We were on a mission, this trip.
We'd asked the lovely Gregor, from our bottle shop in Eastbourne, which of the Bristol breweries we could list was he aware of. The man's a complete beer geek and so knew a lot of them (Moor, BBF, Wiper and True, LHG, Arbor...) but there were a few he hadn't heard of.
One brewery doesn't have a taproom yet (Incredible) and one we weren't particularly interested in visiting having had some of their beer a day or so earlier (it wasn't bad beer, just not to our taste).
So we planned to visit some other taprooms we hadn't yet made our way to and see if we could also find a can or two for Greg.
Friday evening we popped around to Croft Ales - now we've been here before but as we were in the area it seemed rude not to reprise. It's a very basic set up but the staff are smiley and the beer's good. A couple of pints down we also managed to pick up a can of their APA (we really wanted BS2 purely for the name but they were out...).
After that, we strolled the quarter mile or so to the New Bristol Brewery. Again, we know this place since we attended a brewing course a couple of years earlier, but it's still a friendly, jolly place. Beer was great - no cans available though, sadly.
We can't manage more drinking than that so then it was home for food.
Yesterday, post-Tour, we went for a pleasant stroll to St Werburghs. I have to admit this isn't a walk that everyone would enjoy. It's a little run down and unloved part of town and along the course of the river that's overgrown, alongside old industrial buildings. Pretty, it's not. But it's very grounding.
The walk leads you to a junction of the M32, and you have to navigate a large junction roundabout. The boy was confident that he could navigate to the first brewery: Fierce and Noble. We couldn't remember having had their beers but we know they've been around for a few years.
Having crossed the big roundabout, we weren't certain where we were but Best Beer Buddy said, "it should be really close to where we are now". And then we looked up and lo, it was indeed.
The taproom snug has been beautifully done - warm wood, dark, comfy chairs. It was warm and sunny, though so we chose the outside seating area. We bought our beers and picked up a loyalty card (how awesome is that?) - and settled down on a slightly rickety seat/bench made from pallets. The outside is a basic set up - it's a brewery yard, after all, but it was chilled and welcoming. We also watched the contract canners do their work. Again, we drank 4 pints between us: an APA, a Brown Ale, a black IPA and a modern hazy number by the smaller brewery which shares their premises (Masquerade) all of the them were great. We stopped to purchase a can of Black IPA and headed off to our last brewery of the day - Wiper and True.
To say that W&T was a different experience would be to totally understate. The two breweries are no more than a quarter mile apart from each other. Both are in industrial buildings, both have indoor and outdoor space but nothing else about them are similar.
W&T are slick and practiced in their hipsterness. The outside seating was already full and the clientele were subtly different to those in F&N.
There was a food truck selling Japanese street food.
We went inside to get beer - staff were friendly but not overly enthusuastic.
We found a pleasant indoor seat next to a FV and enjoyed the view of the brewery kit and enjoyed the DJ who set up just across the way and did a brilliant job of mixing music that you could listen to but not be distracted by.
Of course the beer was good - it's Wiper and True - and I was intrigued that my first beer was from "the tank"
The number of people and the atmosphere was so different from F&N, despite being so close, that we spent some time musing on the reason for that. We didn't come to any firm conclusion other than it's got a more cult reputation than F&N.
Unsurprisingly, although we really enjoyed being there, we definitely preferred the atmosphere of Fierce and Noble.
It was quite late when we left so we knew we needed to eat on the way back - so we stumbled into Cauldron to check it out. We were not disappointed. They had good beers on tap but we decided to drink wine. Staff wer friendly, menu was short but intriguing and portions were just right for us (shared starter, two mains) and we left feeling pleasantly full but not stuffed.
After that, it was time to stagger off home the mile and a half or so and go to bed.
When I woke up this morning I was still smiling at what an enjoyable night out it was.
Sunday, 28 July 2019
Tuesday, 23 July 2019
New Dispense Method?
So, yesterday afternoon, we decided to try out the newest of new beer places that have opened in Bristol - the Left Handed Giant brewery/bar.
We tried it on a Monday since every other time we'd gone past it had been heaving so we thought our best chance would be 4pm on a Monday.
There were loads of people there but no problem getting a seat. To be absolutely honest, it was almost painfully hipsterish but, I guess that's no real surprise.
Like LHG's other main outlet (Small Bar) it's a card only affair. I didn't see the notice until the last minute (a chalked sign underneath and identical chalked sign with the name of a drink on it...so easy to miss) but I half expected it so I wasn't tripped up by it.
They had 20 or so beers from something like 6 different breweries on tap but no cask. That said, they are nothing if not explicit about their dispense methods since along with the name of the beer, the ABV and the price (all arranged into groups by beer style) the sign tells you whether it comes from keg, key keg or "tank".
We stuck to two of LHG's own brews (which are the ones served from a tank) and it has to be said both of us noticed the slight difference in texture between keg and tank. We liked its slightly less fizzy texture.
We really enjoyed the beers. We quite liked the large open space with broad doors which open onto a terrace so even inside you feel sort of outside.
The pizzas looked interesting but we weren't in the market for food at the time.
Did we really enjoy it? To be honest, not as much as I'd hoped.
Like Small Bar the prices are very high so a 4% beer comes in at about 3.50 for 2/3rds - and that's for their own beer. This absolutely isn't a criticism - they can charge whatever they want/need - but it does figure in our decision as to where we want drink beer. So it simply means we won't go there as much as we might if the prices were a little lower.
As the Best Beer Buddy said - the nice range of strong beers available, and its proximity to home might mean we'll treat it as a "night cap" kind of place.
All in all, like many other place, I love that it exists. It add colour to the local eating and drinking scene.
Well done LHG
We tried it on a Monday since every other time we'd gone past it had been heaving so we thought our best chance would be 4pm on a Monday.
There were loads of people there but no problem getting a seat. To be absolutely honest, it was almost painfully hipsterish but, I guess that's no real surprise.
Like LHG's other main outlet (Small Bar) it's a card only affair. I didn't see the notice until the last minute (a chalked sign underneath and identical chalked sign with the name of a drink on it...so easy to miss) but I half expected it so I wasn't tripped up by it.
They had 20 or so beers from something like 6 different breweries on tap but no cask. That said, they are nothing if not explicit about their dispense methods since along with the name of the beer, the ABV and the price (all arranged into groups by beer style) the sign tells you whether it comes from keg, key keg or "tank".
We stuck to two of LHG's own brews (which are the ones served from a tank) and it has to be said both of us noticed the slight difference in texture between keg and tank. We liked its slightly less fizzy texture.
We really enjoyed the beers. We quite liked the large open space with broad doors which open onto a terrace so even inside you feel sort of outside.
The pizzas looked interesting but we weren't in the market for food at the time.
Did we really enjoy it? To be honest, not as much as I'd hoped.
Like Small Bar the prices are very high so a 4% beer comes in at about 3.50 for 2/3rds - and that's for their own beer. This absolutely isn't a criticism - they can charge whatever they want/need - but it does figure in our decision as to where we want drink beer. So it simply means we won't go there as much as we might if the prices were a little lower.
As the Best Beer Buddy said - the nice range of strong beers available, and its proximity to home might mean we'll treat it as a "night cap" kind of place.
All in all, like many other place, I love that it exists. It add colour to the local eating and drinking scene.
Well done LHG
Sunday, 21 July 2019
The World Does Not Revolve Around You!
This is somewhat related to the previous post and somewhat to other posts when I grumble about other people's behaviour.
I'd like to think I'm a fairly public spirited sort of lass. Whilst not naturally outgoing, I try and ensure my interactions with people are pleasant, tolerant and maybe even friendly (actually, you might not be able to tell I'm being friendly, you need to set your bar a little higher for me).
I've mentioned before our dislike of tables being booked in pubs. It's not that I don't understand it - but I believe it can totally disrupt the nature of a good pub. If you don't allow booking of tables, but you make sure your furniture lends itself to multiple configurations you offer the chance to pack a place a little bit tighter and it encourages people to share their table with strangers.
Anyhow.
As is our wont on Friday arriving at the Bristol digs late in the afternoon, all we really want to do is stroll around to the Barleymow, grab a couple of good pints and have dinner brought to us (shopping is being delivered next day and the only food shop near the flat is a pretty dire Tesco Express).
When we arrived it wasn't very busy but three tables had been booked. One from 4.30pm, one from 7pm and the third from 7.30.
The 4.30 table was empty...but it was already 4.45. "It's for the Bristol Hoppers Group" says Harry. This is a paid-for event where a group of folk are taken for a walk and a drink in various pubs.
We sat at a larger table which was booked from 7pm - we guessed another table would come free before we wanted to eat and so this didn't stress (or even annoy) us at all.
We looked over to the third booked table (booked from 7.30) which is a table which can easily sit six but it was currently occupied by just two people who spread themselves out in a most un-community-minded manner. We tutted sotto voce.
At about 6.15 a smaller table adjacent to ours emptied and we quickly grabbed it. Another group had grabbed the 7.30 table when the "spreaders" departed but they fretted a bit about the booked table.
We ordered some food and another pint.
By 7.30 - the 7pm table was still stubbornly empty and even 10 minutes or so later the 7.30 table was empty (the squatters having moved to another table which became free). Another couple slunk to the empty table and sat at the end looking guilty.
In the end both tables were filled by just before 8pm by their respective bookers. I don't know whether the "Hoppers" ever appeared.
On Saturday we went to the Three Tuns. This is an odd pub which never really feels quite satisfactory and this feeling was amplified by the presence of garish "tablecloths" on the tables (WTF?) presumably to complement the TexMex offering.
Again there were three tables booked (this time all in one name) which took up more than 3/4s of the table seating. We couldn't decide whether to order food or not but, in the long run decided not. As we left at 7.15pm we noticed that the booked tables had been booked for 6pm.
I get miffed because a booked table might mean I can't sit down (this means I drink quicker...) but my concern is much more for the business. When you don't turn up, or you turn up late for your table it might well affect their business. It can put off other customers from staying and can make a pub feel sterile and unwelcoming. For goodness sake, if you book a table, have the decency to arrive on time.
And while I'm about it - if you're sitting near the bar, or if you have to pass the bar on your way out take your bloody glasses back! All it takes is a little bit of consideration for your fellow humans.
I'd like to think I'm a fairly public spirited sort of lass. Whilst not naturally outgoing, I try and ensure my interactions with people are pleasant, tolerant and maybe even friendly (actually, you might not be able to tell I'm being friendly, you need to set your bar a little higher for me).
I've mentioned before our dislike of tables being booked in pubs. It's not that I don't understand it - but I believe it can totally disrupt the nature of a good pub. If you don't allow booking of tables, but you make sure your furniture lends itself to multiple configurations you offer the chance to pack a place a little bit tighter and it encourages people to share their table with strangers.
Anyhow.
As is our wont on Friday arriving at the Bristol digs late in the afternoon, all we really want to do is stroll around to the Barleymow, grab a couple of good pints and have dinner brought to us (shopping is being delivered next day and the only food shop near the flat is a pretty dire Tesco Express).
When we arrived it wasn't very busy but three tables had been booked. One from 4.30pm, one from 7pm and the third from 7.30.
The 4.30 table was empty...but it was already 4.45. "It's for the Bristol Hoppers Group" says Harry. This is a paid-for event where a group of folk are taken for a walk and a drink in various pubs.
We sat at a larger table which was booked from 7pm - we guessed another table would come free before we wanted to eat and so this didn't stress (or even annoy) us at all.
We looked over to the third booked table (booked from 7.30) which is a table which can easily sit six but it was currently occupied by just two people who spread themselves out in a most un-community-minded manner. We tutted sotto voce.
At about 6.15 a smaller table adjacent to ours emptied and we quickly grabbed it. Another group had grabbed the 7.30 table when the "spreaders" departed but they fretted a bit about the booked table.
We ordered some food and another pint.
By 7.30 - the 7pm table was still stubbornly empty and even 10 minutes or so later the 7.30 table was empty (the squatters having moved to another table which became free). Another couple slunk to the empty table and sat at the end looking guilty.
In the end both tables were filled by just before 8pm by their respective bookers. I don't know whether the "Hoppers" ever appeared.
On Saturday we went to the Three Tuns. This is an odd pub which never really feels quite satisfactory and this feeling was amplified by the presence of garish "tablecloths" on the tables (WTF?) presumably to complement the TexMex offering.
Again there were three tables booked (this time all in one name) which took up more than 3/4s of the table seating. We couldn't decide whether to order food or not but, in the long run decided not. As we left at 7.15pm we noticed that the booked tables had been booked for 6pm.
I get miffed because a booked table might mean I can't sit down (this means I drink quicker...) but my concern is much more for the business. When you don't turn up, or you turn up late for your table it might well affect their business. It can put off other customers from staying and can make a pub feel sterile and unwelcoming. For goodness sake, if you book a table, have the decency to arrive on time.
And while I'm about it - if you're sitting near the bar, or if you have to pass the bar on your way out take your bloody glasses back! All it takes is a little bit of consideration for your fellow humans.
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