Hello Hivians and all you beer lovers.
It's Saturday, which means it's #beersaturday, not that you need an excuse to drink a beer of course!
I was in some supermarket the other day when my eyes were drawn to ...
BLACK SHEEP ALE
I am sure you know what BLACK SHEEP means... but if not ...
The term "the black sheep" is a British English idiom that describes a person who is different from the rest of a group, especially a family, and is often seen as a troublemaker or a source of shame. It's used to refer to someone who doesn't fit in or has gone against the family's standards of behaviour or success.
The term's origin comes from literal black sheep born into a flock of white sheep.
A the time black sheep were considered commercially undesirable because their wool couldn't be dyed. This made them stand out and gave the term negative connotations, which were particularly strong in 18th- and 19th-century England, where the colour black was sometimes associated with the devil.
While the phrase has traditionally been used with negative implications, its meaning has evolved somewhat. In modern usage, being the black sheep can sometimes be viewed in a more positive light, describing a rebellious nonconformist or an individual who bravely follows their own path, rather than someone who is simply a disgrace.
Thank you to my gemini for answering some of my comments on black sheep.
But for me I think these people show character and go against the perceived norms!
I have fallen into the Black Sheep category on numerous occasions!
Black Sheep Ale
Style: A premium amber ale with a deep amber colour
ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 4.4% ABV
IBU (International Bitterness Units): 45 (This indicates it's a moderately bitter IPA, but not overwhelmingly so).
It is from Yorkshire and when I looked at it, I thought of cold Yorshire Tea!
The funny thing is when I took my first sip, I indeed thought it tasted of cold Yorkshire Tea.
I even gave Mrs T the glass to try, then I said about the cold Yorkshire Tea and she was yes yes yes it does taste like it!
The history...
This is a fun wee story and is an example of why myself and more and more people are seeking out the smaller breweries.
https://www.blacksheepbrewery.com/our-story/
The story of Black Sheep Brewery began when Paul Theakston’s family brewery, T&R Theakston, was sold to a national brewer. It was troubling times for the brewing industry, with swathes of smaller, regional breweries being forced to close or being sold to the ‘Big Six’.
Paul, refusing to see five generations of brewing leave Masham, took a daring leap into the unknown, resolving to build his own brewery.
Cobbling together salvaged equipment from closed breweries and locating a site in Masham’s former Maltings, he created our original brewhouse, which is still in use today.
The brewery, with its iconic branded frontage, can be seen upon entering Masham, standing proud as a bastion of brewing in the Yorkshire Dales.
Leaving the Theakston family business and setting up his own made Paul somewhat of a black sheep, but also provided the perfect name for his new brewery. Paul struck out to champion high quality, independent brewing with the first brew of Best Bitter on 14th September 1992.
I am sure of you are like me, then you would agree that Paul Theakston is and was not a black sheep. More a proud entrepreneur who wanted to flick two fingers to the big 6, I don't like big corporations either.
The Food
I paired it with a fluffing hot chilli I had made and they complimented each other perfectly.
Theakston Old Peculier was one of my father's favourite beers and it is a shame it is now yet another brewery that has gone by the wayside.
My Verdict ... ☑️ Highly recommended!
I fluffing loved it! I do love an amber beer and Black Sheep Ale did not disappoint.
A very pleasant drink and at 4.4% it is very drinkable.
Great with food as well and I now have a wee stock of it!
Posting about a beer on a Saturday on the Beer Community ....
Cheers to beers and Happy Autumn everyone
It's a whole bunch of fun, so check out The #BeerSaturday Challenge - Week 431 from the one and only 
This #BeerSaturday week I would like to invite 
Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of your day!
All images and ramblings are from me, the mad Scotsman TengoLoTodo unless indicated otherwise ... All Photos taken with my Google Pixel 9 Pro XL smartphone.
