Indian (Pale Ale) Summer

Photo © Rob Jones

An unexpected bout of hot weather - really hot weather.

And un unexpected day trip with friends down to the very tip (almost) of the Llŷn Peninsular, to Aberdaron.

Made more pleasurable by the fact that the school holidays have ended, and most of the tourists appear to be staying home this year. The leafy narrow roads were a joy to drive along, and the beach was virtually empty.

And also an essential stop at Ty Newydd Hotel for refreshments and to gather our senses, overlooking the waters towards Ynys Gwylan Fawr and Fach.

I opted for an IPA from Cwrw Llŷn

‘Who needs the Med,’ announced one of my fellows.

A discussion about IPA followed - including the inevitable these days consultation of Google.

Its invention is credited to a Charles Hodgson who owned a brewery in Bow in London’s East End.

Porters were shipped off to India to supply the British Indian Army (in which my father was a colonel - don’t ask, it’s a long story.) but it spoiled on the long journey.

So they added extra hops to help it survive.

Original called October Beers, it mutated to India Pale Ale (IPA) in the early 1800s.

Whatever.

On a hot day with good conversation and a stunning view, it was magnificent.

R