Yes, it is exactly one month since Hector left Polska, that was for the Riverside tour, this weekend we see the reformed Porcupine Tree perform in Katowice. It is far easier to secure tickets for such concerts abroad than it is to deal with the corrupt ticket agents in the UK.
Bier-Traveller, a Blog, however the reporting of day to day activities has become quite rare. It simply would take all my time to keep this up to date, as if anyone was really interested. Instead, I have focussed on the information on the drop-down menu above, e.g. all you need to know about Kraków is there.
Usually we stay in Kazimierz, however, our apartment arranged via Booking.com, declared themselves overbooked. We were bumped, despite having paid already. Ibis to the rescue, the one at the main train station where we stayed in our first visits to Kraków.
Arriving at J2P2 Airport, the plan was take the train into the city, not one sign showed the locus of the station. Instead, it was easier to take Bus 208 (or 300) to the city. The 208 passes the Ibis, yay.
Marg had to be amused before the serious business of the day was underway. Pierogarnia Krakowiacy provided the traditional Polish Cuisine that was sought. Fear not, there should be Curry tomorrow. Golabki for Hector, accompanied by Bread and Dripping with Gherkin.
All good except there was a worrying aftertaste from the Gherkins, not Kosher. Marg had a concoction in a loaf, not really what she wanted, but what she got. Two ladies at the next table table had the filled loaf plus Pierogi, to their sorrow.
Coffee and Cake had to follow, Hector going the extra mile to ensure the lady was amused. Cakester Cafe provided the necessaries despite the fact they were closing at 20.00, we had twenty minutes. Hector’s cake must have been Vegan/Gluten Free or a throwback to the Communist era: all taste removed. This was among the blandest food ever eaten.
Cakester on Tomasza, a venue we had visited before but branded differently. Tomasza, home to 4-4-2, the Sports-bar already showing this evening’s early kick-offs in the Champions League. Napoli v Rangers to come, played before Napoli fans only as a consequence of the passing of the Queen. After last week’s thrashing by Liverpool, maybe we wouldn’t bother.
Through the Rynek in Stare Miasto, Marg recognised the route to Multi Qlti where OnTap.pl reported, there were two choices of interest.
We don’t do tasters – I was firmly informed.
One of my choices had gone, so a small NEIPA was ordered, along with Bacardi & Coke for Marg. What?
Tank Busters (Polska) – The Book of Hops at 5.8% turned out to be excellent, a – Large – was purchased moments later. At £3.48 great value. The Book of Hops has the full milkshake haze and gives off a big, smooth hop hit. Most importantly, what I called – The Polish aftertaste – was absent. Oftentimes, Craft Piwo has this, it can be tolerated, but it’s better when it’s not there at all. For the record, I had Time to Fly, a DIPA at 7.0% by the same brewery at Biala Malpa (Katowice) last year, it too was sound. A brewery to note. More please!
I went back to the bar, it’s aff! Pastry Sours seemed to be popular here tonight, it was time to go back to the tried and tested. Artezan (Polska) – Mera – at 6.5%, a West Coast IPA, is a smoother version of the legendary Rowing Jack (AleBrowar, Polska). I expected a reaction on the palate going from New England back across The Rockies, alas, this was surprisingly gentle, fruity even. Marg said she could smell the – fruitiness.
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With Rangers two goals down already, it was time to move on. Viva la Pinta on Florianksa, the main street to the Old Town from the north, is a fine establishment. Tonight the board was boring, about turn. We passed 4-4-2 once more, it looked as if Rangers were changing their striker, at half time, maybes.
House of Beer, the last post and nearest to our hotel, had a potential DIPA.
Aperol for Marg, and a small – Ziemia Obiecana (Polska) – Daj Mi To – at 7.5% featuring Motueka, Nelson and Citra Hop, everything the Hector seeks.
The full milkshake haze, a super Hop Hit, all the right flavours, and no Polish aftertaste. I had ordered a Large before the small was finished. Outstanding Piwo!
There was another reason for being at House of Beer this evening. Last month, former colleagues Craig and Lesley pinned a Scottish £5 note to the bar with my name on it. It took some time to spot, three staff were involved, but eventually the Fiver was liberated. At £3.66 a pint, Hector was on a winning streak.
There was more DIPA and Baileys for Marg, good night.
Last month, Howard and Hector had decent Piwo in Gdynia, Poznan, Lodz and Wroclaw, but nothing in the same league as experienced this evening. Pot luck, perhaps.
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Venues visited today:
Pierogarnia Krakowiacy – Slawkowska13/15, 31-016 Kraków Polska
Cakester Cafe – Swietago Tomasza 25, 31-027 Kraków Polska
Multi Qlti – Ul. Szewska 21, 31-009 Kraków Polska
Viva la Pinta – Florianska 13, 31-019 Kraków Polska
House of Beer – Swietego Tomasza 35, Stare Miasto, 31-027 Kraków Polska