It is many years since I have been into a pub in Leeds, or anywhere else for that matter, with the intention of meeting my perfect partner, but when I saw that Mr Foley’s Tap House was doing something called Blind Date With A Beer for Leeds Beer Week, I just had to go along to see if I could pull, or if they could pull for me.
The idea is that you are presented with the descriptions of 14 partners and you ask for the number of the one which most closely matches your needs. I was only looking for a brief, meaningless relationship but three of those on the list had obviously found something a little more permanent as their details had been crossed off. It seemed that it was the stronger offerings which had been the most popular. I am a sucker for strong blondes with a good head on their shoulders, so I opted for contestant No.8 which at first sight I thought was described as ‘Top-heavy, crisp and refreshing, “crushable”’. A young lad’s dream. Actually, it said ‘Hop-heavy’ but beggars can’t be choosers.
Even though it was quite warm outside, my partner was well wrapped up as though coming straight from the fridge, but without much ado, the outer garment was removed to reveal the vital statistics, Triple Dry Hopped and 5.5%.
It turned out that my new best friend was from Northern Monk Brewery, so I was well acquainted with her siblings. Once she came out of her shell she proved to be perfectly formed, if a little foggy.
In the event we spent a very pleasant half hour together but, as is my luck and she was drained of conversation, she did what all the others do and left me whilst I was at the gents. Normally I would have taken my things and left, but imagine my horror when I glanced at the bar and saw her being caressed by another man. The next time I go the Foley’s I am just having a beer I know and trust!
Seriously, the idea of choosing a beer that you don’t know is brilliant and has a strong possibility of opening you up to something which you would not normally try. The tasting notes for mine were spot on, as was the beer itself, and I would gladly have one again.
Blind Date With A Beer is advertised as running throughout Leeds Beer Week (17th – 26th August) but as three of the fifteen had gone by Tuesday when I called, you had better summon up your inner Cilla Black and get down there sharpish as there is norra lorra time left.
