Something new from Bruichladdich

Yes, we're in the midst of a beer festival, so here's news of a new drink for you to try, and, er, it's not an ale at all. It is in fact a gin. But no ordinary gin. However, it is quite quirky, and very Scottish, so fits the Clachaig requirements quite nicely.

Fist off, The Botanist Islay Dry Gin is from the Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay. Yes, a whisky distillery. And whilst we know all about beer and can wax lyrical on the subject for some time, we had to do our homework when it comes to gin.  That we did, and instead of regurgitating everything we learned about gin on our own blog, trying to edit the wording a little so that it isn't a direct copy, perhaps it's best to say take a peek at this short and concise summary of the Botanist on a gin blog (yes, they do exist!)

Next time you fancy a gin, forget that mass produced stuff in the green bottle that has the misfortune to share a name with that craggy faced, foul mouthed, f****ng chef who gets paid a fortune to advertise it as a consequence, check out the imposter amongst the malts on the 'top shelf' and order a Botanist Islay Dry Gin.

But don't delay! It's a limited edition and there's only 15,000 bottles available (and we have 12 of them!)

MayFest

Mayfest is just 24 hours away now and while the staff are all psyching themselves up inn house (if you'll excuse the terrible pun) preparations are preceding a-pace.

The bottle store is so full you can hardly see the floor, the spirit store is full enough to make every move a careful one in case you trip over a box of wine and put your head through a bottle of whisky.

Meanwhile (the important one, to me at least) the cellar is rammed full of beer. With 6 different breweries providing 23 different ales for the first weekend alone we hope we have something to cater for everyone’s taste. There's everything from Williams Brothers' wonderful light hoppy Harvest Sun to An Teallach's fantastic caramel 80 shilling style An Teallach Ale to the Isle of Skye's deliciously dark Black Cuillin.

Also, we're going to be springing some new products on you over Mayfest. We've got a Holston alcohol free beer, bottles of Peroni lager and, as an initial trial but (with your support) continuing through the summer, Westons cider on hand pump. Having had difficulties getting hold of the Thatchers we've had over the last few years we've been looking for a change. I was going to make a political joke at this point but as they say alcohol and politics don't mix.

Hope to see you all over the next few weeks.

Martyn.

Spring is in the air - What's in a name?

Just as the Easter break comes to the end the weather finally decides to brighten up, the daffodils sprout through the snow and lambs are popping out all over the place. Ah! Spring is in the air and that can only mean one thing...eh! well, two things then, if you include our Spring beer festival, Mayfest.

Our male staff are especially looking forward to it (Mayfest that is!) if the newspapers are to be believed. The Independent & the Telegraph (therefore it must be true) recently carried two separate articles about the fairer sex discovering cask ale. Now we occasionally raise our heads from deep beneath the sand and are aware of the current industry trends but this is surely not news. We've been serving the 'ladies' with cask ale for years without any fanfare.

However, Annabel Smith, Britain's first and only female Cask Marque beer inspector says, ''if you want women to drink beer, whatever you do, don't call it "bitter". Try "brunette", "blonde" or "golden" instead, or mention "floral", "honey" and "caramel" flavours. "We've been brainwashed into thinking it's not right for anyone with heels and lipstick to drink beer,"
''So bring on the golden beers with names such as Organic Honey Dew, Waggledance or the award-winning Triple Chocoholic chocolate stout''

Anyone for a pint of Sheep Shagger, Lusty May or Dogs Bollocks then?

Big Lusty May

Here she is. Big Lusty May. All the way from Houston. The voting for ale of the festival continues and as we get through more of the ales lined up for Mayfest, its anybody's guess as to who'll come out on top. Big Lusty May perhaps? On top?! Oo, er...! We'll, there's a thought..!

Last night saw the Beer Tasting session with the Isle of Skye Brewery. Clachaig was so busy, even midweek, that we had to move the tasting through to the restaurant area. And things were looking a little embarrassing for a while as there was a slight dearth of Skye ales to taste (not our fault!) Still, interesting trying to see them be constructive about other breweries beers!

Tonight? Music in the Boots Bar with Scott MacDonald.

MayFest Under Way

Our May Beer Festival got under way at the weekend. Not surprisingly the Whit weekend has proved to be an extremely busy time here in Glencoe, and judging by the number of cars on the road its not just Glencoe that's busy.

It all seems to have passed off without incident, and again the staff at Clachaig been working away like bees in a hive, on their mission to keep everyone happy. The festival has again been well received. We're actively soliciting some feedback on 'ale of festival' and at the moment it looks like a close run thing between the Clachaig ale of choice, Fraoch Heather Ale, and Big Lusty May from Houston Brewery (maybe its the badge the blokes like). However, with a cellar full yet to explore, its a bit early to call it.


We can usually rely on Whit week to bring a bit of good weather. We're still waiting. Amidst the chaos of it all I again decided to take a quick jog up the Pap of Glencoe last night. I know, the view isn't as clear as the last couple of trips up there. (Compare with Stunning Evening & Evening on the Pap.) Not that it matters really. Ipod on, a bit of eclectic high energy and it has to be said fairly gay dance music matched by a bit of extremely loud AC/DC and before you know it you're on the top! Can't recommend the path, though. 3 minutes longer and a complete swamp.

Didn't manage the Pap last week. On Monday afternoon, the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team were called out to the very summit of Bidean nam Bian, the highest peak in Argyll, to go to the aid of a walker who had managed to get all the way up there, but couldn't find a way down again. I think this counts as my highest ever rescue in the glen! You'd have to be standing on the summit cairn to get higher.

Its been a busy spell for the team as well, quite possibly one of the busiest on record with call outs for May now in double digits.

The forecast for the weekend looks like we're in for some warmer weather again. Fingers' crossed.