It started like this.
The normal January de-tox. Not great for our local landlords, but current self-preservation theory says I need to do it while I’m young enough for it to make a difference. Thank goodness we’re all different. So, no beer for January – but a landmark for Newark to look forward to at the end of the month - the first Winter Beer Festival was guaranteed; I had booked my tickets 2 months early. 40 beers on the list! Game on.
On the day, I finally persuaded the wife to join CAMRA – yes, it paid for itself, but more importantly, an extra vote and an extra voice in these difficult times. And then the beer: heaven in our own town; from near (Louisiana Smoked porter from Derby) and far (Boadicea from Fife). The range was “From Good, to Great” (the book of the same name is good for you business people out there, especially the chapter on Hedgehogs). The wife couldn’t leave the Springhead “Cromwell’s Hat” alone – was it the hint of juniper, a tempting taste of the summer G&T’s, or something more impending? We needed clarity.
OMG. Much more impending. Let me assure you, with the news we got on Valentine’s Day, clarity we got. Of the clear-blue kind. Our lives were going to change, big style, and forever. Twins run in the maternal family. OMG.
The immediate reaction was to pull in the purse strings and utilise the Wetherspoon’s vouchers (an amazing benefit to joining CAMRA). After that, trips to Bathley (Newark CAMRA pub of the year and excellent, affordable food), a return to the Castle & Falcon (never fails for excellent beer and a warm welcome from Dave & Dawn) and a trip to the resurrected Inn on The Green to relive one of my (late) teenage haunts. And a trip to the hospital revealed one, not two, unaffected by WBF1. I’ll drink to that.
Between you and me, I’m scared stiff of the future. But I love my new personal driver even more than I love my beer. It took a while for me to get used to the fact that when we now walk into a pub, I check out the hand-pulls and she now checks out the kid’s menu. I always wondered what CAMRA’s take on children, families and beer was. I’ll try to let you know in the next two trimesters.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Go West, Young Man (to Oxton)
Just occasionally we get an urge to do something different. To break the mould. To push the boundaries. A quick look at the Newark CAMRA website showed me exactly where the boundaries were – and arguably the furthest boundary was on the west; Oxton to be exact.
With my trusted travelling beer-drinking companion beside me we set off to be the first reviewers of “The Green Dragon” – unchartered territory indeed.
Armed with wallets, hope and empty stomachs, we pulled into the large car park. Unfortunately, rations, directions and protective equipment would have been more in order. The front room (bar or lounge?) was deserted and in darkness. The backroom (bar or lounge?) was pleasantly busy; but to find it we had walked past: cars with flat tyres and electrical leads trailing under bonnets; smokers at the back (un-marked) door; the conservatory with Triumph sports-bike, full of junk. Once inside, the one uninteresting Marston’s hand-pump was outnumbered by TVs three-to-one. The bar-flies were utterly transfixed by “The One Show”. The beer, like the welcome, was fine, but I have never seen an interior like it. We sat on ripped PVC seats which revealed craters of hand-picked foam. Threadbare carpets. Peeling paintwork. Non-existent decoration. A subdued and ageing ladies darts team went through the motions of playing their forfeited away match – the only plus-point being that they were half way through their season-long most feared fixture. I admit, this last bit is conjecture – I simply cannot believe The Green Dragon has a home team. God forbid that Robert St. Vincent Sherbrooke, one of the 182 men to receive the Victoria Cross during WWII, had to return to Oxton to this sort of hospitality.
Although I am new to CAMRA, I think they are more concerned with beer quality than environment. Fair enough. But don’t patronise me too much - most beer lovers deserve at least a minimum standard of comfort/hospitality. Oxton is a stunningly attractive village in a beautiful area. This pub is like a thorn on a rose. It’s an ice-lolly in a desert – and I expect it to last as long. Proper English pubs were never like this. We left after a very swift pint. I’m sure my trousers were damp.
Fortunately on our way in we had driven past Oxton’s other pub, “Ye Olde Bridge Inn”. As names go, I hate it. I’ve never done unnecessary Es. But out of necessity (namely hunger) we went in. This time an attractive and well-maintained exterior welcomed us. Inside the pub was warm, light, oak-lined and busy. The central bar served various rooms with a full range of Everards’ beers, plus a Titanic guest. My mistake was I forget its name (possibly their seasonal English Glory), but it was one of the tastiest and most unusual English beers I have ever tasted, in fantastic condition and extremely enjoyable. The inexperienced but knowledgeable bar staff had warned us that the Sunchaser was not in good form, so we stayed clear. But let me assure you, every pint we did sample here was superb. And then there was the food. Having chosen from a simple yet acceptable menu, the food came quickly, was fresh tasting and absolutely hit the spot. Let me clarify – this is a village pub with a separate drinking area, relaxed eating areas, and a full-blown restaurant. Clinically clean. Tastefully decorated. Oh, and just for completeness, immaculate toilets. I’ve never run a pub, but seriously, this place has everything. It really isn’t a black art.
It was John Soule, an Indianan newspaper writer, who in 1851 said “Go west, young man”, as advice for Americans migrating towards the Pacific coast during the nineteenth century. Although I’m not suggesting moving to the western limits of the Newark CAMRA region, if you do, make sure you settle near “The Olde Bridge Inn".
With my trusted travelling beer-drinking companion beside me we set off to be the first reviewers of “The Green Dragon” – unchartered territory indeed.
Armed with wallets, hope and empty stomachs, we pulled into the large car park. Unfortunately, rations, directions and protective equipment would have been more in order. The front room (bar or lounge?) was deserted and in darkness. The backroom (bar or lounge?) was pleasantly busy; but to find it we had walked past: cars with flat tyres and electrical leads trailing under bonnets; smokers at the back (un-marked) door; the conservatory with Triumph sports-bike, full of junk. Once inside, the one uninteresting Marston’s hand-pump was outnumbered by TVs three-to-one. The bar-flies were utterly transfixed by “The One Show”. The beer, like the welcome, was fine, but I have never seen an interior like it. We sat on ripped PVC seats which revealed craters of hand-picked foam. Threadbare carpets. Peeling paintwork. Non-existent decoration. A subdued and ageing ladies darts team went through the motions of playing their forfeited away match – the only plus-point being that they were half way through their season-long most feared fixture. I admit, this last bit is conjecture – I simply cannot believe The Green Dragon has a home team. God forbid that Robert St. Vincent Sherbrooke, one of the 182 men to receive the Victoria Cross during WWII, had to return to Oxton to this sort of hospitality.
Although I am new to CAMRA, I think they are more concerned with beer quality than environment. Fair enough. But don’t patronise me too much - most beer lovers deserve at least a minimum standard of comfort/hospitality. Oxton is a stunningly attractive village in a beautiful area. This pub is like a thorn on a rose. It’s an ice-lolly in a desert – and I expect it to last as long. Proper English pubs were never like this. We left after a very swift pint. I’m sure my trousers were damp.
Fortunately on our way in we had driven past Oxton’s other pub, “Ye Olde Bridge Inn”. As names go, I hate it. I’ve never done unnecessary Es. But out of necessity (namely hunger) we went in. This time an attractive and well-maintained exterior welcomed us. Inside the pub was warm, light, oak-lined and busy. The central bar served various rooms with a full range of Everards’ beers, plus a Titanic guest. My mistake was I forget its name (possibly their seasonal English Glory), but it was one of the tastiest and most unusual English beers I have ever tasted, in fantastic condition and extremely enjoyable. The inexperienced but knowledgeable bar staff had warned us that the Sunchaser was not in good form, so we stayed clear. But let me assure you, every pint we did sample here was superb. And then there was the food. Having chosen from a simple yet acceptable menu, the food came quickly, was fresh tasting and absolutely hit the spot. Let me clarify – this is a village pub with a separate drinking area, relaxed eating areas, and a full-blown restaurant. Clinically clean. Tastefully decorated. Oh, and just for completeness, immaculate toilets. I’ve never run a pub, but seriously, this place has everything. It really isn’t a black art.
It was John Soule, an Indianan newspaper writer, who in 1851 said “Go west, young man”, as advice for Americans migrating towards the Pacific coast during the nineteenth century. Although I’m not suggesting moving to the western limits of the Newark CAMRA region, if you do, make sure you settle near “The Olde Bridge Inn".
County Show list
Real Ales available on the CAMRA LocAle stand at Newark & Notts County Show, May 9th and 10th (Eight available at any one time).
BREWSTERS CHEVAL MORT 4.0%
BREWSTERS HOP A DOODLE DOO 4.3%
BREWSTERS MARQUIS 3.8%
SPRINGHEAD WILLYS WHEATBEER 5.3%
SPRINGHEAD LIBERTY 3.8%
SPRINGHEAD GOODRICH CASTLE 4.4%
MAYPOLE MAYHEM 5.0%
MAYPOLE GATE HOPPER 4.0%
MAYPOLE LITTLE WEED 3.8%
OLDERSHAW REGAL BLONDE 4.4%
OLDERSHAW OLD BOY 4.8%
OLDERSHAW CASKADE 4.2%
MILESTONE RASPBERRY WHEAT BEER 5.6%
MILESTONE BLACK PEARL 4.3%
CATHEDRAL MAGNA CARTA 5.0%
CATHEDRAL ST HUGH'S 4.0%
POACHERS HARE REPIE 4.5%
POACHERS TRAIL 4.2%
POACHERS PRIDE 4.0%
CAYTHORPE DARK GEM 3.5%
CAYTHORPE BITTER 3.7%
CAYTHORPE DOVER BECK 4.0%
BREWSTERS CHEVAL MORT 4.0%
BREWSTERS HOP A DOODLE DOO 4.3%
BREWSTERS MARQUIS 3.8%
SPRINGHEAD WILLYS WHEATBEER 5.3%
SPRINGHEAD LIBERTY 3.8%
SPRINGHEAD GOODRICH CASTLE 4.4%
MAYPOLE MAYHEM 5.0%
MAYPOLE GATE HOPPER 4.0%
MAYPOLE LITTLE WEED 3.8%
OLDERSHAW REGAL BLONDE 4.4%
OLDERSHAW OLD BOY 4.8%
OLDERSHAW CASKADE 4.2%
MILESTONE RASPBERRY WHEAT BEER 5.6%
MILESTONE BLACK PEARL 4.3%
CATHEDRAL MAGNA CARTA 5.0%
CATHEDRAL ST HUGH'S 4.0%
POACHERS HARE REPIE 4.5%
POACHERS TRAIL 4.2%
POACHERS PRIDE 4.0%
CAYTHORPE DARK GEM 3.5%
CAYTHORPE BITTER 3.7%
CAYTHORPE DOVER BECK 4.0%
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Sutton beer list
Just received beer menu for Sutton-on-Trent Sports Club beer festival, held 1-3 May.
ECCLESHALL SPRING FORWARD 3.8%
MORDUE SPRING TYNE 4.0%
WARWICKSHIRE DARLINGS BUDS 4.0%
RINGWOOD BOLD FORESTER SPRING ALE 4.2%
HOPBACK SPRING ZING 4.2%
NEWMANS SPRING COTTAGE BISCUIT 4.2%
TOM WOODS SPRINGTIME 4.2%
BATEMANS EGGS-B 4.2%
MALLINSON SPRING SUN 4.5%
SHARDLOW MAY FLY 4.8%
CROPTON DANGLEBERRY 5.2%
SPRINGHEAD ROARING MEG 5.5%
MAYPOLE MAYDAY MILD 3.5%
CATHEDRAL ALES BLACK IMP 4.7%
MAYFIELD FARM TREMLETTS BITTER?? 7.0%
MAYFIELD FARM MEDIUM 6.0%
ECCLESHALL SPRING FORWARD 3.8%
MORDUE SPRING TYNE 4.0%
WARWICKSHIRE DARLINGS BUDS 4.0%
RINGWOOD BOLD FORESTER SPRING ALE 4.2%
HOPBACK SPRING ZING 4.2%
NEWMANS SPRING COTTAGE BISCUIT 4.2%
TOM WOODS SPRINGTIME 4.2%
BATEMANS EGGS-B 4.2%
MALLINSON SPRING SUN 4.5%
SHARDLOW MAY FLY 4.8%
CROPTON DANGLEBERRY 5.2%
SPRINGHEAD ROARING MEG 5.5%
MAYPOLE MAYDAY MILD 3.5%
CATHEDRAL ALES BLACK IMP 4.7%
MAYFIELD FARM TREMLETTS BITTER?? 7.0%
MAYFIELD FARM MEDIUM 6.0%
Upcoming beer beano
There is a plethora of local beer festivals coming up. There is an Easter fest on this weekend at the Castle, featuring about 12 ales. Sutton-on-Trent Sports Club hold a well organised festival which takes place on the 1st-3rd May, about 18 real ales from near and far.
A CAMRA bar will be present again at the County Show on May 9th and 10th, 24 LocAles, 8 available at any one time. The 14th Newark Beer Festival is on the Riverside Park, also in May (22nd-24th), serving a massive 140 beers plus ciders and perries. Soon after, a Real Ale bar features at the Southwell Folk Festival (June 5th-7th) with another 40-ish beers and ciders available.
The Council’s Town Twinning Association and Newark CAMRA are bringing you Newark LocAle & Weinfest - a festival of Emmendingen wines and Newark LocAles (again, 40 beers) to the Castle grounds on June 26th-28th.
Finally, the three so-called ‘Sunset Strip’ pubs in Southwell: the Bramley Apple, the Hearty Goodfellow and the Old Coach House, have a joint ‘Independents Day’ beer festival planned for July 4th-6th with a total of 40-ish beers between them.
A CAMRA bar will be present again at the County Show on May 9th and 10th, 24 LocAles, 8 available at any one time. The 14th Newark Beer Festival is on the Riverside Park, also in May (22nd-24th), serving a massive 140 beers plus ciders and perries. Soon after, a Real Ale bar features at the Southwell Folk Festival (June 5th-7th) with another 40-ish beers and ciders available.
The Council’s Town Twinning Association and Newark CAMRA are bringing you Newark LocAle & Weinfest - a festival of Emmendingen wines and Newark LocAles (again, 40 beers) to the Castle grounds on June 26th-28th.
Finally, the three so-called ‘Sunset Strip’ pubs in Southwell: the Bramley Apple, the Hearty Goodfellow and the Old Coach House, have a joint ‘Independents Day’ beer festival planned for July 4th-6th with a total of 40-ish beers between them.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Busy in the Castle
You've got to hand it to them at that Castle. Popped in on Tuesday night at about 8.30 and the place was heaving. Seems the music nights attract the punters. Don't think many pubs could boast of being packed on a Tuesday. Oh yes, and the Sharps IPA wasn't bad either!
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