Bristol, however, is definitely Open

 On Thursday, we had to be in work again so we made another attempt at the Belgian Bar.  Thankfully it was open and we were greeted enthusiastically by the team there.  The IPA was on good form and we had a couple of pints of it.

The BBB had had a really long day, meeting builders at the Wish Tower by 8am (so had to be out of the house by 7.15am) on a freezing cold day. He'd flitted between the Tower and TechResort to warm up from time to time, and made himself useful there too.  Mind you, a public drop-in at HQ is quite hard work for an introvert too.

I'd arrived about 3pm to catch up with everyone and by the time we left at 5pm, even I was bit worn.  After beer, I suggested pizza and a glass of wine at our favourite italian place around the corner.  He agreed it would be nice - again, greeted with enthusiasm from people who excel at the whole hospitality thing.  It was clear, though, not many people were out in general and several other restaurants were either empty or closed.  It'll be a couple of months before the town gets lively, I reckon.

Friday was our travelling to Bristol day.  I'd cocked up a hair appointment meaning an earlier-than-usual one on Fridayso I was at the station just after 10am and had time for the coffee I'd missed at home.  I chilled (figuratively, and physically) quite happily and the BBB arrived just ahead of the train at around 11am.  Our usual train from Eastbourne is, at best 11.30am and more ususally 12noon.

The trip up to London was without incident and the transfer to Paddington was incredibly quick.  Whereas we usually arrive at Paddington just after (or maybe just as) the Bristol train has left we had just enough time (literally, just) to "run" onto the platform, smile winningly at the guard on the last open door and leap onto the 1pm train.

As we walked toward the front of the train to find a seat the train pulled out.  We were very pleased with ourselves.  

After about 20 minutes the BBB checked on the general trainy state of things and learned that we had just pulled out before an incident around Paddington that now promised to stop all trains leaving the station until about 4.30pm.  Weirdly, that knowledge made feel suddenly anxious about "what would have happened if...".  It was the oddest feeling.

We both agreed that we knew exactly what we would have done:  gone the pub, of course.  But I'm really glad it didn't come to that.  On a Friday (especially in winter), I really want to be in a place I know.

Anyhow - we arrived at our flat before 3pm and had no idea what to do with ourselves.  We were 60 - 90 minutes earlier than usual and it was weird!

As it was, and being a Friday (we don't usually arrive on a Friday) we knew the BM would be busy quite early so we popped round before 4pm. It was bliss.  We had a good seat (disappointed there was no fire but still...) there was a huge range of BBF cask beer (for all the world it looked like a tap takeover) and a good-looking keg list. 

The pub wasn't that busy - certainly not as much as we expected - and we wondered whether in fact there was a January drop-off here.  45 minutes later, though, there was a positive influx!

By 5.15pm the place was packed with loads of brave individuals choosing to sit outside with their beer in order to get a seat.  There was the usual lovely mix of punters - quite a few "older" (ie our age, pensioner ish) people, groups of women, mixed groups, groups of chaps, a couple of families, people in straight off the building site...etc.etc

As I suspected, Bristol doesn't really seem to have quite the seasonal lull - and we're very glad for it.

Eastbourne is Closed

 The contrast of living part time in a large, traditional (slightly old-fashioned) coastal resort and part-time in a university city which is generally considered to be quite trendy and hip is that the city never really "shuts down".  Yeah, it'll be quieter in the depths of non-pre-Christmas winter (ie Jan/Feb) but pubs and restaurants generally return quite quickly to a normal schedule.

Eastbourne, on the other hand, does not.

We took an extended break from work over Christmas and made a return to the office to catch up with the Team on Monday - almost a week into the New Year.

We already knew that Beerarama would be closed - the chaps who run it advertised their closure for a couple of weeks' holiday, well in advance...and, OK it was Monday but when we strolled around the corner to the Belgian Bar we were really disappointed to see it was closed.  As we strolled down that road which is supposed to be the Town's "flagship", "Cafe culture" street which, in theory, has been (or at least will be) the recipient of quite a lot of funding to enable this new culture...what do we see?  Closed.  Everything either closed or gone for good.  It feels like self-fulfilling prophesy - difficulty getting people in when you are open, so don't open, so no one seeks you out - so even fewer people come.

We're heading up to Bristol on Friday and what we do know is that is that whilst some places might be taking a bit of a break, there won't be wholesale closures of hospitality venues and it'll encourage us to try a few new places who are likely to be a bit quieter...but, crucially, open.

We see a lot about pub closures and I suspect that the prevailing culture in a town or city might very much drive how easy it is for them to ride out the lean times.  I'm not talking about the large company places here - like 'spoons, or Sam Smith, or whatever pubco - I'm talking about real community venues, run by people who put their lives into a place - those who see it as more than a job. 

I really, really wanted a bit of chill time in the pub with the BBB on Monday - it's different to chill time at home - but it wasn't to be.  There's more work to go out for tomorrow so no doubt we'll try again but I'm already anticipating we might be disappointed again.

Friday though...I know where we'll be around 4.30pm

Year End

 I've enjoyed reading a few "Golden Pints" type posts - I especially like Boak and Bailey, partly because their writing is always refreshingly judgement-free (not opinion-free...that's different) but also because they live in Bristol and that local familiarity keeps me close to the Bristol home (I really never thought I'd ever be homesick for Bristol, but I occasionally am).

However, it's not something I'm going to do in full because I've drunk so much good (and equal amounts of perfectly-fine) beer this year, as every year for the last 14 or so years, I would say.  I no longer believe there is a perfect/best/favourite beer for me.

I think I'd stick to "experiences" with beer that have made me smile this year (and I can't even promise to include all of them, or any specific occasion, even).

Barley Mow, Bristol.

Almost every time we arrive at the flat, going in there is a rite of arrival - it means we're "home" (in Bristol terms).  9/10 times the staff remember from the get-go that we really like straights not jugs.  If they've forgotten (or they're new) they don't usually have to be asked twice.  They also happily dispense cask beers in 2/3rds - what's not to love.

In general, the BM nails it pretty much every time - from the range of beer, to the ambiance to proximity.

Little Martha, Bristol

Beer usually great - sometimes some really impressive cask beers on their slightly quirky cask dispenser.  I particularly remember arriving in the middle of summer, after getting off a train after a day in a conference and being greeted with a glass of Petite Bulba which I'd never seen anywhere else but was the perfect comedown for an introvert having done too much peopling.

Siren Brewery Tap, Reading

On the same day as above.  Pretty much bog-standard modern taproom (that's to say modern, open, well thought-out) superbly placed halfway between conference venue and train station and a quick way to catch up and spin down immediately after said peopling.  The beer, I think, was probably Soundwave - I remember that I picked by familiarity and ABV but what I really remember is sitting alone in a place with aircon, just chilling and catching up on my emails etc - feeling calm, relaxed and content.

Beer Emporium, Bristol

 Not so much the place per se - but, having decided to refamiliarise ourselves with it after a long period not going there, really loving their choice of Wiper and True "Wild" somethingorother on cask and thinking how bloody good it was, and in perfect condition.  We've been back a couple of times since and the cask selection has been pretty good and it's an interesting place to watch people's behaviour in pubs.

Beerarama, Eastbourne

Actually, it's rare that I can strongly remember the beers we have there for very long after we've had them.  They're all of a high standard. We discovered Azvex beers (Liverpool) there and I now tend to search them out when we're in.  BBB frequently chooses some of the interesting dark Burning Sky beers as a lasty. We love the chaps who run it, often swapping brewery recommendations, but also since we've got in the habit of catching the bus home from just around the corner from there, it feels like a really "local" place.

The Crown, Eastbourne

This is our Sussex local.  It's a 12-15 minute walk from the house, or 2 minutes from a bus stop which is on my way home from work.  Definitely the most consistently well kept cask beer which isn't Harveys (they have Harveys, and it's well kept but they have many other things).  Although a Heineken pub, Andy the landlord has a fair bit of latitude in the cask beer he can serve (I'm guessing this is something to do with Heineken itself not owning a cask brewery like some pubco orgs do).  His beer festivals are always fun.  The pub itself is very unlike the places we drink in Bristol but we feel just as much at home there and are on nodding terms with most of the other regulars.  I wouldn't think twice about going in on my own, whether or not I was meeting someone there.  Every now and again, we get ridiculously excited that something interesting has gone on...that's how a pub should make you feel.

The Seadog, Hastings

It's usually quite busy, the staff great, the beer selection can be a bit hit and miss (often no cask on) but what they have is always good.  Nearly always have Drop Project beers on, which deliver consistently.  Serve 2/3rds (not a given in Sussex) and have good food.  Its proximity to Hastings station (<5 mins walk) and one of the organisations I work with makes it especially good. In 2024 had several really pleasant sessions in here both with colleagues and the BBB (sometimes at the same time), just giving me a general positive vibe for the place.  Am overdue a visit.

Steamworks, Seaford

Seaford is a funny old place.  Medium-sized coastal town about 20mins by bus away. Also a railway terminus on the line to Brighton via Lewes. Steamworks is the old station buffet and often peopled by people waiting for trains. Beer tends to be a little inconsistent but every now and again there will be something magnificent or surprising on cask and/or keg.  I got reacquainted with Dark Star (Fullers/Asahi) APA here this summer and it seems to be back to pretty much its old self depsite not being brewed in Partridge Green any more. Large tables and pews for a lot of the seating means that this tiny space has to be shared nicely.  We approve.

Pilchard Press, St Ives

Rank and unpromising access lane to it meant that the place and the beer really needed to deliver in order for us to even think of going back.  We did, though - three times.  Again, a tiny space where sharing tables was essential, but selling an immense quantity of superbly kept cask ales and good kegs too.  Quite an achievement.  Service definitely not effusive, but gruffly friendly - my sort of place.  Fun conversations with other punters (usually started with "excuse me, but what's that game you're playing with cards and an app?").  Not fully relaxing because the seating didn't really lend itself, but nevertheless probably the standout venue from our St Ives holiday.

Bruhaha, Bristol

First visits here this year (perhaps newly opened, can't remember).  Snug, jolly, very nice arancini snacks.  They hadn't started brewing on site when we visited but it will be interesting to go back when they have.  Another small, very busy place where sharing space is a must.  On both occasions we drank a couple of the same thing here because they have a wide range, but only one of any given style.  Nevertheless, I still remember it as a wholly pleasant experience which means we'll almost certainly head back again fairly soon.  

Evening Star, Brighton

I don't actually think we've been there many times this year - and this is a criminal oversight.  When the trains to Eastbourne from London were particularly unreliable, we'd frequently get on a Brighton train in Victoria, instead, to at least get us nearer home.  A visit to the Evening Star would then be inevitable.  Taking an hour-long bus ride from home just to go there always feels like a bit of an overindulgence and the walking around that route doesn't particularly lend itself to "ending at the pub".  Nevertheless, the ES is absolutely in the same league as the BM.  Again, overdue a visit for sure.

Looking at this list - it's clear we've not travelled around much this year (or, if we have, I've forgotten it).  It's probably mostly because work has been so damned busy so that, even though we're part-time, we often don't feel we can just take a random couple of days out just to visit places.  We should probably try a little harder, next year, I think.

 

Light at the end of the Tunnel

 So, here we are - day 10 (ish) of the 3-day headache.  I know that it's sinusitis borne of the stupid bug I'm 3-weeks into and, to be fair, it's a lot less painful now than it has been, nevertheless I just wish it would f-off now.

On Friday we just about managed to drag our carcasses around the park that's opposite our house - makes for a 20 minute trip but we came back knackered.

We had some plans to schlep through the woods yesterday but it seemed a bit daunting so, instead, we decided to stroll down to The Crown where we were greeted with Gun Project Babylon and Kent Golden.  Both very acceptable and a couple of pints of each were quaffed.

From the sounds of some of the locals in the pub, we're not the only ones who have been unwell.

On the way back in the cold and damp (and it's uphill) BBB said "I'm never going out again".  Obviously he didn't mean it but it's kind of how both weather and bugs are making us feel.

Today, the cold, flat, quiet grey mist continues to envelope the neighbourhood and I, for one, don't feel particularly like going out anywhere.

Tomorrow, however, we should try the outside again - perhaps to see if the Lamb has any Christmas Ale left...maybe.

 

Unaccustomed as I am

 Been an ongoing weird few days.  I'm still coughing like a 40-a-day-Woodbine smoker and we're on day 6 of a three day headache. Whatever this bug is, it can do one.

Now the BBB seems to have acquired it too, along with his knackered back.  In short, we're a right pair just now.

I had anticipated we might venture down to the Crown (definitely not going down tomorrow) today but all we've really wanted to do is hunker down.

I've ripped some 45's, cooked some ham (in a bottle of supermarket cider) which proved to be very tasty. We've retrieved and assembled chairs and that's about it.

We didn't drink beer or wine with dinner - he thought it was better to swerve it, given the oncoming symptoms, and I decided to keep him company.

Hopefully, the middle of the day for the next couple of days will be tolerable even if we have to resort to early nights.

To be honest, it's typical of me - almost always, when I persist through the first few bits of a bug and then get to a time when I can properly relax...this often happens.  Grumble.

Hopefully there will still be Christmas Ale at the Lamb when we find our way there.

Slings and Arrows

 It's been a couple of "interesting" weeks back in Sussex.  

Whatever it was I brought back from the Shire is still making its presence felt.  Added to that, the Boy acquired a back problem which means getting comfortable can be a bit of a challenge.

As a result our pub tripping and such has been minimal.

Twice we've made a very pleasing journey to see Jamie and John in Beerarama - they remain the folk in the industry I most admire down here.  They stick at it, despite Eastbourne being really quite rubbish at beer culture and they've always got something interesting on the bar as well as plenty of options in the fridge.  They're also genuinely nice folk who are a superb addition to town.

We've also been to the Crown, of course, with good sub 5% beers always on offer...but nowhere to go to up the strength since all their kegs are from the Heineken stable.

We decided to try The Lamb one evening and the Boy was delighted to see they had Harveys Christmas ale on a pump. 

Best beer since we arrived back is an 11% Imperial Stout by Azvex which we each had 2/3rds of  in both of our trips to Beerarama.

This year we're hosting Eastbourne Family for lunch - our kitchen area lends itself perfectly well to task and cooking a roast lunch (chicken, not turkey) is quite a lot of graft but, to be honest, I never find it stressful, just a bunch of tasks.  The main requirement, as I have realised, is to not under-cater on the gravy front.  As a result the freezer has a few pints of "proto gravy" (or home made chicken stock as most people would know it) ready to be employed to distract the assembled company from anything else that might be sub-par.

Outside of that?  A fridge (well, and cupboard) full of lovely beer (Arbor, Burning Sky and Moor with some other odds and ends from previous purchases). 

The latter part of the year at work has been trying, to say the least, but that finally all feels like it's coming under control so I'm hoping for some quiet time with log burner and some board games and - when the boy can walk more comfortably, maybe a stroll on a sunny day.

 

Thwarted

 I'd been gagging to go to the Evening Star and we'd never quite found the time or, rather, the right time.

So before we left Bristol I mooted the suggestion that we swing by on our way back to Eastbourne.  There had a been a lot of travel disruption so it looked like there may be a possibility we'd be forced via that route in any case.

Still, when it came to it on Sunday night it did look like order had been restored but I felt a bit unwell.  When I woke on Monday, I still felt quite ropey and the boy offered a delay to travel.

I really don't find the travel itself at all stressful but when I know I am travelling I do like to get it out of the way (I appreciate how weird that sounds).  So I decided I wasn't badly enough sick to delay and that, in fact, I'd prefer just to get on with it.

When the world climbed onto the train in Temple Meads and all chattered with what seemed more than the usual level of intensity I despaired of a peaceful journey.  I shouldn't have worried - it seemed that almost everyone got out at Bath for the, now legendary, Christmas Market.  The rest of the journey proceeded peacefully.

The boy asked did I still want to go to Brighton but I wasn't feeling like it - all I wanted was a sofa, a warm fire and pointless TV.

I even eschewed beer in favour of a mug of tea (Darjeeling, since I don't play fast and loose with caffeine after about 3pm).  Thankfully, the fridge still had a goodly supply of cans so the BBB was happy enough and I never feel beer envy once I decide not to drink so all was good.

There's no way we're venturing to Brighton before Christmas now, so we'll have to save it up as a New Year treat instead.

Today I'm catching up with work, and top of my to-do list was beer purchasing...so some of that's been done.  I'm not counting out the idea that more might be ordered...jus' saying.