John Clarke
@beer4john.bsky.social
Lover of British, Belgian and Dutch beers. CAMRA activist who enjoys beer in all its forms. Beer writer (of sorts), beer judge, host of talks and tastings. Editor of Opening Times maagzine: ssm.camra.org.uk/magazine
How to unwax a bottle
January 18, 2026 at 7:05 PM
How to unwax a bottle
On we go. This had lots thrown at it but the 10 years or so in the bottle has mellowed and blended everything into something rather good indeed.
January 18, 2026 at 5:14 PM
On we go. This had lots thrown at it but the 10 years or so in the bottle has mellowed and blended everything into something rather good indeed.
The bottle share continues. This is a blast from the past - 10 year old Dark Matter from the long-defunct Chorlton Brewing. It has salt, coriander and Persian black lime. It's aged pretty well but has inevitably divided opinion.
January 18, 2026 at 4:49 PM
The bottle share continues. This is a blast from the past - 10 year old Dark Matter from the long-defunct Chorlton Brewing. It has salt, coriander and Persian black lime. It's aged pretty well but has inevitably divided opinion.
About to embark on a charity bottle share at @petersgatetap.bsky.social. It's going to be an interesting afternoon....
January 18, 2026 at 2:36 PM
About to embark on a charity bottle share at @petersgatetap.bsky.social. It's going to be an interesting afternoon....
My first beer since New Year's Eve in @yeoldevic.bsky.social . Consensus is it's tasting rather like Westmalle Dubbel, which is no bad thing.
January 8, 2026 at 10:22 PM
My first beer since New Year's Eve in @yeoldevic.bsky.social . Consensus is it's tasting rather like Westmalle Dubbel, which is no bad thing.
This is an interesting development.
Rare union set finds new home in the West Midlands • HT @morrighani.bsky.social @teamdb.bsky.social
Rare union set finds new home in the West Midlands
Thanks to the coverage of the plight of the Glasgow union set published by the drinks business in December, a new home has been found for the rare brewing equipment.
www.thedrinksbusiness.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:04 PM
This is an interesting development.
Just in the Crown, Heaton Lane, where I can confirm that the Ossett White Rat is pretty near perfect.
December 31, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Just in the Crown, Heaton Lane, where I can confirm that the Ossett White Rat is pretty near perfect.
Just had a very enjoyable boozy afternoon in the Crown, Heaton Lane with @totalcurtis.bsky.social - on the way home I had to pop into @yeoldevic.bsky.social for a final half of this before it goes off...
December 28, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Just had a very enjoyable boozy afternoon in the Crown, Heaton Lane with @totalcurtis.bsky.social - on the way home I had to pop into @yeoldevic.bsky.social for a final half of this before it goes off...
Inspired by @robshorten.bsky.social , I dug this out of the cellar. Almost 3 years out of date, it's still absolutely on point. De Vossen was a huge loss, stopping just as they'd got going.
December 26, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Inspired by @robshorten.bsky.social , I dug this out of the cellar. Almost 3 years out of date, it's still absolutely on point. De Vossen was a huge loss, stopping just as they'd got going.
I had two friends round for Christmas dinner yesterday (the venison was terrific, even if I say so myself) but before we ate we opened two @burningskybeer.bsky.social bottles. They were both exceptional and I think the Cherry Saison (bottled 2021) might be the best beer I've had this year.
December 26, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I had two friends round for Christmas dinner yesterday (the venison was terrific, even if I say so myself) but before we ate we opened two @burningskybeer.bsky.social bottles. They were both exceptional and I think the Cherry Saison (bottled 2021) might be the best beer I've had this year.
It's been a great afternoon - me and my pal have spent lots of it chatting with friends. He's now gone home and I am having this to finish at @yeoldevic.bsky.social Truly superb beer.
December 24, 2025 at 5:54 PM
It's been a great afternoon - me and my pal have spent lots of it chatting with friends. He's now gone home and I am having this to finish at @yeoldevic.bsky.social Truly superb beer.
Group of Santas at the Magnet...
December 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Group of Santas at the Magnet...
Christmas Eve has started well with Fyne Jarl at the Magnet.
December 24, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Christmas Eve has started well with Fyne Jarl at the Magnet.
Public Service Announcement: Sarah Hughes Snowflake barley wine (8%) will be on sale at @yeoldevic.bsky.social tomorrow from opening at 5pm.
December 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Public Service Announcement: Sarah Hughes Snowflake barley wine (8%) will be on sale at @yeoldevic.bsky.social tomorrow from opening at 5pm.
Gearing up for my second Christmas/Winter beer talk at @petersgatetap.bsky.social . The eagle-eyed will note that this time the St Bernardus is in a bottle. It's also been cellared for a year so should be particularly good.
December 21, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Gearing up for my second Christmas/Winter beer talk at @petersgatetap.bsky.social . The eagle-eyed will note that this time the St Bernardus is in a bottle. It's also been cellared for a year so should be particularly good.
Well now...this Sorachi Ace barley wine, on cask, really is the business. Another @torrside.bsky.social triumph.
December 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Well now...this Sorachi Ace barley wine, on cask, really is the business. Another @torrside.bsky.social triumph.
Christmas shopping in full swing at @torrside.bsky.social . This is a rather fine chocolate orange imperial stout.
December 20, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Christmas shopping in full swing at @torrside.bsky.social . This is a rather fine chocolate orange imperial stout.
Just finishing the Opening Times proof reading. This afternoon I am out Christmas shopping. In New Mills. At @torrside.bsky.social . Refeshment may also be taken.
December 20, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Just finishing the Opening Times proof reading. This afternoon I am out Christmas shopping. In New Mills. At @torrside.bsky.social . Refeshment may also be taken.
Good times at @yeoldevic.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Good times at @yeoldevic.bsky.social
Must say, I am delighted to have once again been asked to chair one of the judging panels for the next @camraofficial.bsky.social Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition. Very much looking forward to it. This year it's being hosted by Liverpool Beer Festival.
December 19, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Must say, I am delighted to have once again been asked to chair one of the judging panels for the next @camraofficial.bsky.social Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition. Very much looking forward to it. This year it's being hosted by Liverpool Beer Festival.
Other beers have now been opened...
December 14, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Other beers have now been opened...
And we have a great crowd
December 14, 2025 at 2:26 PM
And we have a great crowd
Great to be back at the @petersgatetap.bsky.social hosting another talk. It's Christmas and Winter beers and we have a cracking lineup.
December 14, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Great to be back at the @petersgatetap.bsky.social hosting another talk. It's Christmas and Winter beers and we have a cracking lineup.
The cheese & onion cobs at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social are delicious and the Green Hop Bitter is a perfect match. Yum.
December 13, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The cheese & onion cobs at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social are delicious and the Green Hop Bitter is a perfect match. Yum.
Starting the Block Party at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social Tap. Excellent food options here.
December 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Starting the Block Party at @steelfishbrewco.bsky.social Tap. Excellent food options here.