On enjoyment

 Does beer absolutely have to be brilliant beer in order to be enjoyed?

No, I don't think so.

We're spoiled to hell with the absolutely unequivocal, context-independent beer we get to have.  That's to say - if you gave us that beer under any circumstances, we'd say it was great beer.

Nevertheless, that level of beer excellence isn't always available - especially when you're in a place you don't know very well (or, in parts of Eastbourne).

So, is it still possible to enjoy beer you know isn't the absolute best, and enjoy it in an entirely unforced way?

I think so, yes.

Last week, we were both working in our new lab/workshop which is very close to Eastbourne's Belgian Bar.  We were also planning on reacquainting ourselves with our favourite Italian restaurant, which we'd been unable to get in the last couple of times we tried.  We figured a cold November Thursday would be as good a time to try as any.

Obvously, after work and before pizza comes beer.  Both establishments lie close together, and a hop and a skip from our workplace.

The staff in the Belgian Bar are wonderfully friendly and the range of beer - all made on the premises - is impressive (about 8 keg lines) but it has to be said the beer itself is somewhat quirky. 

I've seen local beer folk be very derogatory about it but for me, the whole setup is so un-Eastbourne that I can't help but like it very much indeed.

So - we ambled around the corner and had a couple of pints and then trotted down the road maybe 20 years to fantastic pizza (and a bottle o red) and chatted with the lady the runs front of house and seems to read our minds on what we want.

By the time we got home, I would have to count this as the perfect evening - every part of it.

Context can make excellent beer out of OK beer and that makes me happy, too.

All's Right...

 ...not with the world, obviously, but certainly with the Barley Mow.

We did a weird coming late train journey on Thursday because I had an appointment with a flu jab in the afternoon. We thought that travelling on Thursday evening would mean that if I had a bit of reaction overnight, at least we wouldn't have to travel suffering it.

It was a good plan.

It feels odd arriving at the flat at close to 10pm but we had a 30min chill out, and then hit the bed.

Friday we went to Moor Tap which, as ever, is a delight.  A delicious Mild on cask barely touched the sides and we were further entertained by the group of lads who were clearly enjoying the Hoppers self-guided tour they'd booked.  Evidently novices on the subject of craft beer, they were treated to an informative chat with the bar staff who also persuaded them to try a tiny shot of Cantillion (with fruit, I think).  There was a loud squeal of horror but then a discussion about sour beers and their relative merits.

The guys' enjoyment of the experience was evident and they then headed (so we overheard) to the Barley Mow.

We finished on a couple of dark beers (me Freddy, him Badass Sour Stout) and tried a takeaway which promised it was open - but didn't really seem to be (sigh).

On Saturday we did something we seldom do: we went to the Barley Mow (we often go there...but not on a Saturday).  It was busy because Rugby was on and we toyed with finding somewhere else but then the boy found a table to stand by (no chairs, but you can't have everything) and then shortly after, a table WITH chairs became available.

We settled in and watched our favourite pub.  There were two guest casks on (the first time we've seen that for ages) and a full board of keg beers.

It was noisy and buzzing, but never unpleasant.  People came and went and after the rugby finished it thinned out a little - but remained lively.

For the first time since dratted plague hit, the BM felt normal - all was indeed right with it.

More Firsts

 Whilst Eastbourne can be a little bit m'eh on the beer excitement front our usual haunts don't disappoint.  We also made it to the Victoria last weekend after some working in the new HQ on a Saturday.

Best Beer Buddy was somewhat concerned that with the pub being a Sky Sports kinda place that there would be much watching of football, with the attendant loud crowd that this brings.

As it was no football was showing but there was international rugby. This can bring a different kind of loud crowd but in the event it was very pleasant in there.  Lively enough to smile at, but not so much that it felt unpleasant.  So there much Bonfire Boy drunk - it being the seasonal beer - and we followed it with a trip to the nearby Thai Restaurant - pretty much perfection. There was also smugness as we got a bus (rather than cab) home.

This Friday I had to go to St Leonards for work and I owed our client (well a sort of colleague, really) a lunch.  I insisted we went to Heist on the selfish grounds that I wanted to try the Three Legs bar there.

We were not disappointed, either.  Colleague asked me to choose a beer for her and we had a couple of dishes from the Indonesian stall and chatted and plotted for an hour or more.  We'll definitely be going back there!

As we were over that way, it seemed rude not to call into meet up with a friend (also colleague) in Bexhill and try the micropub there.

Now, this place is much more traditional, being run by some CAMRA chaps of a certain age (well, my age, really) but a good enough selection of beer that wouldn't frighten the CAMRA horses service from a large cold cabinet.  It was busy by the time I arrived at just after 3pm and we went through two changes of table in order to accommodate the three of us properly, nevertheless it's a welcome addition to this sleepy town and, given the opportunity, I'd certainly go back.  

It's Sunday now - and we've plans to pop up to the Hurst just in case they've still got that gorgeous "Prince of Denmark" beer on...