Day Two of the Bedford-Bamberg Spring Fest, then a Pub or Three

A suitably Large Lunch was consumed at a very promising Bedford Curry House the – Bala Sweet & Tandoori Centre. Hector had passed Dr, Stan, Clive and Jonathan by chance at the end of Midland Street in a Wetherspoons that was not known to exist – Pilgrim’s Progress. Cue – Greenslade! On my return it was decreed that a return to the Festival was Written. The Four Bier Tokens were located in my wallet, just as well I had not removed them.

The Don Bosco Musikanten were playing, there was no Queue at t’Bar, a Table was acquired in the Inner Room, Perfect! The Vierzehnheiligen Nothelfer Silberbock (Trunk, Bad Stafelstein, Bayern) was back on, the day was under-way. Now this did taste a bit Sweet, and so more Schlenkerla – Old Smoke Doppelbock (Heller, Bamberg, Bayern) was appreciated more.

Now even us hardened Bockbier Drinkers know that this is not a Sustainable Start to a day. We departed after Two, in search of Domestic Ale at a more manageable abv.

The Bedford Arms is located across from Bedford Prison. The Façade of the Prison looked familiar, this was featured in the opening of the Legendary BBC Sitcom – Porridge.

Boulier, from the Single Hop range (Buntingford Brewery, Royston, Hertfordshire) was the Ale recommended by The Barman. The Barman’s name was Carlos.

This was quite Fruity after the Schlenkerla, though the Hops came through. The joy of British Ale, served in Cask and markedly different from the Keg Deutsche Bier, it holds its own. Any Ale which follows Schlenkerla is being truly tested. This was so good, another was called for.

A Couple of Locals were at the Bar during our visit. Carlos behind the Bar was most Hospitable. Clive was able to charge his phone. A conversation on Natural Logs which had began back in the Corn Exchange now developed further. Pythagoras was mentioned, a good time for Hector to mention the Pythagorean Cup. A Goblet which empties itself if over-filled.

There was a Curry Takeaway Menu behind the Bar. On Sunday Evenings the New Bombay delivers to those who take part in the Curry Night. A Great Idea. Now what were the chances of Hector going to visit Bedford’s Oldest Curry House this very day?

A Canvas Print on the wall featured a Trumpet and some Writing. That looks like Hebrew the way it is designed. Carlos agreed, he had previously thought so too but nobody had ever seen this before. Carlos was due to return to perform as Singer-Guitarist on Sunday evening. We had to leave. Our visit had been made most pleasant. Cheers!

The Wellington Arms was visited by Dr. Stan and Hector Two Years ago, we were the last men standing on that occasion. Mid-afternoon and the place was doing well. Jonathan had a table for us and an Ale recommendation, a New Oakham! Davy Jones (Oakham, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire) at 5% was right on our sought after abv. A Copper Coloured Ale, it had the familiar Oakham Hoppiness but not enough of it. Green Devil and Scarlet Macaw this was not.

We spent a very comfortable and relaxed hour here in what is a truly excellent Pub. The Rest of The Friends of Hector were in Newcastle today. There was absolutely no sense of – Our Ale is better than your Ale!

From the Wellington Arms we were able to stretch our legs as we headed towards the Cricketers Arms. I now Know this is a Welsh Pub and so did not put my foot in it this time.

SA Gold (Brains, Cardiff, Wales) at 4.3% was never going to set the heather on fire. It didn’t. Nowhere near enough Hops.

Mein Host was excellent, he chatted away. Doris who had tolerated us Two Years ago was more in the background on this visit. Sat in a large square in the raised area to the rear, a Local came in and sat amongst us, no problem. He too joined in. Very relaxing, very welcoming. Another fine English, sorry, Welsh Hostelry.

Both the Wellington Arms and the Cricketers Rams had been visited before, time for somewhere new. Behind the Cricketers Arms lies the Three Cups. A Greene King Pub, this was a risky visit. Doris behind the Bar was most welcoming. We were being made to feel Welcome everywhere today. Yes, we are here for the Bier Festival, but we can’t stay there all day. Summer Lightning (Hopback, Salisbury, Wiltshire) at 5% was a Bonus. A pity their Winter Lightning is not available all year round. Still, this Gold, reasonably Hopped Ale, does the trick. A Great Fall-back.