The time since we returned from Bristol has been hectic, to say the least. Work, houseguest, meetings, etc, etc.
We found time to squeeze in a visit to our local's beer festival.
It didn't get a huge lead time for advertising and still by the time we arrived on Saturday (it had been running since Thursday) a few beers had already sold out - and by the time we went back on Easter Monday, there was really only one "guest" left on that we wanted to try. It was by Thornbridge so two pints of it was definitely not a problem.
On Saturday my favourite pint had been a modestly alcoholled (4% or so) hazy beer from Fourman based in Glynde's Trevor Arms. I found it absolutely gorgeous and our houseguest shared my enthusiasm. The BBB was a little less convinced, I think, but there were other beers to choose from, obviously.
We've also been to Wolf and Beerarama but on Tuesday this week we took the opportunity of having to go on a train trip for work (Etchingham...in VERY rural Sussex) which means travelling through St Leonards.
By the time we'd returned to St Leonards, we were hungry and it was around 2.30pm so we legged it to Heist to find some street food and some Three Legs beer. A pint of cask pale at 3.8% was good to start on an empty stomach. Of course, we don't actually tend to drink at lunchtime so rather than dig in for a session we made the most of the sun and strolled along the seafront. We checked out "real ale finder" and learned that there was a St Leonards pub we hadn't been to very nearby - The Horse & Groom. It was up a hugely steep set of steps (common in Hastings and St Leonards) but once we'd climbed the steps, the pub was just around the corner.
Nothing to scare the horses in here but Gun Project Babylon went down very nicely (there was a 3 Legs Pale, Harveys - of course and Timmy Taylor). Proper old pub it was too with a handful of customers most of whom seemed to be regulars/locals which is nice. Would definitely go back.
After that what should we do? We strolled in the general direction of the station noting the very fancy/poncey/overpriced shops which probably are a product of a lot of DFLs or FILTH folk moving in. It seemed quite rude not to stop at Collected Fictions so we did. It's a really odd place - half winebar, half taproom with about a 50/50 split of punters in each camp. Unfailingly friendly staff but weird (and very litte of) seating arrangements. We perched on high stools at the window.
To be honest I can't remember exactly what we drank but we finished with a really weird strong sour stout by Earth Ale - I'll admit I rolled my eyes a bit at the website homepage. The beer was definitely interesting - but the combination of the sour and strength meant that I couldn't finish mine and the BBB obligingly helped out. I'm not sure I'd rush back to beers by this brewery...but I'm glad we got to try it, I guess.
On Wednesday we went to Wolf again as they're just round the corner from our new work building - they don't open until 5pm on Weds and Thursdays which we find...annoying (it's their prerogative, obviously). Still we had a nice couple of beers/ciders which rounds the day off nicely after "peopling" (me) and "shelfbuilding" (him) all day.
Today - once business plans have been written and paperwork sent to accountants, there may be beers...who can say?
