Introduction – January 2nd
After the excesses of the Christmas and New Year, its very tempting to have a bit of a break from alcohol and good food, and pare things back. This CAMRA committee member is no exception, but while my liver is crying out for a holiday, there’s another voice in my head saying ’A pub is for life, not just for Christmas’. The answer to this dilemma is clear. Have a dryish January, and keep on visiting our locals. So on the 2nd of January, I resolved to go on a journey of discovery, and see just how well these two concepts would mix.
Week one
After the new year excesses, I spent the first weekend mostly staying in. Giving me something to occupy my drinking hand while binge-watching box sets was Guiness Zero from the supermarket and a concoction called Impossibrew Pale Ale, available online direct from the manufacturer.
Guiness has long been the real ale drinkers last point of refuge in a pub with no proper beer, and Guiness Zero is acknowledged as a pretty decent no alcohol alternative. I’ve taken habitual Guiness drinkers to task before about the lack of flavour and that mass produced aftertaste, usually to no avail, despite pointing out alternatives such as my local favourites Gorilla stout from Blue Monkey (always available at the Organ Grinder) or Black Pearl from Milestone (usually on at their Cromwell brewery tap). But while other low or no alcohol alternatives usually have something missing, Guiness Zero is a pretty good version of its full-fat counterpart. Maybe it’s a low bar, I don’t know. Very popular in Ireland too I gather, so I’m not on my own here.
Impossibrew Pale Ale is on the face of it a fairly ubiquitous 0.5% Pale Ale, similar to say PunkAF, but with some secret ingredient that they say provides a little buzz similar to alcohol. I have to say, there’s some element of truth to it, and it manages to satisfy my alcohol craving in these early days. Whether that’s the 0.5% alcohol or the secret sauce, who’s to say?
One quick trip out was squeezed in, for a peek at the music at The Navigation where a friend of a friend was playing in the band on Saturday night. I sampled a Heineken Zero, which was ok as a zero drink, but given that I’m not keen on lager generally, merely did the job while listening to the music. The Nav also does Guinness Zero, but was out of stock – a common thing this time of year.
Wednesday sees me venture out to the first pub on my list, The Organ Grinder. While I’d usually order an Infinity IPA or a Gorilla stout here, and shunning the Guiness Zero, I opt for the Adnams Ghost Ship 0.5%. Heather behind the bar pours it into a glass for me, perhaps thinking I need to be protected from the shame of participating in this Dry January malarky. Its tastes quite satisfactory, and I drink it while chatting to folk and dipping into the quiz. Nothing like a good pint of infinity, but not half bad in the circumstances. Other no/low alcohol alternatives here are a fruity cider, and a regular Thatchers zero. Not for me tonight.
Week 2
This Saturday and Sunday saw me do a double-header at The Flying Circus, on both days based around the music at 4pm. On offer at the Circus, as well as good old Guiness Zero, is one not seen much elsewhere – Beavertown Lazer Crush. It’s a 0.3% IPA.
I’m quite keen on the main Beavertown brews though much preferring the stronger and flavoursome Gamma Ray over the weaker and more insipid Neck Oil. So I’m not hopeful. While it again does the job, and does have quite a nice hoppy finish, it too is a bit insipid. I end the Sunday session on coke. As a side note, the Circus does do a good range of Lindemanns fruit beers some of which are low in alcohol – down to 2.5% – and still sharp in flavour as they are lambic beers. Good for a low alcohol break on a regular session.
Wedensday. Now this is a challenge. It’s CAMRA branch meeting day, and I’ve got to come clean about my little experiment. I expect my resolve to be tested by both peer pressure and my own pangs of longing as I prepare to watch my favourite brew being consumed in front of me. Especially as we are at The Prince Rupert who do a very reliable pint of Oakham Citra. Thankfully my fellow members are supportive and non-judgmental, and I go for an Old Moult Berries and Cherries cider. The lady behind the bar isn’t so keen on my choice – not sure why as the pricing by pubs should ensure that their margin is the same regardless, so why should they care? I think it’s the mere mention of ‘Dry January’ which is the bane of pubs across the land. The drink lasts me through the meeting, and is extremely pleasant. Not being a regular cider drinker, it seems pretty much like normal fruit ciders that I have tried, packed full of fruity flavour if slightly artificial. I don’t think the full-fat equivalent counts as a CAMRA real cider, so maybe that explains things, but on this occasion I’m glad of the chemicals.
We move on to the Fox and Crown after the meeting, and a few alternatives are available, though no regular beers. Of the Guiness, lager, cider and wheat beer on offer, I go for the wheat beer, Erdinger. I’m not a wheat beer fan, but it tastes pretty good. Our Cider rep tells me the low alcohol cider is pretty good here – an apple cider by Cranes at 0.5% – but that the best one around is Stowford press. I make a note to look out for it.
Finally we find ourselves at the Organ Grinder, and I plump for the Ghost Ship again, which does the job and sees me home.
I reflect that I’m half way through the month and things have gone pretty well. I’m planning a day off from my regime on Saturday 24th, having tickets for a gig at the Cat Asylum brewery tap, and a grand finish on Saturday 31st when there is a CAMRA branch social to the Beermuda Triangle, a mini-festival held by three of our local pubs. The end is in sight.
Week 3
It’s a light weekend visiting family, with little time for pubs. But Tuesday sees us back at the Flying Circus for a musical night, held every third Tuesday. I start well on a Lazer Crush, but temptation gets the better of me and I go for a pint of Jaipur half way through the evening. Delicious, and stronger than my usual selection. No going back to alcohol free after that, I have a couple more and a nice night.
Wednesday is poker night, held monthly at Just Beer. I’m back on the wagon, and here the non-alcohol alternative has shifted. It used to be Brewdog’s various options last time I looked, but now its Erdinger. This beer is growing on me after sampling it last week, and I get through the evening on it quite happily.
Week 4
What was going to be a day off on Saturday turns into a weekend off. After being tempted by wine with friends on Friday taking in Not My Monkey and Ann-et-Vin, the Saturday saw us attend the wonderful Cat Asylum Brewery in Collingham. Henry throws open the brewery tap and puts on music usually once a month. We see a great band, The Activators, in this fantastically quirky venue, and while their Simcoe, Lager and Bitter are on offer, spend the evening drinking their very nice Newark IPA. Sunday also sees me back at the Flying Circus for the afternoon music, and a few good pints interspersed with Lazer Crush.
Monday and we are out at another music night out of town near Grantham. Driving is a great way for me to ensure I stay on the wagon, and I drink diet coke all night. After the weekend drinking, I’m glad of a day alcohol free. Wednesday however, is another CAMRA meeting, this time the Executive committee, and with the end in sight at the weekend, I can’t resist a couple of Infinity IPAs followed by a Guerilla Stout.
The final weekend
It’s done. A very pleasant month spent dry-ish, with lots of pub visiting and socials. I’m a few pounds lighter, and its not been too much of a chore. We spend the Saturday at our local pubs Beermuda Triangle festival, which is staged from Thursday to Sunday across Just Beer, The Organ Grinder and The Fox and Crown and features around 50 beers. Our Camra social event starts at 2pm and takes in those three plus The Circus who have a few extra casks on too. A fine way to finish the month.
And I’ve proved it is possible to do a dry January and still support your local pubs. Albeit I didn’t go completely without alcohol, there are plenty of options for drivers, abstainers and moderation whatever your aim. I’m looking forward to February though!
