Saturday in the Crown

Part of the reason we felt our Eastbourne house would be suitable for us is that it's a 12 - 15minute walk from The Crown.

Other places we looked at didn't have pub-proximity and we rejected them, in part, because of that.

We already knew The Lamb (Harveys) which is about the same distance but we decided, the day we viewed the house on a miserable November and thought it would do (that's all we really wanted in a house at the time),  that we should at least check The Crown out to see what alternatives there were if we decided to move there.

It has to be said, it looked a little bit "locals pub" with smokers hanging around outside the door (they still do that a bit) and in the right hand room as you go in, the facilities felt a bit basic (the loos still are basic, though clean).

We can't remember what cask beers were on the bar but we remember we ordered Harveys and it was served on gravity from the "cellar" (cool room next to the bar).  This wowed us both, especially as it was super-fresh and cool, which is not always a given for Harveys in town.

There was quite a long delay until we actually bought the place (for...reasons)  but we revisited it only once we'd completed the purchase some 8 months later.  We went back to The Crown and were ecstatic to find that Dark Star Hophead was now a regular beer and was served on gravity (Harveys had been put on handpump).

We've been drinking there ever since - some 13 years.  Same landlord, we've seen his son and friends grow up from primary school kids to working behind the bar and the beer is still the best/most interesting cask offering anywhere in Eastbourne.

We've been back around 6 days and hadn't yet visited but had learned that they had Thornbridge Ravenna on. Once we'd completed a couple of strenuous garden tasks, we walked down.

Saying hi to a few regulars, catching up with the bar staff, watching sport on the TV - it's just as relaxed an experience as going to the Barley Mow.  Beer of the same high quality, though sadly not the same range.

We were home. 

 

Pub is a collaborative thing

 We were going to go to Unwins so that we could try a game they have (Arboretum).  Sadly, we arrived to find it closed.

 Because rain threatened, we went to the BM instead.  It was about 5pm when we arrived and, what appeared to be a bunch of teachers had taken up residence in the Best Corner.  No matter.

A slight misjudgement by the chap on the bar led to one of our pints very nearly hitting the deck, but for the reflexes of the BBB catching it (left-handed, he wanted to make clear) as it tipped off the bar.

It spilled about a quarter of the beer on the BBB's jumper and the floor. "Oh my god!  I'm so sorry" said the lad and, indeed, he did appear mortified.

I grabbed some roll wipe I could see on the bar to mop the BBB down and the lad returned with a full roll. He apologised another 12 or 13 times, and topped the beer up.  We assured him that no harm was done and that it could happen to anyone, etc, etc.

We genuinely felt it too.

We enjoyed our first pints and nattered about nothing much.

The group on the adjacent table were a bit noisy and the BBBs ears are playing up at the moment but he didn't let the noise bother him.

People came and went and the pub was still pretty busy at 6pm.

A slightly awkward looking couple came in and looked a bit horrified at the busyness of the place. They looked at the other half of the table we were sitting at...and tentatively started to ask if they could sit.  We waved them in.

After a while the teachers left and so the couple jumped ship to the corner.  He returned to reassure us it wasn't us that they were moving from - but rather the noisier other table.  We smiled, as you do.

When he went to get another drink he came over again - "is there an event or something?, it's really busy".  Turns out they'd just moved in locally and were sussing out the area.  I got the distinct feeling that he wasn't that comfortable and was, somehow, disappointed in the Barley Mow - it was the slightly non favourable comparison with the Old Fishmarket, I think.  He said that his wife really liked ESB so the BBB urged him to try the ESB-like beer on the bar.

We felt the need to go into bat to promote all the lovely local places, but when all's said and done, these folk will find places that suit their needs and, like as not, their needs won't be the same as ours.

I mused on the fact that the day we arrived for this trip I was totally a recipient of the BM's care and, for want of a better word, support.

Today, now I'm a little bit less stressed I hope what we did was gave a little bit back. 

 

Weakened

 The rain on Sunday continued to come and go.  We felt a bit sorry for the EBBT and wondered how it was going.

Temple Quay was generally very quiet.

I was writing a funding bid, we watched the text of BHAFC's match with Chelsea and didn't do much else, to be honest.

Around 4pm we mused about finding somewhere non-EBBT to grab a beer.  The forecast still indicated heavy showers so we didn't want to venture far.

In the end we decided we'd do a lap of the "block" - Glass Wharf, Avon Street, Oxford Street and maybe as far as the Barley Mow to see how busy things were.  It would allow us to stretch our legs a little, eavesdrop on proceedings and, at worst, return home.

There were a few people sitting in the middle of Oxford Street but it certainly didn't look rammed.  The under-arch areas for several of the places there were set up with tables and a few people were sitting outside there.  The pasty shop was open and seemed to be doing a bit of trade.  The area outside Marthas was very busy, but the bar looked manageable.  We ventured inside.

Seats appeared to be at a premium but the team at the bar greeted us warmly.  "Sorry, only pints and halves..." Laurie said, waving plastic glasses at us.  We had pints.

We managed to tuck ourselves into a table near the door and look at what was going on around.  There were groups of all types and ages, and a few lone drinkers.  There were conversations; there were young parents with younger kids; there were card games being played (including us).  What there wasn't much of is the dreaded "vertical drinking".  I mean, there were people standing in groups, and they were drinking but it was much the same as the people sitting and drinking.

Groups ebbed flowed: tables emptying and filling, Almost no one's voice raised above others, but the general sound level did increase.  There was exemplary use of tables and liminal spaces (can we just perch our drinks on the corner of your table, please?) and the atmosphere was inclusive and friendly.

The key for this event was that there were plenty of bar staff so there was seldom a queue at the bar.

We managed to grab a quick chat with Bryony when she was empty glass hunting.  It was a bit quieter than they'd hoped but they'd expected the August event to be quieter than May.  That makes sense - May is at the beginning of the "oooh the weather is improving" event season.  August bank holiday is right at the end and next week schools, colleges and Universities will be returning.  It's possible some people just needed a non-event weekend.

I do hope everyone who organised and ran it found it a success.  Judging by the number of people who were having to consult a map to find the next venue, at least some of the customers might have discovered somewhere they'll return to in quieter times:  let's hope so.

The beer?

Oh yeah, actually I had their core beers (felt slightly odd in pint measures) but the BBB did try the Good Chemistry/Martha colab lager brewed with NZ hops.  It went down very well indeed, depsite the hated (but totally understandable) plastic glasses.

We left quite pleased we'd gone but glad to get home to the quiet of our flat (dear lord, we're getting old).

Today is more funding bid writing, hopefully followed by a check-in with the chaps round at the BM.

Onwards! 

 

Yep

As predicted, we headed to the Kings Head yesterday.

It's a pleasant back-street 10 minute stroll.

When we arrived there were lots of people sitting outside.  At the bar, there was one person on a bar stool and the tramcar snug was empty.  

The folk who run it were behind the bar and we were greeted enthusiastically - me:  Oakham pale, BBB: Black Iris West Coast IPA.  

Both cask, both in perfect condition and both of us convinced we'd got the better deal.

We had the pick of the seats so chose the small table just by the tramcar entrance.  The downside is intermittent smell of disinfectant from the loos - the upside is easy exit and entrance for subsequent rounds.

A couple of people came and joined the tramcar and behaved impeccably.

Second beer was a DEYA 5.5% something or other.  As much as I like Steady Rollin' Man - this was leagues ahead: really fresh and sparky.  Himself agreed.

We chatted about nothing much, just enjoying a time not having responsibility for anything at all.

At one point I saw a great backlit "behind the bar" scene and felt moved to take a picture (only iPhone but the best camera is the one you have with you, after all).

After a while I recognised that some of the group that had joined the seats nearby were CAMRA old hands from my days as beer festival set up manager.  Suspect I've been long forgotten because I only ever went to festival meetings and the festival itself, and never attended any other socials.

One chap had a voice which reached above the prevailing conversational hum.  It was a local accent and although it was a bit distracting, it was kinda grounding.

Sierra Nevada beers were quite prevalent in the line up.  The BBB and I raised a bit of an eyebrow. We seemed to remember having it watching football in the pub in London and finding it very m'eh, suspecting the brewery had gone macro-brand.

Still, two of the beers they had were strong:  a 6.5% hazy pale and a 7.2% barley wine type. Ach, what the hell.  We decided to give a couple of halves a try.

Actually, we enjoyed them.  They were a good finisher.  Would I rush back to them?  No, but I wouldn't complain if they were what was available.

 I would definitely return to the Oakham and the Deya, though.  Much like Tom Unwin's tank hazy pale "Blossom" which we deliberately went to Unwins on Friday to have two pints of to follow the two pints we'd had the Friday before.

The great thing about the EBBT weekend is that all the beers in the Barley Mow will have changed (let's hope they have something left) so we're looking forward to Monday's visit... 

 

 

 

 

Rock and a Hard Place

So, after weeks of fine, warm <hot>, weather we have a bank holiday upon us so, obviously, rain is forecast.

For our pals who are organising and participating the East Bristol Brewery Trail, it has to be a fraught time. On the one hand they have to put a lot of effort (and, I guess, cost) into setting up the infrastructure for what amounts to a geographically extended beer festival. On the other they have to take the potential hit when their small indoor spaces (only Wiper and True can accommodate more than a few dozen people at a time) can't cope with the number of people attempting to attend the event.

We know that frisky weather in the May meant that lots of people took refuge in the Barley Mow (not on the official trail but...) so I'm pretty sure they'll see a bit of rush, too. I'd also be surprised if some of the other pubs in the general vicinity didn't get a bit of a weather bump.

Obviously, we'll be going nowhere near any of the EBBT venues on Saturday or Sunday and we've learned there's a multi-venue King Street music event today as well so we'll not be venturing over there either.

Bristol City are at home to Portsmouth this afternoon so that rules out "south of the river".

We won't want to venture far - so the Kings Head seems like a potential prospect.  We're never disappointed with the beer there but its size and layout can make it a bit difficult to relax in, sometimes. 

But, you know, we'll still be hoping that the event is viewed as a success by all the people with skin in the game.  My guess is that events like this help to provide some financial cushion to cover November and February Tuesdays.  Good luck, folks...we'll see you when it's all over.

 

 

On the Third Day...

 We got our first taste of Moor for the first time in a long time.

We popped round to Unwins and, in the absence of one of Tom's cask beers, we chose a guest keg:  Nor'hop.

It was...fine.

That is to say it was without any problematic flavours - maybe a tiny bit "bretty" to my taste - it was inoffensive.  

That's a pretty damning statement, really, and because there's so much really good beer in Bristol - both local and "imported" it means we'll be unlikely to repeat the experience just yet.

Whilst I'm glad Moor is being resurrected, I almost wish that they'd changed the name and not tried to brew the "same" beers.  I see their core range appears to be a solid offering (but the pictures of pump clips on their website is just weird..maybe AI-adjacent?) but is lacking (maybe just at the moment) the likes of Hoppiness and Old Freddy Walker which added character and interest to the lineup.

Interesting that they chosen to open the taproom all week but I'm not sure we'll rush there.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who'll enjoy the new incarnation and that's great - but for me, they've lost something of the "them" that we particularly liked.  I daresay we'll check in on the beers from time to time to see how things emerged but they're not going to join our "regular" list for now.

Meanwhile, our second pint in Unwins was a truly gorgeous hazy pale from the tank - called Blossom, this is something we'll definitely return to. 

 

The Role of Pub in Stress Management

 A bit of a horrible week at work has led to both me and BBB feeling the stress of responsibility.

Added to which we were scheduled to travel to the Shire on Thursday and had both been worried how to keep the garden (ie Tomatoes) alive in our absence.

On this latter matter, we needn't have been as worried.  Wednesday delivered the first rain Eastbourne has seen for about 9 weeks - it rained steadily all morning and started to penetrate the surface of the soil.  Overnight to Thursday it became more feisty and filled the pond, all the water butts and gave all the tomatoes a damned good soaking.  Still, the Lewes derailment played havoc with the rail schedule so we had to prepare for a different travel experience - this added to the uneasy feeling.

We got the bus into town, dodging the deep grey clouds promising further soaking and got the train to Brighton.

We crossed the platform to a Thameslink train to Cambridge via London Bridge.  We thought this would give us the opportunity to get off at Farringdon and a nice easy route to Paddington.

As we got to the outskirts of London, we learned that the train would finish at London Bridge because there'd been an incident north of London.  At East Croydon we decided getting off and picking up a train heading to Victoria would be a better idea.

It was not - further disruptions were happening.

So we were back on another train to London Bridge. It is a horrible tube station - poor signage, miles of walking from the mainline terminal, bustle and grubbiness.

Jubilee line was chaotic and packed but we gritted our teeth and squeezed ourselves onto the train.

When we got out at Baker Street we were pleased to learn that the switch to Bakerloo was simple and all the crowds melted away.

We arrived at Paddington less frazzled than we might have been and then a timely incoming train to Platform 1 was helpfully badged up ahead of the departure board announcement.  We strolled, found a nice seat and started to relax, arriving at Temple Meads at the same time as usual.

Without much ado, we strolled to the Barley Mow, grabbed a couple of pints of the seasonal pale special (4.2%, perfect temperature and fresh as a daisy) and settled into our corner. I could feel the muscles in my neck and shoulders relaxing.

It wasn't the beer - I'd only had one mouthful.  It was the environment.

Pub is a place where you're being looked after by skilled professionals, providing an integrated product/service and its mission is to make you happy.  After a long week of "being in charge" this being looked after was a proper tonic.

Thank you Barley Mow, thank you wonderful bar staff everywhere. 

Wife's knees...

 When I first met the BBB we drank in the Royal Oak in Tabbard Street in London.

Legendary for its selling of Harveys and anyone who knows and likes pubs in London knows the Royal Oak.  A bit like the Vic in Eastbourne, it's a really traditional pub, and can be a little bit tricksy to find if you don't know it - so it feels like a secret location.

I've not been there for years for the simple reason, we live most of our time in Harveys country.

It comes down to the fact that I like there to be local beers, and those I might not get too see in a pub very often.

Drinking Harveys in a Bristol pub when I wanted to see how it travels just didn't feel special to me (it had travelled well, as it happens).

The same feeling comes over me with Timothy Taylor beers now - drinking them in Yorkshire felt proper.  In the Crown it's a beer of last resort no matter how well it's kept.

So when we went to Wolf a couple of weeks ago, it was with some surprise we saw that Little Martha had a showing or two on the board. This week they're back but in company with New Bristol and Good Chemistry. 

On the one hand, I love that these breweries I like, and have seen grow are getting onto bars 200 miles away so other people can enjoy them.  On the other, we're heading to Bristol next week and these are beers that normally travel no miles to the location we drink them in. 

Obviously, I drank a Martha beer for the sheer hell of it - and it was very good (it was one of their lagers) but truth be told, I prefer drinking it in its home because it grounds me there.

On that note - if you go to Lewes at any point the John Harvey Tavern is the right place to get beer.  All the pubs in town sell Harveys, but the John Harvey has something extra that no one else can really replicate.  I seem to remember, from a business event I had to attend in Lewes that the lunchtime sandwiches are cracking too! 

  

 

Out of Practice

 We're very much creatures of habit.

We're lucky enough that having been able to effectively retire but still be useful we tend to still have "work days" of fixing computers, fundraising and helping kids and adults learn useful and fun digital skills.  But we generally get to decide most of the what, when and how of that and still, at the end of the working day, feel like we've earned our pint (well, quite often, two-thirds).

Weekends, then tend to be spend in and around home doing chores, or following home-based project and maybe watching sport.

This Sunday, however, we threw all of that into the air.  We decided to go and watch the Beachy Head Penny Farthing Hill Climb - where 40 Penny Farthing riders start on the seafront and pedal furiously up around 160m of climb on a zigzag road in a time trial (this means cycling on your own against the clock).

There are buses on a Sunday which drop passengers at Beachy Head so, rather than slog up 2 miles of hill ourselves, we thought we'd use that.  Sadly, we were informed as we got on the bus that the buses were detouring because of the race.  Instead, we had to walk a couple of miles from the inland stop to get to the most interesting part of the race:  the top of the main incline.  We feared we'd miss all the riders but we arrived with about a dozen or so to come. 

It was a blast! It would have been a s shame after the fun of the race not to have a bit more of a wander around the downland and we were glad we did:  we were treated to kestrels, swallows, butterflies and crickets.  Sadly the single pub of the area is rubbish for beer (it was too early, anyhow) so we jumped on another bus down to the seafront and had a little stroll, grabbed some lunch and then, around 2pm decided that The Victoria Hotel might make a good place to get some relief from the sun and to recover a little.

Since we used to drink here regularly, the management has changed. It's still a Harveys tied house, though.  So I had a pint of best and himself said he'd try the "Light".  I got the better of the deal - my Best was in perfect condition and reminded me of why it's such a revered pint.  His "light" was a little tired and lacked a spark.

We relaxed in the pub in the same seats as the first time the BBB took me there around 15 years ago:  other than the landlord, nothing has changed.  The BBB has been drinking here for nearly 50 years - most of the interior has remained static, he confirmed.

We shared a pint of Tom Paine which was excellent and then strolled back to the pier to get our bus home.

Next morning it turns out that, walking a lot of miles,  neither of us slept particularly well - it seems that the break in routine may have been to blame. I'm not sure if this means we should break old habits less, or more, to be honest.  Still, it was nice to have a good excuse to go to the Vic again.

Since then we've been to The Crown  and had Three Legs Mosaic and Kent Citra and we've popped into Beerarama for Steady Rolling Man, some Azvex strong stuff and a beer from a Swiss brewer who's beers are hard to come by (I forget the brewery name).

Today, the weather promises to be hideously hot again and we haven't had any rain for a couple of months (this is not tolerable for a girl from the West Country) so we've restocked the fridge beer, we'll cower in the house for worst of the heat and then we'll sit in the back garden later with Pollys and Arbor cans, maybe treat the tomatoes to a couple of cans of water, and see if "hedgehog-cam" picked up any more footage last night after we replenished supplies.   

Small things... 

 

When it works...

 I had to work on Monday doing "grown up" things (ie:  peopling and being in charge) - this is always guaranteed to make it a day of hard work.

Himself was in the old base doing some "getting things sorted for the final move" work but he appeared in the new place around 4.15pm - he was hot and also knackered.

It being Monday, much of Eastbourne is closed, even in the tourist season.

We considered our options...(no Wolf, no Beerarama, no Ninkasi  and three nearby pubs don't really have beer we want) it came down to The Frontier (good keg beer, odd/quiet atmosphere), Bibendum (aka The New Inn - probably decent beer but always feels like a corridor leading to a restaurant so lacks cosy corners), and going home.

There was a slight grudgingness to the decision to go to Frontier in the end, but at least it took us on the route of the last option.

It was about one third full when we arrived with a pleasant thrum of conversation: promising.  We saw a chap at the bar we see frequently in all the decent beer places in town "only place open on a Monday?" the BBB said, the guy smiled and nodded.

We bought two Crafty Devil beers (they lean towards the Welsh here), happy they serve in 2/3rds.  "Lush" (4.4%) and something else which was 4.0% - both very nice.

We found an airy corner to sit in and realised we'd found the occasion that this venue works for us.

Second up was Deya Steady Rolling Man (no introduction needed) and Pollys "Pine" - He's not keen on Pine but I like the astringency of it.

There was a shift in the people in the venue - from a fairly mixed crowd of cafe-like patrons  to several blokes who, it seems, have a casual backgammon club. It was great!

So we stayed for another - he switched to a Charrington Cider (from a bag) and because of the keg of Pine was playing up I switch to a Polly's can - unsurprisingly lovely.

So...has my mind changed about the vibe in this venue?  Well no, not really, I don't imagine it will always fit the bill but as I have to be Grownupping for the next few Mondays and the weather is warm, I think it should do nicely. 

Beer on the Back Step

 Well, because we're older now, more like "just inside the bi-fold doors" but you get the gist.

The BBB decided to go into work to get some bits done - I manned the fort for the various "first day back" deliveries of groceries, beer (x2) and wine.

By the time he was planning to come back, I'd checked to see if The Crown had a lovely new cask of something on - but it was Scaramanga, by Gun - perfectly nice but not something to travel for.

Instead we cracked some of the beers that had arrived earlier the in the day and sat and relaxed on the side of the house that's cooler in the afternoon.

Even though the day wasn't particularly busy or stressful, it's still a proper pause time and that's all to the good.  Even so, the back garden got watered and we marvelled at the fact we'd managed to keep plants alive in our absence.

Blimey Burning Sky's sour cherry and raspberry beer is awesome - and I'm really not a sour/gueze/farmhouse/bret fan... 

 

From the Source

 Home-beer buying has come a long way over the 40 years I've been doing it (oof, that's a long time...).

Quality has always been part of it since my first introduction to the stuff.  So there's never been John Smiths Smooth, or Ruddles County.

But availability was always a bit of thing since the right place to drink beer is a pub, and the right dispense-method is cask.  Now, obviously, that's no longer true - at least for me, but it has to be said cask is usually my chosen first beer, if there's a good one on hand.

We used to get weekend 4-pint fills from the Brown Jug in the Chessels (Bedminster) and a polypin at Christmas.

When they closed it might be a couple of bottles of Sam Smiths Old Brewery Bitter from the independent off license around the corner but there was rarely anything interesting in the local supermarket.

Then we started getting home-delivered groceries (driving to a supermarket has never really been a thing in my life) there were a few half-decent bottles (Waggledance, London Pride, 6X..) but even then beer for home consumption didn't really feature in a major way.

When we moved to the place 5 mins walk from Bath Ales' first pub (Hare on the Hill) - beer was mainly drunk in there with the odd 4-pint takeout and (yes) polypins at Christmas.

When the BBB arrived in my life beer availability had improved so grocery deliveries might contain a few bottles from a good brewery (not usually local, though) but Bristol Beer Factory arrived around the same time (along with Arbor and Moor).

No 4 pint takeouts then, but still the occasional polypin to take on holiday or whatever. Getting the beer from BBF was a bit of labour of Hercules since they were always really keen, and very pleased to see you but no matter what you'd ordered, or how much notice you'd given them - it wouldn't be ready and there was a confused scrabble (did you want it bright or with bottoms...I'll just fill one now for you...)

When we moved to Eastbourne we would get the occasional beer subscription box which were very much a mixed bag, to be honest.  Supermarket deliveries were better, with a wider range but it wasn't really the same. Then came the pandemic.

Looking online to buy beer was time-consuming and often didn't yield satisfactory results.

Thankfully there were enough off-the-shelf e-commerce platforms to ensure that even the least digitally confident brewery could get something going and by the end of the lockdowns we were buying beer directly from the brewery from almost all the Bristol breweries.

It's now standard for me to order a case or two of a mix of cans from any brewery I come across and beer is almost always in the fridge.  We travelled back from Bristol to Eastbourne yesterday (again slightly earlier to dodge the worst of the next heatwave) but before I left I'd ordered a couple of cases from Arbor (permanent fixture on the bar in the fridge) and one from Burning Sky - this latter because I want some more "Bubble" before it all goes.  I also included their delicious cherry/raspberry gueze/farmhouse beer because, again, it may not happen again and it would be a crime to miss it.

The best place to drink beer is still a pint of crisp, fresh cask in a good pub but really good beer from a can, bought from a brewery we know and trust gets a lot closer than it used to.

 

 

 

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.

Phew!

 The heatwave was forecast to come to an end over the weekend.

The BBB was monitoring things carefully up in Bristol, I was forming a puddle in Eastbourne and doing chores once the sun had gone down.

All in all, we decided that Saturday would represent the best day for me to travel to the shire.

It was still VERY warm in Eastbourne but the red alert was now confined to the south east and I was of course, travelling northwest.

The first morning update declared the flat finally habitable.

I checked trains and there were some cancellations but it looked manageable, especially if I wasn't too worried how long it took.

I left home at about 10.15 and ambled for a bus.  It was hot outside but fortunately the bus came quite quickly. Fighting my way through annoying tennis fans arriving at the station I strolled down the platform to the far end (terminus station so the far end is the front) and got on a 12-coach train about 15 mins before it was due to leave.

Aircon was ticking slowly so it was pretty pleasant. 

We left on time(ish) and the train filled rapidly so it was standing room only by Haywards Heath - still it was cool and pleasant and the fellow passengers were largely well-behaved.

When I got to Victoria, it was really crowded and I was once again reminded that midweek travel is a real luxury. Avoiding the crowds going towards the Victoria line, I decided to take the Circle line - this probed to be a sensible move.  The tube platform was stifling - like breathing the air venting from a tumble drier.

When the train eventually came I got on at the front and had to stand for a couple of stops but the design of the trains makes the inside a continuous space so people diffuse down the length of the train much more effectively.  The aircon was keeping it pleasant and I soon got a seat for the rest of the journey.  I was getting regular updates about trains from Paddington from the BBB (what did we do before the internet and the sheer volume of useful intelligence about trains to be found online).  There had been some cancellations and delays but I was told I may be able to get a train around 1.30pm.  I couldn't remember how long the Circle route from VIC to PAD takes so I did become a bit anxious - especially as it looked possible the 2pm to Bristol might be cancelled.

I popped up at Paddington with the 13.30 not yet announced for boarding and with just enough  time to pick up some lunch - unfortunately, nothing that was readily available on the main concourse looked remotely attractive so I didn't bother.  The BBB indicated that the train might go from platform 9 so I edged towards that side of the station and sure enough, the announcement came.

The previous train having been cancelled, the train was busy but not awful and then the journey was cool and relaxed (for me anyhow). By the time I arrived home at the flat there was a cold bottle of water and sandwich waiting for me.

The sun was starting to warm the flat up again so we went to the Barley Mow earlier than we normally would.

The first lovely pint of their 4% (or so) pale, seasonal special, was glorious and it felt, like all the world like no time had passed since our last pint there. The staff were telling us how hot it had been in the pub for the last few days and how they hadn't put on more guest cask because consumption was down. Made complete sense (we also know that their cellar can sometimes be challenged by superhot temperatures).

Obviously, most people were outside since it was much more pleasant than it has been so we were left in blissful peace in our favourite corner with the general bustle of people coming in, buying beer and going back outside again making sure the pub felt peopled but not awful.

The worst of the heatwave has now passed, the weather seems to be more normal for June.  I'm looking out at the sunshine from our 10th floor flat and enjoying, rather than dreading it. 

Outlier

 It's not often a canned or bottle beer totally nails it.

 Burning Sky Bubble does - well for me.

I know that not everyone likes their beer to be astringent, bitter, grapefruity, even. 

I do.  Not for every beer I drink, but a beer with that characteristic thrown into the mix is an absolute delight.

I've had to delay travel, and the BBB had to bring his forward so that we were able to check in on the Bristol flat and its orchid residents.  That means I'm still Eastbourne.

I haven't bothered with beer for the last couple of days but it's starting to cool a little now, so I've broken out the last can of Bubble - it's absolutely hitting the spot.

I'm travelling tomorrow, now - and when I get off the train, having had to deal with people who don't normally travel by train, I'll definitely need a pint...an honest to goodness cask pint, probably by BBF (straight glass, obvs).  

When I am old, I shall wear purple...

 I was working in the new office on Tuesday, temporarily "in charge" as our office manager is on leave.

I had to stay until 4pm when our work experience student was leaving for the day.

The BBB was working from home and we were just getting glimpses of the impending heatwave.

I assumed he wasn't keen to hack down to town, but he offered to come down and meet me.  Our office was pretty cool so working wasn't at all unpleasant.

By sheer luck I happened to see that Wolf was opening from 2pm for the week because The Tennis (Eastbourne Open) is on.  Wolf is on a direct walking route between the Devonshire Park, where the tennis is held and Eastbourne Railway station.  It takes 10 - 15 mins to walk that route.  You can't miss the place, you approach it and can see it from a good 50 yds away and to get to the station you have to walk right up the long side window which clearly shows it's a bar.

Tennis week - like the air show - is a mixed blessing for residents.  It gets really crowded and as a result, a lot of us tend to know timetable and largely avoid. 

So, before 5pm we arrived at Wolf slightly concerned it would be too busy and wholly prepared to do a bit of a sweaty walk to somewhere else or head closer to home.

When we walked in - there was one other person there.  And he's a regular.

The lady behind the bar was a little bit dejected but pleased to see us.  They'd got a special event license to put seating outside and everything...

We ordered drinks and sat down (inside, obvs), doing our best to make the place look well-used.

Crowds of people started to appear (presumably after a match had just finished) - not a single person even gave the place a second glance.

After a gap, another load came up - one older lady came in.  Asked for a pint of Nitro stout (Kernel was on offer), tried the outside, declared it too warm and took an inside seat near the door to make the most of the draught.  She clearly enjoyed her pint.  It warmed my heart to see not just a woman coming in on her own but an older woman (definitely older than me) who was probably brought up to know pubs as places women didn't really go on their own, and certainly not to drink pints of stout.  I was in awe.

This lady was the highpoint of visitors - a few people came from the tennis and stopped for one but I imagine the team who run the place would have been a bit disappointed.

For years, I've wondered about how much revenue our event visitors really bring to the party.  Yes they buy the tickets and they spend money on the seafront stalls - but those stalls are only bringing revenue to the "market" organisation who organise it and who pay a fee to the council. 
Clearly there are overnight visitors who use hotel rooms and eat out - some restaurants are noticeably busy for a couple of days.

But the day visitors just don't seem to translate to a proportionate usage of Town Centre/Seafront pubs, cafes, etc.  They mostly troop in and troop back out again.  It seems like we need to do something else to get our great little non-chain places recognised and better used.  

The Crown Nails it Again

 We were meeting family on Saturday and they suggested The Crown.  He likes cask ale - preferably nothing that scares the horses but he has come round to lighter, hoppier beer.

She likes moderately dry white wine and, despite being a very "locals" pub - the Crown has a decent wine offering. 

We happily agreed 

We'd been entertained by New Bristol Juno and Kent Brewery Prohibition on Tuesday and although Juno was still just about on, we preferred the new offering:  Track Sonoma.

We've had Sonoma countless times including:

- on cask at the Kings Head in Bristol where we were thoroughly impressed by its bunch despite the ABV (3.8%)

- On keg at Marthas (I think) and at Beerarama, where it made a good enough starter beer but was in no way memorable.

- In cans direct from the brewery where, again, it was fine and a nice opener but lacked real interest.

 So, whilst it was still the natural choice yesterday (Most pubs in Eastbourne can't offer a wide cask range) I didn't know whether it would be remarkable or not.

It was.

It was refreshing and cooling yet still a good punch of flavour. So this jury's in - it's a great fresh cask beer...but much less engaging with other dispense methods.

Also - thanks to Andy and the team in The Crown, they're knocking it out of the park for good cask beer in a way no where else in Eastbourne is managing.  Not a bad feat for a Heineken pub... 

 

Oh My Goodness!

 I was in work yesterday afternoon and we had work experience students in for their last day (yr 10/4th year in old money).  They were lovely, but exhausting.

I didn't really make inroads into the work I was trying to do.  

Meanwhile the BBB was at home boiler-engineer-wrangling and it took him well into the afternoon, meaning that it would have been pointless to hack down and try to get anything done.

I got a text message (we are that old-fashioned) - "Have you seen what Andy's got on?"

So I looked on the terrible app (Real Ale Finder) which the Crown and Beerarama use to publicise what beer's on.  It was "Aurora Australis" by Burning Sky.  There was also Downlands pale which on any other occasion would have been great but was (fittingly) totally eclipsed by the other guest (which was also much stronger).

No contest then, the Crown it was.

I pretty much gave up working around 3.45pm - packed up and then caught up with one member of staff I haven't seen for a while and bade a fond farewell to the WEX students.

I checked bus times and saw there'd be a but around 4.20pm and advised the BBB.

When I arrived at the pub he was just paying for the first round.  I flopped into a chair with a sigh of relief.

That beer was clearly in utterly perfect condition, with all the right things going on with the malt and the hops. Despite the strength, the first pint went down in less than 30 minutes (we usually take much longer), despite trying to slow down a bit.

The second pint would usually not hold the same thrill as the first - only in this case, it really did.

The post work wind down was a real tonic - and we wanted to prolong it all a little longer so we had a final shared pint (if he'd have suggested a full one, I'd have weakened...but he was playing 'sensible one' yesterday).

Much like an astronomical aurora - that cask will be transient.  I very much doubt it'll last into Sunday so it now lives in the memory of an outstanding pint when its impact was also very much welcomed.  Thank you Burning Sky - you've done it again! 

 

 

Never Satisfied?

 We're now about two weeks from our next trip to Bristol.

We went to the Crown on the walk home from work yesterday afternoon/evening rather than stay in town for craft beer.

We had two pints (each) of Three Acre Mosaic beer which was great, not spectacular, but a really nice, fresh pint in lovely condition.  

It was 6.30pm when we left - would we have stayed for another if there'd been something else on the bar? Yeah, probably. But midweek Eastbourne doesn't really work like that.

It's cool - just now we're kind of resigned to the way it is and we frequent places to help keep a bit of momentum, but even then only if the beer's worth having.

Tomorrow, because of work I daresay we'll pop to Wolf with a colleague who is coming over for work stuff.

Friday could easily be Beerarama if they've got a cask on.

Work's very full on - in person - at the moment so I'm already fantasizing a little bit about travelling to Bristol, then having a choice - an actual serious, difficult to make choice - of cask beer at the Barley Mow.

And my work will be remote admin, but I may be able to spend some time organising some files...luxury! 

Watching Playoffs in the Pub

 I'm not really a serious football fan - but there are certain events I find quite entertaining.

About 12 or so years ago, I sat with the BBB in a pub which would charitably be called a "locals" pub and watched all the playoffs for various football divisions.  All accompanied by McMullen's beer (probably IPA).  It was the closest pub to the BBBs house in Hitchin and the only one we knew would be showing all the football.

The Saturday of this Bank Holiday, I was volunteering at the Wish Tower but, following a couple of weeks of a lot of peopling, I excused myself a little early and, instead of the BBB meeting me in Town (it was ridiculously hot) we convened at The Crown.  

 We were quite excited that a Beak/Harveys collab beer could be on offer.  Sadly, it was gone before we even arrived.

However there was Oakham "Citra" and Pentrich "Wish Fulfillment" on offer so we definitely couldn't complain.

We were able to sit next to a window offering the combination of a bit of shade (admittedly from the portaloos which were outside and ready for a Sunday event that we knew we'd avoid, but they were freshly delivered and not in use) and an open window with a bit of a breeze.

Only one playoff match on offer:  Hull v Middlesborough following some shenanigans over spying or something and follow-up pouting about Hull having prepared to play Southampton or somesuch.

There was never a chance that all the people could have been pleased, even some of the time.

After 90 minutes of dull as ditch-water play it very much looked like there would be extra time and penalties.  Thankfully, an added-time goal put us all out of our misery.

It was very jolly and convivial in the pub, the beer was excellent and, because we had no real skin in the playoff result, even the entertainment was low-stress.

Being a only a 10 - 15 minute walk home, it made for the perfect venue - even though the day had been so stupidly hot.  

Yesterday, we could sit in our garden with fridge beer (not something we can ever do in Bristol) and listen to the event at the Crown at a distance (a little bit 80's-tastic to be honest).  We kept an eye on the closing day of the premier league season only in text format and I was glad (given the 3-0 defeat to Man Utd) that we were sat amongst greenery with birds, bees and butterflies rather than watching the match in the pub.