Sunday beer

Yesterday we did our weekend walk - the weather promised to be better than today so we thought we'd make the most of it.
We've done this walk a few times and it's a pleasant seven miles or so to Henlow.  It was a bit tough going in places, yesterday, since the paths had been maintained by tractor and if you've got size six feet (which I do) then balancing on the tread marks takes concentration...anyhow...it was pleasant but let's say we were ready for a drink by the time we arrived at the Engineer's Arms.

This is a good pub with different areas depending on what suits your mood.  We were able to keep half an eye on football scores without getting too embroiled whilst sitting in the comfy bar.

Beers are always well kept and decent at this pub but so far they've never knocked my socks off.  There was a Christmas theme going on which is fine, but it lead to a lack of variation in style and strength.  We had Santa's Tipple, Plum Stout, Bad Santa, Holly Days, Santa's Stumped, Snowflake and a cider from Hogans - Panking Pole.
The only beer I could pick out of a line up is the Snowflake...mind you, at 8.00% it's pretty memorable.  The Plum Stout was exactly as you'd expect with a strong pruney smell emanating from it but was pretty good all told.
None of the others stood out but they were certainly decent.

Today, having done Christmas obligations (cards and so forth) we decided a breath of fresh air would be a good idea...yeah yeah...this usually means "let's go to the pub"...but we walk there so it's also exercise, right?
On our walk, which took  a slightly off-piste route to the Half-Moon, we mused on whether the Engineer's Arms is really a three-pint-plus pub, or whether having walked quite a way to get to it, we're just unwilling to leave it too quickly.
The jury's out.  It's so nearly a great place, with its variety of places to sit...and we can get a bus almost all the way home...if only the beer was just a fraction more interesting it would be there.

It made us appreciate, again, the Half-Moon's apparently effortless provision of a near-perfect selection of beers, ciders and perries.

On arrival I was denied Golden Jackal as it had run out, but before long Colchester Metropolis was on to replace it.  Meawhile there was Bishop's Farewell, Midshipman Mild and Brewsters IPA to contend with.  What's not to love?
The mild was probably the weakest in the lineup...lacking the delicacy that a good mild should have...but it certainly wasn't bad.
We came home after three (well, two and a half for me) because Sunday dinner beckoned...we could have stayed for more.  Easily.