Happy New Year from Mirfield and Todmorden!

Mirfield, the only place to be on Ne’er Day.

Hector had suggested, semi-seriously some time back that we look at this West Yorkshire Railway Junction as a possible venue for Hogmanay. Alas there are not enough beds available in what is little more than a Village to accommodate the Group, so Huddersfield it was. Mirfield is but eight minutes by train away.

There was a rendezvous time at the Train Station, what was not anticipated that we all end up having Breakfast at Wetherspoons, nothing else was open. Is is a Holiday, or something?

Craig spent the duration of Breakfast promising to go to bed early next Hogmanay. Midnight, and after, is way past his bedtime. Full English Breakfast for Hector, even the Sausages were edible. Coffee Accompaniment of course, Hector cannot stand Tea cooked in English Water.

Arriving at one Platform in Mirfield, I asked the Guard to confirm that our planned departure some fifty five minutes hence would be from the platform –  Lying Yonda in da Distance..

Then began one of today’s objectives. Hector stripped off the warm outer garments, down to the T-shirt bearing the face of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, erstwhile Captain of the Starship Enterprise ‘D’. Patrick Stewart was born in Mirfield, everyone knows that.

The Navigation Tavern is just outside the Station, my second visit. The Canal runs past, Marg went exploring, the rest went in for Ale.

The Locals were hogging the Bar and the service. Eventually we all had an Ale. Sneck Dust at 3.8% (Great Newsome Brewery, Winestead, East Yorkshire) was Blond but lacking in everything. There was nothing else attractive in what was a decent array of hand pumps. This is the problem of being an Ale drinker, one faces the ordinary, or even less than ordinary too often. If the Ale was disappointing, the atmosphere deteriorated rapidly. From the Proclaimers the music went Irish, we had the lot, Eurovision song winning Presidents, a song sung at football grounds, Craig was in agony, few were comfortable. We should have stayed another hour.

Todmorden

Todmorden is some forty minutes from Mirfield. The Bare Arts was the attraction. Marg went for Coffee in a Café with interesting things on the wall. The Faster Walkers arrived first, Dr. Stan and Hector. Clive and Maggie were not far behind. Dr. Stan and Marg have been before, they know. The expression on everyone’s face was a joy as they walked into the worst colour scheme of any House-Brewery in England. Even the floor…

There was a private function being held in the big room so the place was stowed. This apparently was how they could guarantee being open today. The arrival of ten Scots plus two was another bonus for them.

Hector was recommending the Cascade at 6.4%. Mein Host offered it at 4.4% and 8.4% too. The rest found their choice but most ended up on the Cascade … at 6.4% This Ale only comes in half-litre bottles as do all the Ales at Bare Arts. In winter the temperature is fine, as noting is chilled, avoid this place on hot days. The Cascade has everything, Strength, Hops, Body, and a Magnificent Dry and Hopped Flavour, did I mention Hops? It has to be treated with respect.

Mein Host took the time to talk to us. He lost thousands of bottles in last year’s floods. At the prices he charges it should not take too long to recoup the losses. The Ale here is not cheap. Why Micro-breweries charge premium prices has always escaped me. The Customer pays to visit The Source, the Bier does not have to Travel.

When Tracey walked into the Bare Arts she hated it instantly. Yet when some decided to play safe and retire to the Polished Knob she stayed on to drink the 8.4% Cascade, The Lady had changed her mind – Big Time. Having had the thumbs up from Dr. Stan last year I knew the Bare Arts would go down well. Todmorden is now on the map.

The Polished Knob, where Ricky, Richard (no, not that one) and Hector had a misunderstanding over local eating customs a couple of years back… had nothing special on offer. Bland was not an option, Hop Chocolate Stout at 4.8% (Raw, Chesterfield, Derbyshire) was Dark as anticipated, nothing special at first, then surprised.

Howard, Robin, Marg, Dr. Stan and Hector sat adjacent to the Table of Tantrum. The walk back up the hill to the Station had me worried for some, on arrival. The walk from the Station to Bare Arts and the steepness of the hill appear to shrink with every visit.

Back in Huddersfield

Jonathan had had the day off. He was waiting at our new Huddersfield local, The Rat and Ratchet with John and Judith. The King Rat at 5% (Rat Brewery, Huddersfield, Yorkshire) was once again the Ale of choice, though I did end the evening on Franziskaner (Spaten, München, Bayern), my first Deutsche Bier of 2013.

We were tired. John remarked at how quiet the assembled company had become. Fortunately in this Couple’s Company the conversation always flows.

Hopefully they will make it to Musselburgh on May 18.

For the third and last time, Marg and Hector walked back to the Travelodge. This Trip is not over, unless one answers to the name Howard, Tracey, Clive and Maggie. The rest of us move on to Bradford tomorrow, for reasons unfathomable…

The Pubs visited today:

Navigation Tavern – 6 Station Rd., Mirfield, West Yorkshire, WF14 8NL

Bare Arts – 110 Rochdale Rd., Todmorden, West Yorkshire, OL14 7LP

The Polished Knob – 31 Burnley Rd., Todmorden, West Yorkshire, Ol14 7BU

The Rat and Ratchet – 40 Chapel Hill, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Hd1 3EB

 

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