A Wetherspoons Breakfast at 09.30, on a Saturday? Yvonne had also texted to confirm the 11.01 from Lancaster to Staveley. This would get us to the Hawkshead Beer Festival before the Noon opening.
Yvonne had a strategy, she had to get the Stammtisch, the seat occupied by all those who had been on previous Trips. This was Hector’s first Trip to Staveley, he would follow the flow.
Jonathan and Robin had taken the Bus due to the lack of accessibility at Staveley Train Station. This left Seven of Nine to travel by Train. At Staveley one of the Barmen recognised Craig and took us a short-cut past the Graveyard. We were first to arrive and stood outside in the rain.
The doors opened at Noon, Yvonne was straight in and up the facing stairs, mission accomplished, now for an Ale, or two.
Tracey had consumed nothing but Ossett yesterday, the highly recommended Admiral IPA (Ossett, Yorkshire WF5 8ND) at 4.8% should be a gentle start to a long day. It was in our favoured Blond style, was indeed Dry, and then, Gosh! The Ale was becoming more Cheek Suckingly Dry by the Sip. This was just the job. But this is a Hawkshead Beer Festival.
Last Saturday, Glasgow CAMRA voted Hawkshead NZPA as best Beer of the Year. Craig was already demolishing it. Mags was worried they may run out and so grabbed some too. At least we were not returning from the Bar with Double Rounds as we are prone to do when the supply is at a premium.
I went downstairs to the Bar where the entire array of Hawkshead Ale was on sale. The NZPA was liberated. The Beer at Source! Dr. Stan appeared beside me, before I knew it we were in conversation with one of the Brewers. We informed him of his pending Award. He complained that it is hard for anyone else to get NZPA, most of it has apparently been sent North, to Glasgow! I wonder who drank it all?
By now I was familiar with the layout of the Venue. Two Bars with long Corridors and Stairs separating them. The Brewery Equipment was around us. There was a Wi-Fi signal, but it was so poor the Handy Samsung was switched off for most of the day. I was never here.
Back upstairs the Ale was thoroughly enjoyed, it ticked every box. Even after the Ossett, this had everything, Body, Flavour, exactly the Dry Hopped Ales we seek.
It would have been suicidal, or even worse, anti-social to stick with the Perfect Pint. Bitter Kiwi at a more able 5% (Bristol Brewing Company, Avon) was again a recommendation. It took a few moments after the NZPA, but this again was in the right style and was certainly worth investigating. It also had the bonus of being sold in the Upstairs Bar. This had nothing with me sticking to the same Brewery and following on the the American Hopped version, Independence at a lesser 4.6%. New Zealand Hops followed by American Hops, Hector was now in his element.
Our full complement of Nine was supplemented by the two Day Trippers. The Duke of Hamilton plus Alan arrived around 13.00. We were by now indeed having a Party. The Bristol Beer was enjoyed so much, plans were put in place for a Trip to Bristol (and Bath) later this year. It was also taken as read that we would be returning to Staveley for the Summer Festival in July. This year Hector’s Summer Vacation does not preclude a visit.
[Stan.TB] was back!
Howard was in Full Flow, Fun with Puns!, Tracey even departed from the Ossett. Robin breathed a sigh of relief when the Amsterdam Vase was NOT set before him. The Duke kept us entertained, how does he get away with it?
The afternoon merged into evening. Some decided that a train back to Lancaster was in order. Leaving the Day Trippers to fend for themselves. I persuaded Dr. Stan to stay on another couple of hours. This did not take much persuasion. Seven of Eleven had now left, we budged up and welcomed the New Company. Andrea and Co. would prove to be delightful. We were rejuvenated, just as well because the Final Ale of the visit would be a Doozy.
The NZPA was off! There was no more! Who drank it?
The Yakima Valley American IPA (Arbor Ales, Yakima, Washington, USA) at a mighty 7.0% was the Nightcap. Again perfectly Hopped, and American Hops of course. After the recent trip to NYC, I have acquired a great appreciation for the USA brand of Hops. Will I grow out of Hallertau?
Back to Lancaster
We had to change at Oxenholme, what a busy place. People going in all directions. It was only Dr. Stan and Hector left standing, or so we thought. People were reported at The Tap House, a new venue for us. Mag, Craig and Yvonne were tantalising themselves with Belgian Kriek.
Dr. Stan provided the final Pint of the Day. It was more Hawkshead, the Brodie’s Prime at 4.9%. This was the complete Antithesis, or even Antidote, to everything consumed today.
A Dark, almost Porter style Beer with no Hops whatsoever. It changed the Palate, but it also put me in the mood for Something Spicy .
Somehow, Hector was the last man standing, I tottered out The Tap House alone, picked a random direction and headed for Curry-Heute. Mognies was the destination.
The Brewery and Pub visited today:
Hawkshead Brewery Ltd – Mill Yard, Staveley, Cumbria, LA8 9LR
The Tap House – 2 Gage Street, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1UH
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