Beer mixtures

[Buffers brewery]

In my yoof it was common to enjoy a pint of brown and mild or a mild and bitter. I'm sure there must be others? Do homebrewers still partake in these beer mixtures or are we purists, preferring the single style? More importantly, is there a recipe for a classic mild and bitter?

 

[The Baron]

I used to drink Guinness/Cider I think they called it a Black Velvet but would not dream of mixing drinks nowadays just straight forward whatever it is

 

[sifty]

Snakebite still a thing to crank up a night out...?
The old dears here used to drink stout and raspberry...

 

[Sadfield]

I often blend a bretted stock ale I made with different cleaner beers, a common practice in the old days to mix mild and stale beers. Local to Robinson's brewery, blending bitter and Old Tom Barleywine was a festive thing we used to do back in the day.

 

[VW911]

I used to drink Guinness/Cider I think they called it a Black Velvet but would not dream of mixing drinks nowadays just straight forward whatever it is

That was a "poor mans" Black Velvet.
A proper Black Velvet is Guinness and Champagne...
I used to love a Guinness and Cider, but doubt if I could face one now!!!

 

[Buffers brewery]

I remember Guinness and Babycham. Ouch!

 

[Jim Brewster]

I think it's Jager bombs these days

 

[Buffers brewery]

So, back on the beer mixers, do you think making a brew using the recipes for brown ale and mild combined would result in the same beer as if you mixed a half a pint of mild and a bottle of brown ale?

 

[BarnBrian]

Mackeson and bitter, black and tan. Does Mackeson still exist?

 

[RichardM]

Mackeson and bitter, black and tan. Does Mackeson still exist?

A quick Google shows both Morrison's and Tesco sell it.

 

[Galena]

Bitter and Barley Wine was one I used to see old men drink in the 1970's
A guy in our local drinks Bitter (Timothy Taylor) and has a bottle of Manns Brown Ale on the side, I haven't observed how he drinks or mixes it, I will have to take note next time I am in.

 

[alfajerry]

A guy in our local drinks Bitter (Timothy Taylor) and has a bottle of Manns Brown Ale on the side, I haven't observed how he drinks or mixes it,

If half and half in the same glass it's a brown split, used to drink that.

 

[Galena]

If half and half in the same glass it's a brown split, used to drink that.

Well he starts with a full pint of Bitter so not sure how he drinks it, whether he mixes it as the pint goes down or has seperate sips from each, further study is required

 

[Cwrw666]

Mackeson and bitter, black and tan.

In my yoof - black and tan was Guiness and Newkie Brown. Lethal mix seemed to get you absolutely s**t faced compared to the same drunk seperately.

 

[marshbrewer]

Funnily enough, I had a pint of half and half ( bitter / mild) homebrew the other night, and it was really nice!

 

[Buffers brewery]

Funnily enough, I had a pint of half and half ( bitter / mild) homebrew the other night, and it was really nice!

Do you think it would taste the same if brewed as a combined recipe?

 

[lancon]

When I worked in a bar in N London early 80s, a popular drink was light and lager, never tried it myself.
Later when living in the sticks I did discover that half draught Guinness, in a pint glass, topped up with a bottle of Gold Label barley wine kept the cold out, but didn't help staying upright in icy conditions.

 

[marshbrewer]

Do you think it would taste the same if brewed as a combined recipe?

Pretty sure it would be similar, except they were brewed with very different yeasts; that bit might be hard to replicate in a single brew.

I suppose the advantage of blending is that you you can have 3 different beers on tap using only 2 taps / cornies?

 

[Buffers brewery]

Pretty sure it would be similar, except they were brewed with very different yeasts; that bit might be hard to replicate in a single brew.

I suppose the advantage of blending is that you you can have 3 different beers on tap using only 2 taps / cornies?

Good point

 

[BarnBrian]

Not exactly a beer mix but years ago while I was a Royal Marine I used to go to a pub in Union Street, Plymouth called the United Services. There was an old couple who were in most evenings used to drink pints of scrumpy topped with a capsule of lighter fuel!!!!!!