#ISBFHeroes - Episode 4

This is one where things get a little more “Fanboy”. And a little more personal.

As I have said - I think - on each of these “Heroes” posts, this event has certain objectives. Fun. Having something to smile about - a distraction if you will - during Lockdown. Great beer. And supporting great breweries.

This one is no different. Yet…

I first met Stuart Neilson 8 years ago. In a little beer shop in Snaith, East Yorkshire called Yorkshire Ales. I was looking for great Yorkshire beers to potentially feature on the crappy blog I was writing and was introduced by the owners of the shop.

We chatted briefly and I carried on shopping. At that point, he was Brewing below a pub in Scarborough. That pub features later.*

The beers were good. Damned good.

Demand outgrew the pub. So he set up a larger (additional) brewery on the outskirts of Scarborough.

I talk - of course - about North Riding Brewery.

And I'm a fan. Unashamedly so too.

On the previous (Marble) event, Joe Ince (having Collabed with Stuart on the IPA “Silly Point “) remarked that North Riding were my (Jim) favourite Cask Brewery. And he's completely right. I wish I could drink it more often. The Single hopped Pales are quite sublime. Mosaic is my favourite cask beer.

Closely followed by his Citra.

And as for beers like “Fudge Brownie”, don't get me started. I’d need to mop up the drool….

I've known worse views from the office door……..

North Riding is predominantly a cask ale brewery. And breweries who specialise in cask conditioned beer have suffered particularly hard over the last 12 months. And when the initial ISBF Heroes idea was conceived, they were in the fore of my thinking.

But - again, another of the key reasons for featuring each brewery - these events are about people. People with connections to the event. People who have gone over and above in support of the event. And me and mine.

And Stuart & Karen Neilson have done that. And more.

This one - like I said earlier - is personal.

As well as the brewery, Karen & Stuart also own that* pub. Not just any pub. It's one of the pubs that form my “Holy Trinity”. The North Riding Hotel.

A combination of both Local & Destination pub, the pub manages the trick of being simultaneously gorgeous, welcoming, friendly (both staff and customers) and serving magnificent beers. Showcasing beers brewed both in the cellar brewery (Yes, there's a 2bbl kit downstairs!) and from the main brewery, but also some of the best beer from all over the country and beyond. There's a permanent Kernel line for Pete’s sake!

For. The. Win.

But, like I said, this isn't just about the beer. This one is personal. It's about the people.

And Karen & Stuart are good people.

Just 2 weeks before #ISBF3, 4 1/2 years ago, my family's world was shattered. We struggled for a few months. That's putting it mildly. Then, late the following summer, Karen & Stuart reached out and invited both of us to come to the pub for NYE. We didn't want to spend another with just Jools for company, so - with some trepidation - accepted.

It was our first night away in over a year. And - from the moment we walked in - felt like we had been wrapped in a big warm hug.

That night - and the gesture that led to it - is something that neither of us will ever forget. It helped us in so many ways that are difficult to say. So I won't try.

But, suffice to say, Karen & Stuart. We thank you. And - if you like it or not - you're now part of this “story”.

So there……

We've been back on a few occasions. And each time felt the same. Just being wrapped in friendliness. In a wonderful pub. With rooms above. It's a little slice of beer heaven.

That view (seconds from the pub) is a none too shabby hangover cure….

And - occasionally - Stuart breaks out the “Wheels of Steel” and does a little DJ set (loves a bit of Detroit House & Techno does Stu……) Prepare for the Spotify playlist….

So. Back to business….. 😉

All of the above being true, I don't invite breweries out of pure sentiment. They've got to make damn good beer. So North Riding being asked for one of these was an easy call.

Beautiful sharp Pales, luxurious Darks. Drinkability is an underrated virtue in beer. And North Riding nail that.

Now then, the format for this one is a little different with regards to the beers. It isn't a 6x2 like the others were. Still 12 beers, this time in bottle, but 4 beers will have 2 of each, 4 will have one.

Stuart will do a guided tasting of 3 of these beauties.

All delicious. And some beasts in this one too.

Here's the list. Drool on.

2 x Motueka Pale - 4.0%

2 x Mosaic Pale - 4.3%

2 x Citra Pale - 4.5%

2 x West Coast IPA (5 Towns Collab) 5.8%

1x Ice Cream Porter - 4.5%

1 x Chocolate Porter (Marble Collab) 6.0%

1 x Barley Wine (5 Towns Collab) Launch Exclusive - 8.7%

1 x Imperial Stout (North Riding Brewpub) Launch Exclusive - 10%

All in 500ml bottle.

And the price for this Box of Beery Joy? £40 plus Delivery of £6.90. Now then, here's a thing…..

North Riding do Free Delivery at £50 and over. So, if you either ordered more beer, or a Bobble or Beanie hat (which are - rather nicely priced at £10 & £12….) voila! Free Delivery!!!

Beanie £10. Bobble £12. I'm buying one of each. And extra beer. Because I'm a fanboy. 😂

And remember. Each case bought means that £5 goes into our Charity pot for Start Inspiring Minds.

Come on. Join us. But be quick. There's only 60 of these lovely cases available. Click here for the case.

See you on 30th?

Back soon. Be kind to one another.

Jim x