Surprises

 On Thursday last week, I learned that new bar - Wolf on the Corner - had Harvey's "Star of Eastbourne" on cask.  Barely containing a squeeeee of excitement, I informed the BBB.

 We already had to be in town and close by the venue because of work on Friday so it seemed that stars all aligned.

Our meeting in our (hopefully) new office concluded before Wolf opened but we needed to sit down and pull together things we'd learned, measured, etc, etc. So we popped down to "The Frontier" first.  They had Kernel Table Beer and at 3% was perfect for the time of day.

It's a really useful place and another where it'll be really convenient for our new workplace (along with Wolf, Ninkaci and Gun) but we haven't yet found the ideal time for us there - it always seems to be a little bit light on people.  Definitely can't argue with the beer range which has clearly increased a little.  There were probably 3 or 4 draught beers that we'd have happily tried - and that was without even looking at the fridge of cans.

Anyhow - we finished our work (and our beer)  and strolled around the corner to Wolf. We could have started with something not too strong - but the only cask beer was Star of Eastbourne so it really seemed rude not to.  Being able to choose 2/3rds as a measure of even cask beer is such a treat!  

Given it's my favourite Harveys beer and that it's usually only available in October (which we'd missed), it was especially lovely and we fully relaxed, picked up a game of Regicide and just enjoyed the ambiance.

The staff in the place are the epitome of good hospitality: it seems effortless, and you feel immediately at home in the place. Another thing they've got right (more or less) is the seating the seats are pretty comfy and the mishmash of different tables, add a degree of charm and warmth.

After a while it got a bit busier and a small group asked to share the table. They arranged themselves in a way that meant I had to move one person to get to the bar (Downlands delicious Impy Stout) but they were jolly about it.

Once they left, a slightly larger group were hovering clearly wanting to sit somewhere but not wanting to muscle in.  We offered the remainder of the table.  It was 5 or 6 people of around our age and we then spent the rest of our evening chatting with fellow beer-enthusiasts before taking our leave.  It was one of those times when chatting with strangers was a welcome thing - not something that needed to be worked at.  Very nice it was, too.

Saturday was a family do in a local hotel.  The weather was awful and the seafront location only served to emphasise it.  We popped to the bar to get a quick "pre" drink and, to be honest, I wasn't expecting much of Eastbourne hotel beer.  However, we decided simultaneously that a shared bottle of Adnams Ghost Ship might fit the bill.  It did!  Both of us were quite surprised how well it went down.