Today finds Hector in England for the day. It is somewhat ironic for the same price Trips to Deutschland were once possible, even famously a Day Trip. Stavely in the heart of the Lake District is the home of the Hawkshead Brwery. The Hawkshead Festival days feature a good array of Ales, not just their own. Today under the auspices of The Society of Independent Brewers, another Festival is the attraction, a chance to try something new and enjoy one of the Best Ales of the Moment at Source.
Jonathan and Robin have been down here since Thursday so they had recommendations. Cosmic by Blakemere (Northwich, Cheshire) was one of these. It never came – we were told by a Barperson. Our friends drank it yesterday. – was our reply. Jonathan did end up some bottles of the sought after Cosmic.
The Hector Rant
The Trusty Samsung informed Hector that the train from Glasgow was running on time, Oxenholme was was minutes away. What I then discovered put me into orbit. We would miss the connection to Staveley by three minutes, the next train was over an hour after our scheduled arrival. As it happened we saw the late departure of the 11.18 as we pulled into Oxenholme at 11.22. Who designs a train timetable like this? This was a wind-up and I was truly wound up.
To pass the hour The Party walked up the hill to the Station Inn which was certainly more than the advertised three minutes away, even at The Hector Pace. A Complementarity Soda Water was gratefully received, I’m going to a Beer Festival, I don’t want to contaminate the Palate. Yvonne had the last half pint of Moorhouse (Burnley, Lancashire) Blond Witch. The rest of The Company was Euaned!
Euan has moved North to the land where Hops rarely frequent. A Photo of what he was missing was sent up to him. Nice to be Nice, or as is our philosophy – It is not enough the We enjoy ourselves. Other must suffer.
Jonathan, Robin and The Brothers had the table at the window held for us. The Party of Ten was now Fourteen with one more to come. Somehow Dr. Stan was not with us. He had also been down in the previous days and had headed North yesterday. Kenny was a late call off. Space was tight, Howard and Tracey found no room in The Beer Hall and had to sit outside. At least they were under cover. They were also therefore seated at the Bar which the Early Birds had told us housed the Best Ales.
Hawkshead’s very own NZPA had to kick the day off. A Seasonal Brew, this ticks all the boxes. At 6.0% it has to be respected. Hops and Citrus, what The Chaps seek, and with the New Zealand Hops, absolutely crammed with Flavours. The Glasgow CAMRA Beer of the Year, and deservedly so. George did not start with this but was soon a Fellow Traveller.
The first of the Recommended Ales tried was SIP at 5.4% (First Chop, Salford, Greater Manchester). Again this was Dry, Bitter with the much appreciated Citrus. A winner on any other day. This was served in the Outside Bar, so a chance to say – Hi – to Howard and Tracey, The Outside Bar-staff upset Mags by refusing to serve her at the Side where the Fonts were. It was Mags’ turn to have a rant.
Hardknott’s (Millom, Cumbria) Azimuth at 5.8% had a hint of Citrus but did have the Hops. A very pleasant Ale, which again on any other day…
Sandy from the Drovers Rest (Monkhill, Cumbria) arrived mid-afternoon to do some Research. He knows the Ales we like and will no doubt have something Special for us when we make a return visit at the end of November. He assures us The Locals will be out to observe just how a Cask can be done in an afternoon.
Craig, Alan and George spent a good bit out of time outside with Howard and Tracey who had now met up with a like-minded Couple. When The Brothers departed there was enough space inside, however, it never really happened. Neil also appears to have been converted to The Style. His Traditional Dark Ales did not make an appearance. NZPA is too much of an attraction it appears.
There was quite a crowd on the Staveley Platform when Hector caught up with everyone. Craig, Yvonne, Alan, Mags, and George had a tight connection to make back to Glasgow. Hector was again not a Happy Chap when some Yobs held the doors open on the Down Train. If it’s late going Down to Windermere, it could be late back. I had already seen a train depart today that I wanted to be on, not again please.
Ronnie, Neil, Howard and Tracey had seen the Hector Logic in waiting for the more comfortable and faster Virgin Train. This meant consuming some of Hawkshead’s 5 Hops in the waiting Room, this is becoming something of a Tradition. Howard had a treat for us on the journey back. Who knows what it was, the Label was Handwritten…
Meanwhile Jonathan and Robin headed back to Lancaster. What a splendid idea. I wish I had at least gone down on the Friday night and not have to miss the optimum train from Oxenholme at the start of the day.
The Brewery Tap and Pub visited today:
Station Inn – Oxenholme Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7RF
The Beer Hall – Mill Yard, Staveley, Cumbria, LA8 9LR
While I have come to appreciate The Style, I did try to locate certain dark ales. They were not to be found. Perhaps some mob from an alternative beer universe drunk them all on the Friday.
Hector replies:
Maybe that’s why Robin was down so early?