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2013 will be the 24th Bent N Bongs Beer Bash, so the theme for the beer list this year is a twist on 24hrs ... 24 of Ours ... 24 of our best, favourite and most popular beers from the last 24 years.

The fabulous 24 are all marked up on the list and we also have a 24 Of Ours blog post about them.

Mrs Otto, the Bent and Bongs beer svengali, has again given some personal recommendations. The real ale recommendations are noted in the list but for the last word form Mrs Otto, see the full list of 2013 Mrs Otto recommendations.

Real Ales
BreweryBeerABV (%)Tasting Notes
4T’sRuncorn, CheshireFace The Hops5.5Pale malt brew with a mass of hops in your face.
AbbeydaleSheffield, South YorkshireDeception4.124 Of Ours
Lovely pale gold in colour, thin crisp head, with a honey-like aroma it is delicately sweet in taste and goes down a real treat. Very tangy and refreshing, pure flavour, very addictive. Go drink!!
AbbeydaleSheffield, South YorkshireDr Morton's Ships Biscuit4.1The latest brew from Abbeydale's experimental plant.
AllgatesWigan, LancashireDouble Espresso Stout4.4Pours beautiful black with a big dark brown head. Taste is super roasty with deep licorice and dark chocolate up front and a creamy chocolate/vanilla coffee towards the end. Fabulous!
AllgatesWigan, LancashireMad Monk7.1Produced in the tradition of 18th Century English brewers who supplied the Court of Russia's Catherine the Great, Mad Monk is already developing something of a cult following wherever it goes. It's a rich, intense brew with big complex flavours and a warming finish.

Mrs Otto says A blackish off-white head. High coffee, bitterness, nice hoppy, fruity, burned, berries, ok balance, nice smooth body.
AllgatesWigan, LancashireOstara3.6Nice crisp & hoppy in the mouth. Enjoyable beer and jolly decent for such a low abv.
AllgatesWigan, LancashirePretoria3.924 Of Ours
Named after the local mine it is a perfectly clean yellow gold ale with big assertive lemon sherbert hops; juicy with just a pinch of sourness.
AyrAyrLeezie Lundie3.8Clear golden colour. Floral hops, forage clover and malt in aroma. Mild flavour of floral hops and malt.
Bank TopBolton, Greater ManchesterBack BridgeGolden coloured fruity hoppy beer with a creaminess on the palate and a bitter dry finish.
Bank TopBolton, Greater ManchesterFlat Cap424 Of Ours
Bank Top's signature beer - pale with citrus fruit aroma and a hoppy finish.
BathamsBrierley Hill, West MidlandsBest Bitter4.324 Of Ours
A straw coloured bitter which initially seems sweet, but a complex, dry, hoppy taste soon predominates.
Beer GeekBirmingham, West Midlands(HO)3 Geek3.5A winter brew to keep the chill at bay? A classic Pale Ale.
Beer GeekBirmingham, West MidlandsGreat White Geek4.5This light ale is full flavoured with a hint of floral aromas with a lingering hoppy finish. This geek has class and style.
Black IrisDerby, DerbyshireGreat Eastern Transatlantic Porter4.6This dark brew is full of vanilla and roasted malts with some floral and liquorice notes towards the end.
Black PawBishop Auckland, DurhamIPA5Amber with some sweetish malts, a touch of fruit and a bitter finish.
BlackedgeHorwich, LancashireBlack Port4.9Recently won the regional gold award in the speciality beers category at the SIBA Great Northern Beer Festival.
BlackjackManchester, Greater ManchesterAces High5.5Aroma of pine and tropical fruits. It has a sweet and silky feel. Flavour is very fruity and sweet but delivers a thirst quenchingly dry finish.

Mrs Otto says A chilly and hazy blonde coloured beer with a tight bright white head and lacing. Nicely hoppy with good citrus but the malts are a bit sweet and toffee like. The hops dominate in the mouth.
BlackjackManchester, Greater ManchesterStout5Pitch black with foamy head. Chocolate and malt aroma. Malt with liquorice, chocolate and caramel. Good!
BoggartManchesterRum Porter4.724 Of Ours
Strong porter with added rum. Rich and warming.
BowlandClitheroe, LancashireBowland Gold3.8A hoppy golden bitter filled with grapefruit flavours and citrus peel aromas.
Bristol Beer FactoryBristol, GloucestershireSunrise4.4A light, refreshing beer with a slight bitterness that's not too overpowering.
CairngormAviemore, Inverness-shireTrade Winds4.324 Of Ours
Light golden in colour with a high proportion of wheat giving a clean fresh taste. The mash blends together with the Perle hops and elderflower providing a bouquet of fruit and citrus flavours.
Castle RockNottingham, NottinghamshireHarvest Pale3.824 Of Ours
An aromatic blend of American hops gives this 3.8% pale beer exceptional poise. It's distinct hop flavour leads to a crisp finish. SIBA National Champion Bitter 2004, Chamption Bitter of Britain 2007 and Champion Beer of Britain 2010.
CoastalRedruth, CornwallSea King5.5Super refreshing golden strong beer with a pronounced hop aroma and citrus flavours. Made with Citra hops.
Cross BayMorecambe, LancashireSpecial IPA6.2Zesty fruit flavours are followed by a hefty kick from the triple blend of hops, which makes this ale particularly special.
Cross BayMorecambe, LancashireWinter Moon4.3A traditional porter for the dark cold nights.
Cross BayMorecambe, LancashireZenith5A reasonably strong IPA which is light and refreshing in colour with a distinct tropical aroma.
Cumbrian Legendary AlesAmbleside, CumbriaLoweswater Gold4.324 Of Ours
Pale and golden with a small white head. Malty and grainy aroma with fruity and floral notes. Sweet grainy flavour with grassy hops.
Dancing DuckDerby, DerbyshireAy Up / Ey Up3.9Very pleasant light refreshing summer drinking ale. Hints of ginger beer memories.
Dark StarHaywards Heath, West SussexEspresso Stout4.224 Of Ours
Crowned the world's best speciality beer 2009. This is alcoholic coffee!

Mrs Otto says Almost black colour, roast malt and chocolate aroma, shock horror this tasted a bit like a strong coffee with some hint of chocolate. Just a slight bit of hop bitterness towards the end. A Very good stout.
Deeply ValeBury, LancashireDV84.8It might turn you to the dark side this winter ;) Drink deeply!
Deeply ValeBury, LancashireStill Walking3.8Still walking. Not falling. Drink deeply!
Dunscar BridgeBolton, LancashireBombay IPA3.7This blend of Pacifica and Summit hops create a fine ale with a bright floral aroma combined with a hint of orange marmalade. The subsequent tangy citrus taste has a freshness of tangerine and grapefruit flavour creating a taste that seems stronger than it's alcohol by volume suggests.
Dunscar BridgeBolton, LancashireResolution4.1Floral/spicy aroma and tasting with a superior bitterness that will not disappoint. The perfect pint to kick-start the New Year.
East LondonLondonELB Pale Ale4Is a classic, crisp, lighter ale. Hoppy but not overpowering it is a pleasant session quaff.
EllandElland, West YorkshireBeyond the Pale4.224 Of Ours
A pale, golden bitter brewed with a touch of Munich Malt and a pronounced floral aroma and finish.

Mrs Otto says Orange-gold with a skim of white head. Tea, tangerines and biscuits aromas. Well balanced, oozing tangerine cheesecake hops and malts. Soft, floral and a touch malty. Lovely!
ExmoorTaunton, SomersetExmoor Beast6.6Beast by name and Beast by nature is this exquisitely strong-willed, full-bodied dark porter.

Mrs Otto says Ruby brown with a thick off white head. A touch of treacle, sweet but fruity warming malts and a gentle bitterness in the swallow, partially hops and a little caramel. An excellent English style winter warmer that has stood the test of time.
ExmoorTaunton, SomersetExmoor Gold4.524 Of Ours
Exmoor Gold is an appetising and enticing gold colour. Bittersweet with hints of citrus fruit weaving in and out.
FranklinsBexhill-on-Sea, East SussexCitra IPA5.5This IPA is for serious beer lovers. As the name suggests this ale is bursting with citrus flavours and aroma. The tropical notes of mango, lime, pineapple and orange bring home all the memories of a lush summer holiday.
FranklinsBexhill-on-Sea, East SussexPudding Stout4.2This is the ultimate stout. With an added touch of oatmeal giving it a dark and smooth silkiness that makes it eminently drinkable. Notes of coffee and vanilla provide this beer with an after dinner taste and rich aroma.
Fyne AlesCairndow, ArgyllJarl3.8Very pale. Cirtus notes in abundance. Crisp and refreshing. Excellent session beer.
GeevesBarnsley, South YorkshireTunnel Mouth4.8Award winning strong dark winter ale. Hints of chocolate, coffee and liquorice combine to provide a truly delicious flavour.
GraysStoke on Trent, StaffordshireCeltic Gold4Golden bitter with a nice balance of malt and hops.
HarviestounAlva, ClackmannanshireBitter and Twisted4.224 Of Ours
A Golden Ale/Blond Ale. Champion Beer of Britain 2003.
HawksheadKendal, CumbriaWindermere Pale3.524 Of Ours
A very pale, very hoppy, multi-award winning beer.
Hay RakeLittleborough, LancashireDawn's Hopping Mad3.4A chilli/ginger beer. Is this a curry in a glass?
HoltsManchesterBitter4Classic session ale with well balanced bittering hops.
HoltsManchesterMild3.2Classic award winning dark Northern session ale.
Hop BackSalisbury, WiltshireSummer Lightning524 Of Ours
Light citrus aroma and a hops kick to the flavour raises it above the average drinkable summer ale.
HydesSalford, Greater Manchester1863 Beer3.5Mainly sweet with any hops fairly subtle and a light fruity aroma.
HydesSalford, Greater ManchesterManchester’s Finest (Cask)4.5A good bitter well rounded and hoppy.
Just a MinuteSpennymoor, DurhamIPA4.6A traditional IPA; strong and well hopped.
Kelham IslandSheffield, South YorkshirePale Rider5.224 Of Ours
Pours clear and golden with an aroma of fruit and hops. Flavour of grass and straw in teh hoppyness and citrus fruits. Former Champion Beer of Britain.
KinverStourbridge, StaffordshireEdge4.2Amber ale with fruity malt and citrus marmalade flavour and a hoppy finish.
Lincoln GreenHucknall, NottinghamshireMarion Pale Ale3.8Full bodied pale ale packed with citrus hop and a hint of grapefruit.
Liverpool OrganicLiverpool, MerseysideImperial Russian Stout7.9Slightly fruity hops with burnt blackcurrents, liquorice and a slight hint of black treacle. Welcome to the dark side!
LlangorseLlangorse, BreconBeer Belly4.5A light yellow coloured refreshing and full bodied premium ale containing a grist of four different malts and three distinctive varieties of hops giving you a taste to remember.
LlangorseLlangorse, BreconMaid for the Dark Side3.7An unusual dark session beer produced from crystal and black malt which results in a mellow beer with a smooth finish.
MauldonsSudbury, SuffolkBlackberry Porter4.8A full bodide black porter with a balanced hop aroma and rich blend of chocolate and roast flavours that give way to a subtle sweet fruit finish.
MedievalColston Bassett, NottinghamshireCrusader4.4Pale ale that is a touch sweet with a refreshing citrus finish.
MedievalColston Bassett, NottinghamshireYe Old Festive Knight4.2Pale refreshing ale from the days of yore!
MerlinArclid, CheshireDragon Slayer5.6Dark beer with a complex character and blackcurrant aftertones.
MoorhousesBurnley, LancashireAPA Special4.8Straw Coloured American style IPA where tropical fruit is balanced with sweet caramel malt.
MoorhousesBurnley, LancashirePendle Witches Brew5.124 Of Ours
A full malty flavoured beer with a crisp sweet fruity aftertaste and soft citrus nose.
OakhamPeterborough, CambridgeshireScarlet Macaw4.4Tart gooseberry and soft peach on the nose. Gooseberries and fruit to taste before an intense bitterness that's as sharp as a macaw's screech.
Olde SwanDudley, West MidlandsBumblehole5.2Strong, sweet robust bitter.
Olde SwanDudley, West MidlandsEntire4.424 Of Ours
Classic Black Country quaffing ale.
OrkneyStromness, OrkneySkull Splitter8.524 Of Ours
A barley wine that pours a dark amber. Boozy, dark fruit aroma. Tastes sweet and malty. Dark fruit. Some apple in there too.
PenzancePenzance, CornwallPotion No. 94A light, golden, hoppy session bitter.
PhoenixHeywood, Greater ManchesterWobbly Bob624 Of Ours
A BBBB classic strong ale often referred to as "Bobbly Wob".
PrivateerManchesterAmberAmber is a sweet, malty, medium-bodied ale with a spicy, floral hop finish. Bursting with new world hops.
PrivateerManchesterDainty Blonde4.2A beautifully balanced pale ale with a clean crisp finish. Arouses the taste buds!
PrivateerManchesterDark Revenge4.5Appetisingly black! A lovely aroma combining chocolate and some coffee notes, the flavour is nice and smooth with subtle chocolate.
RedwillowMacclesfield, CheshireFeckless4.1A classic English bitter, but more so!

Mrs Otto says A Clear medium to dark orange amber colour with a average, frothy, good lacing, off-white head. Aroma is moderate to heavy malty, caramel, nutty, moderate to heavy hoppy, orange – citrus, spicy, light grapefruit. This is probably the kind of beer that I’m supposed to hate. I don’t. It’s awesome!
RedwillowMacclesfield, CheshireShameless5.9Pours pale golden, grassy and citrussy hop nose and taste, some sweetness as well. Well-made and refreshing British-style IPA.
RoostersHarrogate, North YorkshireYankee4.324 Of Ours
Aroma nice flowery malt. The taste is quite amazing. It's subtle yet powerful and bitter. Very nice finish of vanilla and toffee. Nice!
SaltaireShipley, West YorkshireCascadian Black4.8A black IPA with the roast malt flavours of a stout and the bitterness and fresh pine aroma of the Cascade hop.
Sarah HughesDudley, West MidlandsDark Ruby Mild624 Of Ours
Classic BBBB strong dark mild from the Black Country. What more can we say?
SkinnersTruro, CornwallCornish Knocker Ale4.5Flavours of light pale malts with a kiss of floral hops and a gently bitter finish. A vey nice summer session ale.
St GeorgesCallow End, WorcestershireDragon’s Blood4.8Chocolate and crystal malt combined to give a ruby red coloured beer with a hint of chocolate. Brewed using Fuggles and Styrian Goldings blended together for an earthy and slightly spicy aroma.
St GeorgesCallow End, WorcestershireFriar Tuck4A golden bitter brewed with a combination of hops including Styrian Goldings to give a smooth, refreshing bitter with a citrus character.
ThornbridgeBakewell, DerbyshireJaipur5.924 Of Ours
A citrus dominated India Pale Ale, its immediate impression is soft and smooth yet builds to a crescendo of massive hoppiness accentuated by honey. An enduring, bitter finish.
ThornbridgeBakewell, DerbyshireSaint Petersburg7.7Rich and dark with smoke, sibtle peatiness and the power of the dark malts. Molasses and liquorice and chocolate goodness all wrapped up in a smooth, warming liquid.
Timothy TaylorKeighley, West YorkshireLandlord4.324 Of Ours
Another BBBB classic! A traditional Yorkshire bitter.
TitanicStoke on Trent, StaffordshireIceberg4.124 Of Ours
A combination of Maris Otter pale malt and fine wheat malt give this refreshing beer real zest.

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Ciders
BrewABV (%)FromType
Biddenden Bushels Cider (Draught)6KentCider
Broadoak Moonshine Cider7.5SomersetApple Cider
Crones Special Reserve Cider7.5NorfolkCider
Hecks Kingston Black Cider6.5SomersetApple Cider
Moores Sweet Cider6GloucestershireCider
Sheppy’s Farmhouse Cider - Medium (Draught)6SomersetCider
Tardebigge Dry Cider6WorcestershireCider

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Perrys
BrewABV (%)FromType
Broadoak Premium Perry7.5SomersetPerry
Malvern Magic Perry - Farmhouse5.5HerefordshirePerry
Ralphs Medium Perry5PowysPerry

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Draught Beers
BeerTypeABV (%)Country
5AM SaintAmber Ale5Scotland
Affligem BlondBelgian Ale6.8Belgium
Cruzcampo Premium LagerPale Lager - North Am. / Light5Spain
Delirium NoëlBelgian Strong Ale10Belgium
Dortmunder Union PilsClassic German Pilsener5Germany
Duvel Green (Draught - 6.8%)Belgian Ale6.8Belgium
Erdinger WeissbierGerman Hefeweizen5.3Germany
Florisgaarden FramboiseFruit Beer3.7Belgium
Flying Dog Doggie Style Classic Pale AleAmerican Pale Ale5.5USA
Krombacher PilsClassic German Pilsener4.8Germany
Leffe BlondeAbbey Ale6.6Belgium
Liefmans Cuvée Brut (Kriekbier)Sour Flemish Ale - Flanders Red / Oud Bruin6Belgium
Liefmans FruitesseFlavored - Fruit3.8Belgium
Mongozo MangoFlavoured - Fruit3.6Belgium
Paulaner Hefe-WeissbierWeissbier - Hefeweizen5.5Germany
Paulaner Original Münchner Hell (Premium Lager)Helles / Dortmunder Export4.9Germany
Rekorderlig Strawberry-LimeApple Cider - Flavored4.5Sweden
Sleeman Honey BrownAmerican Dark Lager5.2Canada
Timmermans Pumpkin LambicusLambic Style - Fruit4Belgium
Van Diest Fruli Strawberry BeerFlavored - Fruit4.1Belgium
Westmalle DubbelAbbey Dubbel7Belgium

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Bottled Beers
BeerTypeABV (%)Country
Anchor PorterPorter5.6USA
Bellerose Bière Blonde ExtraBlonde Ale / Golden Ale6.5France
Delirium La GuillotineBelgian Strong Ale8.5Belgium
Flying Dog UnderDog Atlantic LagerPremium Lager4.7USA
Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat AleWheat Ale4.2USA
Heather Ales Kelpie Seaweed AleTraditional Ale4.4Scotland
Paulaner SalvatorDoppelbock7.9Germany
Schloss Eggenberg Samichlaus BierDoppelbock14Austria
Troubadour MagmaIPA - Imperial / Double9Belgium
Weihenstephaner Kristall WeissbierGerman Kristallweizen5.4Germany

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Fruit Beers
BeerTypeABV (%)Country
Chapeau MirabelleLambic - Fruit3.5Belgium
Florisgaarden GriotteFruit Beer3.6Belgium
Florisgaarden NinkeberryFruit Beer3.6Belgium
Florisgaarden PassionFruit Beer3.6Belgium
Heather Ales GrozetTraditional Ale5Scotland
Lindemans Cassis LambicLambic - Fruit4Belgium
Lindemans Pêche Lambic (Pêcheresse)Lambic - Fruit2.5Belgium
Meantime Raspberry WheatWheat Ale5.5England
Saint-Germain Page 24 à la RhubarbeSpice/Herb/Vegetable5.9France

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We cannot guarantee that all beers will be available at all sessions. Once they're gone, they're gone.

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