Even though we're not in Bristol all the time, we're here often enough and for long enough periods (we generally do about 6 weeks in Eastbourne, 3 weeks in Bristol) that we shouldn't get too precious about the odd beer experience being sub-optimal. And yet, there are times than one or both of us don't want to gamble.
Yesterday was one of those days. I'm currently on tenterhooks awaiting the outcome of a significant funding bid and, although not prone to anxiety as such, I'm definitely feeling the stress of what the outcome (expected on Monday) will bring.
"D'you wanna go for a wander?", in our house generally means "Beer in the pub?". Yesterday the call came at 4.30pm. Remembering how pleasant it was to go to the Barley Mow when we arrived back from Yorkshire last week (even though we don't usually go there on a Saturday) I suggested a repeat. He had thought something similar. So we went.
There was quite a lot of noise when we arrived at the door, and also the gentle smell of woodsmoke. Going through we both first thought "Oh no, it's too busy" and the area by the fire was full (shame). Past the bar and to the other side, though, was a perfect table. Grabbing a couple of pints of Low Rider (BBF, 3.8%, never seen on cask before) we settled at the table and relaxed, whilst making it abundantly clear there was plenty of room for someone else to join us.
A few people looked and didn't take up the offer but then a young couple looked and tentatively asked if they could sit. We waved them in and noticed that as soon as he put a pint on the table, that it was really wobbly. Bad enough with two people at one end, but with two at the other could spell disaster for drinks spillage. I asked the bar staff for some beer mats and set about fixing it (yes, it's possible I'm a bit obsessive about wobbly pub tables).
BBB fetched the second pints - well, in fact we had 2/3rds. We both love that BBF venues offer cask as well as keg in all measures, seemingly equally happily.
Whilst some of the folk in the pub were quite noisy, everything else made up for that, and about halfway through our visit the noisy group left and the sound levels reduced to a pleasant hum and we could hear that the Inkspots (and, Vera Lynn at some point WTF?) were playing.
By the time we were half way through our final drink (2/3rds of Kettlesmith Caroline) there had been a complete cycle of people leaving and refilling tables.
I can only believe (and hope) that the Barley Mow must be reasonably financially successful. Whilst we've been the first to arrive there we've never been the last to leave and, since the pandemic, I don't think over the course of any visit that we've ever seen it less than about a third full on average.
It feels like it bucks the trend of pub downturns. It's a little bit out of the way and yet close to workplaces, some housing and the train station. It's always got a solid range of draft keg beers (at least two lagers, one sour, one continental beer style, one nitro stout, one low/no), 8 cask beers - usually of various styles (mostly 4 or 5 BBF beers, 3 guests), it has a decent wine list, good quality spirits and mixers and a fridge full of more specialist beers (yesterday several gueze/fruit, Witts, Southville Hop, etc). There's at least some local cider and plenty of standard as well as interesting soft drinks.
You could take anyone who is happy to go to a pub and you could find them a drink they'd like (I think they might even do coffee). There's burgers and other food, if that's what you want.
I think, for me, it's the consistency that I like most - maybe it's not the absolute BEST at anything (although I think, from my experience it comes pretty close on the beer front) but it's good at pretty much everything.
When I'm in Eastbourne and feeling blah I'm more likely to light the woodburner, attack the fridge beer and hunker down. Our flat isn't exactly "cosy" (modern, glass curtain wall, no dark corners but no cold spots or draughts, thankfully) so when I crave cosy here, it's the BM. Every Time.
Thank you BBF - I've been coming here for about 17 years and you've got my back!
No comments:
Post a Comment