had been increasing steadily for the past 30 years. “There’s such a variety of different styles and tastes which are growing in popularity here and it’s really good news,” he said. “We’re definitely bucking the trend of beers in general.”

Otter Bright.

Tastes light and looks it as well with its very blond colouring. It does taste very refreshing, but doesn’t have the freatest amount of taste. Possibly a good beer for people who are far too much into Lager, with that in mind – it is a fine beer to have while enjoying the sun.

Otter: Beautiful Daze

I have to admit. I am confused. This is a nice beer – its a good drink, and refreshing, like Otter Bright mentioned above, while having a stronger malty tast. Making it more of a beer that lager lovers may turn down.

But – and here’s the thing I’m confused about. If you buy it on tap in a pub you’ll find it known as Otter Bitter. When I tried Otter Bitter in a pub – I really didn’t enjoy it, I found it boring and tasteless. The only thing I can think of is that the Beautiful Daze was chilled – maybe it was warm in the pub? I can’t remember to be honest.

Still to come: Otter Head

ThisisExeter

Hopefully the weather holds out till tomorrow so we can cycle along the Exe, fully intending to stop at the Prospect Inn on thee quay for some Otter Amber!

Edit:
Whats needed for a decent bank holiday?
Sun? After a blip this morning, I now have a little bit of tan trying to emerge.
Some nice activity? We hung out on the quay in Exeter a fair bit, and caught the boat from there down to double locks. Now taking the boat down the Exe is the way to travel in Exeter. Stuff buses and taxies!
BEER????? Well the Otter Amber is obviously popular at the prospect inn – the barrel needing a later afternoon change, but the headline beer of the weekend has to be Waggledance back on sale at the Double Locks. Its a Beautiful Beer which is perfect to drank from tap during a hot summers day.

May need to find our way back to Double Locks for the next bank holiday…