It is Sunday afternoon and in a few hours time, I'll be embarking on a trip to Barcelona - how bizarre is that, barely even thought about it. Therefore, best catch up on recent BRAPA ticks whilst I can remember them, well to be honest, yesterday's memories of Chester are a bit hazy already!
417 - Albion, Greengates - very very local after a bus journey from Leeds on Tuesday afternoon after a day's gardening with work! Great quality ale and cracking little pub, not unfriendly but think they were a bit surprised to see a stranger at that time. Had an Albion ale which tasted like West Yorkshire in a glass, and probably is designed with the pub in mind. Recommended.
(I then had drama as, being an early finish from work, neither Idle pub was open yet but a friendly landlady outside her pub the Alexander invited me in for a sample of their ales as long as i didn't disturb the bingo, a lifesaver!)
418 - Brewery Tap, Idle - Disappointing, not really any better than the Alexander and my Kelham Island Pale Rider tasted like farts and the range was limited to two. A dog kept trying to eat me(!), apparently this is a great gig venue that attracts good bands and that's exactly how it felt on my visit!
419 - Symposium, Idle - Very good, one of the few remaining MTT ticks and my Bohemian Rhatsody was superb. Okay, so a bit like a bar so lacked the Albion's charm but friendly and comfy in it's own right with great ale range like most MTT's.
420 - Pied Bull, Chester - The first and possibly best of the day. Own brewery on sight and my IPA was stunning. Tales of ghosts, lovely beamed Tudor-style place. A bit like YOSI in York, you could see the touristy element as it was very central, but can't really knock it otherwise.
421 - Old Harkers Arms, Chester - Probably hit it at wrong time (Saturday lunch), was very geared to diners and a very female friendly crowd. Beer was good, but not amazing. Still felt fairly at home in circs and a very unthreatening atmos you couldn't help but find!
422 - Cellar, Chester - Current Chester CAMRA pub of year, and from ale range and quality (I had an amazing smoked porter) plus very good staff and a folder showed me pub has a lot on and free bacon sarnies sometimes! Again, aimed at younger crowd. Could I have actually got into cellar was the unanswered issue here, had i managed it, it could have been pub of the day.
423 - Lodge Bar, Hoole - Hotel bar very close to Chester train station compared with most Chester pubs, it wasn't as limited beer range as some hotel bars, but it did lack a bit of proper pub charm (obviously you might say), staff seemed nice til I spent too long in loos drying off and think I lost my hat here too!
424 - Olde Cottage Inn, Chester - This was more like the old unspoilt pub I'd been missing since Pied Bull, didn't appreciate as much as I should have done because i was so drenched. Friendly though with characterful locals and situated better than any for the station. May have been a good 'last pub' option.
425 - Cross Keys, Chester - Joule's beers so a nice ale range experience for me. I was knackered by now and probably should have had a Slumbering Monk as I kept drifting off - think I left some ale too. No-one seemed to notice and i'd probably come back here if I had time to kill in Chester as I didn't appreciate this lovely Victorian pub as much as possible.
426 - Brewery Tap, Chester - Recommended by my friend JW2 and could see why as it was a unique amazing building and the Spitting Feathers beer I had was wonderful and luckily I'd sobered myself up enough to enjoy it, and talked to lots of friendly locals gearing up for a big Saturday night out!
427 - Bear n Billet, Chester - Too packed to fully appreciate but again a good positive atmosphere with a nice upstairs area too even if everyone was watching the Chumps league final. Not surprised so many locals had decided to start their nights out there.
So there you have it, almost at the 430 mark, thinking Guiseley for the next WY midweek night where I have two to tick off so will see if I can incorporate a third in with them, but let's focus on getting back from Barca unscathed first and maybe some real ale there if I am lucky? Here's to hoping!
Si
Visiting every pub in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide before I die!
Sunday, 25 May 2014
Sunday, 18 May 2014
BRAPA - Shut Pubs, IoW and more from West Yorkshire
It's a summery Sunday evening in York as I sit here blogging from my balcony with the strains of Morning Glory coming from the kitchen.....
I've started encountering a recurring BRAPA problem - guide pubs which are closed, thus slowing me down, causing pointlessly long walks and denying me a 'tick'! What's going on?
It started at Joshua Brooks in Manchester in truth though I didn't think too much of it at the time in my drunken state and with Ben for company. Garden Gate in Hunslet was more frustrating. A long walk from Leeds station (yes, I could've bussed it) to this supposed jewel in the crown now owned by Leeds brewery closed last November due to 'boiler problems' and despite lots of "opening in the new year assurances", it is now mid May and was looking as dead as a doornail to me. And now, I've encountered it twice in Isle of Wight. Lake Huron a mile walk from Ryde in the heat was almost as frustrating as Garden Gate, this one closed due to a lack of trade. And finally, Brading's Dark Horse had been converted into housing - very sad and looks like they'd tried to prevent it, but again, frustrating from a BRAPA point of view.
I've decided these pubs will be now overlooked til the next guide is published and if, they are still in (unlikely or impossible in some cases), I may give them another go if definitely open! If I know!
Isle of Wight was superb, the last West Yorkshire day involved way too much effort for sum total of two pubs but never mind. Here's what I've ticked off since we last spoke:
409 - Victory Pub & Kitchen - Weetwood (a good trek from Headingley, nice pint in sun almost made it worth it but in truth was very much a hotel bar).
410 - West End House, Kirkstall (more pubby and less foody than I'd expected which was pleasing but the arsehole locals at the bar and foody focus meant it didn't quite convince.
411 - Simeon Arms, Ryde (lovely friendly backstreet local with nice outdoor back area which was so peaceful, tucked away well off the IoW they want the tourists to see).
412 - Waterfront, Shanklin (got the last table in the sun so good views along Shanklin esplanade and sea front, good guest ale but bit limited but still better than most sea front bars).
413 - Castle, Sandown (another gem, another nice outdoor drinking experience - it did have a local feel as everyone knew everyone but didn't make me feel isolated. Pointing witch was a nice quirk!
414 - S Fowler, Ryde (a Wethers, even by the guide's admission lacking in charisma but despite the clarty Wethery nature of my pint, it did a job, was busy and felt fairly friendly in a hustly bustly nature).
415 - King Harry's Bar, Shanklin (back to where I was based, lovely quirky building and amazing garden so sat out despite being cooler by now, chatted to some friendly locals which was amusing).
416 - Chine Inn, Shanklin (very old and supposedly haunted by blue girl and old man in corner, felt really old like a smugglers cavern, glad to be in drinking area as had a huge restauranty area which seemed busy).
So, what with Barcelona next Monday, I'm conscious of not doing too much and burning out after this crazy weekend but West Yorkshire BRAPA is a Tuesday possibility only as I'm gardening all day. It all depends on logistics but the Greengates/Idle 3 pub plan is tempting.
Next Saturday and I've had Colwyn Bay booked for ages. Don't want people saying "I told you so" but the long walk and bussing seems a step too far so am using same tickets to have a Chester day, keep it simpler, as trains stop there anyway. Really pleased I've thought of this and should get some good final May BRAPA ticks before Barca.
Updates to follow. SE
I've started encountering a recurring BRAPA problem - guide pubs which are closed, thus slowing me down, causing pointlessly long walks and denying me a 'tick'! What's going on?
It started at Joshua Brooks in Manchester in truth though I didn't think too much of it at the time in my drunken state and with Ben for company. Garden Gate in Hunslet was more frustrating. A long walk from Leeds station (yes, I could've bussed it) to this supposed jewel in the crown now owned by Leeds brewery closed last November due to 'boiler problems' and despite lots of "opening in the new year assurances", it is now mid May and was looking as dead as a doornail to me. And now, I've encountered it twice in Isle of Wight. Lake Huron a mile walk from Ryde in the heat was almost as frustrating as Garden Gate, this one closed due to a lack of trade. And finally, Brading's Dark Horse had been converted into housing - very sad and looks like they'd tried to prevent it, but again, frustrating from a BRAPA point of view.
I've decided these pubs will be now overlooked til the next guide is published and if, they are still in (unlikely or impossible in some cases), I may give them another go if definitely open! If I know!
Isle of Wight was superb, the last West Yorkshire day involved way too much effort for sum total of two pubs but never mind. Here's what I've ticked off since we last spoke:
409 - Victory Pub & Kitchen - Weetwood (a good trek from Headingley, nice pint in sun almost made it worth it but in truth was very much a hotel bar).
410 - West End House, Kirkstall (more pubby and less foody than I'd expected which was pleasing but the arsehole locals at the bar and foody focus meant it didn't quite convince.
411 - Simeon Arms, Ryde (lovely friendly backstreet local with nice outdoor back area which was so peaceful, tucked away well off the IoW they want the tourists to see).
412 - Waterfront, Shanklin (got the last table in the sun so good views along Shanklin esplanade and sea front, good guest ale but bit limited but still better than most sea front bars).
413 - Castle, Sandown (another gem, another nice outdoor drinking experience - it did have a local feel as everyone knew everyone but didn't make me feel isolated. Pointing witch was a nice quirk!
414 - S Fowler, Ryde (a Wethers, even by the guide's admission lacking in charisma but despite the clarty Wethery nature of my pint, it did a job, was busy and felt fairly friendly in a hustly bustly nature).
415 - King Harry's Bar, Shanklin (back to where I was based, lovely quirky building and amazing garden so sat out despite being cooler by now, chatted to some friendly locals which was amusing).
416 - Chine Inn, Shanklin (very old and supposedly haunted by blue girl and old man in corner, felt really old like a smugglers cavern, glad to be in drinking area as had a huge restauranty area which seemed busy).
So, what with Barcelona next Monday, I'm conscious of not doing too much and burning out after this crazy weekend but West Yorkshire BRAPA is a Tuesday possibility only as I'm gardening all day. It all depends on logistics but the Greengates/Idle 3 pub plan is tempting.
Next Saturday and I've had Colwyn Bay booked for ages. Don't want people saying "I told you so" but the long walk and bussing seems a step too far so am using same tickets to have a Chester day, keep it simpler, as trains stop there anyway. Really pleased I've thought of this and should get some good final May BRAPA ticks before Barca.
Updates to follow. SE
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
BRAPA - May the force be with me
Good evening lords, ladies and gentlemen,
Friday sees the long waited, much anticipated Isle of Wight adventure, and to be honest, I haven't thought much about which pubs I'll be visiting. The saddest thing is having to leave my Osborne House trip until another time now that my trip is shorter (what were the chances of Hull City getting to the cup final?) to maximize my BRAPA time on the Friday in Ryde, Shanklin and wherever else.
For now, my focus is on my 3rd West Yorkshire midweek BRAPA which will hopefully take in Hunslet, Weetwood and Kirkstall, thus completing the 'outer' Leeds set, meaning I'll have to delve deeper into West Yorkshire. Think Bradford, Idle, Greengates, Shipley, Baildon and beyond. Almost scary!
Since I last "blogged", I've done the following BRAPA ticks:
399 - Three Hulats - Chapel Allerton (pleased with my bussing, less pleased with my beer quality)
400 - Regent, Chapel Allerton (a fitting pub to bring up a landmark, everyone I know seemed to have been apart from me!)
401 - East of Arcadia, Meanwood (was another Market Towns Tavern tick too, modern but good ale)
Then, I remembered I'd done 3 Horwich pubs pre-Bolton a couple of seasons ago, taking me to 404!
Ben then reminded me I had indeed done the Waterhouse in Manchester (405) so another Wether tick.
Then, pre Man Utd on my birthday, got a few more....
406 .... Angel, Manchester (Superb experience, free goats cheese n fig tart too!)
407 - Micro Bar, Manchester (shopping centre food court, but it still worked - I think...)
408 - Font, Manchester (bit trendy but can't criticize beer range and quality).
We frustratingly did a lot of non-guide pubs and the Joshua Brooks was closed but progress nonetheless.
So, 408 and hopefully 3 more tomorrow, then more IOW day so keeping my quotas up of course with bloody Barca soon to slow down my quest. I feel I will become an ascended pub spirit if I achieve this.
Si
Friday sees the long waited, much anticipated Isle of Wight adventure, and to be honest, I haven't thought much about which pubs I'll be visiting. The saddest thing is having to leave my Osborne House trip until another time now that my trip is shorter (what were the chances of Hull City getting to the cup final?) to maximize my BRAPA time on the Friday in Ryde, Shanklin and wherever else.
For now, my focus is on my 3rd West Yorkshire midweek BRAPA which will hopefully take in Hunslet, Weetwood and Kirkstall, thus completing the 'outer' Leeds set, meaning I'll have to delve deeper into West Yorkshire. Think Bradford, Idle, Greengates, Shipley, Baildon and beyond. Almost scary!
Since I last "blogged", I've done the following BRAPA ticks:
399 - Three Hulats - Chapel Allerton (pleased with my bussing, less pleased with my beer quality)
400 - Regent, Chapel Allerton (a fitting pub to bring up a landmark, everyone I know seemed to have been apart from me!)
401 - East of Arcadia, Meanwood (was another Market Towns Tavern tick too, modern but good ale)
Then, I remembered I'd done 3 Horwich pubs pre-Bolton a couple of seasons ago, taking me to 404!
Ben then reminded me I had indeed done the Waterhouse in Manchester (405) so another Wether tick.
Then, pre Man Utd on my birthday, got a few more....
406 .... Angel, Manchester (Superb experience, free goats cheese n fig tart too!)
407 - Micro Bar, Manchester (shopping centre food court, but it still worked - I think...)
408 - Font, Manchester (bit trendy but can't criticize beer range and quality).
We frustratingly did a lot of non-guide pubs and the Joshua Brooks was closed but progress nonetheless.
So, 408 and hopefully 3 more tomorrow, then more IOW day so keeping my quotas up of course with bloody Barca soon to slow down my quest. I feel I will become an ascended pub spirit if I achieve this.
Si
Monday, 28 April 2014
BRAPA - "Think Locally, F**k ... errm... Nationally?"
With apologies to Gogol Bordello for the paraphrasing of one of their songs in my title, but following on from my last post, am really focused on local trips now and almost regretting May and June's longer trips ... well not so much Isle of Wight (though it has been cut short) but the two Welshies and Durham.
But hey ho, I said in these early months of BRAPA, I'd live and learn by my mistakes .... I just can't believe it didn't occur to me sooner that getting North & West Yorkshire done and then 'spreading the net' would be common sense. I mean, hell, it's tricky enough as it is! North especially, despite living there. Have you ever tried to plan a trip to Askrigg on a Sunday on public transport? Talk about convoluted.
So my little project of the moment on evenings is to lay out, in spreadsheet form, ideas of how to get to places in terms of bus, trains, walking, taxi if absolutely necessary!
And starting last Tuesday, I went to the two in Holbeck (amazing Grove and also very good Midnight Bell) and planning on doing the same this week in Chapel Allerton, which does involve a bus. And on Sunday's, if the mood takes me, another North or West Yorkshire trip is an option, though some trips will be expensive if I don't book trains in advance and a lot are just not possible on a Sunday.
Scrap my July plans for a Nottingham revisit. and think locally! I've also got local knowledge in the form of Richard and Jason from work joining me for a Batley, Birstall, Dewsbury and Liversedge day in June ... oh the joy! And I am not even being sarcastic.
My 398th BRAPA pub was ticked off at the weekend. The King's Head in Earl's Court. A Dutch king's coronation made for a party quirky atmos. 400 up tomorrow? Then only 4,100 left. Hey ho!
Si
But hey ho, I said in these early months of BRAPA, I'd live and learn by my mistakes .... I just can't believe it didn't occur to me sooner that getting North & West Yorkshire done and then 'spreading the net' would be common sense. I mean, hell, it's tricky enough as it is! North especially, despite living there. Have you ever tried to plan a trip to Askrigg on a Sunday on public transport? Talk about convoluted.
So my little project of the moment on evenings is to lay out, in spreadsheet form, ideas of how to get to places in terms of bus, trains, walking, taxi if absolutely necessary!
And starting last Tuesday, I went to the two in Holbeck (amazing Grove and also very good Midnight Bell) and planning on doing the same this week in Chapel Allerton, which does involve a bus. And on Sunday's, if the mood takes me, another North or West Yorkshire trip is an option, though some trips will be expensive if I don't book trains in advance and a lot are just not possible on a Sunday.
Scrap my July plans for a Nottingham revisit. and think locally! I've also got local knowledge in the form of Richard and Jason from work joining me for a Batley, Birstall, Dewsbury and Liversedge day in June ... oh the joy! And I am not even being sarcastic.
My 398th BRAPA pub was ticked off at the weekend. The King's Head in Earl's Court. A Dutch king's coronation made for a party quirky atmos. 400 up tomorrow? Then only 4,100 left. Hey ho!
Si
Sunday, 20 April 2014
BRAPA - latest updates part 3 - Nottingham x2
So, it's official! Hull City are going to appear in an FA Cup final which, in BRAPA terms, is actually bad news because my Isle of Wight trip will have to be cut in half. Never mind though, plenty of pubs can still be visited and I have sorted out my tickets yesterday so all is now set in stone.
As part of a Bank Holiday trip to Nottingham on Good Friday, I got two Nottingham BRAPA ticks in the shape of the DRAGON and the superb former music hall, MALT CROSS, plus a visit to the Crafty Crow which will be "one for the future" I'm sure when the 2015 guide comes out.
I've recently come to the decision that getting friends/colleagues to roll a dice to see 'where i'm going next' is maybe not such a good idea (it may be the two Welsh rolls putting me off!). But anyway, i'm starting to think that I've been a bit too ambitious and I should maybe 'concentrate' on more Northern/Midland counties that tickle my fancy with the odd crazy trip to say, Cornwall/Devon, as a special treat but really aim to do more of these later in life when ideally I'll be richer and have more time, hmmm we'll see.
This feeling has lead me to wanting a return to Nottingham to visit the first pub in the guide, plus finish Nottingham and surrounding area on the second weekend in July. Maybe a Friday night stop over too, will plan that in theory this afternoon. Of course, I'm all sorted for May and June.
Off to a gig with Lu this evening but if i'm well enough, may do the long-anticipated Easter Monday local trip around the likes of Poppleton and Strensall. But no promises on that.
Laterz gang!
As part of a Bank Holiday trip to Nottingham on Good Friday, I got two Nottingham BRAPA ticks in the shape of the DRAGON and the superb former music hall, MALT CROSS, plus a visit to the Crafty Crow which will be "one for the future" I'm sure when the 2015 guide comes out.
I've recently come to the decision that getting friends/colleagues to roll a dice to see 'where i'm going next' is maybe not such a good idea (it may be the two Welsh rolls putting me off!). But anyway, i'm starting to think that I've been a bit too ambitious and I should maybe 'concentrate' on more Northern/Midland counties that tickle my fancy with the odd crazy trip to say, Cornwall/Devon, as a special treat but really aim to do more of these later in life when ideally I'll be richer and have more time, hmmm we'll see.
This feeling has lead me to wanting a return to Nottingham to visit the first pub in the guide, plus finish Nottingham and surrounding area on the second weekend in July. Maybe a Friday night stop over too, will plan that in theory this afternoon. Of course, I'm all sorted for May and June.
Off to a gig with Lu this evening but if i'm well enough, may do the long-anticipated Easter Monday local trip around the likes of Poppleton and Strensall. But no promises on that.
Laterz gang!
BRAPA - 1 - Bedfordshire
Achieved 13 pubs! Very pleasing effort although your average trip won't be this intense. 2 days later, I'm still recovering. Not that it was without it's problems, a bus oil leak on the train back from Ampthill meant my day one took until about 4pm to get going. In fact, Bedford bus station was being redeveloped so busses were pinging around all over the place, the locals were confused so obviously I was. And on the return journey, I missed my train from Bedford to St Pancras quite unfortunately, the train guard didn't agree, and I was charged an £83.80 excess on top of some ill-judged day rover bus journeys which cost me in total at least £25. Chatting to some random locals wasn't a problem to keep me semi-sane, I was happy throughout - and the Mill Hotel was a nice little place to stay, basic but nicer than imagined. Overall, I hope I've gained some experience from my trip, mainly financially, to set me in good stead for future journeys.
Right, let's get down to business.
Pub 1, Ampthill and the ALBION ARMS didn't let me down. Yes, there was no fanfare. Just another lone chap who came in and in a paranoid BRAPA state, wondered if he was doing the same challenge as me. Hmmmm. well, the beer range was great and from that POV, I'd love to return one day though not necessary now!
Pub 2, what felt like about 15 hours later, was the VICARS INN in Arlesey after a bus back to Bedford, check in at my accommodation, a bus to Biggleswade (50 mins) and a train to Arlesey. Phew! I could tell the pub was quite remote in that I had to check in the location as well as my beer (a first!) though the friendly barmaid encouraged me to talk to the locals in the front bar (I didn't!) and although the beer range was limited, the quality of my Wells Eagle was top notch.
Pub 3, I really needed to get back on track now (literally ho ho) as I got the train back to Biggleswade for the first of two pints, at the GOLDEN PHEASANT. A little gem which seemed to welcome me with open arms, so friendly, too much in fact as one older woman insisted on stroking my red leather jacket! This pub also heralded a theme for the weekend, lots of dogs in pubs! It had a great hubbub though and another Charles Wells local brew with DNA New World IPA, their attempt to do a modern style beer but it worked I am glad to say.
Pub 4, walked straight past it which was an achievement in itself considering how huge, white and on the corner of the main road it was .... the STRATTON HOUSE HOTEL One problem here, it wasn't a pub. The kind of place you feel almost guilty for not ordering food in. An extra stout from Lacon's in Great Yarmouth was nice but didn't really pack that 'extra' punch! Good clean, friendly place full of well to do middle class 30 somethings, yes I liked it but if I was back in Biggleswade, I'd choose Golden Pheasant every time.
Pub 5, and I decided to head back into Bedford now so I could tick off a few before bedtime, and take pressure off myself for the Sunday. What's more, the other Bigglesewade pub was on "page 3" of the guide so didn't really need to tick it off yet (itching to get back to North & Central East Beds as I write this!) So after another jolly long bus journey, I was soon in the WELLINGTON. A lovely quirky pub packed with alternative studenty types, most Wellington's are good and this was no exception. Icarus from Blindmans in Somerset was a mild (not always my fave style) but this was one of the best, more stouty than the Stout in the last place! Despite being on my own in a busy pub, I felt very much at home! Beer was obviously kicking in by now.
Pub 6, well into the dark Bedford evening now, was a trip to the CRICKETERS ARMS - also known as the Welsh Embassy, and had many Brains beers on which is fine by me. As I was in a mild mood, I went for the always superb Brains Dark and it slid down. I couldn't work the latch on the door which wasn't a good start as I was laughed at by the barstaff and locals. It was a real locals pub slightly out of town, and although I didn't find it as cosy as the Wellington, I have to say it was a real gem and it really grew on me, like a happy fungus!
Pub 7, a walk of at least a mile to a pub on the east of the city, an estate pub called the WHITE HORSE. Obviously, I didn't begrudge my time there despite the painful walk, but the lack of beer range (I had a Courage Directors which was well kept), estatey feel and locals loving a tribute act, meant part of me did wonder if this pub really belonged in the guide. No harm done.
Pub 8, I was worse for wear by now but heading back into town anyway and well before 11pm so it made some kind of sense in my addled mine to get down some backstreets to the DEVONSHIRE ARMS. Obviously, my memories are a bit hazy but it was more my kind of pub, wooden floored and panelled a bit more like the Wellington, my Epic Action by Oldershaws (chosen cos i like the shape of their pump clips - geek I am!) I described as 'wet dog hops with a hint of pedigree' so I assume i meant Marstons and not the Chum variety!
And that was it for the night.
Sunday dawned early and with 12 noon pub opening times, it was time for some gentle 'sight seeing' and a hot pork baguette sat on the River Great Ouse (trying to outdo York obviously!) and with the weather generally nice and a bench on the riverbank in solitude, this was up there with the highlights of the weekend and it didn't involve pubs or beer - note to self perhaps!
Pub 9, and I was on the bus chatting to a girl looking for One Direction shoelaces before alighting (as they say) at Silsoe and a mile walk to the little hamlet of Wardhedges, part of Flitton for a pint in the JOLLY COOPERS. Sunday lunch is a busy time in pub land, another note to self, but I spied a recently vacated lunch table and settled down to probably the best ever pint of BOMBARDIER I'd ever had. I read in the guide it tastes of raspberry jam, and I was surprised to see how true this was!
Pub 10 was the STONE JUG in Clophill, a lovely little village and area full of thatched roofs, animals in fields, it was so old England, it was beautiful. But I walked over 3 miles to get there, it was a warm day in my leather jacket, and when I was waiting at another busy bar, I deserved more than the barmaid moaning about the sudden infux of people! If only they knew the BRAPA efforts I go to. I love Otter brewery and the Amber was another superb effort. The pub was a cosy old style one, full of sleeping bulldogs and locals enjoying their post-lunch drink before presumably walking or driving home.
Not quite so simple for me, I had to either taxi or bus back to Bedford. I decided on the latter but a bit of a wait meant i went to the non-guide FLYING HORSE for a half of UBU which didn't seem spectacular but I did start a trend for sitting outside in this overly foody place. Nearly missed the bus as he stopped elsewhere, I recognised the driver by now as he seemed to be the only one going on a constant loop of this part of Beds.
I was soon back in the town, and after some much needed foody supplies from Tesco, it was Pub 11, the BEDFORD ARMS which sounded pretty dreadful reading the guide description but it had a most perfect Sunday afternoon ambiance, it was the most relaxed experience of the weekend in a pub. The Umbel ale was too southern for my tastes, but didn't affect a pleasantly surprising experience when I'd been expecting some foody sports bar!
BURNABY ARMS north of the centre was pub 12, and the sister pub of yesterday's Wellington. Same kind of crowd and feel, I even recognised yesterday's barmaid having a drink in here today, it had been a beer festival so they had beers left over and the friendly staff took me through the list, I took advantage with a lovely Black Horse Porter which was more like a mild than a porter, another theme of the weekend was that all dark beers had the same power no matter what style or percentage! A very good pub though.
I'd finally made it, the final pub on page 1 & 2 of the guide and it was a satisfying moment to tick off number 13, the THREE CUPS, a couple of hundred yards from where I'd stayed in fact, and interesting to see Greene King jumping on the trendy bandwagon with Yardbird Crafted Ale. Because Greene King are so traditional and occasionally even bland, their attempts to do a powerfully hoppy American style beer ended up with a very drinkable above average Greene King IPA, very nice!
Overall, the trip could really not have been more successful pub-wise,
Pg
Right, let's get down to business.
Pub 1, Ampthill and the ALBION ARMS didn't let me down. Yes, there was no fanfare. Just another lone chap who came in and in a paranoid BRAPA state, wondered if he was doing the same challenge as me. Hmmmm. well, the beer range was great and from that POV, I'd love to return one day though not necessary now!
Pub 2, what felt like about 15 hours later, was the VICARS INN in Arlesey after a bus back to Bedford, check in at my accommodation, a bus to Biggleswade (50 mins) and a train to Arlesey. Phew! I could tell the pub was quite remote in that I had to check in the location as well as my beer (a first!) though the friendly barmaid encouraged me to talk to the locals in the front bar (I didn't!) and although the beer range was limited, the quality of my Wells Eagle was top notch.
Pub 3, I really needed to get back on track now (literally ho ho) as I got the train back to Biggleswade for the first of two pints, at the GOLDEN PHEASANT. A little gem which seemed to welcome me with open arms, so friendly, too much in fact as one older woman insisted on stroking my red leather jacket! This pub also heralded a theme for the weekend, lots of dogs in pubs! It had a great hubbub though and another Charles Wells local brew with DNA New World IPA, their attempt to do a modern style beer but it worked I am glad to say.
Pub 4, walked straight past it which was an achievement in itself considering how huge, white and on the corner of the main road it was .... the STRATTON HOUSE HOTEL One problem here, it wasn't a pub. The kind of place you feel almost guilty for not ordering food in. An extra stout from Lacon's in Great Yarmouth was nice but didn't really pack that 'extra' punch! Good clean, friendly place full of well to do middle class 30 somethings, yes I liked it but if I was back in Biggleswade, I'd choose Golden Pheasant every time.
Pub 5, and I decided to head back into Bedford now so I could tick off a few before bedtime, and take pressure off myself for the Sunday. What's more, the other Bigglesewade pub was on "page 3" of the guide so didn't really need to tick it off yet (itching to get back to North & Central East Beds as I write this!) So after another jolly long bus journey, I was soon in the WELLINGTON. A lovely quirky pub packed with alternative studenty types, most Wellington's are good and this was no exception. Icarus from Blindmans in Somerset was a mild (not always my fave style) but this was one of the best, more stouty than the Stout in the last place! Despite being on my own in a busy pub, I felt very much at home! Beer was obviously kicking in by now.
Pub 6, well into the dark Bedford evening now, was a trip to the CRICKETERS ARMS - also known as the Welsh Embassy, and had many Brains beers on which is fine by me. As I was in a mild mood, I went for the always superb Brains Dark and it slid down. I couldn't work the latch on the door which wasn't a good start as I was laughed at by the barstaff and locals. It was a real locals pub slightly out of town, and although I didn't find it as cosy as the Wellington, I have to say it was a real gem and it really grew on me, like a happy fungus!
Pub 7, a walk of at least a mile to a pub on the east of the city, an estate pub called the WHITE HORSE. Obviously, I didn't begrudge my time there despite the painful walk, but the lack of beer range (I had a Courage Directors which was well kept), estatey feel and locals loving a tribute act, meant part of me did wonder if this pub really belonged in the guide. No harm done.
Pub 8, I was worse for wear by now but heading back into town anyway and well before 11pm so it made some kind of sense in my addled mine to get down some backstreets to the DEVONSHIRE ARMS. Obviously, my memories are a bit hazy but it was more my kind of pub, wooden floored and panelled a bit more like the Wellington, my Epic Action by Oldershaws (chosen cos i like the shape of their pump clips - geek I am!) I described as 'wet dog hops with a hint of pedigree' so I assume i meant Marstons and not the Chum variety!
And that was it for the night.
Sunday dawned early and with 12 noon pub opening times, it was time for some gentle 'sight seeing' and a hot pork baguette sat on the River Great Ouse (trying to outdo York obviously!) and with the weather generally nice and a bench on the riverbank in solitude, this was up there with the highlights of the weekend and it didn't involve pubs or beer - note to self perhaps!
Pub 9, and I was on the bus chatting to a girl looking for One Direction shoelaces before alighting (as they say) at Silsoe and a mile walk to the little hamlet of Wardhedges, part of Flitton for a pint in the JOLLY COOPERS. Sunday lunch is a busy time in pub land, another note to self, but I spied a recently vacated lunch table and settled down to probably the best ever pint of BOMBARDIER I'd ever had. I read in the guide it tastes of raspberry jam, and I was surprised to see how true this was!
Pub 10 was the STONE JUG in Clophill, a lovely little village and area full of thatched roofs, animals in fields, it was so old England, it was beautiful. But I walked over 3 miles to get there, it was a warm day in my leather jacket, and when I was waiting at another busy bar, I deserved more than the barmaid moaning about the sudden infux of people! If only they knew the BRAPA efforts I go to. I love Otter brewery and the Amber was another superb effort. The pub was a cosy old style one, full of sleeping bulldogs and locals enjoying their post-lunch drink before presumably walking or driving home.
Not quite so simple for me, I had to either taxi or bus back to Bedford. I decided on the latter but a bit of a wait meant i went to the non-guide FLYING HORSE for a half of UBU which didn't seem spectacular but I did start a trend for sitting outside in this overly foody place. Nearly missed the bus as he stopped elsewhere, I recognised the driver by now as he seemed to be the only one going on a constant loop of this part of Beds.
I was soon back in the town, and after some much needed foody supplies from Tesco, it was Pub 11, the BEDFORD ARMS which sounded pretty dreadful reading the guide description but it had a most perfect Sunday afternoon ambiance, it was the most relaxed experience of the weekend in a pub. The Umbel ale was too southern for my tastes, but didn't affect a pleasantly surprising experience when I'd been expecting some foody sports bar!
BURNABY ARMS north of the centre was pub 12, and the sister pub of yesterday's Wellington. Same kind of crowd and feel, I even recognised yesterday's barmaid having a drink in here today, it had been a beer festival so they had beers left over and the friendly staff took me through the list, I took advantage with a lovely Black Horse Porter which was more like a mild than a porter, another theme of the weekend was that all dark beers had the same power no matter what style or percentage! A very good pub though.
I'd finally made it, the final pub on page 1 & 2 of the guide and it was a satisfying moment to tick off number 13, the THREE CUPS, a couple of hundred yards from where I'd stayed in fact, and interesting to see Greene King jumping on the trendy bandwagon with Yardbird Crafted Ale. Because Greene King are so traditional and occasionally even bland, their attempts to do a powerfully hoppy American style beer ended up with a very drinkable above average Greene King IPA, very nice!
Overall, the trip could really not have been more successful pub-wise,
Pg
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
BRAPA Pre-Season Tour Part 2 - London : The Northern Line
Springtime is here! Or so I thought as I arrived in a surprisingly mild London on Sat 8th March to tick off some more pubs all in the BRAPA cause. This time, I had the added complication of a fellow traveler (Tom) potentially hijacking my day, but was secretly glad of the companionship.
Last time out en route to Brighton, I'd forgotten my Oyster Card which was a silly oversight. Although I didn't make the same mistake twice, it had zero balance on it so was practically useless as I arrived at a heaving Kings Cross, and after a short walk, an equally heaving Euston to queue for what seemed like an eternity at the ticket machines.
Lessons learned: make sure I'm topped up during the preceding week and if not, top up online on tgi.gov - and if I do need to use a machine at peak times, try Euston Square - so Tom n Dad advised after the event.
I did say these early BRAPA trips were about fine-tuning, luckily this was as bad as the day got.
Highgate (pronounced High-gut apparantly) when i finally got there, really was the deepest underground as I'd been told, the escalator up, the number of stairs, the uphill walk to Highgate village was absolutely knackering and when I finally arrived at the GATEHOUSE Wetherspoons at approx 11:15am, I really was in need of a pint. After making that schoolboy error of choosing a beer "coming soon" (Why do Wetherspoons do this? And why is it always the most tempting beer? ), I was kind of forced into a 4.8%, totally unsuitable for that time of day.
It was served by a female fronted brigade of bar staff, a bit of a scary bunch and reminded me rather fittingly that it was International Women's Day. It was with some trepidation that I smuggled a Scotch Egg from my bag, but that strong ale on an empty stomach was murder. Am i really too pikey to even buy a Wetherspoons breakfast? You'd better believe it.
Lovely pub though, all old beams and historical feel, a theatre upstairs - very un-Wethers - but I have nothing against the chain (I might when I've finished BRAPA and visited shitloads of them!!)
It was time to find Tom (who had been doing his own micro-gricing or whatever the dickens he calls it) and I was relieved both the walk back to Highgate tube and the journey to my next pub in East Finchley were effortless.
So much so that the BALD FACED STAG (reportedly an 11am opener) was still shut come 12noon - you can never trust opening times in the beer guide, the one thing I wouldn't take as gospel from it - but after a short wait in the garden, they opened and I had a very convivial chat with a barman who had that bohemian London air about him, and after explaining BRAPA, he offered me a sample of all 4 real ales without me even asking!
This was a lighter, airier pub but nice nonetheless, and Tom soon was in tow. I quickly nipped in the bud that I wanted to stay on the Northern line regardless (the Edgware branch was closed) and despite limitations, I still had plenty to go on between here, High Barnet and Kings Cross. Between us with all our pub and train "literature" splayed out on the tables, a barmaid knew we were planning a pubby day out.
Pub 3 was the ELEPHANT INN at North Finchley after some doubt whether one called 'Bohemia' was still in the guide or not. This was a Fullers Pub and for some reason, I'd had a hankering for my first London Pride in ages and here seemed like the best bet, and I wasn't disappointed.
I was twittering away to my small band of followers about the pubs, and putting the beers on Untappd, Tom got us sitting in this front patio area in the sun, I was totally in my element, despite the proximity to a busy road.
Pub 4 took us to the end of the line, excitement for Tom no doubt as he pointlessly moved us from carriage to carriage (but I'm a pub geek so can't really talk). I think he was ticking off carriage numbers or something but I didn't really ask! So High Barnet it was, and after the sad news Barnet are no longer at Underhill (which we could see), we were soon in the award winning OLDE MITRE INNE. Beer range was good but felt a bit tied, it had a lovely olde worlde interior but again we sat out, at the back patio, but less of a suntrap than the last pub. Still, when Hull City are back in the non-league away at Barnet, I'd recommend here before bussing it to their new Edgware home!
Our 5th pub was my pub of the day, but we had to work for it. After a fairly long jaunt back down the line to Archway, we had to wait til 4:30pm for the CHARLOTTE DESPARD to open - the staff were apologetic and kept us informed through the window, while I had a sly pee down a subway. It sobered me up all this waiting around, but at least it was sunny. Tom was loving it.
This pub was a lovely old one roomer, serving great beers and I had a Redemption one that was only 3% but you'd never have known. The experience was made by "Legs" the three legged cat who we played ping pong with and got a brief rundown of his background from the friendly staff. They even re-tweeted my photo and comment - wow, fame at last! Suddenly, Twitter felt worthwhile but as we were still in the pub when they did it, maybe a note to only write kind things about your experiences!
Our final pub, Tom assured me we had time, was the PINEAPPLE at Kentish Town, pretty much equidistant between this tube station and another one whose name escapes me. Smallish but another contender for pub of the day, great range of unusual ales and a lovely back bar sign and mirror type thing. I wanted to savour the experience but Tom was on an earlier train out of Kings Cross and wanted noodles so I tried my best to down it, reminding me of my last pint on X&Y day at the Jolly Judge, Edinburgh where I had to rush on a bloated beer belly, thanks a bunch!
I needn't have rushed as my train was 25 mins late out of KX, so snuck into Parcel Yard for half an Ossett Red, decent quality, before the Grand Central took me (and a load of celebrating York City fans) home, where I'm glad I this time resisted last orders in York Tap.
A very successful day again, 6 pubs ticked off, not too drunk, a couple of lessons learned, onwards and upwards to the next big day. Boom!
Si
Last time out en route to Brighton, I'd forgotten my Oyster Card which was a silly oversight. Although I didn't make the same mistake twice, it had zero balance on it so was practically useless as I arrived at a heaving Kings Cross, and after a short walk, an equally heaving Euston to queue for what seemed like an eternity at the ticket machines.
Lessons learned: make sure I'm topped up during the preceding week and if not, top up online on tgi.gov - and if I do need to use a machine at peak times, try Euston Square - so Tom n Dad advised after the event.
I did say these early BRAPA trips were about fine-tuning, luckily this was as bad as the day got.
Highgate (pronounced High-gut apparantly) when i finally got there, really was the deepest underground as I'd been told, the escalator up, the number of stairs, the uphill walk to Highgate village was absolutely knackering and when I finally arrived at the GATEHOUSE Wetherspoons at approx 11:15am, I really was in need of a pint. After making that schoolboy error of choosing a beer "coming soon" (Why do Wetherspoons do this? And why is it always the most tempting beer? ), I was kind of forced into a 4.8%, totally unsuitable for that time of day.
It was served by a female fronted brigade of bar staff, a bit of a scary bunch and reminded me rather fittingly that it was International Women's Day. It was with some trepidation that I smuggled a Scotch Egg from my bag, but that strong ale on an empty stomach was murder. Am i really too pikey to even buy a Wetherspoons breakfast? You'd better believe it.
Lovely pub though, all old beams and historical feel, a theatre upstairs - very un-Wethers - but I have nothing against the chain (I might when I've finished BRAPA and visited shitloads of them!!)
It was time to find Tom (who had been doing his own micro-gricing or whatever the dickens he calls it) and I was relieved both the walk back to Highgate tube and the journey to my next pub in East Finchley were effortless.
So much so that the BALD FACED STAG (reportedly an 11am opener) was still shut come 12noon - you can never trust opening times in the beer guide, the one thing I wouldn't take as gospel from it - but after a short wait in the garden, they opened and I had a very convivial chat with a barman who had that bohemian London air about him, and after explaining BRAPA, he offered me a sample of all 4 real ales without me even asking!
This was a lighter, airier pub but nice nonetheless, and Tom soon was in tow. I quickly nipped in the bud that I wanted to stay on the Northern line regardless (the Edgware branch was closed) and despite limitations, I still had plenty to go on between here, High Barnet and Kings Cross. Between us with all our pub and train "literature" splayed out on the tables, a barmaid knew we were planning a pubby day out.
Pub 3 was the ELEPHANT INN at North Finchley after some doubt whether one called 'Bohemia' was still in the guide or not. This was a Fullers Pub and for some reason, I'd had a hankering for my first London Pride in ages and here seemed like the best bet, and I wasn't disappointed.
I was twittering away to my small band of followers about the pubs, and putting the beers on Untappd, Tom got us sitting in this front patio area in the sun, I was totally in my element, despite the proximity to a busy road.
Pub 4 took us to the end of the line, excitement for Tom no doubt as he pointlessly moved us from carriage to carriage (but I'm a pub geek so can't really talk). I think he was ticking off carriage numbers or something but I didn't really ask! So High Barnet it was, and after the sad news Barnet are no longer at Underhill (which we could see), we were soon in the award winning OLDE MITRE INNE. Beer range was good but felt a bit tied, it had a lovely olde worlde interior but again we sat out, at the back patio, but less of a suntrap than the last pub. Still, when Hull City are back in the non-league away at Barnet, I'd recommend here before bussing it to their new Edgware home!
Our 5th pub was my pub of the day, but we had to work for it. After a fairly long jaunt back down the line to Archway, we had to wait til 4:30pm for the CHARLOTTE DESPARD to open - the staff were apologetic and kept us informed through the window, while I had a sly pee down a subway. It sobered me up all this waiting around, but at least it was sunny. Tom was loving it.
This pub was a lovely old one roomer, serving great beers and I had a Redemption one that was only 3% but you'd never have known. The experience was made by "Legs" the three legged cat who we played ping pong with and got a brief rundown of his background from the friendly staff. They even re-tweeted my photo and comment - wow, fame at last! Suddenly, Twitter felt worthwhile but as we were still in the pub when they did it, maybe a note to only write kind things about your experiences!
Our final pub, Tom assured me we had time, was the PINEAPPLE at Kentish Town, pretty much equidistant between this tube station and another one whose name escapes me. Smallish but another contender for pub of the day, great range of unusual ales and a lovely back bar sign and mirror type thing. I wanted to savour the experience but Tom was on an earlier train out of Kings Cross and wanted noodles so I tried my best to down it, reminding me of my last pint on X&Y day at the Jolly Judge, Edinburgh where I had to rush on a bloated beer belly, thanks a bunch!
I needn't have rushed as my train was 25 mins late out of KX, so snuck into Parcel Yard for half an Ossett Red, decent quality, before the Grand Central took me (and a load of celebrating York City fans) home, where I'm glad I this time resisted last orders in York Tap.
A very successful day again, 6 pubs ticked off, not too drunk, a couple of lessons learned, onwards and upwards to the next big day. Boom!
Si
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