Indian Summer/ Autumnal offerings and an extended Oktoberfest!
(Featuring a rambling discourse on what is going on at the shop right now, what will be going on, and ideas that merely exist, `In potentia.`)
The nights are now drawing in, however, for the moment, even late into the evening temperatures are still holding up. But there can be no mistake! The steady transition from Summer to Autumn has begun. There may well be a week or so of an `Indian Summer`, with long cool evenings, ahead, but for some of us, thoughts are turning away from the salad days of summer, to more warming Autumnal dishes. Here at Bottle & Board our collective mind begins to think about planning for the winter months.
Oktoberfest 2026.
We would like to offer our thanks to everyone who came along to support this year`s event. The good news is that for anyone who missed it, (or if you had a favourite Oktoberfest bier, that you would like to sample again, just one more time!) there is still just a little bit of everything left, (except for the frikadellan! which were all consumed. largely by Aaron & Kevin.)
At time of writing, all draught Oktoberfest beers are still available, bottled fest beers are also in stock, for on or off sales, and we have half a dozen giant soft pretzl`s in the freezer.
Stiegl Goldbrau returns.
With almost perfect timing, neatly coinciding with the last days of Summer, the superb Stiegl, grapefruit radler has come to an end, Goldbrau is due to arrive next week.
Saturday night Supper: Gina`s `Bowl of Red` Chili.
Next month, we will be trialling a simple hot food offer on a Saturday evening, the success, (or indeed failure!) of this venture will depend entirely upon demand. Hopefully there will not be another, `Dogbolter incident.`..........
The Woodston smokehouse.
While some people may well be of the opinion that it is far too early for the `C` word, it is not too soon to be planning for the Yuletide season. This week, the Woodston smokehouse will be preparing a batch of, smoked garlic, olive oil. Samples should be ready by mid October, (Smoked oils need an `infusion` time, followed by a rest phase to fix the flavours.)
Dark Nights ahead! (There may be Cheese!.........)
Some time ago, Mr Dan Ackerley, (amongst others!) invited me to join an online forum called `Stout Nerds.` I declined. My refusal to become involved was based on nothing more than the fact that I was incensed by the terrible missed opportunity of naming this group, `The stout fellows!`
A `Dark beer showcase` is in the planning stages. The line up will include a `light-weights stout or porter`* of around 4.0% abv, and hopefully some of the heavy hitters that we have previously featured. (Think, Narwhal & Barista.)
A selection of cheeses may well accompany the curated beers.
*Bottle & Board continues to operate a, `responsible drinking` policy.
General musings and dates for your diary.
As always we continue to hold discussions with suppliers and brewers, with the intention of bringing our customers something new. We are constantly on the look-out for beers that are either interesting or rare enough to warrant a `Connoisseurs Club` evening, so please! watch this space.
Bottle & Board`s annual Sausage-Roll Bake-Off!
This year`s competition will take place on Sunday the 20th of December. Details to follow.
Christmas & New Years eve, opening hours!
This year, the shop will be open a little later on Christmas eve, (Staff permitting!)
Christmas eve. 14.00 until 22.00. TBC. (last orders for onsales, 21.30.)
Chouffe hats will be issued during last orders, in preparation for a `Home invasion!`
New years` eve opening hours are yet to be decided!
Thank-you for taking the time to read this news round-up, and Please feel free to share.
I'm really excited for the forthcoming season! Looks like it'll be a splendid time for all! :)