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Having a bottle of rogue Shakespjere oatmeal stout. Really good. Only bad thing is the printed bottles. They look great but a pain in the arse to pass off as a homebrew.

Nigel

Having a can of London Pride, picked up a few cans, lighter, as I need(want) to bring one on my camping trip up wicklow mountains tomorrow night(Would obviously prefer a can or two of punk IPA for my trip if i could get it ). But the Nogne IIPA in my press is calling me.

So OK, its not Friday, BUT:

Saturday night, cold old day, winters a' comming.

Leinster managed a draw and they footy team dis well last night

Got 3 winter brews down this week for a total of 20 gallons or so.

Port and Wines are also in place for the festivities.

Also Sloe gin is under way. Now who ever said wait till first frosts to pick sloes is a knacker - they just want to make sure they get to them first. I had my eyes on a goodly set of blackthorns and was waiting for the next dry day.

Result some person had stripped 70% of the bushes but I did manage a kilo

But, I digress from this evenning:

Una ( SWMBO ) is steaming the Christmas Pudding.

The log fire is lit and I am typing this whilst really enjoying the Shandon's Extra Stout from Geoff at the B&C

Even better is she's making a Steak & Kidney pudding for tomorrow <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

Cheers

Will

&amp;quot;Will_D&amp;quot;:1lc7g8ld wrote: Also Sloe gin is under way. Now who ever said wait till first frosts to pick sloes is a knacker - they just want to make sure they get to them first. I had my eyes on a goodly set of blackthorns and was waiting for the next dry day. Result some person had stripped 70% of the bushes but I did manage a kilo[/quote:1lc7g8ld]I am that knacker <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

Picked a load of ripe sloes over a month ago and they've been soaking in alcohol/sugar since.

Let me know how yours turns out. I was expecting to be underwhelmed by the flavour of the liqueur but it's actually incredibly delicious! A beautiful dark red as well. Will definitely be blending part of it with some form of brew.

Ah Ha! Uncle Ben

Now I know

My secret recipe uses a little almond esscence to the mix

Oh Dooh!!! There goes the secret

Have got 3 bottles or so on the go, great colour - need more gin!!!

Cheers

Will

&amp;quot;Will_D&amp;quot;:2hwdqyht wrote: My secret recipe uses a little almond esscence to the mix[/quote:2hwdqyht] Sounds delish. It takes a while but after a month or so the alcohol extracts a fantastic almond taste from the stones of the sloes. Blends incredibly well with the other flavours.