70 years at the bar - the best of 2022 and the best of Phil
What's occurring, Phil? Phil "relaxing" in hospital It had an already been an odd, unsatisfactory year for me beerwise when we reached December and it was time to look back and reflect. I hadn't sorted out my typical drinking week post-COVID, largely because I was still working mostly from home. When I did make it to the pub I generally drank cask, which was fine, but I was becoming increasingly disappointed with the beers I drank at home. The IPA style seems increasingly be dominated by hazy or New England IPAs and very few seemed to stand out, even amongst the Double IPAs. My other go-to style, the imperial stouts, were too often sweet, although I did discover the wonders of Pohjala, the jewel of Estonia, and their extraordinary portfolio of strong, dark beers. But into this scenario of alcoholic frustration came a medical condition even more alarming than COVID - the Big C. Cancer. I had been suffering with back ache for several months before a face-to-face GP a