Beer Swap: This is how it was for me.

So, by now most people reading this will be familiar with Beer Swap, and most will probably have been involved. For those who don't know, Beer Swap was a concept thought up by Andy of Beerreviews.co.uk, and Mark of real-ale-reviews.com fame respectively – this was later further operationalised by Mr Pencil-Spoon I think. The idea was to get beer bloggers from all over the country (would have been international but for the postage charge) to send four bottles of the best local beer in their area to another blogger, so they can drink and blog accordingly. Genius, huh?

Anyway, I had the privilege of receiving my beers from one of the original brains behind the whole thing, the chilli growing, hill walking, real ale drinking, food loving, web developing, northerner, Andy (He's very informative on his twitter bio). So, as you can imagine, I had very high hope for the prospective beers I would receive, and was not disappointed (two of the breweries had beers in the Sainsburys beer festival competition this year, and one of them actually won it).

After a quick check on AA route planner, I discovered that the closest I am to any of the breweries that my beers originated is 251.5 miles, which kinda emphasises the point of beer swap.

Great Shunner by the Yorkshire Dales Brewing Co (274.3 miles away), is a 4.2% dark golden ale. Massive creamy yet slightly foamy head, that doesn't want to fade, and a dark chestnut/amber body. Quite a malt driven nose, with subtle sweet biscuit in the taste that ends with a powerful clingy bitterness. A tad lighter in body than I was expecting. Wonderfully drinkable beer, with a really nice balance of flavours.

Rocket by the Wylam Brewery (319.6 miles away), a best bitter at 5%. Pours a pale golden colour with a foamy white head, and it's very active in the carbonic department. There is an aroma of nutty malts and a light caramel. Fruity, lightly floral, and mild smooth toffee flavours. Another beer that is easy drinking, with enjoyable flavours, and an active feel.

Mars Magic by Wold Top Brewery (261.7 miles away), is a 4.6% dark bitter. Dark amber in colour with a smallish creamy off-white head. Heavy dark roasted aromas with hints of coffee, and very earthy. There are lots of hefty roasted malts in the flavours, with an almost smokiness and an abundance of dark fruits possibly raisins, and figs. Much heaver than the previous two beers, with much richer flavours – definitely recommended.

The last beer is Nick Stafford's Hambleton Ales (251.5 miles away, and winners of the Sainsburys beer comp 2009 with their brilliant Taylor's Tipple) Nightmare, a 5% stout. Pours with a thick black body and slightly foamy tan head. Lots of coffee and chocolate in the aroma with an underlying sweetness, and a touch a liquorish . It tastes very similar to how it smells, strong espresso, bitter dark chocolate, oak, and a thick creamy feel. Brilliant stout, one of the most flavoursome I have had at the ABV, and my favourite of the four beers. I will certainly be seeking out the rest of the breweries beers.

I can't wait for the next chapter of beer swap, it's a brilliant concept and looks to be even better next time around. It would be superb if it could be made an international endeavour in the future with local beers flying back and forth all over the globe. So, if anyone can think of a clever way of getting round the huge shipping charges, be sure to make it known.