* The Bier-Traveller Blog * - Bier-Traveller

The Haworth Steam Brewing Company

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Hector

On my arrival in Haworth on Friday evening I was surveying the array of shops whilst Marg was indulging herself in her favourite clothes outlet. I had spotted that a grocer at the top of the hill had changed its façade. I had noticed the words ‘Steam Brewing’ but had trains in mind.

It was this morning during another solo venture I went in and asked where the Brewery actually was. ‘Behind that wall.’ was the reply.

The information I received was that the owner/brewer once brewed at Easdale, where the famous bridge crosses the Atlantic. Having given up, the bug returned and so the grocer is now a micro-brewery.

By the time Marg caught up with me I had bought the t-shirt ad photographed what I realised was now also a one tap pub. I bought the lightest (in colour) and hoppiest Ale in the range.

One day I might get around to drinking it.

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Ilkley Moor – Bar t’at, Otley and Rodley too…

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Hector

For some reason or other, Hector was fairly confident that Marg would be the designated driver today. We were scheduled to meet up with Ricky and tour the pubs of Ilkley and Otley, a day out he tried to sell me the day we went to Todmoden. Ilkley and Otley were the first Yorkshire towns Hector ever made the acquaintance of back in 1996, another lifetime.

Ilkley

Trying to make out Bar t’at over the phone was a challenge, but this is where it was written we should meet. On the edge of the Car Park was the location given. I do not know how many Car Parks Ilkley has, but we first encountered a different one on the edge of town. The beginning of the Classic Holden Tour?

Ricky’s mate Geoff was in tow. Geoff looked familiar, I believe he served me at the Bradford Beer Festival earlier this year.

Taking it easy

As the day could be a long one, Hector took the decision to keep the Biers at a moderate ABV, and keep them local. The first Ale of the day was Mary Jane (Ilkley Brewing Co.) which was quite unremarkable. After the walk back to the Car Park, we sped off to Otley to locate the Horse and Farrier.

Otley

Hector recognised this pub’s location instantly being close to the Curry House. The exterior may not have changed but the interior was unrecognisable. I had to be assured that this was once a more mid twentieth century décor the last time I was here. Now it is approaching trendy wine bar in appearance but has an array of Ale taps.

Lydgate by Mallinsons (Huddersfield) was the Ale of choice. At 4% in the safe range, but the lack of strength usually means a lack of taste. The dry, hoppy taste could have been more to the fore. (Jarl of Fyne Ales manage this.)

Marg decided it was time to eat. Her Pork and Haggis Pie came as a massive slice, even the chunky Chips looked appealing. Hector was almost tempted, so was Ricky, but we knew what was coming later.

The wife of Geoff phoned – ‘Yir tea’s ready.’ That we were mobile and not long out revised the route for the day. Time to move on.

We walked across the market town to the Old Cock where the Ales of the local Otley Brewery were on sale. Hector had the Rodham’s Wheat Beer despite Ricky warning that it may be not be wonderful. Again, it was OK. This is more than I have said about many British Wheat Beers. The bar itself had a main bar room and a smaller room off. The seating area was in the smaller room, one can imagine it is quite a squeeze of a Friday night in the bar room.

Rodley?

Passing the Leeds-Bradford Airport I found myself approaching Pudsey, very familiar territory. Somehow we did not cross the valley which links Leeds with Bradford but turned east halfway down. How the Leeds-Liverpool Canal can be this high up on one side of the valley is puzzling.

The Owl was the first of two venues visited at Rodley. A large, busy pub with a décor that was from a period when pub architecture should be forgotten. The Ale which was partaken has also been forgotten. By this time Hector was starting to care less. The pubs were fine but when would I get a serious Bier? My strategy for the day was starting to backfire. The staff were very friendly, they even give a discount for card carrying CAMRA members. What a wonderful idea.

Marg went for a wander along the canal and rejoined us in time to cross the road to the very impressive Rodley Barge. What a setting! For walkers, cyclists and the passing Bier Enthusiast the location of this pub is such that it must be impossible not to stop off. The Rodley Barge Bitter had to be the Bier of choice. Sadly, not remarkable.

Geoff was dropped home and we turned our back on Leeds and headed to the haven that is Bradford.

The Fighting Cock I visited at the end of June, on a Sunday. Both Ricky and I were driving. The Partner Brewery Special was the final Ale of the day. What Ricky refers to as the best bar remaining in Bradford sells a proper array of Bier – the Bier Hector enjoys most too.

And so the final Bier of the day was the old reliable Maisel Weisse (Bayreuth, Bayern), yes, I have had it at Source! At last, a Bier with bite and body, even a hint of Bananas.

There was a possibility of an Oktoberfest Bier on draught but it was lost in translation. The Erdinger tap said Festbier on it. It was not clear if this was a Festbier version of their very bog standard Weizen, or indeed an Oktoberfest Hell… I shall never know. The latter I would have sampled.

A few Biers had been drunk today, the company was excellent, Marg was not put out. In many ways it had been a tour of great pubs rather than the consumption of outstanding Ale. The best part of the day was yet to come: possibly the finest Curry-Heute experience, ever…

The Pubs visited today:

Bar t’at – 7 Cunliffe Rd, Ilkley, LS29 9DZ

Horse and Farrier – 7 Bridge Street, Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 1BQ

Old Cock – 11-13 Crossgate, Otley, West Yorkshire LS21 1AA

The Owl at Rodley – 1 Rodley Lane, Rodley, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS13 1LB

The Rodley Barge – 182-184 Town Street Rodley, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS13 1HP

The Fighting Cock – 21 Preston Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1JE

Posted in Ilkley, Rodley, Otley, Bradford | Comments Off

Todmorden revisited, and time for Marg to meet our friends at The Grove, Huddersfield

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Hector

Ten trains in one day

The train strategy was not so subtle. However it was very practical. How to transport two people around West Yorkshire for about £9, take note First Scotrail.

The KWVR was the first attraction of the day. The Steam Engine was timed to leave Haworth just after 11.00 giving Marg and Hector plenty more time to enjoy the Bronte Village before the hordes arrived.

There was a fast connection to Shipley which was actually a late running train, so the train we missed at Shipley we should not even have seen. At Bradford we had to change stations and caught the direct train to Todmorden. Two hours after we left Haworth we were little more than ten miles from our starting point, but come on, four trains! Marg was still speaking.

Todmorden #2

When Ricky brought me here a few months back, I knew I would return. The town has a definite charm. The Tourist Information sold the required postcards, now who has ever had a postcard from Todmorden? We then walked over the canal towards Bare Arts, the first Bier Stop of the day.

Mein Host was at the door to greet us. Having established that this was not my first visit went down well. Marg was introduced to Mawsons’s Sarsaparilla, not a drink Hector has never tasted. I had something a little bit stronger. The Cacade at 6.7% was dry, hoppy, just the job. I had hoped the Ale would have been cooler being later in the year; however the room was warm and the Bier was slightly warmer than I would have hoped. At some 7% it was fine.

Mein Host spent some considerable time in our company. I had to ask if the colour scheme was dreamt up whilst someone as on illegal substances, but it is all part of the Art part of Bare Art.

A second Bier was out of the question, we had places to go, people to see. There was an Ale Festival on in Todmorden this very day…

The famed Black-pudding Pork Pie was purchased in the Market and eaten outside the Polished Knob. To quote a popular current political saying – I am not making this up – Ricky did phone me whilst I was outside this camouflaged restaurant.

Huddersfield

Our next train took us to Brighouse where Marg had dropped me at the start of the summer vacation. A short wait and we connected with the train to Huddersfield, the main objective of the day. Marg has never been to The Grove and hence had never met Judith and John.

I met Judith and John on my first visit to The Grove, we have rendezvoused since.

The formalities of introduction were soon over and as expected, Marg and Judith were like life long friends. (How come the Yorkshire folks and the Scots get on so well?) John was also in excellent form today.

There was Bier for The Traveller

Hector started with a local Ale before moving on to Jaipur (Thornbridge, Bakewell, Derbyshire)). After this I decided to call it a day. No, this was not my last Bier of the day but I have now resolved not to drink the is particular Ale for the foreseeable.

Hector wrote to Thornbridge at the start of the summer to ask what had happened to Jaipur, it is now unrecognisable. What was a stunningly citrus, strong grapefruit, and dry Ale is now quite bland. Even the colour has changed. I did get a reply, sources of hops et al, but sadly no, this is not Jaipur.

A Change of Gear

The bottled Bier at The Grove is extensive. There was Alt Bier in the cellar, we do not get this at the Ally Arms too often. Schlösser Alt (Düsseldorf, NRW) was followed by Schlenkerla’s (Bamberg, Franconia) Märzen. The St Georgen (Buttenheim) Doppelbock Dunkles was too much to resist. Went the day well.

The Ale Trail

Hector was first in Huddersfield as part of the famous Ale Trail between Manchester and Wakefield. The Head of Steam, not our favourite pub, was full and so theKing’s Head it was. Cask return is not my favourite means of serving Ale.

This place is not an attractive place to take a lady, but we had missed the train. In fact, I do not think we did miss the train. The Guard told us we had, if indeed this train was Leeds bound then he did us no favours.

Tonight’s Curry-Heute was relocated to Keighley because of the hour lost in Huddersfield. Changing stations and trains once again in Bradford and hence Shipley, we arrived back to Haworth too late for a final Ale.

Hector had done well, Marg has beaten her record of nine trains in a day.

Pubs and Micro Brewery visited today:

Bare Arts – 110 Rochdale Rd. Todmorden. OL14 7LP

The Grove – 2 Spring Grove Street, Huddersfield, HD1 4BP

Kings Head – Huddersfield Railway Station, 18 Saint George’s Square, Huddersfield, HD1 1JF

Pub not visited today (deliberately):

The Polished Knob – 31 Burnley Road, Todmorden, OL14 7BU

Posted in Huddersfield, Todmorden | 1 Comment

Haworth, always worth a visit

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Hector

It took an extraordinary amount of time for Marg and Hector to reach Haworth today. Time enough for a sprint around the shops, a coffee, a Curry-Heute in Bradford, before returning to Haworth for a modest intake of Ale.

The Fleece is essentially a Brewery Tap for Timothy Taylor’ (Keighley) down the road. All of their Ales are on sale here. The Landlord was the the Ale of choice being both stronger and lighter than the rest of the range. Taylor’s have yet to see the merits in brewing a strong light, hoppy Bier. This day may come.

The Fleece is again one of the many venues which has improved since the smoking ban. The accommodation here is also favourably priced. The next time we cannot get into the Old Rectory, who knows?

The only Pub visited today:

The Fleece – 67 Main Street, Haworth, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD22 8DA

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Köln – “Dä längste Desch vun Kölle”

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Hector

Breakfast was around 09.30, well Hector was there at that time. Clive and Maggie turned up later. Our train north left Traben-Trarbach at 10.40, no problem. Changing at Bullay and Koblenz, this would get us to Köln around 14.00, perfect.

?Stan! and Jonathan were not to be seen this morning. They were cosying it up in their posh accommodation on the far south of town before heading of to Nürnberg, the München Oktoberfest etc.

Köln Sud as regular readers will know is Hector’s current playground. This was Clive and Maggie’s first trip to Früh em Weedel and the other Reissdorf, Zum Alten Brauhaus. Alighting at Chlodwigplatz there was a sense that something was going on. At the Tor were Bier stands, a bit of a dead giveaway.

Dä längste Desch vun Kölle, aka the Longest Table in the City. Any excuse for a Fest it appears.

Clive and Maggie enjoyed the Früh poured (Direkt) from the Fass in the adjacent room where smoking is permitted. The south room is of course smoke free and a perfect place for lunch. Clive and Maggie ate heartily. Hector of course was waiting for a chance to visit the Indian Curry Basmati House for the fourth time.

We struggled to make the short walk up Severin Strasse to the Reissdorf house. The street was jam packed. Every time one person stopped, the entire mass could not move. VDT was being wasted.

At Reissdorf, the place was inevitably wedged, and most tables were booked for later. It is strange how even the locals see a reserved sign and walk away. Hector has learned to always read the small print. And so we found a table with a time limit that suited us perfectly. The best of all the Kölsch (IMHO) was consumed at the new Source.

?Stan! and Jonathan are destined to visit this wonderful new-ish smoke-free house on their return. ?Stan! now loves Köln Sud.

Clive and Maggie had to take their leave. I crossed the road and went for a Curry-Heute. Bier intake today was minimal, I wonder why? This was end of another ritual weekend.

There was the matter of sitting at the airport and the ‘plane home. Mr Stelios sent his ‘plane on time, yee-ha.

Two excellent Köln Houses

Reissdorf – Zum Alten Brauhaus – Severin Strasse 51, 50678, Köln

Früh em Veedel – Chlodwigplatz 28, 50678, Köln

Posted in Köln, Traben-Trarbach | Comments Off

The Wolf Strassenfest, Bad Wolf!

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Hector

Bier at the Schloßbergschänke may be the first photos to be displayed at the start of the day of madness that is the Wolf Winefest, however this was not the true start of the day. Having risen at 05.00, Lord Clive, Hector and Maggie had flown courtesy of Mr O’Leary from Stansted to Hahn arriving at 09.30 Nils Bucke was there to drive us the short drive from the Hunsrück down to the Mosel and Traben-Trarbach.

Breakfast with Frank at the Altstadt Café was a long and relaxing event. We did him proud. Knowing what was coming we ate our fill. Rosi was not in attendance: ‘She is on the other side.’ We do not know if Frank simply meant Traben. His current assistant fractured her wrist the previous day; Frank was once again a one man operation. He said he would close the bar at midnight.

After breakfast we went around the corner passed a group of people already drinking wine. You do this on the streets of Glasgow you get looked upon as trash. On the Mosel this is the norm, and with posh ladies in attendance, nobody gives a second glance.

We popped in to see Richard Allmacher at Zur Goldenen Traube. He addressed me in Deutsche as ever. We said we might be back for dinner. It is a year since I last set foot on these premises, umglaublich!

The noon rendezvous with Dr Stan and Jonathan was at the place formerly known as Rolf’s. The Schloßbergschänke is a non-smoking restaurant and bar, Reissdorf Kölsch is available (VF); two good reasons to make a visit.

We were given the seats at the bar and soon our group of five was assembled. This was a modest start to the day, we knew what was coming.

By 13.00 we were on the banks of the Mosel awaiting the Tractor. In the end it appeared seconds after Hector bought five tickets for Das Boot. €4 each instead of €2, big time spenders.

The Tractor overtook us, we arrived at Wolf well before 14.00, let the party commence…

Das Boot took us to the pier whereas we normally start at the tractor stop. Unfazed, Hector led the way to the official starting point along the river and up the side street thus not peeking at the main drag before it was time.

The first Wine stall was liberated of a bottle of red wine and five glasses. This means 0.175ml per person per stop. Red wine is quite a rarity, it was Hector’s round. Hector always buys the first round at Wolf.

Almost immediately one of the bands was upon us, complete with the local equivalent of a pantomime horse. When we moved on to stops two and three we realised we had only moved about 25 metres from our starting point. The afternoon was getting truly underway.

There is a wonderful pit stop selling Hirsch (Venison) Goulash and/or Garlic Prawns. This is a tasty interlude, we realised later that this was our only other food of the day, apart from Maggie and the significant breakfast at the Altstadt Café et al.

We sat at the ‘Babies’ tent and Clive presented the most disgusting bottle of wine of the afternoon. It was sweet. The bottle said Trocken, alas we were misled.

The layout of the Wolf Strassenfest in L-shaped. As one approaches the turn it is time for Sekt. Only at Wolf does one have Babies before Sekt. It is written.

We like fizzy wine. Well what does one expect from a crown of Bier enthusiasts? This means a round each. It also means that the party is peaking by the time we leave this zone. We are truly in the zone.

Dr Stan is no more

We do not know the person in our midst of late. It cannot just be relaxation as a result of retirement, it must be more sinister. The aliens who kidnapped Dr Stan have replaced him with Stan Factorial, our new name for this mystery person: ?Stan!

The rest of the evening is usually determined by the temperature. Last year we ended up indoors such the temperature plummet. Today was fine and so we made our way down past the whirling steaks to another tent.

We can tell when it is time to leave. A large taxi was negotiated (rather than hijacked as in a couple of years back), Altstadt Café asked the driver? Where else? How did he know?

Instead we went back to Rolf’s (Schlossbergschänke) purely because this is smoke free. After more Reissdorf Kölsch it was decreed that we had better go and see Frank before his intended midnight close.

Herr Bucke, Nils, was sitting in the main room with a laptop, cue a visit to this very website. His sister was sitting with her husband, Fred the hero, in the smoky bar. I didn’t see much of the rest of the company after this. ?Stan! and Jonathan procured a taxi for the lengthy trip to Bad Wilstein. Clive and Maggie went to bed. Hector sat with the locals, by this time the Deutsch was flowing.

Midnight close? Aye right.

Only two indoor places visited today on this trip:

Altstadt Cafe – Mittelstrasse 12, 56861 Traben-Trarbach

Schloßbergschänke – Moselstraße 4, 56841, Traben-Trarbach

Posted in Traben-Trarbach, Wolf | Comments Off

The Green Man, Harlow

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Hector

The Green Man Hotel (Mulberry Green, CM17 0ET, Harlow) does not appear in the Good Beer Guide. Only a Wetherspoons outlet does have an entry for Harlow. Time did not permit exploration: Lord Clive, Maggie and Hector had finished the main priority of the evening – the Curry at The Essence of India.

On receiving my key I was sent out the back and into an adjacent building. There was a lengthy walk to room 106. I put on the light, not a lot happened. I put on two side lights, still the gloom persisted. Having sorted out the bits I was ready to leave the room, it was now brightly illuminated. Ah, the joy of our new environmentally friendly light-bulbs. Determined not to repeat this ritual on my return, I left the lights on. So much for energy saving…

There were three hand-pumps. Only two were in operation. Sadly the two most common Ales in England were the ones on offer. Green King IPA does not cross the lips of Hector or his cohort, and so the choice of one was ordered: two pints of Fuller’s London pride. (Maggie was permitted a non-Ale.)

Go to bed!

Having arrived in the bar at 22.30 we knew time was limited. The Doris at check-in had told us that the bar closed at 23.00. The Barmaid, also called Doris, concurred. What about drinking up time? What about a residents’ licence? We were assured that Security would descend upon us at 23.00 sharp and send us on our way. A second round was obtained before the witching hour. Doris was still serving at 23.05. I noted this time precisely. At 23.25 a foreign chap appeared and told us our time was up.

What is it about the tourist industry in the UK?

We did not want a late night, our flight was at 07.15. However, others may well have wished to spend more money and fill the hotel coffers. Maybe this is why The Green Man is not in the GBG?

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Newcastle Upon Tyne – a day trip from Glasgow

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Hector

Today was another treat for Hector. I had to organise nothing. Craig and Yvonne had found an £18 return from Glasgow to Newcastle Upon Tyne earlier in the summer. The Usual Suspects were all accordingly booked on the train just after 09.00 from Glasgow central. The seven of us were spread over three carriages. The train guard was a hoot, he clearly enjoys his work. With Netbook in hand, the journey lasted no time at all.

We arrived just after 11.30. The plan was a lunchtime Curry before hitting the Ales. Alas, Google maps were not talking to Hector who had no idea where he was. Now Kenneth will tell you that he and I have had Bier in Newcastle before, back in the 1970’s? If so, it was in the station. This was my first venture to Newcastle as a destination.

Craig led us to the Forth Hotel where we were forced to stand for some fifteen minutes. They were not open. Hordes of football fans thronged around the narrow streets. We ignored them they ignored us. Perhaps they could tell we were from Glasgow?

The choice of Ale and Bier in the Forth Hotel was excellent. It is quite ironic therefore that we all (If Dr Stan was with us he would have had smething different of course) opted for a new Scottish Ale: Harvieston (Alva) American IPA. This suits our palate, the continuing preference for dry, hoppy Ale with body and bite. The range of draught Bier was phenomenal, European and American Bier balanced by our domestic. We could have stayed, all day.

The Bodega was our next port of call. This venue is magnificent in its décor. This feels like a proper pub. The cupola above the central drinking area is an attractive and purposeful piece of architecture. The light flooded down through the stain glass. The place was stowed; the football was in full flight. Hector found it strange that everyone was supporting the same team. Was Scotland playing?

Newcastle scored, everyone was happy. No more than our assembled gathering who were polishing off the Prince Bishop Ale, produced locally (Newburn) at The Big Lamp Brewery. This again was very much in the niche we so actively seek. It may only be 4.8% but even Craig had to admit that it packs flavour commensurate with his normal 5+%. We could have stayed, all day.

Passing the City Wall, and Chinatown, St James Park was seen in the near distance as we approached our final Pre-Curry pit stop. The Newcastle Arms has won the CAMRA POTY enough times for us to make it a must visit venue. The place was full of Chaps in Hawaiian shirts, how gauche. Feeling decidedly normal Avalanche (Cairndow, Argyll) was the Bier of choice. Yes another Scottish Ale. We could have stayed at home? However, in Glasgow one simply cannot get this choice of Bier. And why not? Those who are empowered to do so decide not to!

“Just because you have the power doesn’t mean you have the right!” (Lemmy Kilminster)

It was Curry-Heute time. There’s another story…

The Bier Safari

One goes on Safari, one sees animals, and one does not shoot them or eat them. This pretty much sums up the aftermath of the Curry. Craig took us on a fast paced tour of the exteriors of rated pubs in the city centre. The photos are here for one to look at what we might have won. Craig has his own idea of what constitute a worthy Bier. He pronounced that there was nothing worth going in for and he quickly came back out of each venue. Hector managed one interior shot, the Bachus/Fitzgerald, I believe. Many more Curry Houses were spotted during the sprint.

Howard and Tracey had not kept up and so we signalled them that a return to Bodega was in order. A taxi took us for a day tour around Newcastle. Like the TV tower in Prague, the same sights always appeared on both sides of the cab.

We were welcomed back at Bodega; our group was possibly the most sober one in the city by this time. More Prince Bishop Ale and then it was time for us all to reassemble at The Forth Hotel for some very fine Sierra Nevada IPA, on draught of course…

We have resolved to return. Perhaps Gateshead next time?

The Pubs we were allowed to have a Bier in:

The Forth Hotel – 17-23 Pink Lane, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 5DW

Bodega – 125 Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4AG

Newcastle Arms – 57 St. Andrews Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 5SE

Posted in Newcastle upon Tyne | 1 Comment

The Staggs Bar, Musselburgh

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Hector

The Friends of Hector dared to go on a trip whilst I was in Greece having my possessions stolen.

They had such a pleasant day in Musselburgh and Leith that a return visit was called for. They couldn’t have enjoyed it that much, surely?

The rendezvous was Glasgow Queen St. Robin had discovered it was cheaper to buy a return from Glasgow to Edinburgh and a separate ticket to Musselburgh. Hector, Howard and Tracey discovered it was even cheaper to buy a return from Clydebank/Partick than it was from Glasgow. How wonderful our train system is.

A Bier Festival?

There was a festival on in Edinburgh, allegedly. This is why the train company only had three carriages on the 11.00. Dr Stan alighted to take what was promised to be a bigger train. Hector stood the whole way, there and back.

Musselburgh Station?

Well I suppose the station serves Musselburgh. One has to accept that even in Deutschland some stations are well outside the town they serve. Craig skilfully navigated his way downhill towards the town centre. How many times did we cross the River Esk? I thought this was Mags’ trip?

The Staggs Bar

There are seven/eight taps, only one of which serves a dark Ale. Robin and I went straight for the Oakham Citra, a gentle start to the day. Mags, Craig and Yvonne could not resist the Thornbridge Jaipur. Howard and Tracey caught up and Dr Stan eventually made his appearance. The Rangers game was on the TV, we were restless. Two (blatant) penalty kicks later and all was well.

Robin and Hector switched to Jaipur, it was not great. What has happened to this wonderful Bier? I have even written to the brewery, they replied.

Food

Mags appeared with a Pasty. ‘What are you doing eating food in my pub?’ I asked paying tribute to the monster from Todmorden. More food appeared, nobody batted an eye. Is this not how pubs operate?

Decision time

We were considering decanting to Leith when Mein Host made his appearance. Robin and Howard had been in touch to establish what might be on. We were told that with more more warning it would have been a case of what would we like to be on… There was Thornbridge Kipling in the cellar, it would be on in five minutes, we stayed.

The Fyne Ales Avalanche proved to be my favourite Ale of the day.

Sitting in this pub is superb, our favourite light, hoppy Biers, all lined up, and one replaces the other with great efficiency.

We shall most certainly be back.

Posted in Musselburgh | 3 Comments

Hector’s Holländisch Hootenanny, a Brugge too far – Day 9

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Hector

Grimless Day, the end is nigh…

Craig met a Chap last night In de Wildeman who had sold him on the idea of visiting a brewery in Haarlem. It was written. Being Hector’s day off I was happy to comply. Four of us set off for Haarlem. Jonathan had texted me the address of the brewery. I could not find any street by the given name anywhere in Haarlem. I visited another Rated Bier site and found an alternative. With BlackBerry in hand I skilfully navigated my way to the Jopen Brouwerij. We passed two Curry Houses, I had already decided which one I was visiting.

Could we get served?

Craig and Robin went to the bar. They were sent back to the table. The Doris eventually acknowledged us but took no order. She was a fan dancer. ‘Very busy today.’ she told us. Serve the punters! The order was taken, eventually.

Hoppen: always available in draught

This was the Bier we were here to drink. Today it was only available in bottles. Doris suggested we try two sets of different Biers. The Wit Bier was not wonderful as set before Yvonne and Robin. Craig and I won the watch, the bottled Hoppen was fine.

The next bottle was warm, we mixed them. By this time a Bert was serving us. When I told him the bottle was warm he offered to replace it, but this was too late. He presented us with a glass of Dunkle Weizen, this was superb. This remained the Bier of Hector for the afternoon.

Meanwhile Dr Stan was wandering around Haarlem. He found the given address but no brewery, well of course not. The real Dr Stan would have worked this out sooner. Jonathan contacted Robin having failed to find the brewery. He eventually found us. This was a great venue, the Bier quality was excellent, the service improved markedly.

Everyone knows Dr Stan

A Chap appeared who knows Dr Stan. This is nothing unusual, this happens everywhere we go. After they had reacquainted themselves the conversation took a strange turn … steam engines… This meant Craig was in deep conversation for as long as the Chap could stand it…

Time for a Curry-Heute at The India Palace.

Meanwhile back in Amsterdam

Howard and Tracey had gone in search of some Asian food presentation. A day doing their own thing, how nice. I do not recall communication from The Brothers.

We arrived back In de Wildeman in time to meet Jim, Debs’ husband, who was over on a stag trip. The excellent young waiter who has served us the first two nights was at the door having a relaxing Bier after his shift. The photo is to reflect the appreciation for the service. There were only seats available for our group in the rear room. Minutes later the waitress who has served us only the previous evening came through to tell us that our table in the main room was free. This is service!