Once a month, a fair representation of Glasgow CAMRA members, hereafter – The Company – descend upon The Volunteer Arms (Staggs) in Musselburgh. We are in our Third Year of doing so, it is now written.
Actually, not every visit is written in these humble pages, needless to say, today was a special day.
We now have our own Taxi Driver – Rab, who collects us at Waverley and deposits us back there at the end of our shift.
On the train coming though, The Seven who came from Queen St were led to believe that a new Dark Star (Partridge Green, West Sussex) 6.5% Ale called – Six Hop Ale – was on. On arrival this was updated remotely by the Management via a well-known Medium to – as soon as Oakham’s 5.5% (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire) Perun – goes off.
Howard before Green Devil, and after…
Edinburgh CAMRA assembled slowly, The Company was Eleven by the time they had all arrived. As Glasgow CAMRA members should we attend the Edinburgh AGM being held in the Lounge Bar and ensure that The Staggs was Pub of the Year? No need. A clear winner, and no Hanging Baskets!
With Howard, the Chairman of the Glasgow Branch present, there was almost an extraordinary meeting to vote The Staggs our POTY. Why can’t we?
Meanwhile we had to content ourselves with Oakham’s tried and savoured Green Devil (6.0%) and Bishop’s Farewell (4.6%). The Staggs just doesn’t serve one Oakham Ale, it serves many, simultaneously, hence our Monthly Trek. Ales from other Breweries are available also, and tried. Who infamously said – There is no demand for – Strong, Pale Hoppy Ales. (?)
After three hours there was still no sign of the Six Hop. Katie, Mein Host for the day, insisted that the Perun was flying out the door yesterday. Today, nobody was drinking it. Howard, Dr. Stan and Neil fell on the sword. Had Craig not insisted we wouldn’t like it no doubt it would have vanished soon after our arrival. Still no Six Hop Ale.
There was a Chap here to meet Boydie… To Absent Friends and Mr. Boyd.
Then Neil switched to Hit the Lip (Cromarty Brewing Company, Davidston, Cromarty) at a modest 3.8%. That was the last pint, on the came the Six Hop Ale, we didn’t like it!
Too Sweet. Ouch! Back to the Green Devil.
At 6%, Green Devil ticks all the boxes – Blond, Body, Citrus, Serious Grapefruit, and Huge Hops! We like it. Sometimes The Duke says he gets Mango. At the turn of the year there was a fear that it had become Mango Juice, but no more. The Grapefruit is officially back.
Rab took us back to Waverley. Back in Glasgow by 21.00.
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Yet another excellent day at Staggs. Many thanks to all concerned.
Think I ended up back on the Green Devil. It all got a bit hazy towards the end, as it does. I spent the bus journey into Edinburgh talking to a very nice chap from Edinburgh CAMRA whose name I either didn’t get or have forgotten. Lord knows what rubbish I was talking. Then first class rail travel back home, thanks to Jonathan!