Wonderful country just lacking beer

I see no very recent threads so will ask the question.

How do British immigrants survive without proper beer? Coping strategies?

Simple answer - Noz.

The shop can be hit and miss but when English or USA beer arrives we stock up.

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To me it’s a bit like drinking Retsina in Greece, or grappa in Italy, - just doesn’t feel right outside a British pub. So we don’t miss it at all, and a treat should we ever visit.

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The same way they do in the UK, boom ka tish.

(hahahahahaha speaking as a Belgian and German resident for many years).

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Haven’t seen much UK beer in Noz post COVID. Could be ours - it’s been half empty for a while. But the guaranteed pick some IPA up whilst passing is no more.

Decazeville has an excellent micro brewery that makes some fine IPA and American red ales. There’s also one in Figeac and you can buy lots of Brewdog and similar in Geant Casino.

That said, when we first moved here the only things I missed were Sandham’s Lancashire Creamy (it’s a cheese southerners) and micro brewery session beers. When we left the UK, Cumbria had around forty micro breweries. However, today after years in France, I don’t think I could drink a whole pint of beer - it seems a gross amount!

I think you need to sample Wye Valley Brewery’s ales. Nectar!

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It was closed when I tried to visit last year. Where is the one in Figeac Mark? Do they make something ressembling UK real ale?

To be honest we don’t use the pubs that often in the UK. At the weekend they just get too noisy for me. I can’t bear having to shout.
We mainly drink on our hashing meet ups. What is Hashing? | About the Hash House Harriers

It was closed when I tried to visit last year.
Check their hours at https://moussesdurouergue.fr/

Haven’t been to the one in Figeac, think this is it Brasserie Meneket

There’s also a beer hall(!) Hop Hop Hop - Cave à bières

Les Cordeliers is just off the bottom of the three squares, next door but one is also very good for lots of North African and Middle Eastern things - it’s the only local place that sells stuff like serious harissa and pomegranate molasses.

On Saturday mornings there’s usually a beer stall with maybe fifty different beers in the market square (the middle square).

We’re in Figeac virtually every Sat morning if you want to meet up for a drink or lunch

France has always had two great downsides - no ale and no cricket.

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We buy from here… https://vandb.fr/

Nice selection of Belgian and German beers.

Also I noticed a shop near us stocks Hobgoblin beer… Not really my preferred drink though, so I gave it a miss.

:nauseated_face::nauseated_face::nauseated_face::nauseated_face::nauseated_face:

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Their vermouths seem a bit pricey - have just bought three cases of red and white Catalan vermut at around €7 a litre.

Micheal, @MichaelL a great question and as a beer lover I’m going to take you up on this - “but” no pool wars everyone OK? Please…

First, define

Are you a CAMRA member?

I’ll come back, it’s just getting a wee bit late and I think your question is great so want to keep it alive, there’s lots to talk about … e.g. Russian stout anyone?

Regular standing order with family for supplies from our local brewery Lincoln Green in Hucknall.

They even have a loyaty card !

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I love Lancashire Creamy. I used to buy it on Lancaster Market together with oat cakes.
When we lived near Stroud we discovered Single Gloucester. It has to be made from Gloucester cows, which are are a rare breed.
It is wonderful.

No but I appreciate the flavours in British hand pulled ales. I’ve never found a continental beer with much depth of flavour, though I suppose some chilled lagers can be more appropriate in hot weather - a good cider even better.

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Proper cider is a good option, since you’re looking for ways of coping without what isn’t available here.

IPA seemed very popular a couple of years ago, but not so much is available now. It’s probably a mixture of fashion and ignorance (it would be unfair to expect a French supermarket buyer to be familiar with the range of British beer).

Microbreweries are increasingly popular and often include a brune in their ranges. You might even get familiar enough with your local one that they let you make suggestions for brews

At the risk of feeding the troll, the only proper beer is German beer?
Weissbier please, and none of that lager :wink:

This is how I survive, all locally sourced too:

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I can second the Wye Valley Brewery - my brother introduced us to them when we went to visit him a few years ago, delicious !