It was really mostly about checking up on things, picking up the post and doing a little bit of housework just in case of guests in a couple of weeks.
So we didn't really have time to catch up with anyone or plan anything other than getting ourselves fed (and watered).
We arrived on Saturday and it was a no-brainer to go to the Barley Mow. The beers we happened to choose were nice, but not stunning but they were from the usual array of breweries - Bristol Beer Factory, Arbor, Moor, Siren and Tapstone (who we're really getting to like) - and, as such, were refreshing and a pleasant start to the weekend.
Sunday saw us both doing some work and watching the weather worsen before forcing ourselves out into the rain. We could only bear to go as far as the Cornubia and we weren't expecting the beer to be particularly exciting - but we were pleasantly surprised. I can't even remember whose beer we drank but I do remember a couple of IPAs - one of which was 7.3% but shockingly drinkable.
Monday was our final full day in town and there was proper housework to do (including hoovers to fix) but late afternoon we did have time to wander to Gloucester Road for another of the "chores" we planned (and it's not a chore at all) - to visit Plastic Wax for more Juke Box fodder.
From there we strolled northwards and tried a couple of hitherto untried hostelries that have opened/reinvented themselves relatively recently:
- The Cider Press - who just had a list of ciders' names with no tasting notes. When asked for tasting notes they had none to hand "...because we've just changed the ciders...". The staff were clueless - when asked "what have you got that's dry" - she offered us Blackthorn. This is hardly the venue serious about real cider.
The beer was Butcombe and well kept...but dull. We had one drink and moved on... - ...to the pub almost next door "The Bristol Flyer"
Real Ale on offer was a trio of something like "Doom Bar", "Gem" and something else almost ubiquitous. We left without buying. - Further up the road is a bar that was better known for getting you a kicking than a real ale. "The Anchor" has clearly been smartened up and fitted out by the same people who did the cider press installation. Same Cider, same taps, same lack of information. But they did have A Tiny Rebel "Juicy" beer on. So we stopped.
The server was surly and, in the throes of serving someone else, made no attempt at eye contact or the usual "I'll be with you in a moment". This was a portent.
We were about to leave when she served us. Two pints, well kept, a bit pricey and the in the antiseptic atmosphere we weren't feeling the love. So we left after a pint.
So it was that we ended up in the "Drapers Arms" - Bristol's first Micro pub and one that has now been given the acolade as pub of the year for the Bristol and District CAMRA branch. In Bristol, that's some feat because the bar is awfully high.
We had two different light, hoppy (but not too much) beers here - Tapstone and something else and they were lovely. I think that the place may have been atypically busy for a Monday as before long three of the beers that were on had disappeared leaving beers we didn't much fancy. This is a mix of disappointment and delight that the place shifts so much beer so quickly since the beers we drank were in perfect nick it was just a bit of a shock that three went off so quickly and nothing came on to replace them.
The only place in Gloucester Road proper we'll be visiting any time soon will be The Drapers. Still, the lower reaches (ie Stokes Croft) still has Crofters Rights and The Canteen (for now at least) - not to mention the Hare on the Hill and the Hillgrove nearby...it's just a bit of a shame there's that deadspace in between.
As for the orchids - they were a bit limp but they'll pick up.
...and now we're back down South there's a beer festival at our local on the bank holiday weekend so that's a bonus!
