STATION HOUSE BIRTHDAY BASH

I always look forward to December and the many possible social activities that present themselves during the festivities. The weather may be crap and it gets dark too early but there is nothing like a few seasonal drinking and eating sessions to raise one's spirits.

Such an event happened last night in Durham. I received an invite a few weeks ago ( well it's who you know!) to attend the Station House pub’s first birthday party. I drink there most Tuesday nights, having a quick half before heading over the road for a pub quiz.  

Four real ales and four real ciders are always available and a running total of ale and ciders sold since opening is kept on a blackboard.    
(I wonder where that idea came from ?) 

Although most probably out of date as I type,  410 casks have been sold , with 343 different beers from  114 breweries. 

Among the beers on last night were Gt Heck Black Santa, Orkney Red McGregor, Osset New Generation IPA ( at a cheek sucking 7%) and a mystery beer. Guess the name and win a prize ! I had a go but don't hold out any hope of winning. Didn't recognise the taste at all. Anyhow, the prize was a gift pack of Durham bottle conditioned beers, just like one I had bought two days earlier !

 

As I intended having a few last night I thought I would cross over to the Dark Side and try a cider. I don’t normally drink the stuff, probably because of a bad experience at our recent Sunderland beer festival ; Beetroot and Orange ! Never again, it was bloody awful ; smelt and tasted like a beetroot sarni.  I opted for Rhubarb Cider this time. Not bad at all, fairly sweet and not overpowering, in fact I could hardly taste any rhubarb at all.

Now some nights when I go into the Station House ,  there is a dog belonging to one of the punters lying around looking bored. So when I was handed the invite , on the bottom  it said, “ Nibbles will also be available”  Naturally you assume it’s the name of the dog, but no!  A fine spread was put on as part of the celebration. 

Usually at local beer festivals you spot some local brewers. For the first time that I can recall this was the first pub event;  with at least 3 local brewers ( Arcane Bridge, Errant and Durham). That and the fact several CAMRA members from three local branches were there meant a good night was had by all.  

Fantastic beer ( & cider) and food.  Already looking forward to same time next year 👍👎?

CAMRA ANGLE WINTER 2016

The Winter edition of CAMRA Angle , the quarterly magazine of the Sunderland and South Tyneside branch of CAMRA, has  just been published. Copies will soon be distributed to real ale pubs throughout the area , and beyond. 

As usual , this is another  packed issue and well worth a read.  

This edition looks back on the Sunderland Octoberfest with  a belated award presentation to Darwin Brewery and charity cheque presentation to the local RNLI. Another award presentation goes to The Steamboat as Regional Pub of the Year.

A regular section is a news update on pubs and breweries in the branch as well as Locale pubs and those that offer discounts. There is a feature article about the Society for the Preservation of Beer from the Wood.

There are articles from our roving reporters in Barcelona ( again) , Liverpool, Alnwick, London and York.Once again  CAMRA Angle travels the world.  

There is no pub walk this issue, based on the fact no one would be mad enough to walk it this weather. However, the feature will return in the spring.

This issue features the Biddick Inn in Washington and  some local anonymous writer shows us the boot of his car 

Issue 45 is rounded off by a  pub quiz and where am I.

Oh and not forgetting the Shetland Dragon !!

If you cant find a copy, follow this link to download your own,  and for more branch news. .http://sst.camra.org.uk/

 

And remember, accept no imitations.