Last night I decided to catch the train to Warwick again. It's easy to get to from Stratford-on-Avon and there are still some pubs I wanted to explore as well as visiting an old favourite. Tonight my main aim was to visit the Cape of Good Hope. Leaving the station I turned left past the Wild Boar and the hospital. It was a good walk up to the pub as it is on the outskirts of town by the canal. I've always liked waterside pubs. They have a relaxed feel to them and seem lost in time. The Cape of Good Hope is a perfect example.
Entering from the canal towpath you enter a small traditional public bar. It was quiet with a few locals stood around the bar. There was a dartboard off to the left with a TV screen showing Arsenal's humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich. I walked through into the lounge. This was a larger room but not excessively so and the tables were laid out for informal dining. There was a friendly welcome from the landlord as I decided which of the beers to try. Greene King Abbot, Hook Norton Hooky Gold, Church Farm Porter, Wye Valley Butty Bach and the house beer Two Llocks (brewed by Church End Brewery) made it a difficult choice. Assuming I could not get it elsewhere I chose the house beer. It was a very pleasant looking golden ale coming in at 4.0% ABV. It was well balanced with a nice fruity taste. A good choice. I returned to the bar and sat at a vacant table and enjoyed the pint.
It can be difficult to assess a pub on a quiet Tuesday evening, especially one which is probably very popular in the Summer months with canal users. However, the choice of beers was excellent and the one I had was very well kept. There was a very friendly welcome and a lovely relaxed atmosphere. It was well worth the walk from Warwick station and it is a pub I will surely visit again. I would strongly recommend that you check it out if you are ever in the area.
Leaving the Cape of Good Hope I headed for the town centre. In the Market Place I was not surprised to see that The Tilted Wig was closed. This was given a scathing review in an earlier post and tonight I popped in to the Thomas Lloyd next door, a very poorly kept Wetherspoons. I chose a pint of Cotswold Best, a beer I have tried before and enjoyed, but it was also very poorly kept. Wetherspoons pubs can be excellent. The Golden Bee in Stratford-on-Avon is a perfect example of how good they can be. The Thomas Lloyd is at the other end of the spectrum. The staff were more interested in chatting among themselves even when serving. The pub felt dirty and half of it was closed off with tables on chairs. The beer selection wasn't great and the one I had was not very good. Definitely a pub to avoid.
To finish off the evening I stopped off at the fabulous Wild Boar. The beer was fantastic and the choice was amazing. Tonight I sat in the snug where I had a perfect view of the pubs microbrewery, used by Slaughterhouse to brew beers in addition to their regular range brewed nearby in a former slaughterhouse (hence the name). I first tried a pint of Essington Gold (4.4% ABV) from the Morton Brewery. I'd never heard of this brewery before but it was a very plesant hoppy golden bitter. There was also time to try the Slaughterhouse Pacific Pale Ale (4.2% ABV) which was a gently hopped beer with a crisp bitter finish. Both beers were delightful. I absolutely love this pub and I can't wait to make another trip here. It is the best pub in Warwick but along with The Oak, the Cape of Good Hope comes a very close second. All in all it was an excellent evening.
Happy drinking.
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
More Leamington Spa / Warwick pubs
On my first visit to Leamington Spa it was apparent there was more to see. My second trip last week saw me visit a further three pubs. My first stop, The Somerville Arms, was the furthest from the station. It was located in a quiet street in the NE quadrant of this delightful town. It is a fine Victorian building. It was certainly friendly and busy too for such an early hour. To the front was a comfortable bar with dartboard to the left and the bar area to the right. At the back is a smaller snug. There was a lovely looking row of handpumps with four offerings from Everards alongside Wadworths 6X and two from Adnams (Bitter and Broadside). I chose a pint of Wadworths 6X (4.3% ABV) as it is probably years since I last tried this popular beer. It is a particularly malty ale with a pleasant subtle bitterness. It has never been a particular favourite of mine but it is easy to appreciate and enjoy.
Overall, this was an excellent start to the evening. It is easy to see why the Somerville Arms was awarded the local CAMRA pub of the year in 2011. It has lots of wooden panelling. The wooden bench seat in the front window was very comfortable and there was plenty more wooden tables and chairs scattered around although most were occupied. It is a genuine backstreet local that is more than welcoming to strangers.
I then retraced my steps before heading down a wide avenue with a central pathway. Off to the right I soon saw a likely looking pub but upon closer inspection The Sausage looked a bit garish. I'm not sure who would call their pub The Sausage (or The Sozzled Sausage as I read on a different sign) but either way you know what you are probably going to find once you step inside. The decor proved to be pretty horrendous. The same disgusting wallpaper pretending to be bookshelves as I witnessed in The Tilted Wig in Warwick did not improve my mood. The beer choice was UBU or Darling Buds (4.0% ABV) from Warwickshire Beer Co. I chose the latter and it was ok if a little warm. I was convinced it should have tasted better though.
I did not hang around in The Sausage for long so after downing my pint I headed into the town centre. I only had time for one more stop so it was a choice of two Spoons. I chose the Benjamin Satchwell and I wasn't disappointed. The pub had a dartboard (in a very inconvenient position) but the pub was so big you could have played 5-a-side football in it. Not much to add about the pub really. It was a typical Wetherspoons with a good choice of beers and I chose Byatt's Urban Red (4.5% ABV). This was an amazing beer. A lovely deep auburn colour, a lovely balance of malt and hops and a subtle bitter finish. A fabulous beer to end the evening with.
Last night I decided to make my third trip to Leamington and from the station I headed off to the west back to Warwick. My first stop was the Coventry Arms. It appeared to be a quiet street corner local and upon entering I discovered a large sofa'd area with a big screen on the wall. The bar area was to the left with high tables and stools (a bit low for the tables) and further on there was a more basic bar area. My first impression was very good and the choice of beers was excellent too. UBU and Wadworth 6X were available as well as my beer from last week, Darling Buds. OK I had to try it again and discover whether it was a proper pint or not last week. This time it was served at a perfect temperature and it was a lovely pale, hoppy bitter with plenty of citrus flavours. That definitely answered my question.
The loveliness of the bar staff and an imminent pub quiz was not enough to detain me as I had a long walk back to Warwick and two or three more pubs to visit. Next time perhaps. It is certainly a pub to visit again due to the comfortable surroundings, the excellent beer and the friendliness of the staff. A perfect combination.
I knew where I was ending the pub crawl and I had one other pub in mind but I thought I'd see what else I discovered en route. I have no idea where the border between Warwick and Leamington exists but I think I was in Warwick when I came across the Lord Nelson. Situated on the main road this street corner pub looked ok but once inside it was not very pleasant for a number of reasons. The bar to the left had a redundant pool table and there was a lone guy sitting morosely at his laptop. The lounge could be viewed through the serving area and was also sparsely populated.
The bar had no handpumps but I saw a couple in the lounge and I was offered Wadworths Old Henry or Everards Beacon. I chose the latter expecting the worst but it was actually a very pleasant pint and served in good condition. It is a Cask Marque pub so I guess it should not have been such a huge surprise. Once I had my pint I found an empty table (I had plenty to choose from) but finding a chair that did not have bits missing or was sturdy enough proved a bit more difficult. I sat down warily and enjoyed the beer. The barman walking from bar to bar singing as he went did not improve the atmosphere but I guess it did give me something to distract me from the depressing decor all around me.
I left the Lord Nelson feeling a little deflated and because I drank my pint fairly quickly to get myself out of there I decided I had time for two more stops. I was soon in Warwick where I visited my two favourite pubs in the town which I have described in an earlier post. The Oak is a tiny gem of a pub and I chose a pint of Black Sheep Bitter (3.8%ABV). I cannot imagine getting served a better pint of Black Sheep even if I was in Masham. It was a glorious pint. An absolutely fantastic chestnut coloured beer with an intense bitterness. A perfect session beer.
Leaving The Oak my mood had greatly improved and I had time for a pint in the Wild Boar, Warwick's best pub. As well as the usual Slaughterhouse beers they had two from Byatts as well as a Batemans beer with a rugby themed name. I'd always wanted to try the Byatts XL Dark (3.5% ABV) so that is what I went for. I was expecting a mild but I'm not sure what it was really as it had much more roasted malt flavours as well as a lovely crisp bitterness that I would not have expected. It was beautiful and it was served in perfect condition too.
Overall, I was a little spoiled by my third visit to Leamington (and Warwick this time). All four beers were excellent as were three of the four pubs. The towns are certainly joined at the hip as the border is indistinguishable but the centres are distinctly different. Warwick is the older partner with its splendid castle and Leamington has a fine Georgian grandeur with wide avenues and canals. Both towns have plenty to offer the beer lover as well as being steeped in history so I would recommend a trip to both towns if you get a chance.
Happy drinking.
Overall, this was an excellent start to the evening. It is easy to see why the Somerville Arms was awarded the local CAMRA pub of the year in 2011. It has lots of wooden panelling. The wooden bench seat in the front window was very comfortable and there was plenty more wooden tables and chairs scattered around although most were occupied. It is a genuine backstreet local that is more than welcoming to strangers.
I then retraced my steps before heading down a wide avenue with a central pathway. Off to the right I soon saw a likely looking pub but upon closer inspection The Sausage looked a bit garish. I'm not sure who would call their pub The Sausage (or The Sozzled Sausage as I read on a different sign) but either way you know what you are probably going to find once you step inside. The decor proved to be pretty horrendous. The same disgusting wallpaper pretending to be bookshelves as I witnessed in The Tilted Wig in Warwick did not improve my mood. The beer choice was UBU or Darling Buds (4.0% ABV) from Warwickshire Beer Co. I chose the latter and it was ok if a little warm. I was convinced it should have tasted better though.
I did not hang around in The Sausage for long so after downing my pint I headed into the town centre. I only had time for one more stop so it was a choice of two Spoons. I chose the Benjamin Satchwell and I wasn't disappointed. The pub had a dartboard (in a very inconvenient position) but the pub was so big you could have played 5-a-side football in it. Not much to add about the pub really. It was a typical Wetherspoons with a good choice of beers and I chose Byatt's Urban Red (4.5% ABV). This was an amazing beer. A lovely deep auburn colour, a lovely balance of malt and hops and a subtle bitter finish. A fabulous beer to end the evening with.
Last night I decided to make my third trip to Leamington and from the station I headed off to the west back to Warwick. My first stop was the Coventry Arms. It appeared to be a quiet street corner local and upon entering I discovered a large sofa'd area with a big screen on the wall. The bar area was to the left with high tables and stools (a bit low for the tables) and further on there was a more basic bar area. My first impression was very good and the choice of beers was excellent too. UBU and Wadworth 6X were available as well as my beer from last week, Darling Buds. OK I had to try it again and discover whether it was a proper pint or not last week. This time it was served at a perfect temperature and it was a lovely pale, hoppy bitter with plenty of citrus flavours. That definitely answered my question.
The loveliness of the bar staff and an imminent pub quiz was not enough to detain me as I had a long walk back to Warwick and two or three more pubs to visit. Next time perhaps. It is certainly a pub to visit again due to the comfortable surroundings, the excellent beer and the friendliness of the staff. A perfect combination.
I knew where I was ending the pub crawl and I had one other pub in mind but I thought I'd see what else I discovered en route. I have no idea where the border between Warwick and Leamington exists but I think I was in Warwick when I came across the Lord Nelson. Situated on the main road this street corner pub looked ok but once inside it was not very pleasant for a number of reasons. The bar to the left had a redundant pool table and there was a lone guy sitting morosely at his laptop. The lounge could be viewed through the serving area and was also sparsely populated.
The bar had no handpumps but I saw a couple in the lounge and I was offered Wadworths Old Henry or Everards Beacon. I chose the latter expecting the worst but it was actually a very pleasant pint and served in good condition. It is a Cask Marque pub so I guess it should not have been such a huge surprise. Once I had my pint I found an empty table (I had plenty to choose from) but finding a chair that did not have bits missing or was sturdy enough proved a bit more difficult. I sat down warily and enjoyed the beer. The barman walking from bar to bar singing as he went did not improve the atmosphere but I guess it did give me something to distract me from the depressing decor all around me.
I left the Lord Nelson feeling a little deflated and because I drank my pint fairly quickly to get myself out of there I decided I had time for two more stops. I was soon in Warwick where I visited my two favourite pubs in the town which I have described in an earlier post. The Oak is a tiny gem of a pub and I chose a pint of Black Sheep Bitter (3.8%ABV). I cannot imagine getting served a better pint of Black Sheep even if I was in Masham. It was a glorious pint. An absolutely fantastic chestnut coloured beer with an intense bitterness. A perfect session beer.
Leaving The Oak my mood had greatly improved and I had time for a pint in the Wild Boar, Warwick's best pub. As well as the usual Slaughterhouse beers they had two from Byatts as well as a Batemans beer with a rugby themed name. I'd always wanted to try the Byatts XL Dark (3.5% ABV) so that is what I went for. I was expecting a mild but I'm not sure what it was really as it had much more roasted malt flavours as well as a lovely crisp bitterness that I would not have expected. It was beautiful and it was served in perfect condition too.
Overall, I was a little spoiled by my third visit to Leamington (and Warwick this time). All four beers were excellent as were three of the four pubs. The towns are certainly joined at the hip as the border is indistinguishable but the centres are distinctly different. Warwick is the older partner with its splendid castle and Leamington has a fine Georgian grandeur with wide avenues and canals. Both towns have plenty to offer the beer lover as well as being steeped in history so I would recommend a trip to both towns if you get a chance.
Happy drinking.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Little Chester Ale House micropub
My interest in micropubs began about a year ago with an article in the Daily Telegraph. It seemed a simple idea and the article suggested it was something that would probably grow. That got me thinking because I have always wanted to run a pub and with retirement approaching in the next 5-10 years this seemed the sort of thing I could do to keep me busy.
A year further down the line and I thought it was time to do more reasearch. The current concentration of micropubs seems to be centred on either Kent or the East Midlands. Kent is miles away from both where I work and where I live so my destination of choice was Little Chester Ale House in Derby. Despite being born and raised in Loughborough, a short drive from Derby, I have never been to a pub in the city or driven into it. It is therefore a city I know nothing about except for one trip to the old Baseball Ground many years ago.
Little Chester is situated within a mile of the city centre. Apparently it used to be a dry cleaners and is on a fairly busy road on a corner with a side street of terraced houses overlooking a very pleasant green. From the outside it looks like a pub albeit a small one. The central door leads you into what I would consider to be a nice cosy snug but this is the main bar. The bar had four handpumps so the place has a cellar. Many micropubs serve beer straight from the barrel but not here. The beers available were all new to me so I was spoilt for choice. I've described the magical pint of Great Heck Dr Rudis that I chose in my last post. What is important to describe here is the service. I was immediately asked if I had tried the beer before and when I answered in the negative was firmly told I had to try a sample first. Service at its best.
The bar area was tiny. There was a small fridge underneath the counter with a few bottles of wine and soft drinks. Bottles of cider were also available. No optics from what I could see. No food except for a few classic bar snacks. All in all a very tidy ale house. The front room was all I was expecting and it had four or five tables with basic wooden chairs. Nicely decorated and a very pleasant atmosphere with a gathering of about a dozen customers chatting away. Off to the side of the bar was another small table and at the back was an even snugger snug with a single table and a few stools and chairs. Overall it could probably cater for 30-40 cusotmers at a time.
My first experience of micropubs is therefore very positive. I can see why they are taking off from a customers perspective. I wish I had one local to me. From an economical standpoint I wonder how much money they can turn over. They obviously cannot cater for coach parties but their overheads must be tiny compared to many pubs and considering I visited early on a Thursday evening I have been to many larger pubs at this time of day and seen fewer customers. When I visited, the opening hours of Little Chesters was 3.00.pm-10.00.pm Thursday thru Sunday but they do have plans for all week opening.
The thing I really like about Little Chester is they keep things simple yet despite the simplicity the customer is made to feel important. It is that emphasis on giving what the customer wants that will see a continued growth in the number of micropubs. It would be nice to see the day when every town has a micropub or two as well as a Wetherspoons. As for my future plans, I am going to do more research and it is now at the forefront of my mind. If any micropub owners out there would like to assist me with a business plan I'd be happy to talk about it over a few pints.
Until that day comes, happy drinking.
A year further down the line and I thought it was time to do more reasearch. The current concentration of micropubs seems to be centred on either Kent or the East Midlands. Kent is miles away from both where I work and where I live so my destination of choice was Little Chester Ale House in Derby. Despite being born and raised in Loughborough, a short drive from Derby, I have never been to a pub in the city or driven into it. It is therefore a city I know nothing about except for one trip to the old Baseball Ground many years ago.
Little Chester is situated within a mile of the city centre. Apparently it used to be a dry cleaners and is on a fairly busy road on a corner with a side street of terraced houses overlooking a very pleasant green. From the outside it looks like a pub albeit a small one. The central door leads you into what I would consider to be a nice cosy snug but this is the main bar. The bar had four handpumps so the place has a cellar. Many micropubs serve beer straight from the barrel but not here. The beers available were all new to me so I was spoilt for choice. I've described the magical pint of Great Heck Dr Rudis that I chose in my last post. What is important to describe here is the service. I was immediately asked if I had tried the beer before and when I answered in the negative was firmly told I had to try a sample first. Service at its best.
The bar area was tiny. There was a small fridge underneath the counter with a few bottles of wine and soft drinks. Bottles of cider were also available. No optics from what I could see. No food except for a few classic bar snacks. All in all a very tidy ale house. The front room was all I was expecting and it had four or five tables with basic wooden chairs. Nicely decorated and a very pleasant atmosphere with a gathering of about a dozen customers chatting away. Off to the side of the bar was another small table and at the back was an even snugger snug with a single table and a few stools and chairs. Overall it could probably cater for 30-40 cusotmers at a time.
My first experience of micropubs is therefore very positive. I can see why they are taking off from a customers perspective. I wish I had one local to me. From an economical standpoint I wonder how much money they can turn over. They obviously cannot cater for coach parties but their overheads must be tiny compared to many pubs and considering I visited early on a Thursday evening I have been to many larger pubs at this time of day and seen fewer customers. When I visited, the opening hours of Little Chesters was 3.00.pm-10.00.pm Thursday thru Sunday but they do have plans for all week opening.
The thing I really like about Little Chester is they keep things simple yet despite the simplicity the customer is made to feel important. It is that emphasis on giving what the customer wants that will see a continued growth in the number of micropubs. It would be nice to see the day when every town has a micropub or two as well as a Wetherspoons. As for my future plans, I am going to do more research and it is now at the forefront of my mind. If any micropub owners out there would like to assist me with a business plan I'd be happy to talk about it over a few pints.
Until that day comes, happy drinking.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
More gold medal beers
Tonight I went to my first micropub, Little Chester Ale House in Derby. A long drive for a pint but well worth it. My next blog post will be about Little Chesters and micropubs in general but the beer I chose tonight was the latest recipient of my gold medal awards. It is a couple of months since my first post regarding gold medal beers and I've drunk quite a few more since then.
Great Heck Brewing Company's Dr Rudi (3.8% ABV) was one of the clearest gold medal winners so far. The barman very kindly invited me to sample it first and I was instantly hooked. It looked very pale and inviting in the glass and I could smell the hops. It went down incredibly smoothly and left a lovely bitter aftertaste. The clarity and taste of this fine beer is obviously due to the brewer but it must also be an indication on how Little Chester look after their beers. This was my first ever beer from the North Yorkshire brewer and hopefully I will find it again on my travels.
So what other beers have I tried recently that will receive the gold medal award? There aren't as many as in my first post so perhaps I'm becoming harder to please or I've just been unlucky. To remind you of my criteria, it must have been a pint served in a pub, so that excludes many of the fine bottled beers I have had over the new year period. Taste is obviously the key factor. However, the condition in which it is served is also a major factor too. I have had one or two beers that I know have been gold medal recipients in the past but did not live up to expectations this time around due to being served in less than perfect form. So, the latest winners are
American Pale Ale 4.8% ABV (Firefly Brewing, Worcester). A delightful hoppy brew served in perfect condition as to be expected as it was brewed on the premises.
Old Henry 5.2% ABV (Hobsons, Shropshire). A lovely rich ruby ale served in The Bear at the Swan's Nest, Stratford-on-Avon.
Shakespeare's County 3.4% ABV (Warwickshire Brewing Co, Cubbington, Warwickshire). A low strength well balanced beer that was surprisingly tasty.
Hoppy Helper 4.0% ABV (Wibblers Brewery, Essex). Bursting with hops and citrus flavours.
Of the gold medal recipients from my first post, Mud City Stout 6.6% ABV (Sadlers Ales, West Midlands) wins again. I have not got to try a second pint from the other winners. It is quite rare at the moment for me to try the same beer twice. In the past 4 months I have tried 103 different beers from 73 different breweries and I have only had a second pint of five of these beers. By 'eck though, if I see Great Heck on the bar again I will be straight in there.
Until next time, keep smiling and happy drinking.
Great Heck Brewing Company's Dr Rudi (3.8% ABV) was one of the clearest gold medal winners so far. The barman very kindly invited me to sample it first and I was instantly hooked. It looked very pale and inviting in the glass and I could smell the hops. It went down incredibly smoothly and left a lovely bitter aftertaste. The clarity and taste of this fine beer is obviously due to the brewer but it must also be an indication on how Little Chester look after their beers. This was my first ever beer from the North Yorkshire brewer and hopefully I will find it again on my travels.
So what other beers have I tried recently that will receive the gold medal award? There aren't as many as in my first post so perhaps I'm becoming harder to please or I've just been unlucky. To remind you of my criteria, it must have been a pint served in a pub, so that excludes many of the fine bottled beers I have had over the new year period. Taste is obviously the key factor. However, the condition in which it is served is also a major factor too. I have had one or two beers that I know have been gold medal recipients in the past but did not live up to expectations this time around due to being served in less than perfect form. So, the latest winners are
American Pale Ale 4.8% ABV (Firefly Brewing, Worcester). A delightful hoppy brew served in perfect condition as to be expected as it was brewed on the premises.
Old Henry 5.2% ABV (Hobsons, Shropshire). A lovely rich ruby ale served in The Bear at the Swan's Nest, Stratford-on-Avon.
Shakespeare's County 3.4% ABV (Warwickshire Brewing Co, Cubbington, Warwickshire). A low strength well balanced beer that was surprisingly tasty.
Hoppy Helper 4.0% ABV (Wibblers Brewery, Essex). Bursting with hops and citrus flavours.
Of the gold medal recipients from my first post, Mud City Stout 6.6% ABV (Sadlers Ales, West Midlands) wins again. I have not got to try a second pint from the other winners. It is quite rare at the moment for me to try the same beer twice. In the past 4 months I have tried 103 different beers from 73 different breweries and I have only had a second pint of five of these beers. By 'eck though, if I see Great Heck on the bar again I will be straight in there.
Until next time, keep smiling and happy drinking.
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Leamington Spa Pub Crawl
I had been planning on visiting Leamington for a few weeks and I finally decided to visit on one of the coldest nights of the year so far. I was hoping it would make the pubs more inviting if my face was frozen when I entered. It's not a bad theory actually. One of my favourite pub crawls of all time was when I organised a walk around Norwich with snow falling and with two feet of snow already accumulated.
From the station I walked north until I reached Regent Street. The first thing you notice in Leamington is how the roads are nicely laid out in a grid so a quick look at the map before setting off was all I needed (or so I thought). Regent Street was off to the left and right but a quick look to my left and The Woodland Tavern was in sight. It is very much a traditional street-corner local with a bar and separate lounge. It is a regular outlet for Slaughterhouse Beers so I chose a pint of Saddleback (3.8% ABV). A delightful pale session bitter that started off the evening nicely. The alternatives were another Slaughterhouse beer (Boar D'Eau) and Hobgoblin. I sat in the lively bar where there was a group playing darts which is always good to see. There was also a selection of newspapers to read as well as the local CAMRA publication where I discovered the local branch was also having a Leamington pub crawl this evening which was finishing where I was starting from. A shame I did not know about this in advance.
Time was short due to train timetable changes in December which brought the last train back to Stratford-on_Avon forward to before 10.00.pm so it was quickly off to pub number two. It was back to the main road and I was sure I couldn't miss it with Clarendon Avenue supposedly off to the right. However, I found Clarendon Place and Clarendon Square but I went too far and had to backtrack to find it. It didn't take me long, once I had retraced my steps, to come across the White Horse. At first glance it looked like a tidy modern pub but after walking past the 'white horse' standing guard at the entrance to a large covered courtyard it was apparent that this pub is massive. The cavernous bar had plenty of sofas and other seating options. At the bar I chose a pint of Pride of Oxford from Oxfordshire Ales. This was a brewery I was not familiar with and at 4.2% ABV the beer was a delightful pale golden well balanced bitter with plenty of citrus flavours as well as a bitter finish. The other choices were Doom Bar and UBU. Upon leaving I noticed the pub also consisted of two very nice snugs to the front so for those who do not like sitting in a large cavernous lounge there was the option to get more cosy. Overall a lovely pub if you don't mind the fact that it is a pub of Wetherspoon proportions. However, it does have much more character and personality than your average 'Spoons.
From here it was back down towards town on a parallel road to the one I came up. Upon reaching Regent Street I turned back to the right towards the first pub but before I went as far as the Woodland Tavern I came across Murphy's Bar. It looked totally out of place in a street full of shops and the place was empty except for a few old drunken guys falling of their bar stools. I chose the only real ale available, my second pint of Saddleback Bitter of the evening, and sat at the table in the window looking out into the street. From where I sat the loud colourful language of the drunks was still overpowering but it was not a problem as time was running short and I had a train to catch. This pub deserves much better clientele though. The pint was a mere £2.20 (80p cheaper than the Woodland Tavern a few hundred yards away) and the bar was full of interesting artefacts as well as a good supply of reading material.
After leaving Murphy's Bar I retraced my steps and then turned right back in the direction of the station. It was doubtful whether I had enough time for a final stop and by the time I reached the two Wetherspoon pubs I knew I probably didn't so I headed back to the station. However, I had got to visit three very different pubs, each with their own distinctive appeal, and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this picturesque town.
Happy drinking.
From the station I walked north until I reached Regent Street. The first thing you notice in Leamington is how the roads are nicely laid out in a grid so a quick look at the map before setting off was all I needed (or so I thought). Regent Street was off to the left and right but a quick look to my left and The Woodland Tavern was in sight. It is very much a traditional street-corner local with a bar and separate lounge. It is a regular outlet for Slaughterhouse Beers so I chose a pint of Saddleback (3.8% ABV). A delightful pale session bitter that started off the evening nicely. The alternatives were another Slaughterhouse beer (Boar D'Eau) and Hobgoblin. I sat in the lively bar where there was a group playing darts which is always good to see. There was also a selection of newspapers to read as well as the local CAMRA publication where I discovered the local branch was also having a Leamington pub crawl this evening which was finishing where I was starting from. A shame I did not know about this in advance.
Time was short due to train timetable changes in December which brought the last train back to Stratford-on_Avon forward to before 10.00.pm so it was quickly off to pub number two. It was back to the main road and I was sure I couldn't miss it with Clarendon Avenue supposedly off to the right. However, I found Clarendon Place and Clarendon Square but I went too far and had to backtrack to find it. It didn't take me long, once I had retraced my steps, to come across the White Horse. At first glance it looked like a tidy modern pub but after walking past the 'white horse' standing guard at the entrance to a large covered courtyard it was apparent that this pub is massive. The cavernous bar had plenty of sofas and other seating options. At the bar I chose a pint of Pride of Oxford from Oxfordshire Ales. This was a brewery I was not familiar with and at 4.2% ABV the beer was a delightful pale golden well balanced bitter with plenty of citrus flavours as well as a bitter finish. The other choices were Doom Bar and UBU. Upon leaving I noticed the pub also consisted of two very nice snugs to the front so for those who do not like sitting in a large cavernous lounge there was the option to get more cosy. Overall a lovely pub if you don't mind the fact that it is a pub of Wetherspoon proportions. However, it does have much more character and personality than your average 'Spoons.
From here it was back down towards town on a parallel road to the one I came up. Upon reaching Regent Street I turned back to the right towards the first pub but before I went as far as the Woodland Tavern I came across Murphy's Bar. It looked totally out of place in a street full of shops and the place was empty except for a few old drunken guys falling of their bar stools. I chose the only real ale available, my second pint of Saddleback Bitter of the evening, and sat at the table in the window looking out into the street. From where I sat the loud colourful language of the drunks was still overpowering but it was not a problem as time was running short and I had a train to catch. This pub deserves much better clientele though. The pint was a mere £2.20 (80p cheaper than the Woodland Tavern a few hundred yards away) and the bar was full of interesting artefacts as well as a good supply of reading material.
After leaving Murphy's Bar I retraced my steps and then turned right back in the direction of the station. It was doubtful whether I had enough time for a final stop and by the time I reached the two Wetherspoon pubs I knew I probably didn't so I headed back to the station. However, I had got to visit three very different pubs, each with their own distinctive appeal, and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this picturesque town.
Happy drinking.
Monday, 14 January 2013
Pete Brown - Hops and Glory
I read lots in the vain hope that it will improve my writing but being an analytical IT consultant writing nevers seems to come easy (this review will take me hours to write). Travel books are a particular favourite of mine and beer is my passion and here comes a book that combines the two. Surely a perfect combination. The synopsis seemed simple. Brew a traditional IPA and take it to India via the traditional route and once there open it and drink it. However, the more simple a task seems, the more complicated it can become.
My first concern about this book was whether the story behind the history of IPA would dominate ahead of the actual journey. However, the mix was just about right. The journey is the main theme but when things are going smoothly he adds some historical background to the adventure. The story behind how the mad idea originated was detailed and amusing and I was immediately hooked by the complexity of the planning process. Taking a keg of beer to India is not something I have considered but it is much more complicated than I could ever have imagined.
The first part of the journey involved the canals. The author's attempts at this form of transport soon had me in stitches and from the time he became intimately acquainted with the temperature of the water I couldn't put the book down. I do get jealous when I read a book by someone who makes the art of writing seem so simple. It is apparent to me that the author is a natural writer as the story has such an easy flow. It wasn't simply a case of moving from A to B to C where I did this and that. There are plenty of personal anecdotes and historical background mixed in with the journey and it kept me entertained from first to last.
Obviously the author is the integral part of this story but the real stars were Barry, Kevin and Jeff. Barry became an early casualty and I was wondering how the hell the story could progress following his sad demise. How can you replace the irreplaceable? Enter Jeff. This guy must be totally trusting and have an amazing thirst for adventure. I'm sure hearing the story behind Jeff's trip to Brazil with Kevin could provide enough material for a whole new book but that's one tale we never get to read about.
For me, a travel book must draw me in and make it easy for me to imagine what it must be like to be there and experience what the author is experiencing. On this front it scores big time. I may not want to have experienced the sea journey from Brazil to India via Iran (in fact having read about it I can say for certain I wouldn't) but I got a pretty good idea of what it must have been like. You would also think that once he was on the ship to India it would be plain sailing but there were plenty of trials and tribulations still to come. Would he finally reach his goal and open the keg of IPA? Would there be a welcome party or would he sit on his own whilst drinking it? Would it even be drinkable? For answers to those questions I recommend you buy yourself a copy of this wonderful story. It has plenty of heartbreak, highs and lows and, most importantly, humour. My wife was constantly asking me what I was laughing at. The final answer to this question was 'an Indian with a wind problem'. Oh what horrors.
So I have discovered a new author and it's going to cost me. The Amazon gift vouchers I received for Christmas will be spent on more Pete Brown adventures and I look forward to reading them.
My first concern about this book was whether the story behind the history of IPA would dominate ahead of the actual journey. However, the mix was just about right. The journey is the main theme but when things are going smoothly he adds some historical background to the adventure. The story behind how the mad idea originated was detailed and amusing and I was immediately hooked by the complexity of the planning process. Taking a keg of beer to India is not something I have considered but it is much more complicated than I could ever have imagined.
The first part of the journey involved the canals. The author's attempts at this form of transport soon had me in stitches and from the time he became intimately acquainted with the temperature of the water I couldn't put the book down. I do get jealous when I read a book by someone who makes the art of writing seem so simple. It is apparent to me that the author is a natural writer as the story has such an easy flow. It wasn't simply a case of moving from A to B to C where I did this and that. There are plenty of personal anecdotes and historical background mixed in with the journey and it kept me entertained from first to last.
Obviously the author is the integral part of this story but the real stars were Barry, Kevin and Jeff. Barry became an early casualty and I was wondering how the hell the story could progress following his sad demise. How can you replace the irreplaceable? Enter Jeff. This guy must be totally trusting and have an amazing thirst for adventure. I'm sure hearing the story behind Jeff's trip to Brazil with Kevin could provide enough material for a whole new book but that's one tale we never get to read about.
For me, a travel book must draw me in and make it easy for me to imagine what it must be like to be there and experience what the author is experiencing. On this front it scores big time. I may not want to have experienced the sea journey from Brazil to India via Iran (in fact having read about it I can say for certain I wouldn't) but I got a pretty good idea of what it must have been like. You would also think that once he was on the ship to India it would be plain sailing but there were plenty of trials and tribulations still to come. Would he finally reach his goal and open the keg of IPA? Would there be a welcome party or would he sit on his own whilst drinking it? Would it even be drinkable? For answers to those questions I recommend you buy yourself a copy of this wonderful story. It has plenty of heartbreak, highs and lows and, most importantly, humour. My wife was constantly asking me what I was laughing at. The final answer to this question was 'an Indian with a wind problem'. Oh what horrors.
So I have discovered a new author and it's going to cost me. The Amazon gift vouchers I received for Christmas will be spent on more Pete Brown adventures and I look forward to reading them.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Firefly Brewery / Pub, Worcester
My first discovery of the year is the Firefly pub in Worcester. I have not been to Worcester during my adult life so I have no idea whereabouts it is in relation to anywhere else in the city as I just followed my satnav instructions. However, it is apparently in a regenerated part of the city and the pub itself is housed in a delightful Georgian building.
The first unusual feature of the pub is a solid glass front door that is reached up a twisty stone staircase edged with iron railings. Entering the bar you have to adjust your eyes to the darkness. The fairy lights covering the ceiling and adorning the deer's head above the fireplace do little to add much light but it has a nice atmosphere. Down a few steps to the left of the bar is an equally gloomy snug with more sofas and comfortable seating.
The brewery is a small 0.5 barrel plant and there were 5 house beers available. The chocolate stout (5.0% ABV) was tempting as was the Simcoe IPA (6.0% ABV) but I decided to try the American Pale Ale (4.8% ABV). It was a lovely golden colour, had an inviting citrus aroma and the flavour was bursting with hops with a very pleasant bitter aftertaste.
In addition to their own beers there was an interesting selection of craft beers on tap. Two Brewdog beers (a Christmas beer and 5am Saint), Dobber from Manchester's Marble Brewery and a beer from the Derbyshire brewer Thornbridge. I am yet to sample beers from these modern 'craft' brewers and if I wasn't driving I would love to have tried them all. In addition to these British craft beers there was the lovely Sierra Nevada Pale Ale from California available. For cider drinkers there were two selections to choose from.
Taking my pint I retired to the snug as the tables were all taken in the bar. Early on a Thursday evening this has to be a good sign. A local CAMRA publication was available which I picked up for a read but the dim light in the snug made this difficult. Beyond the snug was a door to a partially covered garden. Above the main bar is an upstairs bar that opens at weekends and occasionally during the week for live music.
Overall, this pub is a delight. An interesting range of craft beers in addition to their own excellent range offers plenty of choice for the beer drinker. There is also a selection for cider lovers. There is a choice of rooms in which to sit and the only negative point would be the lack of light all round. A corner to sit and read without straining my eyes would have been nice.
The first unusual feature of the pub is a solid glass front door that is reached up a twisty stone staircase edged with iron railings. Entering the bar you have to adjust your eyes to the darkness. The fairy lights covering the ceiling and adorning the deer's head above the fireplace do little to add much light but it has a nice atmosphere. Down a few steps to the left of the bar is an equally gloomy snug with more sofas and comfortable seating.
The brewery is a small 0.5 barrel plant and there were 5 house beers available. The chocolate stout (5.0% ABV) was tempting as was the Simcoe IPA (6.0% ABV) but I decided to try the American Pale Ale (4.8% ABV). It was a lovely golden colour, had an inviting citrus aroma and the flavour was bursting with hops with a very pleasant bitter aftertaste.
In addition to their own beers there was an interesting selection of craft beers on tap. Two Brewdog beers (a Christmas beer and 5am Saint), Dobber from Manchester's Marble Brewery and a beer from the Derbyshire brewer Thornbridge. I am yet to sample beers from these modern 'craft' brewers and if I wasn't driving I would love to have tried them all. In addition to these British craft beers there was the lovely Sierra Nevada Pale Ale from California available. For cider drinkers there were two selections to choose from.
Taking my pint I retired to the snug as the tables were all taken in the bar. Early on a Thursday evening this has to be a good sign. A local CAMRA publication was available which I picked up for a read but the dim light in the snug made this difficult. Beyond the snug was a door to a partially covered garden. Above the main bar is an upstairs bar that opens at weekends and occasionally during the week for live music.
Overall, this pub is a delight. An interesting range of craft beers in addition to their own excellent range offers plenty of choice for the beer drinker. There is also a selection for cider lovers. There is a choice of rooms in which to sit and the only negative point would be the lack of light all round. A corner to sit and read without straining my eyes would have been nice.
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