Scarecrow (Wychwood)

Name: Scarecrow
Label: "Organic Golden Pale Ale"
Brewery: Wychwood
ABV: 4.7%

Rating: "Organically grown English Barley Malt & whole leaf Target Hops combine to evoke lazy, hazy days of summer in this serenely satisfying golden harvest brew." It's an Indian Summer at the moment too so get the Scarecrows in!

Game: Well that’s Gears of War 3 done. I’m at a loss for words to describe how great the single player campaign is. It’s a brilliant ending to round off an exceptional trilogy. Even the end credits are good, especially the music. I was wondering who wrote and performed the song that plays over the credits. After a seemingly futile search, up stepped @TheElderlyGamer who scoured the whole of the entire Internet in search of an answer and found out within about five minutes (the clever so and so). Body Count and Ice ‘mother f*ckin’ T are in the house! 

Never enough – WE WANT MORE
Body parts and brains
Blood on the floor

Never afraid – WE’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE
We are – THE GEARS OF WAR!

Here are the complete lyrics. Body Count are great, rap infused thrash metal way ahead of its time, For. The. Win.

First Gold (Badger)

Name: First Gold
Label: "Single English Hop"
Brewery: Badger
ABV: 4.0%

Rating: The last of the Badger re-labels. "First Gold are dwarf hops that grow in low hedgerows more reminiscent of a vineyard, enabling a better quality harvest.  A clean, fresh, distinctive ale with hints of orange and spice from the hop, perfect with traditional English roasts and pies."

Game: Up to the final chapter of Gears of War 3. Now, either I'm suddenly really awesome at Gears or the difficulty is a lot easier in this third instalment. Months ago I think a vaguely remember that salesman from Epic (Cliff Bellicky or something) saying that the difficulty was going to be easier in order to try and cater for a wider audience. It does seem easier, so for my second play through I'm ramping it up to Insane difficulty, baby. On a more worrying note (for me anyway), I've just realised I'm nearly out of new ales to try! Big sad face thing.

Fursty Ferret (Badger)

Name: Fursty Ferret
Label: "Furst Quenching"
Brewery: Badger
ABV: 4.4%

Rating: Another new Badger label. On the back it says "At one inn, rumour has it that inquisitive ferrets would sneak to the back door to cheekily sample the local brew." Fursty Ferret furst appeared on this blog here, I'm not sure what the review was all about at the time. Anyway: "A sweet nutty palate, hoppy aroma and a hint of Seville oranges, give this tawny amber ale its distinctive personality. Recommended with smooth and creamy West Country Cheddar or indulgent pork pies and mustard".

Game: Happy Gears of War 3 Day to you! Want to hear my epic struggle to get the game?  No?  Tough. I pre-ordered it from Game, and guess what? It didn't arrive on release day, boo-hoo. So I ran (yes ran, nay sprinted) to Asda, bought the game and then ran home. Then I played the game. Whew, what an adventure! Oh and: It. Is. Ace.

Hop Vine Bitter (Prospect)

Name: Hop Vine Bitter
Label: (Pre-launch edition with 'unofficial' label)
Brewery: Prospect Brewery
ABV: 4.0%

Rating: Awesome, this should be available everywhere. Supermarkets should definitely be carrying this, why aren't they?

Game: Gears 2 ain't too bad on Hardcore difficulty. In fact I just kicked its ass, don't think attempting Insane difficulty is such a good idea though. Roll on April 2011 and Gears of War 3.

Hot Cross Ale (Titanic)

Name: Hot Cross Ale
Label: "Brewed especially for Spring, this beer combines spices, sultana flavours and hops to create a delightful ale with a hint of hot cross buns - Seasonal beer, limited edition"
Brewery: Titanic Brewery
ABV: 4.5%

Rating: Does actually taste like hot cross buns. Spicy.

Game: The announcement of Gears of War 3 (here is the Gears of War 3 Ashes to Ashes trailer) has spurred me on to revisit Gears of War 2.  Having shamefully done only one play through so far, it's definitely well overdue a replay.