Right Time, Right Place

 Sometimes things align, don't they?

A really stressful (work) week meant on Thursday we needed to read over some dratted funding stuff in a conducive space and to reward ourselves with a game in the pub.  The BBB is really getting his head around Wingspan and wants to practice.

So we popped to Martha's.

BBB was concerned it would be as busy it was last week (super-hot Thursday) but he needn't have worried.  It was perfectly peopled.

I thought that their quite-strong IPA-type beer had a subtle sourness to it.  I thought it gave it a Belgian air.  The BBB half-agreed but wasn't so sure.  Both of us enjoyed it, I'd be quick to say.

When I took the glass back I remarked to the bar manager (we're still not sure of his name, even though we've known him for years) that I thought the beer was a little bit "bretty?".  

He frowned (thoughtfully) and poured a taste for him.  He agreed it was. We then had a tale of another brewery's accidental Bret beer which the BBB absolutely adores but will almost certainly never be made again.

It was one of those nice exchanges when you realise that, as professional as everyone is in the places we like to drink - there's always a back story, and it's nice to feel a part of the community of it all.

Friday was warm and the dreaded funding bid was finally submitted.  I needed somewhere quiet and reliable (on a Friday this can be quite tricky).  He asked whether Good Chemistry might be open - it was scheduled to be, so we strolled round via the cycle track with its ripe blackberries (seriously, already??).

It was VERY quiet when we went in but we were greeted by the barman with huge enthusiasm.  We chose a couple of beers and sat near the shutter-door.  Every single member of the brewery staff, as they passed by, could have chosen not to make eye contact...but every single one said hello and welcomed us.  It makes a huge difference to a quite venue - they weren't over the top, but just appreciatively friendly.  

We asked about Kokomo Weekend but were told they can't shift it enough via the tap so they tend to stick to lower ABV beers.  Still, the beers we had were lovely.  We had two pints and took the glasses back, the barman thanked us.

I've got something for you here, he said.  He then produced two cans of strong (out of date) beers from the old brewery's incarnation.  Another time when you feel part of this quirky community we sometimes live in.