HERITAGE OPEN DAYS

For a few years now Heritage Open Days have taken place in England which allow locals to look around a variety of places for free. This year I visited a few places ( some with Mrs Ken !) I hadn't been to before.

The first of note beer-wise was the Darwin Brewery Open Day; where I HAD been before. It stated in the  Heritage booklet issued about the events " A tutored tasting event " Good enough for me, and I suspect the two dozen others that showed up. It was interesting that during talk, focusing on the historical aspect of the regions beers , after every question  " would you like to try some of this beer  ?" came a chorus of "yes". The same reply after the 2nd such question, and again after the third. People are so predictable, including yours truly.

As well as the welcome sampling, there was a fascinating presentation charting the history of their Flag Porter beer. I had seen it before the previous year , but it was still good to see it again. It must be one of the few beers in the UK that has such an interesting  history. ( see picture ) Their bar was open where I enjoyed a pint of Evolution then bought 3 bottles of the Porter for £5. A bargain, and in a gift pack!

So that was the Saturday ; on the Sunday just gone Mrs Ken and I had a trip to Durham Castle. This is used mainly as student accommodation for the University so wasn't expecting anything to do with beer. Wandering around the halls and galleries , I noticed a laminate about the visit to Durham of King James I                                                                                        

( See bottom of picture left). This tells the wonderful story  that the king bollocked the bishop for serving weak beer. It so stressed him out he pegged it 3 days later. 

I'm just wondering if this was the forerunner of Greene King IPA ?

Another surprise, that same day after we headed south from Durham, was the Head of Steam Railway Museum in Darlington. 

Walking into the reception ,my radar picked up a shelf full of beer bottles. Brewed by a newish brewery from Newton Aycliffe just up the road, Steam Machine had 8 styles of beer on offer, all for £2.50. Naturally I went for the strong dark ones, namely :-

New Age Brown - 6.5%

Smoked Porter 7.2%

Treacle Toffee Stout 10%

Ive not tried them yet and would probably be incapable of speech or typing if I did. I cant help thinking, however  if these beers had been around at the time of James I visit to Durham, the poor bishop may have lived a little bit longer.