THE BEER WILL GET YOU IN THE END !

Last week a fellow CAMRA member spotted, from the upstairs of a bus, that there were two handpulls in the bar of the Guide Post , Springwell Village as the bus went past the pub. Now I have not been in that pub for over 30 years, principally because there was no decent beer on. As it is not too far away , I checked  it out yesterday.

Sure enough, Camerons Strongarm and Theakstons Black Bull. The latter had gone off so had a nice pint of the Strongarm and a bag of Nobbys Nuts from the a la carte menu.

I sat outside and contemplated a few things. My dad was born just round the back of the pub and lived with his 3 brothers. Those three were never out of Springwell Club but dad was teetotal. I really dont know where I got the habit from ! There was none of - "come on son, I'll take you for your first pint !"

Anyone, finishing my pint  and nuts I walked to the front of the pub to take a photo. Behind me was a row of old houses with back yards instead of gardens. A voice behind me said " you can take a picture of me if you want "

Turning round , there was this skinny guy in his early seventies standing there with a paint brush in his hand. I said that he was really lucky living so close to the pub ( it was about 20 paces)

" Not really son, I am teetotal !" Bloody hell, another one !

I  remarked that if I lived where he lived I would never be out of the place. He looked me up and down as if I was some incurable alcoholic and said, waving his paint brush at me like a portent of doom.

" The beer will get you in the end you know !"

I made my excuses and left.   

KEN'S REVITALISATION - A Week in Tenerife.

Mrs Ken and I have just returned from a week's holiday in Tenerife. We've been to Lanzarote a couple of times so wasn't expecting much from the beer availability.

We flew on the day of the CAMRA AGM so missed all the action while up in the air. Pondering the outcome of the Special Resolutions  while watching the last guy to get on the plane and plonk himself next to me.  " He's just dashed onto the plane from the bar " I thought to myself.

Sure enough after the fasten seat belt signs were switched off he was off his starting blocks to the loos at the back.

An hour in, the trolley made an appearance and he proceeded to order 4 cans of Budweiser. Hmm. Itv was a long flight I was imagining the scenario of him being interested in joining CAMRA, -
Me - " One of the benefits is free entry into a lot of beer festivals"
Him - "Do they sell Budweiser ?"
Me - "Er no"
New tack required here.
Me - "You get 50p off a pint Wetherspoons vouchers"
Him - " Can you get pints of Budweiser ?"
Me - "Er no"
The trolley appeared for a second time, and sure enough another 4 cans of Budweiser made their way onto his drop down table

I am reminded of the time I went to a 50th birthday party and met a guy who only drank Newcastle brown ale. He absolutely loved the stuff. He had brought his own and won't go in a pub that doesn't sell it. Can't imagine recruiting him either then .!

Anyhow I digress , back to Tenerife. Arriving late , the only beers they had in the hotel was San Miguel, San Miguel zero alcohol ( is that not the same thing ? ), And something called Reina. Just the usual boring yellow fizz.

Next day, straight to the nearest Spar , looking for some German and Belgian beers. One of the latter in particular caught my eye. Mort Subite Kreik Lambic. Now I have been researching lambic beers for an article in our branch magazine. They are brewed differently to other beers, using natural fermentation. ( read the article when it comes out).

The beer I had was flavoured with cherry essence . Very tasty - even Mrs Ken liked it. . However, it was a bit strange seeing this style of beer on a Spar supermarket shelf directly above some John Smiths cans.

One final thing. We were staying at the north part of the island, so took a bus down to the south, where all the sunseekers go. Some beach front cafes and bars were selling pints of lager for 95 cents !  ( yes-  Ninety Five!") I refused to indulge as it looked like piss. Bought an ice cream instead- 2 Euros!

Back home now and looking forward to a 2 night village pub beer festival next weekend. Look out for post on that one then !!