This trip to Polska was conceived a year ago in Haarlem. Bieres Sans Frontieres, the staff who work in the – Foreign Bar(s) – at the Great British Beer Festival have their own society. Having staffed the Paisley then Glasgow equivalents since the mid 1990s, and even the actual GBBF, Hector knows those who have to be known. Barcelona 2018 was my last appearance, knowing more about this year’s venue – Krakow – than many, Hector was not missing out.
Then Pendragon announced their tour dates. By extending the trip forwards, the Lodz gig was possible. Yesterday, Pendragon had no choice but to leave Polska, their concerts cancelled due to – Koronawirus. After a sleepless night going through the possible outcomes, Hector headed off to Manchester on the 08.00 from Glasgow Central, changing at Preston. TransPennine have been abandoned, unreliable.
Arriving early courtesy of Mr. O’Leary at Katowice, chaps boarded the ‘plane. Since we took off, the Ministry of Health (Polska) had introduced a form to be filled in…Koronawirus … had we been to China etc. There was more than one pen provided, it felt otherwise. Hector’s form was in Polish, thankfully the chap beside me had the English version and the patience to talk me through it. Seat 11F, just in case that becomes relevant.
Hector was second last off the ‘plane, chaps in biohazard suits had an instrument to test my forehead. All was well. The luggage was one of three bags remaining on the belt. Having landed at 17.45, it was 18.15 when I set foot outside the terminal, at Edinburgh Airport it typically takes double that time.
A fleet of mini-coaches were on hand to ferry us to Krakow/Katowice. 25Zl, and fifty minutes later, Hector was checking-in to Hotel Katowice. Room 633, the irony. On my first visit I had to get up in the middle of the night to deal with a mosquito before it did the inevitable.
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It had been raining since I left the airport, it wasn’t going to stop. Passing Biala Malpa, and that was difficult knowing that a certain Zichovec Pivo – of Juicy Lucy fame – was on, I overestimated the distance to Icy & Spicy and found the new Bus Station. It should be open soon. The Curry at Icy & Spicy ticked a few boxes.
It was still raining, of course, as I again took twice as long to find Biala Malpa, one would think it was three years since I was last here. This long established venue has spread across the alley to include a Mexican Restaurant. Once all the Curry Houses have been visited, perhaps.
Juicy Lucy was the Pivo of the recent trip to Praha of which I have blogged – nothing. Finding it on tap at the Manchester Beer Festival in January was ridiculous. We finished it then went on to Nectar of Happiness, at 7.0% and in the juicy, Milkshake style, possibly even better. It was the latter which was waiting for me at Biala Malpa. Whilst enjoying this, I spotted the full range of Zichovec Pivo in bottles, in other company and with more time…
Three years, it has been three years since Hector last had Pivo with Robert of Browariat fame, too long. I had hoped to be there by 22.00, it was 22.20 when I walked down into the basement bar that is Browariat.
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Hector was greeted, there were no other customers. Juicy Lucy was reported here a month or so back, but has gone.
It’s astonishing how Hector’s favourite Bier style is enjoyed by so many. Robert had something just as good he claimed, a challenge. Sir Barks-a-Lot (Sudden Death, Deutschland) is a 6.8% NEIPA in the now classic Milkshake style. It had – the taste, all was well.
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We had much to catch up on. Koronawirus could have catastrophic effects on Robert’s business, Italia, who have suffered most to date in Europe, have already declared all restaurants, bars, should be closed. Coronavirus after Brexit, lucky white heather. At 23.15, a truck pulled up outside. Bier from a cancelled Fest was brought in, Hector watched. What will happen to this Pivo if nobody can come out to drink it?
Robert and his able barman had waited up, the final Pivo was a can of Jejune IPA (Fuesrt Wiacek, Berlin, 6.8%) whose Bier I have enjoyed in recent trips to Berlin. Again, this was totally – in the style.
Bill paid, a can of Het Uiltje (Nederland) was given for the road. I decided to keep this for an – emergency. The plan is to return here next Wednesday on the way back from Warszawa before Krakow. That feels a long time off. Hopefully all will go well for Robert, without Browariat, Katowice would never be the same.
The morning after
Breakfast at Hotel Katowice is included in the price else Hector would never have bothered with it. In the early visits, the ladies supervising the Buffet were clearly from the days before 1989. The glares when people filled their plates were fierce. Now things are much more relaxed, an opperchancity to enjoy some Polish tastes and fill up for the day.
… continuing Day #2 of how many in Polska?