Last weekend was Mrs Ken's birthday so we had a two nights in Glasgow to celebrate. We met up with our daughter and the 3 of us had a great time eating and drinking in a great city.
Now I have read a lot about pub closures and the fact that more breweries are springing up with less pubs to sell their beer to. Well tell that to the Glaswegians !! The place was heaving.
I have had recommended by a CAMRA mate that Drygate Brewery is worth a look. This restaurant, bar and microbrewery is a joint venture between Williams Brothers Brewery and Tennants Brewery just east of the city centre., and is co-located with Tennants. Walking along Duke Street to find it ( it was just before sunset) you smell it before you see it.
The place was heaving but luckily we had a table booked for a meal . It was noticeable that most of the beer was keg or cans, there being only 2 handpulls. I was a bit disappointed with the beer quaility, being a bit lukewarm. You would think with it being brewed on the premises it would be better.
One side of the restaurant is a glass wall looking into the brewery. There was this hirsute bloke rushing around between fermentation vessels , presumably looking busy for the benefit of the few watching punters.
Job Description :-
- Grow a beard
- Look Busy.
Anyhow, they had a shop and I was struck by the number of cans on sale. Approaching the quantity of bottles.The next big thing? Most were Scottish brews but there was one bottle of Wylam Haxan, who's new brewery could be modeled on Drygate.,
After the meal ( fish and chips) it was back into town and a pub in the Good Beer Guide, Babbity Bowster.
What ? Ed
Babbity Bowster is a old Scottish country dance. This place was fairly busy as well so after a pint of Fyne Ales Jarl it was round the corner to the best pub of the night ; Blackfriars. This was also busy. There was a large blackboard which features a map showing location of all breweries that supply the pub. I had a superb pint of Crouch Vale Brewers Gold which capped a great night. I also found this interesting quote on the menu which made me smile :-
Food interlude.
We have never visited the Ayrshire coast and our Glasgow based daughter suggested an Ice Cream Parlour in Largs which sold fantastic ice cream sundaes. So a drive across country to Troon, then north to Largs. This is what we ate ; a Hot Fudge Volcano ( with 3 spoons). Truly excellent. ( PS cost nearly £15)
After a pleasant drive up the coast it was back into Glasgow for another night on the beer.
Back on the beer.
The pub we visit most on our now regular visits is Bon Accord, with an excellent range of beers and food. However one of the barmen failed one of my "mystery shopper" tests. There were 2 sets of handpulls with a chalkboard behind the bar in between, One of the beers I liked the look of, as it was the strongest, was called Red Rocker at 5%. I asked who brewed it as the handpull was at the other end of the bar. He had to and have a look at the pump clip. Should have known it was Cromarty.
This pub was also ticking over with most punters watching Scotland playing Lithuania ( 1-1). We left the disgruntled fans when Lithuania took the lead and headed for our last pub, a Wetherspoons called Henglers Circus on Sauchihall Street . This place was heaving ( I believe the term is now rammed) with only one spare table. Loads of handpulls and I was pleased to find one of my favourite Scottish beers ; Broughton Old Jock. At 6.7% this is a sweetish fruity old ale and is fantastic in cask or bottled form.
So some great pubs and beers ; some better than others but what a great weekend, especially if you like chocolate ice cream.
