BrewDog AGM 2012

AECC queue for BrewDog AGM

What on earth is this. The sun. On a weekend. In Aberdeen... surely some mistake?

No, my eyes were not deceiving me, it was indeed a glorious day in the 'deen and I was about to spend it indoors drinking BrewDog beer. Woe is me.

I was wise to my impending situation today (or so I thought) so made sure I had a big hearty cooked breakfast to set me up for the day (tattie scones and all sorts). Up until this point in my shallow existence I'd never cooked for 4 people before and have realised in future I'll need a bigger kitchen and more crockery.

We arrive at the big tin shack that is the AECC (Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre) and are met with the monster queue to register for the day. The guy in the checked shirt looks like he's had enough already, wimp. No matter, the sun is out and the queue dwindles away (with several bus loads going for a tour of the new BrewDog brewery up in Ellon. We decline this as it is right next to the ball and chains parents house and we've seen it umpteen times already).

Lisa and Daddy (note the happy face(s))

We are in. We have beer tokens. Happy days. What next? Well we've missed the first AGM presentation so I guess we better have a beer. Hello Zeitgeist! I then spy the beer shop and make the fatal error of attempting to purchase some beer. I stand for 20 minutes..... no movement. 40 minutes, I'm at the front. 60 minutes... no thanks, abort mission. This was the worst part of the day, a complete shambles. This is the UK! We do queues here. Not today it seems. This was a complete free-for-all and the staff looked stressed and were swamped from the word go. A simple queueing system would have made things a LOT easier.

I order my Dog-A beers on my phone instead in all of 5 minutes which is a pity as there were loads of beers I wanted to buy, Ballast Point in particular. Oh well, onwards and upwards. The troops (well, the old man) were NOT happy at the wait as you can see.

Gays

We meander up to the connecting tunnel between the main hall in the AECC and the conference area and relax in the sun with some more beer. As you can see here Souter and Smithy look very cosy (hello sailor) and I merely look slightly special, although I can't seem to find room for the photo....

It's time for all the AGM guff but to be fair Martin Dickie and James Watt put on a superb presentation to a BIG room of people. Entertaining, informative and at times bloody hilarious.

We get loads of stories, jokes, some facts and figures, schematics of the new brewery and more importantly, BEER! 3 tastings accompany the talk as follows:

The new 3.8% Pale Ale, which will be replacing Trashy Blonde apparently (to be called Dead Pony Club). A lovely easy drinking session beer, 8 and drive apparently.

We then sample Libertine Black Ale (7% if I remember correctly). I'd already tried this one previously but will most certainly sample more soon. Strong, aromatic and very moreish.

Sensational!

Finally, we come to Dog-A. I'd been looking forward to this (I loved the AB:04 beer) and it did not disappoint. Chocolate, coffee, vanilla and a hint of chili. Happy days. We even got a second bottle to pass around our row and at 15% I was a little 'light headed' en route back to the main hall.

The only slight niggle about the talk were the hipsters who loved the sound of their own voices and wouldn't shut the fuck up for 2 minutes. I don't profess to know a great deal about beer as I've mentioned before but some of these people were cringeworthy.

Some of the questions in the Q+A session even more so. Oh dear.

Back to the beer,  and music, and food.... lets not forget food. I'd had nothing to eat since 10am and it was now 6pm with our only option a burger van with a now enormous queue, this could get messy. This is another aspect I feel could be improved upon and have a greater selection of food available throughout the day.

Music time (should really get food too)

The music itself was a mixed bag with a selection of local bands / singer songwriters and headline act 'Kassidy' who I thought were wonderful (I was pretty pissed by then too). I also sampled a few more beers in form of:

• IPA is Dead Motueka
• Saison
• Zeitgeist
• Dead Pony Club
• and various Stone beers

Needless to say I don't remember much of the last hour or so and had a sore head the next day. I was dancing to the ska band though (which is unheard of for me).

Not to mention the fact I had to play football the following afternoon which was not entirely successful. As Danny Glover would say: I'm getting too old for this shit.

Overall I thought it was a fantastic day and was both informative and great fun. I also got the opportunity to meet some new friends and reacquaint myself with others I hadn't seen for years in some cases. The guys in BrewDog are obviously very passionate about what they do which was apparent in everyone from the bar staff to James and Martin themselves. Undoubtedly there were small issues and areas that could be improved on for forthcoming years but this was a damn good benchmark.

You can read the BrewDog review of the day here.

I'm off the booze for a while (well until Saturday).

Until next year....

My Favourite Pubs - Aberdeen

The Pub. Your pub? Saturday afternoon? Sunday session? Tuesday night? (don't be silly, I'm WAY too responsible for a midweek marathon these days).

Old pub? New pub? Trendy pub? Dive? So many options. So little time. So without a do, my favourite pubs in the Aberdeen (and not just for their drink selection).  

10. Blackfriars - www.old-blackfriars.co.uk

Location: Castlegate

Belhaven pub. Occasional decent cask beers / reasonable food. A haunt back in my student days. Not much more to add.  

9. The Archibald Simpson - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Location: Castlegate

Wonderful architecture. Littered with the of the scum of the earth. Farm foods bags galore (not that I'm associating Farm Foods with the scum of the earth of course). Good range of beers, especially when their beer festival is on. Harviestoun, Houston and Williams brothers regularly feature. Terrible food. 3 mile camel trek to the toilets. Only visit occasionally.

8. Atheneum - www.theathenaeumaberdeen.co.uk

Location: Union Street

Great little place situated just off the castlegate in Aberdeen. The kitchen has recently been taken over by those behind the successful La Stella and Courtyard restaurants in Aberdeen, so you are guaranteed a good feed. Modern, quirky interior with a great range of cocktails / spirits and beers. Definitely not an establishment frequented by old men.

The Snafu venue downstairs also has a range of gigs / nights on during the week (if that's your thing).

7. Prince of Wales

Location: St Nicholas Lane (Just beside M&S)

Ah, the faint smell of urine, must be the Prince of Wales. I jest, the gents used to have a very 'pungent' whiff in here. Thankfully things have improved of late. This is another great old pub. Loads of nooks and crannies to sit with a quiet drink or if you are feeling adventurous, try and drink every beer along the bar (no thanks). Massive portions of food at reasonable prices. Good selection of ale on rotation. They even have some of their own brews (I really must find out who they contract these out to).

6. The Pittodrie Bar 

Location - King Street 

A purely sporting entry here. No exciting beers. I go here before the football. I go here after the football (a must after watching Aberdeen). I suppose this is my local (being in the next street from my flat). Decked out in AFC colours with football memorabilia all over the walls and framed cartoons of past and present stalwarts. The place was recently up for sale due to the impending relocation of AFC, and thankfully has been bought over. Take it in as part of the King Street pub crawl.

5. Amicus Apple - www.amicusapple.com

Location: Justice Mill Lane

I don't really do trendy pubs / bars. I don't like getting dressed up to go to the pub. I've been in this pub in past incarnations and didn't think much of it.

I was in recently for a christmas party. What struck me this time round was the stylish decor / great food on offer and the range of beers available. From Harviestoun and Innis & Gunn to Brooklyn Lager and Dixie its safe to say I was pleasantly surprised.

I could see myself eating here with friends / family ... purely from a selfish point of view for the beer.

4. The Grill  - www.thegrillaberdeen.co.uk

Location: Union Street

Like whisky? Then this is the place for you. Whisky from ALL over the world, some more expensive (read... holy shit that's expensive) than others.

I enjoy this pub simply for the amazing cornice work on the ceiling. Not to mention the potential broken neck trying to navigate down a cramped stairwell to visit the bathroom facilities.

A selection of rotating cask beers and bottles from Innis & Gunn / BrewDog et al are also on offer. Great for a quick pint before a gig at the Music Hall across the street. Oh, and they have pies for sale in a little grill (no pun intended). Old. School.

3. The Moorings - www.themooringsbar.co.uk

Location: Trinity Quay

Rock and Roll. The End.

A permanent fixture in the history of Aberdeen with undoubtedly the best selection of tipples in town.

You want beers from all over the world. Check.

You want spirits from every corner of the globe. Check.

You want full frontal male nudity. Chiizeck.

I don't really need to go into much more detail, this place speaks for itself. Awesome artwork on the walls, pirates everywhere, assorted nik-naks on the walls, a great jukebox, bands on the weekends. Hell, you can even treat yourself a gourmet toastie if you are so inclined. Not one for the hen / stag parties who undertake the harbour pub crawl. A must!

2. BrewDog - www.brewdog.com

Location: Gallowgate

Situated across from the majestic Marschial College, this local mob need no introduction. You all know the score.

Minimalist interior. Great staff. Amazing beers (from both themselves and around the world).

The bar itself is pretty small and cosy and is ALWAYS busy (testament to the good work they are doing).

Personally, I enjoy a few games of jenga with a cheeseboard and selection of beers to sample. As you do.

Aberdeen could do with more bars of this ilk. There are WAY too many Belhaven and chain pubs scattered around and not enough specialist / different / quirky places. Hopefully I've highlighted a few in this post that do something a little different.

1. Ma Camerons

Location - Little Belmont Street

And after me saying there are too many Belhaven pubs, my favourite is one of them. The shame.

This has been my pub since I was a student. Nothing to do with the beer (although I'll happily admit I don't mind a few pints of Belhaven IPA of a Saturday afternoon). The food is pleasant enough and there is a big main bar (with wasabi peas in half pint glasses, hurrah). I try to avoid the main bar however.

This is one of the oldest pubs in Aberdeen and I drink through in the 'snug'. All the old men are initially hesitant to welcome you in (bloody youngsters). Over the years I've gotten to know them however and it's a fantastic place to drink, not to mention socialise.

Football coupons / cartoons of the regulars plastered all over the walls (see Pittodrie Bar) / fantasy football leagues / golf outings / free pies at halftime of sporting events on the small television (no projectors and flatscreens here). All present and correct. This place is so much more than a pub to me.

Which reminds me, I haven't been yet this year. Roll on Friday evening.