Tour De Brew - Stage 5

Stage 5: Carhaix Cap Fréhel 164.5 km

This is a relatively short stage but once again, with the race director allowing for the possibility of a

surprise. With 70 coastal kilometres into the finish, echelons are sure to form if the wind picks up strongly off the English Channel.

But even in easy conditions, there is sure to be a big battle near the front of the peloton in the closing kilometres, which should conclude with a hotly contested bunch sprint.

Beer for the stage:

Bridge Road Brewers Beechworth Pale Ale. Based on an American Pale ale, the aromatic qualities of this beer are immediately evident with a burst of hop qualities upon opening and a genuinely crisp and refreshing character.

The hefty hop profile makes this beer one for the real enthusiast and pairs well with spicy foods. Thor Hushovd had one last night.

Bière locale:

Les Fous, in the heart of rural Brittany, have been producing Real Ales since 2007, in 200yr old granite barns adjacent to their existing restaurant. Their Orson Ale

golden bitter brewed in the best traditions of English real ale, something the locals might turn there nose up to, despite it being a great beer. Phhh, the French.

Historically Brittany was a beer producing region. However, as wine was increasingly imported from other regions of France, beer drinking and production slowly came to an end in the early to mid-20th century. In the 1970s, due to a regional comeback, new breweries started to open and there are now about 20 dotted around the region.