Today was another treat for Hector. I had to organise nothing. Craig and Yvonne had found an £18 return from Glasgow to Newcastle Upon Tyne earlier in the summer. The Usual Suspects were all accordingly booked on the train just after 09.00 from Glasgow central. The seven of us were spread over three carriages. The train guard was a hoot, he clearly enjoys his work. With Netbook in hand, the journey lasted no time at all.
We arrived just after 11.30. The plan was a lunchtime Curry before hitting the Ales. Alas, Google maps were not talking to Hector who had no idea where he was. Now Kenneth will tell you that he and I have had Bier in Newcastle before, back in the 1970’s? If so, it was in the station. This was my first venture to Newcastle as a destination.
Craig led us to the Forth Hotel where we were forced to stand for some fifteen minutes. They were not open. Hordes of football fans thronged around the narrow streets. We ignored them they ignored us. Perhaps they could tell we were from Glasgow?
The choice of Ale and Bier in the Forth Hotel was excellent. It is quite ironic therefore that we all (If Dr Stan was with us he would have had smething different of course) opted for a new Scottish Ale: Harvieston (Alva) American IPA. This suits our palate, the continuing preference for dry, hoppy Ale with body and bite. The range of draught Bier was phenomenal, European and American Bier balanced by our domestic. We could have stayed, all day.
The Bodega was our next port of call. This venue is magnificent in its décor. This feels like a proper pub. The cupola above the central drinking area is an attractive and purposeful piece of architecture. The light flooded down through the stain glass. The place was stowed; the football was in full flight. Hector found it strange that everyone was supporting the same team. Was Scotland playing?
Newcastle scored, everyone was happy. No more than our assembled gathering who were polishing off the Prince Bishop Ale, produced locally (Newburn) at The Big Lamp Brewery. This again was very much in the niche we so actively seek. It may only be 4.8% but even Craig had to admit that it packs flavour commensurate with his normal 5+%. We could have stayed, all day.
Passing the City Wall, and Chinatown, St James Park was seen in the near distance as we approached our final Pre-Curry pit stop. The Newcastle Arms has won the CAMRA POTY enough times for us to make it a must visit venue. The place was full of Chaps in Hawaiian shirts, how gauche. Feeling decidedly normal Avalanche (Cairndow, Argyll) was the Bier of choice. Yes another Scottish Ale. We could have stayed at home? However, in Glasgow one simply cannot get this choice of Bier. And why not? Those who are empowered to do so decide not to!
“Just because you have the power doesn’t mean you have the right!” (Lemmy Kilminster)
It was Curry-Heute time. There’s another story…
The Bier Safari
One goes on Safari, one sees animals, and one does not shoot them or eat them. This pretty much sums up the aftermath of the Curry. Craig took us on a fast paced tour of the exteriors of rated pubs in the city centre. The photos are here for one to look at what we might have won. Craig has his own idea of what constitute a worthy Bier. He pronounced that there was nothing worth going in for and he quickly came back out of each venue. Hector managed one interior shot, the Bachus/Fitzgerald, I believe. Many more Curry Houses were spotted during the sprint.
Howard and Tracey had not kept up and so we signalled them that a return to Bodega was in order. A taxi took us for a day tour around Newcastle. Like the TV tower in Prague, the same sights always appeared on both sides of the cab.
We were welcomed back at Bodega; our group was possibly the most sober one in the city by this time. More Prince Bishop Ale and then it was time for us all to reassemble at The Forth Hotel for some very fine Sierra Nevada IPA, on draught of course…
We have resolved to return. Perhaps Gateshead next time?
The Pubs we were allowed to have a Bier in:
The Forth Hotel – 17-23 Pink Lane, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 5DW
Bodega – 125 Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4AG
Newcastle Arms – 57 St. Andrews Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 5SE
We fell behind due to stopping for a pint of the magnificent Broadoak Perry (pale, cold and 7.5%!) in one of the safari pubs, and we also went under one of the bridges to look for kittiwakes.