Poznan Day 3 – Hellos, Goodbyes, Hellos, Goodnight!

Hector has been in Polska for four days, today there will be company. Ricky, The Man from Bradford, and Stewart, The Brewer from Ilkley, will finally join The Hector.

Ricky was in touch early this morning informing me that there would be a football match in this city this evening. Hector had no wish to sit outside and chill, this evening would be Night #5 of Hector Napypals, or would it?

A local publication informed Ricky of a Cheap Curry Lunch at Restauracja Indyiska Shivaz, 14.30 was the agreed rendezvous time. This still left a couple of hours to wander around Poznan.

Back in October, Hector and Marg scrutinised Stary Browar, The Old Brewery, in search of a cable to charge my camera, no success here, Saturn in the shopping centre at the Train Station has everything. We did stop for a coffee at Le Targ in Stary Browar, and so this was repeated, same venue, virtually the same table. As Marg was not here, I thought I had better have some cake just to establish a ritual.

Outside is Polwiejska, a pedestrianised street which connects the south side of the ring road to Stare Miasto. This could well be the principal shopping street in Poznan, Fermentownia, a Multi-Tap Bar, lies just off. I checked that it was still there, one for later.

Hellos

I arrived early at Shivaz hoping to reacquaint myself with Mein Host, different staff, no promised discount for The Hector. I was shocked when Ricky and Stewart both ordered Polish Eurofizz. Note, I deliberately do not name it. There are standards, one is either a Real Ale Twat, or one is not.

Knowing that Chmielnik is open before the standard 16.00 Poznan Opening Time, I led The Chaps there through Stary Rynek. The Board looked the same as yesterday. I recommended someone try the Kryz Poludnia (5.%) NZPA (Browar Reden, Polska) which I had quite enjoyed yesterday.

Oki Doki (4.3%) (Pinta, Polska) was first recommended in C4, Katowice back in 2014. This was the day Marg and Hector saw Pendragon in Polska. C4 has gone, Pinta has become one of the well established new wave of Polish Brewers. Suitably Dry and Hoppy, this was a gentle start to the day.

We were sitting in the conservatory at the rear of Chmielnik. Ricky spotted too that Piwna Stopa lies over the wall at the bottom of the Bier Garden. Three Chaps sat at a table adjacent, they were speaking English, Pukka English. I was sitting with two Yorkshiremen, there was no interaction, until…

I heard one Chap mention Clydebank, the town where I reside. I turned round and held up my hand. I was anticipating a – so what? – there was a brief conversation.

Next, I needed something more demanding in terms of Hops and hence Flavour. This would not be from The Board, Bottle time. Hop Sasa (5.0%) (Ale Browar, Polska) is a particular favourite, can this Brewery do wrong? The first time I had Hop Sasa was in Krakow also in 2014. Then I found it Sweet after a Doctor Brew equivalent, this afternoon, the Grapefruit was to the fore, success.

It is time to remind the Reader that Hector is on a Trip to Polska, ostensibly with Ricky and Stewart. Imagine the moment that follows… It is approaching 18.00, time for The Chaps to head north to the Fitba’. Classic – HoldenTours.

Goodbye, see you tomorrow.

Having known the score from the outset, Hector, Netbook over the shoulder, headed to Piwna Stopa, where else. Rowing Jack (6.2%) (Ale Browar, Polska) as has been written many times, is – Hop Heaven, still my favourite Piwa. No way was I going to spend the rest of the night on this, if I was going to write a coherent Blog (still working on The India Trip), then concentration was required.

I had been served by the same Chap who I had seen on the last two days. Sitting at what I consider to be – my seat – at – my table – a familiar face came into view. It was Simon, Mein Host. He recognised me instantly, I cannot work out why. Simon was straight over; we did some catching up. I assured him I was here with friends, but they had gone to the football. A sad story.

The Rowing Jack went off; other people must have been drinking it. In the fridge was a bottle of Pan Ipani (6.0%) (Trech Kumpli, Polska) as I had at ZUP in Wroclaw a couple of days ago, but on tap. This Wheat IPA is one to keep looking out for, a great combination of two Bier-styles – IPA and Weizen. I would love to recapture my taste for Weizen, too often I gag.

Yesterday, the bladder made me take my leave, I felt it too risky to abandon the Netbook. Piwna Stopa was busier, tables around me had been reserved, I would take my chances. On my way back from the facilities I heard a – Hello. It was The Chaps we had seen at Chmielnik. They were Scottish, hard to believe. After ten minutes of me standing at their table, I explained how I came to be on my own, I went to collect my belongings.

At this point Simon brought a Platter of Meat to my table, a Complimentary Snack, I suggested he follow me to the new table mid-room. This was a good hand for Hector to deal. Some of the Meat Cuts were astonishing. Note to self, next time, order this.

Russel, Clydebank born but ex-military, hence the Pukka voice was in the company of Andy and Leslie from East Lothian. All are retired and in Poznan to do the same as Hector. Let the madness commence.

Simon sat with us and told the story of how he came to establish Piwna Stopa after his days working in England. I had to ask if there was another Piwa in the house that I should try, he returned with two bottles.

Meza (6.5%) is an IPA (Artezan, Polska). With an IBU of 70, same as Rowing Jack, Hector was on to a winner. There had to be more, there was.

Komes Baltic Porter (9.0%) (Browar Fortuna, Polska) was brought for Sandy/Leslie who was keen to discover more Biers in this style. This was a Piwa to be savoured, a sample came my way, it was excellent, not too sweet even whilst interrupting the excellent Mera IPA.

By now the great tradition of rounds included me. A tray was brought from the Bar, Russel had other plans for it, result, devastation. Same again please. The Reserved Chaps I had encountered this afternoon were now – In The Zone – as was Hector. When Russel announced that he was switching to Wodka, there was little clue as to what would follow.

Last night, my new Best Buddies had Wodka and Snacks at Pijalnia Wodka I Piwa, we walked the few blocks back to Rynek. The place was stowed, with The Young. Nobody bothered, we were in, I insisted on buying the Wodka whilst a Snack was arranged. Four vodkas cost less than one Pint at Piwna Stopa I bought another round. Honour was maintained.

The Frankfurter whetted the appetite. There was talk of Rollmops Herring, this came too, Gosh! I shall be bringing people here in October, what a way to finish a night, or so I thought.

The Locals were keen to find out who these Mild-mannered Chaps were.

Again, as last night The Chaps had been to another venue across Stary Rynek – Meta Seta Galareta Disco. This is exactly the sort of venue that may catch the eye in passing but nobody I know would ever dream of entering. There was dancing, this was ignored, Hector still had his senses. Lemon Wodka has been a favourite since Israel in 1986, not that I have had much. Cherry Wodka was encountered last year, but Hazelnut? Hazelnut Wodka could easily be Hector’s undoing.