* The Bier-Traveller Blog * - Bier-Traveller

Rügen Island

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Hector

Adjacent to Usedom is the larger Island of Rügen. They are no distance at all apart and yet it would take three trains and as many hours to get the few kilometres north. Hector did look for a Ferry connecting the two, but not too closely.

We were going to Rügen Island on another historical sightseeing visit. This time Prora, I shall have fun listening to Marg tell everyone where she was on holiday this year, and why.

Arriving in Sassnitz at 13.00 we walked the few blocks to our accommodation. This time the best deal Hector could find was a Self-Catering Apartment. There was a sign on the door stating that nobody would be there until 17.00. This was annoying. It was even more annoying given that I had emailed on Monday to advise of our arrival time and had received no acknowledgement Clearly, they did not wish to be put out. At 17.00 Frau Fernmann took us in but insisted on charging us cash. Guess who will not be on our xmas card list this year?

Marg did discover the back door to the building was unlocked and so we dumped our bags. We were then able to go a wandering. A winding road took us down to the Harbour, adjacent steps had they been seen then would have saved us a few bends.

Fisch Suppe, so said a sign outside one of a line of restaurants along the front. This was good enough for me. Marg ordered a Turkey Salad, that is not what came and so it was sent back.

A walk along the Breakwater followed lunch, this construction may well be the World’s Longest. Climate Change had occurred by the time we returned to the land, Sassnitz was looking up. The so called U Boot looked menacing tied up across from us. Restaurant Boats looked appealing, we must have lunch there tomorrow or Sunday. We stopped for an Ice Cream in a Cafe with an open-air upstairs seating area. By now it was becoming seriously warm. Marg ordered Strawberries and Ice-cream, but without the Strawberry Ice-cream. She received Strawberries and Strawberry Ice-cream, no Vanilla. I ordered Ice-cream with Nuts, I received Ice-cream with Chocolate Sauce and minimal Nuts. Did Bert not understand Deutsch?

Then there was the Big Wheel… it was only as we walked further through the Harbour that we realised that a full Fair was in operation, we had arrived on Day 1 of the three day Sassnitz Fest! A Fest means Fairground Attractions AND Bier!

Marg and I see different things when we are out walking. I see landscape, architecture, Bier signs, she sees birds, fish, even the odd rodent. And so we walked through the Fest both of us mentally noting and making plans.

Neither of us felt like a formal meal on evening #1 and so we ate Snacks from the various Stalls. Fish, Hot-dogs, Mushrooms, until it was time to descend upon the most attractive Stand in the whole site, the Freiberg Bier Stand. They sold other Bier than Pils! Freiberger Keller Bier vom Fass (Freiburg, Sachsen) was first up. It tasted like… Pils. There was only one thing for it – Schöfferhofer Weizen (Frankfurt, Hesse), the Weissbier that started my whole fascination with this style of Bier – dating back to 1994 and the launch of the UK National Lottery. That long?

Bier-wise, this was it for the next two days until the end of our walk through the Jasmund National Park. Walking down Markstrasse and discovering, finally, the location of the Altstadt, there was a group of Restaurants we had not encountered.

A Paulaner Weisse (München) accompanied a much earned Ice Cream were enjoyed at the Altstadt Brasserie. This time it was Eis und Heiss – Vanilla Ice-cream with Hot Raspberries – not as good as that served once upon a time at the Golden Traube (Traben-Trarbach), but after an 8 km walk, who cared?

After the long walk through Prora to Binz there had to be a Bier. The Sun had come out as we completed the marathon that was Prora. There were naked people On The Beach, some of them were even Ladies, so Marg informs me, I did not notice.

Binz was certainly more upmarket than Sassnitz, once again the Baltic Architecture was to the fore. There was a hint of rain and so a strategic location at the end of the main street found us in the Binzer Stuben. Radeberger Pils (Radeberg, Sachsen) was the least of all evils, I do not have to revue it, surely…

On the second night at the Freiberger Stand we were considered Regulars. Everyone seemed to be paying a Pfand except us. Marg had a Bacardi, or ten, not. At 20.00 it was still daylight. Google Maps suggested that we could well be at the same latitude as Carlisle, if not, certainly Manchester.

Day 3 began with a Fish Lunch on one of the boats in the harbour, with the sun beating down it felt as if summer had finally come to Deutschland. Refreshed and fueled we took the bus up to Königstuhl in the Jasmund National Park. This was the start of the 8km walk back to Sassnitz along a coastal path with photographic opperchancities and the occasional mouse for company.

We arrived at the Freiberger Stand on night #3 as the heavens opened. We had spotted the the thunderstorm approach across the bay from Binz, we took our seats and watched people dive for cover. Directly opposite the Freiberger Stand was a Schottische Biere Stand (their spelling), it sold mostly Green King Ale, it did very poor business. When the rains came they immediately gave up, meanwhile we sat on, more Schöfferhofer…

The Freiberger Chaps are off to Berlin, it will be serendipity if I spot them once more at the Berlin Biermeile…

The only permanent Bier outlets visited:

Binzer Bierstuben, Hotel Granitz – Jasmunder Strasse, Binz, Rügen

Altstadt Brasserie – Marktstrasse 4, 18546, Sassnitz, Rügen

Posted in Binz, Sassnitz | 1 Comment

One Night on Usedom

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Hector

Usedom, now there is a strange name for an Island on the Baltic, or Ostsee as it is called in these parts. Trassenheide was our first objective where Hector had located affordable accommodation in the very comfortable Pension Bernstein (Bahnhof Strasse). The bags were dumped and we were on the train to Zinnowitz where we changed for the main reason for being here – Peenemünde – the infamous locus where the V1, aka the Doodlebug, and the V2 Rocket were successfully tested back in 1942.

Our train ticket up from Berlin was on a Quer-Durchs-Land-Ticket. This was a new one on Hector, a Rail Ticket which crosses boundaries, the freedom of Germany for one day! As it was offered to each Bert/Doris inspecting our ticket, so they added their stamp without comment. The ticket did not say anything about our destination, nobody ever asked.

On the flight to Berlin two days earlier, Marg and I had watched the first half of Operation Crossbow, the Carlo Ponti movie with his Dear Lady, Sophia Loren, in the starring role. That she and Tom Courtney are dispensed with mid-movie, and the cast all spoke Deutsch when appropriate, were both seen as firsts. The Sophia Loren role apart, the story is told with an acceptable degree of accuracy.

The RAF paid a courtesy visit in 1943, yet the Power Station, the largest building on the complex survived. There was a solitary V1, V2 and Launch Ramp for a V1 on site. The Museum was poor, a low-tech affair given that what took place here was once at the forefront of technology. There was little encouragement to try and visit the V2 launchpads, or the site of the Concentration Camp, maybe there was nothing to see in the overgrown east side of the peninsula.

The sky cleared as we ended the tour of the site enabling better photos than on our arrival. And so it was back on the train to Zinnowitz. Here we would spend the evening. Zinnowitz is stunning, every house, every garden was sheer perfection. One could smell the affluence. We arrived at The Strand from a route that only a Hector could find and took the traditional walk to the end of the Pier. Bier was calling. At the start of the Pier lies the Düne Cafe, separated from the rest of the World by a low fence. Rostocker Dunkel (Rostocker, Rostock) was the only means of delaying the inevitable Pils. I should have had the Pils.

Next stop was a Indian-Italian Restaurant which was very popular given the number of folk sitting on the terraces outside. We had passed the Indian Villa on our way to the Pier and had resolved to return. The Curry, such as it was, is described as ever in Curry-Heute, however, if Bier-Traveller is to live up to its plan, there had to be a Bier. The Lübzer Pils (Brauerei Lübz, Mecklenburg) enhanced the Curry no end in as much that there was no competition. Cold, yellow and fizzy, one may speculate as to whether a pint of Tennents Lager may have gone down better, but as one has not consumed the latter in half a lifetime, one is not qualified to compare. It is fare to say that the Lübzer Pils was Bland. Marg had a Weinschorle, which was not what she ordered.

Returning to Trassenheide sooner than I had hoped due to an unforeseen gap in the train service, we found ourselves in what could easily have been the only place in town to get a Bier. Two different Pils were on offer on draught, I asked Bert which was better, he shrugged his shoulders.

Hasseröder Pils is one that I have seen advertised so the brand was familiar. Once more this was a completely innocuous Bier, one wonders why they bothered making it.

And so there was an early night – Hector continued reading his Holiday Tome – ‘Target London’ by Christy Campbell, an up to date account of all that took place at Peenemünde and thereafter at Halle. At least the place names now have much more meaning. Usedom, where on Earth is that?

Bier outlets visited today:

Düne – Strand Strasse, Zinnowitz, Usedom

Indian Villa – Neue Strandstrasse 33, 17454, Zinnowitz, Usedom

Gastätte Nordwind – Strandstrasse 2, Trassenheide, 17449, Usedom

Posted in Trassenheide, Zinnowitz | Comments Off

Two Nights in Berlin

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Hector

Wilkommen im Berlin

This is the start of Hector and Marg’s fourteenth Summer Vacation. Once again Marg and Hector are resident at The Best Western (Osloer Strasse, Wedding) which they advertise as Berlin Mitte. We are in the midst of three U Bahn Stations, none of which go directly to anywhere one would wish. Eventually we find ourselves at Friedrichstrasse and Marg announces that Lunch is more important than the Brandenburg Gate. Treffpunkt Berlin I have passed many times, today the Soup called, Bier later. This was definitely the Spiciest Gulasch Suppe since Buttenheim, 1997, not the thickest and so not the best ever.

In 1982, on my first visit, there was a Wall. In 1992 Kenneth and Hector walked straight through the Brandenburg Gate, because we could. Since then this has not been possible. There is always something happening at this locus which means erecting temporary fences at least on the West Side, today the whole area was cordoned off. I suspect that some people secretly wish The Wall was still there.

As one does, Hector and Marg walked East along Unter den Linden, marvelling at the architecture as we approached Museum Insel. Then we encounter the Breadbox Monstrosity. I blame the planners. Arriving at Alexanderplatz, Marg’s coffee evidently did not achieve its purpose. We were soon on the U Bahn back to Osloer Strasse for the customary WLD.

Bier Time

Hector does not rate the Bier of Berlin that highly, and so Dear Reader, do not despair at what follows. Charlottenstrasse is parallel to Friedrichstrasse. The latter is as close as we were able to get to our destination thanks to work in progress. Fear not, when The Chaps come at the end of the month the U Bahn 6 will take us straight to the new Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt.

Everything felt right, the individual tables and chairs. The dark stained wood-panelled walls, The Chaps serving. We agreed to have a Bier before ordering food. Bert was upon us before I had a chance to check the Bier Karte. Es gibt Edelstoff vom Fass? – I assumed so, but had to ask. Vom Holzfass – was his reply. There are few Germans I have wanted to kiss, Bert beware. Finally, without the excessive gas as served at Source in all München outlets, Gravity poured and from a wooden barrel, not the metal we are used to. Needless to say the Bier was sheer joy, more followed quickly, we had better eat.

Schnitzel is something eaten by most beginners, I have come full circle. This is how to avoid the big lump of pork that prevails throughout Deutschland. Washed down with more Edelstoff, perfection. Marg was not in full holiday mode yet, Sprite was her tipple. Her time will come.

I could have stayed at Augustiner happily for the rest of the evening. Given that Eschenbräu does not open until 15.00 in the summer months, this could prove to be a problem when The Chaps come – I know, we shall go for a Curry in our Garden Suburb, by then it will be opening time.

Arriving at the Keller just before 23.00, the Hut was closed, everyone was inside. I suppose as sound has a habit of travelling upwards, they have to decant everyone else the neighbours in the overlooking flats would be driven demented. The Weizen was ordered, there was no chance of the Weizen Bock, we were just too lucky in 2010. It is good, very good, but not a patch on the Bock version. What was new at Eschenbräu was the proliferation of artwork relating to the pressing of apples. Cider is now part of their repertoire, but again only seasonally.

By the end of the first day I had resolved that these would be the only two Biers I would drink the next. When one is away with The Mob, one goes with the flow, just let me at the Edelstoff again.

The Fourth of July – Wedding Anniversary #9

Breakfast for Marg was at Alexanderplatz on the top floor of the Kaufhof. We then sped back up to from where we had come to Wedding and Curry at the Naveena Path. Given the wait and the subsequent welcome this took much longer than envisaged. The plan was to go back to the the Park Hotel and go up to the roof when it opened at 15.00. We were an hour later and then we discovered that their claim is fantasy – theirs is not the best view of Berlin. This is unless one adopts the Warsaw logic of the best view of the City is from the Monstrosity that blocks every other other view. Next time, the TV Mast.

The DDR Museum deserves its own write-up, it passed an hour, the technology was suitably appropriate, as in primitive. One could be tempted to raise a smile, but then one only looked in from the outside. The DVDs of Goodbye Lenin and the unbelievably wonderful Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others) were on sale, pity I own them both already. So where was The Wave?

A Wed Wose, how Womantic…

Retiring to Wedding, Marg sent Clive a text in response to his well wishing. She used the term – Romantic -, this put the kibosh on the evening instantly. We have learned that for us this term means disappointment. And so it was at Restaurant Sara (Osloer Strasse, Wedding) that the Chap who took our order for food not only forgot the order, he forgot he had ever taken the order.

After some forty minutes his colleague approached us having observed very little action in the way of drinking. We had to wait all over. We had lost an hour of VDT. Hector, by now the master of the U Bahn managed to save some time by taking the train one step beyond the normal stop (Leopoldplatz) to Amrumer Strasse, one minute’s VDT was thus saved. At Eschenbräu it was very much a quicky and on to Augustiner. Drei Bieren, zusamen in ein Tag fur ein Deutsche Urlaub, unglaublich!

The Brewery and Brewery Outlet visited:

Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt – Charlottenstrasse 55, 10117, Berlin

Eschenbräu – Triftstrasse, Wedding, Berlin

Posted in Berlin | 2 Comments

The Monthly Visit to The Staggs

Posted on June 16, 2012 by Hector

As has become the pattern, Howard contacted Nigel, Mein Host in advance to warn him of the monthly invasion form Glasgow. As ever he promised us an array of Light, Hoppy, Dry and Citrus Ales which would make the trip worthwhile. That Nigel has a preference for this style of Ale does help, his customers must love them too else he would never get way with the Board.

The party split at Waverley, those with free bus travel headed for their preferred mode of transport whilst the rest of us negotiated the mess that is Waverley Station and took the train the single stop to Musselburgh. Somehow the gang of eight arrived simultaneously. Neil, travelling from Linlithgow, was not far behind.

First up today was Buxton’s (Derbyshire) Kinder Downfall at 4.3%. Although I the correct style, it did not pack any punch flavour-wise. Oakham’s (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire) Scarlet Macaw at 4.4% was a guaranteed winner. First tasted last month in St. Albans, this could have been the session Ale of the day, sadly it went off as soon as we all raided the Tap.

‘Man you got to move on, man you’ve got to move…’

I did ask Craig when we were moving to Leith (as was his plan the first day we all came through to Musselburgh), apparently we were staying.

DJ was not with us, but is welcome to join us anytime…

We did not stray far, another Oakham classic Bishop’s Farewell at 4.6% was a perfect follow on. Now in any pub in Scotland this would be as good as one could hope for in one session, however, Nigel was not finished pleasing his customers – the Oakham Citra at a lesser 4.2% was a worthy follow on. Meanwhile George, The Duke of Hamilton, was attacking the Hawkshead (Staveley, Cumbria) USPA at a mighty 6% for much of the afternoon. George was a very Happy Chap this afternoon. Indeed I did end the day on this myself. Whilst not as outstanding at the equivalent NZPA this remains outstanding. The New Zealand Hops should be back with us soon…

Tempest’s (Scottish Borders) Long White Cloud at 5.6% was the most outstanding Ale at the end of last year as produced in Scotland. Somehow the Brewer lost his way and it lost its in your face assault, however, there are signs that it could be coming back to its best. We hope so.

Hector appears to have taken many photos of Yvonne today, something to do with a statement made by Craig before she was permitted to leave the house. I have limited the public to a soupscan.

Today we were joined by Colin Valentine, Mr. CAMRA himself, always a pleasure. And what does this say about The Staggs? Fancy giving customers what they want? It’ll never catch on. Graeme took a break from his bar duties and joined us for a pint. He had a publication with articles on the controversial Cask Return System. Graeme assured us that we could not be supplied with the quality of Ale we receive without it. So, he was in favour then.

As ever, there was interaction with the locals. Our faces are now recognised, they also know we tend to leave before the night shift comes in. We left, with dignity and headed for the 20.30 back to the Metropolis where sadly this range of Ale is not available.

Posted in Musselburgh | 1 Comment

The new Wetherspoons in Helensburgh

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Hector

Sir Henry Bell

The people of Helensburgh have waited years for a Wetherspoons to open. It nearly happened when the old cinema on James St. was considered but another chain developed that site. Hector has only crossed their threshold a couple of times. The Commodore has introduced Ales in the last couple of years, but rarely has anything special unless they have a Festival. The planned opening was at the start of this week but an infrastructure problem delayed this. Somehow Jonathan and Robin found themselves here yesterday despite today being the rescheduled official opening day.

Ten Ale Taps

Ten Ale Taps in Helensburgh, in thirty one years of frequenting this town I never thought I would see this. Eight of the Taps were actually dispensing Ale. Only one Ale was suitable for the Chaps: Fyne Ales (Cairndow, Argyll and Bute) Jarl at 3.8% has become a firm favourite. This was a working day and so it was also a sensible choice. The staff seemed familiar, so did many of the customers. I always find service in Wetherspoons to be poor, never enough people serving. The youngsters today will still be coming to terms with pouring Ale, one simply could not.

The number of Babies in the Pub was a concern. Hector simply cannot accept this modern day phenomenon of Weans running around, Babies screaming – a traditionalist at heart.

There was a fine turnout from The Company: Jonathan, Robin, [Stan.TB], Brother Gerry, Howard, Steve and eventually Tracey showed. Eleanor could not miss out either.

We shall certainly be back – if as the Manager says – they will always have Bier on from Fyne Ales then this should guarantee our custom.

But, what happens when an Ale goes off? We shall see…

Posted in Helensburgh | Comments Off

An Afternoon in Lancaster, then home to…

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Hector

Simon was on the platform to greet us, for once I was not The Hector

The Three Mariners was the first port of call. Simon, Brother-in-Law of the absent Jonathan, was insistent that we appreciate the Kultur of Lancaster. The Castle, and until recently the Prison of those maintained at Her Majesty’s Pleasure, was en route. We arrived at Pub six minutes before 12.00, the door was locked.

By the time we assembled Doris#1 had opened the door. Titanic’s 4.1% (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire) Iceberg was the Ale of choice. Hector felt safe ordering this fine cool, crispy Ale outwith any references to boats and sinking. Simon, Robin, and many more had this lovely Starter to the day. Doris was happy to see us, I assured her that she was seeing us at our best, the day would evolve.

A Tale of No Curry

Simon, we like Simon, lead us to The Sun and announced it was lunchtime, so Hector left The Company and went off in search of a Curry-Heute. Sadly after many phone-calls, a traipse around Lancaster, and a Takeaway that suggested I sit somewhere, the floor. I attempted to rejoin the Mob. Last time in Lancaster I found a lovely place open mid afternoon that sold me a wonderful Curry. Today the Canal where I am sure it is/was located felt too long a distance to meander to. I made at least five phone-calls, no joy so I went back to The Sun and nobody was there.

Simon said they were now at The Market. Having familiarised myself with the entire Lancaster scene (except Canal) I joined The Mob in the open air market where there was a Curry Stall. And another. This would explain why the Curry I sought was not available.

We marched in to the Penny Bank, and back out. The promise of fourteen Ales on Tap at the White Cross was enough to tempt us forward. On the Canal Bank this was a fine location. It is a pity that here we are in late May and it is so cold one cannot sit outside.

The White Cross was a converted Warehouse, it was fine. The Taps were many, the Choice was superficial. The Northumberland Brewery’s Gold Rush at 5.2% looked as if it had potential. Robin and Hector took the plunge. Sadly its colour was fine, the taste was minimal. We moved on to Thoroughgood at a lesser 5.1%. These of course are regarded as session Ales for our company. Thoroughgood by name only, a local Ale from the Burscough Brewery, Lancashire.

By now the conversation was taking strange directions. I have never been so insulted in all my life – and by Yvonne. ‘Nice to be Nice’ as Craig says. Simon announced we were to be joined by Kirsty, his Dear Lady. Jonathan had to be phoned just to ensure he knew what he was missing. Others Must Suffer.

We had all tried the Gold Rush and the Thoroughgood. Jonathan (in absentia) had suggested a Pub at the Station that sold Hawkshead Ales, I phoned, they didn’t. Well, not today.

We walked along the Canal Bank and reached the Waterwitch, behold Kirsty! The day really began here, we like Kirsty too.

She and Yvonne caught up, some Trip that Hector was not on – they do exist, such is my tolerance level. The Company was now complete and we found the Ale of the day: Hound of the Basketballs! The Ale was Hoppy, Craig was Happy. This wonderful 5% job from Elgoods (Wisbech, Cambridgeshire) was not only Gold and Hoppy, it tasted that way! We finished the Cask. We may have had help from other Punters. Cross Bay (Morecambe, Lancashire) at 4.2% was the Tweeny whilst we all finished what was in front of us. Although in the same style it was tame after the very good Hound of the Basketballs. Who makes these names up?

The score from Hampden Park kept arriving during the afternoon. It was unremarkable to begin with, then it became funny. How many Hibbees have crawled out of the Woodwork in the last few weeks? Hopefully they will now crawl back in…

The afternoon had gone, it was time to bid Farewell to the couple from Morecambe and get back to Glasgow. We could get to The Laurieston for a Nightcap and the second half of the Champions League Final. On entering The Laurieston there were two surprises, or was it three? Mr Boyd and Mr Holden resplendent in their Vanquished Fitba’ Tops were taking it on the chin.

The other surprise was the score from Munchen, it was still 0 v 0, but then it wasn’t. The Laurieston has two Taps and always stocks Fyne Ales (Cairndow, Argyll and Bute). Last night it was the excellent Daavar, tonight the more common but punching above its weight Jarl at 3.8%. In our favoured style, even Craig comes down from his mountaintop to drink this wonderful Ale many points below his preferred abv. I had to buy Mr Holden a Bier, that was the promise to commiserate.

The penalties were scored and Chelsea had beaten FC Bayern on their home patch. Hector used to be a big fan of FC Bayern until Schumacher took out Michael Mols. I was glad to see the team in blue win. Blue is the colour…

It was a Saturday night, Marg appeared, the end of The Weekend was nigh.

The Pubs visited today:

The Three Mariners – Bridge Street, Lancaster, Lancaster, LA1 1EE

The White Cross – Quarry Road, Lancaster, LA1 4XQ

The Sun Inn – 63 Church Street, Lancaster, LA1 1ET

Waterwitch – Tow Path, Aldcliffe Road, Lancaster, LA1 1SU

The Laurieston – 58 Bridge St, Glasgow, G5 9HU

Posted in Glasgow, Lancaster | Comments Off

An Afternoon in St. Albans

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Hector

Bier on a Sunday? Hector must be on holiday.

Well so it felt. Two fine nights in Bedford, a very good Curry for lunch with Howard and Tracey at Choudhury and a fly over by a Lancaster Bomber. The day had started well.

[Stan.TB] was waiting for us at Bedford Station, yet again he had shunned the Curry Ritual, we really don’t know who this man is anymore. The birthplace of [Stan.TB] is Kettering, so we took the train to St. Albans. Red-Brick Church? Hideous! There’s two of them. Fortunately the centre of the town was more appealing. The Medieval Core with the Tower and The Boot Pub had charm. I shall stay here with Marg at some point in the future and hopefully have the opperchancity of visiting the Roman Ruins. At ten minutes from Luton Airport this is a fine location.

The Farmers Boy had a Festival on today. There was also a football match on the TV which kept cutting out every-time Manchester City did something positive. This was an Oakham Pub (Peterborough, Cambridgshire), we like Oakham Ales.

First up was JHB Extra at 4.2% This fine Blond Ale has long since been a favourite. Here it was but stronger. It should have been enough but Howard had gone for the Scarlet Macaw which at a whopping (for this weekend) 4.4% was passed around the table for all to sample. We had to stay. This was wonderful, all the Hops and Citrus one could want. We had to come to terms with the Musik blaring throughout the premises. Initially it was Deep Purple followed by Yes, no problem. Then it wasn’t and a Band had started playing outside. Tracey got it sorted, the Band won.

Hector was puzzled by the differing styles and impressed by the range of instruments being played. Then I went out to look and found it was a Band of many Brothers.

The Punters here had a very strange Dress Sense. Was it because of the Fest? Or is this how the Folk dress on a Sunday?

Man City scored. All was well with the world and so we moved on to The Boot at the top of the hill and adjacent to the historic tower. This is another classic English Pub, we cannot find Pubs with such chararcter north of The Border, here one trips over them.

More Oakham, this time the Asylum at 4.5%. This Gold, Hoppy Ale was definitely from the Oakham stable. The Ale was served by Gravity from a Rack on the Bar, alas at Room Temperature it had lost its edge. The afternoon was indeed going well, then QPR scored, and then they scored again. With seconds to go it seemed all over, but it wasn’t. We left when Man City’s triumph had been confirmed. By the time we reached the Blacksmiths Arms their separate screens for separate supporters was no longer required, but the Punters must have enjoyed a good afternoon.

With much Ale to choose from this venue impressed. The available food also came in massive portions. We must note this for the future. It had to be another Oakham Ale, this time the Inferno at a more modest 4.0%. This was another classic Blond, Hoppy Ale, how many do they make? Just how wonderful is this Brewery? I think we are overdue another Cambridge Trip which incorporates a Trip up to Peterborough. Maybe Marg might become desperate to visit the Duxford Air Museum…one day…

In keeping with Hector’s arrival on Friday evening, Howard and Tracey were on a later flight back to Glasgow. [Stan.TB] announced he was going back to Bedford for a Curry. It was time to leave Hertfordshire, a ten minute walk to the Station, a ten minute Train journey and less on the Bus – behold Luton Airport.

The Pubs Visited Today:

Farmers Boy – 134 London Road, Town Centre, Saint Albans, AL1 1PQ

The Boot – 4 Market Place, St Albans, AL3 5DG

Blacksmiths Arms – 56 St Peters Street Saint Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3HG

Posted in St. Albans | Comments Off

The Bedford : Bamberg Spring Fest Day 2 + more on Bedford…

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Hector

At £19.00 a night for a massive room containing a king sized double bed, the Travelodge provided Hector with an excellent night’s sleep. Lord Clive had suggested an 11.00 rendezvous, at 10.55 there was a phonecall postponing this madness. [Stan.TB] lived up to his current Moniker and dragged Hector downstairs at 11.10. The so-called Shortcut into town was a twenty minute walk but it took Hector straight to Tavistock St, the heartland of Bedford Curry. What was a man to do?

The Banker’s Draft is where I caught up with [Stan.TB], Lord Clive and Lady Maggie. Howard and Tracey, who apparently were on this trip had found their own Wetherspoons. Why does a pint of Orange and Soda cost more than an Ale? Clive and Maggie were too late for Breakfast so ordered the All-day Brunch. They were able to swop the Chips for Hash Browns and so ended up with the Breakfast minus Black Pudding. It wouldn’t have been Stornoway anyway.

There was a phonecall, the others were communicating. ‘The Bier Fest again? But we did that yesterday.’ I am sure there was a happy facial expression to accompany the acceptance of our resolve to return. Was this not why we were in Bedford?

On arrival at the Corn Exchange the Don Bosco Musikanten was already in full swing. We sat in a side room. German Pils is something Hector drinks on the rarest of occasions. The Pyraser version is one I do not shun, how could Pyraser make a bad Bier. Keesmann Pils? It was still to early to challenge the full might of the Schlenkerla Eiche.

The Keesmann Pils wasn’t as perfumed as many of this ilk, quite enjoyable but Keesmann do make much better Bier than this. The Spezial was up next, it still tasted lifeless, who knows what they had done to it. As the afternoon passed away the Schlenkerla Eiche was once again called for. Howard had reached the same decision at the same point. Lady Maggie was drinking half pints. Tracey had moved on to Fruhli. [Stan.TB] as usual had something different. Clive had the Fässla Pils and considered it a lesser Bier to the Keesmann. Ganz normal.

The Schlenkerla vom Fass ran out, nothing for it but to move on to the Rauch proper. All Bottled Bier was the same price so when Clive was offered the choice of Marzen or Urbock … Urbock at this time of year? The label said this Bier was bound for Australia, poor Ozzies, Clive realised there was now a reason to visit Australia, there must be at least one decent Bier Outlet.

By 19.00 there was a consensus, we should leave, we did.

The Cricketers Arms was a ten minute walk. On entering Hector spotted Brains, a Welsh Ale. ‘Oh they have that Welsh stuff.’ somebody announced. There was a hush, Doris behind the bar looked at the Commentator, this was a Welsh Bar, and yes it was the Hector who had not spotted Dragons, Flags, Memorabilia, S4C on the TV. I made my excuses and left.

Actually I did not, I explained Robin’s disgust at Welsh Ale and hence my comments. Doris was proud to offer us an Ale at 2.8% for only £3.00. When I asked what the price of a sensible Bier was Doris realised that I was not giving up. She joined in the banter. By the time we left she had spent some considerable time with us and even posed for a special photo which has to be dedicated to Robin. Next year we shall go to the Corn Exchange and send Robin here. He can watch the rugby. Rugby?

The Cricketers had nothing above 3.8% it appeared. Midsummer Ale (Concrete Cow, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire) was a pleasant change to the onslaught on the tastebuds at the Corn Exchange.

The Devonshire Arms was at least another ten minute walk, ironically in the direction where Hector was convinced the Travelodge was located. Passing the Cricket Ground, Eagle IPA at lowly 3.6% from the local Wells Brewery was advertised. It was a sign, so this is what most of us had. This Amber Ale was decidedly thin but was not bland, it was OK.
The approach to the pub was eerie. Walking down a purely residential street there was not a sound, not even a curtain moved. Where was everyone?

The answer was simple, they were all in the Devonshire Arms. It is a fact that England is blessed with hundreds of superb pubs, if only they all sold Ale at a decent strength. Bedford appears to specialise in the 3.8%, is this why they have to have a Bamberg Bier Fest?

A taxi took us for a below average Curry. The taxi driver was wrong, the Curry Houses of Bedford are not all much of a muchness.

[Stan.TB] had not come for the Curry so we we made our rendezvous, the others went home and we went to the Wellington. There was a dozen Ales to choose from, a Chap told me that I should have the Cocker-Less Four at 4.5% (Wisbech, Cambridgeshire) if I wanted something with Hops and Citrus. How did he know? I do not recall saying anything, for once.

Doris behind the Bar with her multicoloured hairdo was great value. She could not believe we were down from Glasgow for the Bierfest. She had lost a fair number of her customers to it. The Helpful Chap joined us and we exchanged Bier information. I now have a list of recommended pubs for my trip to Chester in October. We gave him precise details on how to get to Eschenbrau in Berlin. Time will tell who did who the bigger favour.

Hector was last out. It was written. A great Pub and good company.
The walk back up the Shortcut Path was Hell. Just how steep was the hill?

The Bier Festival and Pubs Visited today:

The Bedford Corn Exchange – Saint Paul’s Square, Bedford, MK40 1SL

The Cricketers Arms – 35 Goldington Road Bedford, MK40 3LH

The Devonshire Arms – 32 Dudley St, Bedford, MK40 3TB

The Wellington Arms – 40-42 Wellington Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 2JX

Posted in Bedford | 2 Comments

The Bedford : Bamberg Spring Fest – Day 1

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Hector

When Lord Clive of Crawley informed the Glasgow Brethren that there is now an annual Bedford : Bamberg Bier Festival we took note. When he assured us that the price of the Bedford Travelodge and flights to/from Glasgow to Luton were within acceptable parameters we were hooked.

Howard and Tracey managed to get an afternoon flight down south, so by the time Hector was underway the Bier List was known. Meanwhile [Stan.TB] was in St Alban’s on other business whilst Clive and Maggie negotiated the perils of crossing That London when all the train signals were out.

Four of us arrived at Bedford Train Station within minutes of each other; three of us grabbed a taxi and went up the hill to check-in. [Stan.TB] went to rendezvous with H&T. I never did find out if he did as by the time we arrived at The Corn Exchange, H&T were on their way out after a four hour stint. Amateurs.

Twelve Biers vom Fass were on offer, only six of these were actually from Bamberg and two of these were the dreaded Pils. The remainder of the Draught Bier was from München, nothing outstanding here on offer. Fässla’s Zwergla (6%) was available on Draught – usually this is in bottles at The Source, this had to kick the night off. It was OK, not outstanding. This Bier can be demanding, the palate had not woken up.

Across the road from Fässla lies Spezial, perhaps the lesser of Bamberg’s famous Rauchbier sources but an excellent Bier in its own right. Sadly the Bier was flat despite being taken from the Barrel under pressure. Perhaps they should have used gravity dispensers. Hector was not doing too well. It was Bamberg’s most distinctive Brewery which came to the rescue: Schlenkelra’s Eiche was first experienced by The Chaps at this year’s Manchester Winter Festival. Hector has tasted a solitary Bottle at The Alison Arms (Glasgow). At 8% verging on the ridiculous. Urbock this Doppelbock is not, it is an Amber colour but still packs the Schlenkerla smoky flavours – it was superb. It became the Bier of choice for the remainder of the evening. Thought of tomorrow and this time next year were already being mooted.

Meanwhile we marvelled at the performing Band from Bamberg – Don Bosco Musikanten – we hoped to meet Don Bosco’s Sister…

Then there was the issue of Lord Clive and his Beard. This had been grown in the latter part of his trip to India with Lady Maggie – very strange. Even stranger than Spock’s Beard.

By the time the hall stated to clear a bit we found ourselves at the front. ‘Sierra Madre?’ I asked a Doris in the front row of the Band. Her opposite Doris was subsequently asked for Rosamunde. She was engaging. There was no joy with the musical requests – no music – but when the band completed their set, Doris #2 came down to chat.

Meanwhile [Stan.TB]’s polo-shirt had attracted attention. This was from a Brewery just outside Bamberg where one of the Band was from. The final stretch was spent chatting in a combination of Deutsch and English. This is why we were here.

There was no Curry-Heute!

Posted in Bedford | Comments Off

A Late Afternoon in Leamington Spa

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Hector

Today is not about Bier though there is one to report – just one.

Today is about Pendragon and IQ/Menel.

Leaving Appleby in good time to make an afternoon of it in Leamington Spa we became stuck in traffic on the M6 for exactly one hour outside Manchester.

We then had to find the Ibis in South Coventry off a road that was never signposted. That the hotel was on one side of the River Sherbourne and we were in the same street on the other – but could not cross – became all the more frustrating.

Marg was hungry, we had a Big Breakfast but no Lunch. Hector anticipated an early evening Curry so took the opportunity to sample an Ale at The Lounge. Everard’s Sunbeam at 4.2% was decidedly bland. A Sparkling Water would have had more impact.

It is only on Holiday, and we both felt as if we were, that Marg and Hector go Shopping. So we did. Leamington Spa is unique in England. The buildings are White and so is the Population. It is noticeable that the Ethnic Minorities are not represented. I must look into this further, sometime.

Dumping the captures in the car which was parked at the Station we came across The Exchange. Two Taps, both off, we left with dignity. Across the road was Kelsey’s, only bottled Ale and so no record was made. We saw twenty minutes of Chelsea beating Liverpool in the F.A. Cup Final before heading into The Assembly.