There was talk of hiring a car and driving to the site of Stalag Luft III, pity The Rickmeister did not look at a map before he suggested this, plan abandoned. Instead, there would be a rendezvuous at Van Gogh at 14.30. At least Ricky has found a source of Piwa open before the standard 16.00.
For reasons those who read yesterdays Blog will appreciate, The Hector had no problem getting to sleep last night. Curry-Heute for once did not feel like a good idea either. Perhaps the late night Herring Rollmops had altered the palate, today had to be a Perogi Day.
Tram 8 which goes from the west side of the Train Station was once again the mode of transport to whisk me across town. The Cathedral Island was the chosen tourist destination, I felt I was making good use of the Four day Ticket I had purchased on Sunday, a pity I was here for five.
The Cathedral is not the finest piece of architecture I have ever seen, red brick. If I was more interested I would find out if it was always so. I admired the exterior such as it was and headed back to Stare Miasto. Hector rarely enters buildings which are places of worship, there is no sense of purpose for this commentator. Had I not seen enough Mosques and Temples in India to do me for a while. I am still mentioning The India Trip.
It was only a ten minute walk back across the Warta River to the northern end of Stare Miasto. The first main junction is where Marg and Hector ended up on Night #2 back in October when Google Maps could not cope with the stretch towards the Ibis where only trams can go, round and round, until we were further away from the Ibis than when we started. Now I have the Inner City sussed.
Crossing Stary Rynek it was pleasing to see a bit of sunshine, I could still have done with some warmth, in mid April one has come to hope for better in Continental Europe, but then the Jet Stream has been too far north for about a decade. Temperatures in Europe are nothing like as warm as they were when the Budget Airlines started taking us away so often, it must be – Global Cooling.
I walked due east out of Stary Rynek and found another pedestrianised street that had not registered previously, maybe I am still learning my way around. The main pedestrian street, Polwiejska is where I was headed. The Zascianek Restauracja is well down on the right towards Stary Browar. Marg and I had Traditional Polish Fayre last visit, the venue intrigues.
One enters and climbs stairs to the main dining room. Eventually one discovers that the facilities are in a lower room. The lower room is vast in comparison to the upstairs, this would make an excellent venue for another Multi-Tap Bar and compliment Fermentownia which is across the way but a good bit from the cluster around Stary Rynek.
Perogi it was, washed won with my usual Sparkling Water. The Dumplings looked poor, deep fried? Reheated? If this was one’s first encounter it would have been off-putting, I know where I shall be having my Perogi next time at – Ratusova. Perhaps by then Zascianek will be a Pub?
Pub Van Gogh, this was a first visit. Ricky and Stewart were already well into a Bier when I entered, so just how early does this place open? Dangerous.
With a mere six taps there was a sense of making do. Two of the taps claimed Hops, a choice.
Chmielarz (Browar Zodiak, Polska) at 6.0% kicked off the afternoon session for Hector. An amber American Pale Ale, this was definitely in the required style, as the name suggests a Hop-presence and without the nasty aftertaste. We were on our own for most of the visit, people should be at work. A young couple came in for one, we were having two, we out-stayed them. Perhaps the Nutcrackers put them off. Stewart and Ricky had a bag of Walnuts, means various were employed to open them. Bottled Rowing Jack (6.2%) (Ale Browar, Polska) was Hector’s follow up, Stewart had a taste, his first of what Hector believes is the finest Bier brewed in Polska (currently).
Ricky was determined that we would not return to Chmielnik given the prices. Had Dom Piwa not opened late yesterday, we would have been already. From our table in Van Gogh we could see any shutter activity in Dom Piwa.
Open early and with a view of one of my favourite Poznan Venues, Van Gogh is alright.
I believe I recognised Mein Host in Dom Piwa. We took seats at a high table just off the bar, no stairs would be climbed today. Bottled Rowing Jack (6.2%) (Ale Browar, Polska) it had to be for Stewart. Before today, Stewart had never experienced this Wonderful Bier, he has now. Lemon Tree (Deer Bear, Polska) at 5.0% was Hector’s choice. This was an amber, citrus ale, very dry, with grapefruit coming through slowly.
As much as I like Dom Piwa, this is a stepping stone to Piwna Stopa, or even a fallback if the latter s too busy. Simon, Mein Host was there to greet us, time for The Session to begin, proper.
Bier in whiskey Casks?
Spotting The Rickmeister trying to crack a nut, Simon presented a pair of tension pliers. Perfect. These were used to hammer the shells open. It was going to be a long night.
There had to be more Meza (6.5%) IPA (Artezan, Polska). I look forward to finding this on Tap someday.
The XXX Rye Quad Reserva (Struise Browars, Belgium) caused a stir. A 10.0% ale aged in bourbon barrels, this was indeed drinking Bier with a Whiskey flavour. A one off experience, to be shared around.
The Komes Baltic Porter (9.0%) (Browar Fortuna, Polska) had to be experienced by the discerning ale drinkers, Ricky passed on this, Stewart loved it. Having had a sample yesterday when Simon suggested it to the East Lothian Fraternity, even I had a go despite not being in my preferrred style. Hector does visit – The Dark Side – when the outcome is something special.
There was Wodka on the table before Russel, Sandy and Leslie showed up. Four Scots and Two Yorkshiremen, potential mayhem.
Before we joined them there was the matter of a football match. Hibernian scored, Ricky was happy, hopefully not a bad omen for the Scottish Cup Final.
Simon had another new Piwa for Hector to try. Apartment Six Flakes American IPA (Raduga, Polska) is 6.0% with an IBU of 75. It is Blond just, with a big Hop Hit, the aftertaste is on the edge of tolerance.
Somewhat predictably we ended up at Pijalnia Wodka I Piwa. For this company it should have been renamed Wodka and Rollmops. No justification was required, we are on a Trip, no Ladies to say it’s time to go home, the prices are so welcoming, then there’s the matter of the Fish. I’ll be back.
Had I told Ricky at the start of the day that we should go to a Bar-Disco he would have balked. Russell led the way to Meta. Hazelnut Wodka, Mmmmm.
After a day on The Hop, Rollmops and Flavoured Wodka, perfect to set you up for tomorrow. I was determined not to be out at 01.00 again, nay problem. It was 02.00 when Taxi Jan was summoned. His English is not wonderful, by this time of night I can speak uninhibited Deutsch. In fact, I had been ordering at the Bar for the last hour in German, I was in the mood.
The Bars and Restaurant visited today:
Zascianek Restauracja – Pólwiejska 26, 61-888 Poznan, Polska
Pub Van Gogh – ul. Zydowska 12, 61-761 Poznan, Polska
Dom Piwa – 2, Mokra 2, 61-766 Poznan, Polska
Piwna Stopa – Szewska 7, 61-760 Poznan, Polska
Pijalnia Wódki i Piwa – Stary Rynek 85, Poznan, Polska
Meta Seta Galareta Disco – Stary Rynek 63, Poznan, Polska