The first rule of Beer club is that no-one talks about Beer club. But fortunately the second rule is that the first rule is rubbish, so I’m going to tell you all about it. I love the Hudson, that much is well documented but I’ve never been to one of their Beer or Whisky Club nights, which is odd because I love both. I remedied that on Thursday night! It was a tenner in and lasted a few hours and I have to say it was well worth it!
Starting just a shade after 8pm, Richard McLelland from the William Bros Brewery in Allola, Scotland introduced himself over the mic as our host for the evening. They already supply The Hudson with a few of their famous craft beers including my favourite “the Hudson Craft Beer” which is a special brew and the signature beer of The Hudson. We were quickly given samples the first beer “birds and Bees” a light and sharp summers day beer it went down easy. Next up was “Grozet” a beer similarly light and refreshing but with more body and made with Gooseberrys and a citrus zest. This was my favourite of the night. Next up “Cock of the Walk” a red ale made with crystal malts and a huge body to it with a wonderfule red colour too. All along Richard was telling us the history of the brewery and stories about the beers including the next one which was called “Seven Giraffes” after one of the brewers allowed his daughter to name it.
At this point it was time for some of the Hudsons (now famous) Chicken wings. We quickly devoured these and soon it was announced that since tomorrow was Burns night and to celebrate our gracious host coming all the way over from bonnie Scotland he to be was presented with a haggis. As he recited some of the address to the haggis and stabbed it with a knife we were treated to little bits of potato bread with haggis and turnips on top. A kind of H’or D’eurves haggis, neeps and tatties while they played a piper’s song over the PA.
We finished up with our last beer of the evening “Midnight Sun” a dark porter beer with a lovely finish. As a treat after this we were given to a wee dram of Fraoch 22. A kind of Strong beer (11%) with a cherry whisky like taste, definitely something special. It’s over a year and a half old and comes in a specially designed bottle that is re-sealable and keeps it fresh for 2 weeks.
“The first in our ‘Vintage Cask Collaborations’ 11% alc/vol version of our Fraoch is matured in ex-sherry casks previously used to mature Auchentoshan single malt. Brewed as an 11% Fraoch heather ale then matured in ex sherry/malt whisky casks giving a rich, creamy brew full of notes of sherry & barley wine with a wood & whisky finish.”
Finally we got a pint of the William Bros own Brewed “Hudson Craft Beer” to wash it all down. A great night and a testament to all the guys at the Hudson and the William Bros Brewry. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for the next Beer club event, but then we’re not supposed to talk about that…
Coming up this Sunday at the Hudson is their Superbowl party with dollar priced beers and hot-dogs galore.
