53 new Good Beer Guide ticks, 2 very useful pre-emptives for the 2022 edition, and a brand new shiny green GBG meant October was the most successful month of the year so far, putting July's 47 in the shade, and equalling my October 2019 total. Only twice have I bettered that.
And a good job, innit? As I travelled down to Essex on the morning of Hallowe'en, news broke that we should expect all pubs to be locked down for the vast majority of November. Boo, flippin' boo. Not just selfishly, but very sad for the pubs too who in my experience (over 175 visited since 4th July, pint or more in all bar two) have on the whole been vigilance personified, and worked oh so hard to balance a following of the rules with making as pleasant an experience for the customer as possible.
In my final pub of the day (a heaving outdoor Wetherspoons in Stratford), the news came through that it was official. As of 00:01 today (5th November, Guy Fawkes will be fuming). More on that later.
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| Colin hides from the fancy dressers at Stratford's Goldengrove |
There's a silver lining to every cloud, and that is I've been shamefully behind on my blogs. Still stuck at 9th Oct at the time of writing. It has been stressing me out, in a 'back of the mind kind of way'. Now, with all this extra free time, I can finally catch up, and perhaps reliving my experiences mentally will soften the next few weeks, or something.
Pre 2021 Good Beer Guide release, (and I know some fellow tickers felt the same) I wasn't really ready for the new Guide, almost like the whole cloud of 2020 was hanging over us in a 'what's the point?' kinda way. But amazing what a good cross-ticking session can do to help you rediscover your mojo. Your brain is suddenly thinking "Ooh, return trip to Bridlington?" "Wow, new one in Leigh on Sea?" "Two new ones at Marylebone, colour me intrigued, or green." And you are desperate to be everywhere in the UK at once! Cruel then, that the initial momentum has been so swiftly curtailed.
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Cross-ticking the GBG ... that wonderful, painful time of the year
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Five best pubs of the month? Not easy from 53 but let's have a go ....
1. Plough, Little London
2. Royal Marine, Lyne
3. Prince of Wales, Farnborough
4. Golden Lion, Rochford
5. Theobald Arms, Grays
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Despite locals moaning about the heating, Theobald was pick of a wonderful Grays/Thurrock trilogy
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And three shockers?
1. Maidenhead Inn, Basingstoke
2. White Hart, Andover
3. Barton's Mill, Old Basing
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Maidenhead Inn, Basingstoke. Dreadful staff, poor beer and very boring (yet it made the 2021 GBG too, but you won't see me complaining, completed it mate!)
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Most of my time was split between Hampshire (great holiday) and Essex, which is shaping up to be one of the better counties I've done so far.
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Victoria Arms, Brentwood. Feel the quality.
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Leigh-on-Sea Brewery Tap. So friendly, great (free) beer, extended hours for me!
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November Preview
Well, I'm in the unique position of kind of writing the review already, as I scrambled to get 8 ticks done 2nd-4th before Lockdown II kicked in. But always the blind optimist, I'm constantly hoping for a reversal of the decision so am refusing to officially 'declare' yet.
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Last beer in a pub until .....?
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Many people even say the pub lockdown could extend well through December. Not so! Top BRAPA delegates had a Skype call with senior government health advisors this morning, and we can exclusively reveal the lockdown will end, like they said, at the beginning of December. And that, is a BRAPA fact.
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Delegates
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Whatever happens, look after yourselves and let's hope these next few weeks are not too painful. The future is blog writing, bracing runs on York Knavesmire, playing pool against myself, drinking red wine, eating wotsits and watching westerns. Mustn't grumble too much!
You have a pool table at home ? Or a billiards room, like a 70s prog rock star did.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you beat me 53 v 49, just as you beat me in September. Great work and great contribution by Mick and Co.
Some great pubs there, knew you'd like Essex and it's telling that they feel pubby even with the "rules".
Oooh I hope it was one of the more 'acceptable' 70s prog rock stars. Yeh, converted main room. You are playing v Daddy BRAPA in first game of the season actually, will have to let you know how you get on!
DeleteVery grateful to Mick and Andy for their contributions, couldn't have done it without them. Not often I beat your numbers, but Oct usually a good month these days! Unlike Nov eh?
"and a brand new shiny green GBG meant October was the most successful month of the year so far"
ReplyDeleteGo out on a high note. Huzzah!
"and worked oh so hard to balance a following of the rules with making as pleasant an experience for the customer as possible. "
Indeed. And apparently they only make up 2% of infections. Sheesh.
" As of 00:01 today (5th November, Guy Fawkes will be fuming)."
But that got closed down as well!
"Colin hides from the fancy dressers at Stratford's Goldengrove"
I'd say 'where's Waldo', but it's pretty obvious.
"and perhaps reliving my experiences mentally will soften the next few weeks"
Bright spot indeed. :)
"Cruel then, that the initial momentum has been so swiftly curtailed."
One bloody word... wankers.
(the lot of them)
"and Essex, which is shaping up to be one of the better counties I've done so far. "
Intriguing.
"Leigh-on-Sea Brewery Tap. So friendly, great (free) beer, extended hours for me!"
Duncan just blogged about that! And got a reply in his comments from one of the folks there!
"And that, is a BRAPA fact."
Better than the 'facts' they've bloody come up with for a 2nd shut down!
"playing pool against myself"
That's not 'pocket pool' is it? :)
Hang in there!
Cheers
Oh yeah, or Where's Wally as we say over here haha! I think I spied Ali G, someone explained how he was someone from a film I'd never seen, and perhaps a demonic spice girl? Long time til I write that blog.
ReplyDeleteA firework went off just as I read your Guy Fawkes response - how apt!
Wankers - totally agree. Bet these decision makers don't ever just nip down to the pub for a pint!
Ohhh bet it's that same bloke Ian, such a nice chap. Does this mean I've finally visited a pub before Duncan? Honoured.
Haha, it does have pockets! But all above board Russ, well above waist height anyway.
Look after yer sen'
Si
"Ohhh bet it's that same bloke Ian, such a nice chap. Does this mean I've finally visited a pub before Duncan? Honoured."
DeleteIt was Ian so if your date of arrival was before Duncan then... yes! :)
"But all above board Russ, well above waist height anyway."
I was never in doubt that you'd stoop to my level. ;)
Cheers