A MYSTERIOUS SAILOR IN BERWICK & NORTH SHIELDS

JULY 17TH 2009

A group of us travelled to Berwick on the train and visited several pubs in the town, having many beers in the process. We started with breakfast in the Leaping Salmon ( when it used to be a Wetherspoons),  then headed down to the Barrels Ale House with its famous dentists chair. I think we then went to the Brown Bear and sat in the pub garden. There may have been some more pubs visited after but we ended up at the top of the town near the station with time to spare before the train. 

I had noted a pub in the Good Beer Guide called the Pilot. " Its a bit of a walk" I said. Half of them muttered something like " bugger that" and headed into the Castle Hotel, three of us sought out the Pilot.

This is another one of these back street locals that I think are great. Now we didnt notice it at the time but there was a photograph of an old sailor on the wall behind my head. My mate, who was taking photos, photo-shopped the one you see here.

 AUGUST 26TH 2017

 

"Ken, Ive just been to a great pub and have seen your photo on the wall". This was from one of the guys who was with me that day in Berwick. " Its in the Low Lights Tavern at North Shields Fish Quay"

SEPT 2ND 2017

  

It was a nice sunny day so Mrs Ken & me decided to venture out to the North Shields Fish Quay and see what all the fuss was about. Parking up, we had the customary fish and chips first then headed for the Low Lights. I was tempted to ask the lad behind the bar, " Excuse me but is there a picture of me in here ?" 

The photo wasn't in the bar so figured out it was in the small room to the right. Sure enough there he was, with a couple sitting next to it trying to relax,  enjoying  a drink when  I walked in brandishing my phone camera  It was like looking in a mirror !!. I took this picture while the couple were giving me strange sideways glances. They left soon after.

 

So just think of the chain of events. 

If we hadn't made that detour to find the Pilot

If I hadn't been sitting underneath that photo

If my mate didnt have Photoshop

If another friend hadn't gone to North Shields

If it hadnt been a fine day last Saturday.

No idea who this guy is by the way !!

 

THE BLACK LION - A BACK STREET PUB HIDDEN AWAY

Yesterday Mrs Ken and myself decided to have a trip up to Weardale, more specifically Tunstall Reservoir near Wolsingham. We hadn't been there for over 30 years and were prompted by a friend who had visited the place the other week. A quick research of the Good Beer Guide found the Black Lion Pub in Wolsingham as a good place to have a pint after our walk round the reservoir.

I have only ever driven through Wolsingham, never stopping. 2 pubs are always passed, The Black Bull and the Bay Horse but the Black Lion was new to me.

It was quite warm and sunny so I was ready for a pint. Finding the pub, we entered ( this was about 5pm) to find only 1 customer in the bar and the barmaid. I made the mistake of ordering the wife's drink first, a latte. So the barmaid disappeared round into the kitchen for the ingredients for this while I chatted to the guy at the bar. Turned out he was a fellow CAMRA member who knew Washington, where I live, well and was able to rattle off some locations and pubs from his memory. 

During this reminiscing the latte was in the construction phase when the barmaid accidentally knocked over her small bottle of milk.  " Now don't cry over your spilt milk"  I joked which she took with good humour. After 5 minutes of latte making she asked what I wanted. " Its been that long Ive forgotten !" ( another joke )  The pint of Pennine Amber Necker I asked for was spot on for a warm day. 

The CAMRA guy finished off and some people appeared from the back of the pub. There was a pub garden !! We decided to go outside. The barmaid said to the wife  " are you OK carrying that cup, do you want a hand?" I said, " you can carry my pint if you want" . It was that sort of friendly place where we were made to feel welcome as soon as we walked in the door.

The small garden was a suntrap and we noticed sitting on one of the chairs, partially obscured, a cat dozing in the sun. After 5 minutes a couple came into the garden with a dog. The cat didnt see the dog and the dog ( think it was a spaniel) didnt see the cat. Foolishly, the cat decided to move. The dog nearly crapped itself, emitting these loud wolf like wails. The cat did a runner over the garden wall and the dog nearly knocked over two tables in its panic.

Things calmed down then we left this great little pub to head home. 

It got to thinking about how good some out of the way back street pubs are. Off the beaten track they are well worth seeking out. The Steps in Washington, The Monument in Penshaw and the Dun Cow in Seaton spring to mind.  

  

 So if you are in Weardale anytime :- black-lion-wolsingham

CAMRA ANGLE ISSUE 49

The Autumn edition of CAMRA Angle , the quarterly magazine of the Sunderland and South Tyneside branch of CAMRA, has  just been published. Copies are being  distributed to real ale pubs throughout the area , and beyond. As usual , this is another full issue and well worth a read.  

There are articles from our roving reporters in London Kings Cross, Lancaster, The Great British Beer Festival and the inaugural Woodfest in Castleford. There is a centre spread containing the updated Washington Ale Trail and a review of the Washington Arms. 

A couple of milestones feature. The Sunderland and South Tyneside CAMRA branch celebrates its 40th year and Maxim Brewery its 10th.

On a sad note we remember long time CAMRA member John Holland who died last month. 
 

A regular section is a news update on pubs and breweries in the branch as well as Locale pubs and those that offer discounts. A new feature is a Cider page ; Ive been drinking more of it lately ( not out of a cheap bottle on a park bench - in case you were wondering).

Issue 49 is rounded off by a  pub quiz and a pump clip  quiz.  

Almost forgot, the magazine has a new editor. Nice guy !


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.  

2017 GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL

This weekend sees the end of the 2017 Great British Beer Festival. A group of us met up on Thursday for what was my 14th consecutive visit. We have this reunion every year and its a chance to catch up, and take the piss out of each other for nearly 6 hours of drinking.

I met a mate in Kings Cross Station then we travelled on the Tube to Barons Court, which is about 10 minutes walk from Kensington Olympia, the festival venue. The tube was crammed with standing room only. After the tube and the walk through the streets, it was a relief  to have to stand again in a long queue till noon opening time. Such was the queue length we didnt actually get into the building till 20 past. It should be noted at this point that, despite travelling the furthest ( from Durham) , again I was first there. After us 2, the rest just sauntered in later. " Queue? What Queue?"   

Now every year I take my own food. An investment in some cheap pies is always a good idea. Usually past their sell by date, they keep me going throughout the afternoon. This year I brought some CAMRA magazines down so had my backpack. They have tightened security so there was a mandatory bag search inside the venue.  

" Can you open the bag please" I was asked by this stern individual. 
"Theres only magazines and some out of date pork pies"  (Note the attempt at some humour there). 

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. He remained stony faced throughout. Probably totally pissed off that he would have to do this for the rest of the afternoon while we all enjoyed ourselves.

 

We found a table with enough room for 6 then I went off to buy a festival glass. The counter for the glasses was longer than our bar at our beer festival. This little guy behind the counter held up glass as I offered my £3. He then proceeded to stick his tongue out, which ended in a point. He never said a word, but he looked like an extra from Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. The tongue went back in as the transaction completed.

Now, onto the beer. The winner of the Champion Beer of Britain had been announced 2 days previously.  Church End " Goats Milk" was the winner. 

Finding the beer in the 84 page program, I set off for bar B6 to find the beer had sold out but would be back on at 2.15. Not to worry, I ordered my first drink at the same bar , Bathams Mild, which turned out to be my favourite of the day !!

Now was a chance to take stock of the festival layout bar locations. There were more than 20 bars selling real ale, cider, perry, real ale in a bottle and foreign beers. 900 beers and ciders were available ( well, 899 as the Goats Milk wasnt), and nearly 20 food stalls. The program contained a full listing of every drink and food stall. The description for S35 Fish & Chips was very succinct - it said Fish & Chips !

The beer list had been previously published online so had an idea what i wanted. It was just a matter of finding the right bar. It was commented mid afternoon that some of the bars are that far to walk from our table that by the time you get there you've forgotten what you came for.

Titanic Brewery had there own bar and I was keen to try Plum Porter Grand Reserve ( what ever that means) . This was 6.5% so as I like strong dark beers I was expecting something special. Wrong ! The plummy aroma of the original was less pronounced and it tasted a bit "thin". Back to the drawing board guys, I think you just sank with that  one.

Soon  it was time to see if the Goats Milk was on, so i wandered up to B6. Seeing the handpull in use I walked up to the bar coming in from the left. 

This grunt wearing a fluorescent jacket and a radio mike said. " Can I help you sir ?"  

Yeah, "half of the Goats Milk please" 

" Join the queue then" he pointed to my right and to a long line of hopefuls queuing. I thought, bollocks to this so ordered a local beer, Errant Clever Girl which was quite drinkable.

I heard later the Goats Milk had sold out again. I just thought, all those buggers queuing for a drink they had never heard of, to then sip it and then comment sagely about its aroma , taste etc. I can wait till next time.

During all this by the way , the out of date Tesco Pork Pies were going down a treat. I had left then on the table , for some reason no one else would touch them. Cant yet figure out why.

So after nearly 6 hours , it was time for one last drink, so i opted for Tiny Rebel Stay Puft, a Marshmallow Stout.  Tasty way to end the day.

Ive worked out I had 11 different beers and 1 cider of varying styles; from new and long standing breweries -  and it turns out my favourite was the first drink I had, the Bathams Mild, which has been around for years.

A great day out , very tiring as didnt get home till 11pm, but already looking forward to next year .

 

BEER AND YOUTH HOSTELLING

The other day a new Northumberland National Park Visitor Centre, called the Sill near Hadrian's Wall, opened. Its in Once Brewed, next door to the pub Twice Brewed ( no, me neither).Mrs Ken and me fancied a day out so we went there yesterday. Noting there was a shop, I said " I wonder if they sell any local bottles of beer"  She sighed and rolled her eyes. Sure enough, beer bottles from the Muckle Brewery.(no me neither again!). 

They are a recent start up in Haltwhistle and the beers on offer were a Stout, a Red Ale, a Golden Ale and an Amber Ale. No IPA!! Respect ! Anyhow, bought a bottle of stout then noticed at the other end of the centre was a Youth Hostel. Very Smart. I last visited a youth hostel the day Elvis dies ( in Cambridge - the Youth Hostel, not Elvis).

So stared musing about the good times we had when we were young, single and carefree. 

A group of us lads stayed in Kielder Hostel at the end of the 60s. The area is now buried under water but in those days it was a small building run by a old bearded warden with one leg. We felt really guilty as we had booked to have meals provided. Little realising he ran the place himself, including doing all the cooking while supported by a crutch. Us healthy lads being waited on as he balanced the plates.

Fast forward to 1973 , three of use decided to walk the Cleveland Way, starting in Helmsley, up through Guisborough to Saltburn, then down the coast to Scarborough then Filey. It would be a combination of hosteling and camping.

Reaching Guisborough on the 4th day, we found a field, pitched the tent and set off down to the pub,  which I think was called the Fox Inn. Its still there. Anyhow, got pissed and headed back to the tent. Were just settling down in our sleeping bags when we heard this snorting noise then suddenly the tent shook. Sticking our heads out of the flap, there was this huge horse kicking the bloody tent down. We beat the world record that night for taking a tent down, running over the lane to another field and putting the tent back up. Not been back to Guisborough since - too scared.

A few days later found us in Scarborough Youth Hostel . The three of us met up with this German - Swiss student. The first night we caught the bus into town and had a few. Now in those days Youth Hostels closed at 1030 but two of the lads want to go clubbing. I couldn't be arsed so got the bus back with the student. I was well away and was finding it difficult to converse with him in English. So I thought, I know I'll give German a go, having been taught it at school. So I proudly stated I used to speak  a little German and as an example managed to blurt out the word for pencil (bleistift) 

"Sehr Gut" he said. at least that's what I thought he said ! To this day, I do not know why I picked the word for pencil on a Friday night bus in Scarborough! 

Anyhow, I said to the lads I would leave the communal bedroom window open so they could climb in later. My bunk was next  to the window so helpfully I put a chair under the window so they wouldn't have to jump onto the floor when they climbed in, The major flaw with this was I they didnt know about the chair.

2 o clock in the morning, the open window opens wide and in climbed mate number one. Hitting the chair with his leg, sending it crashing to the floor followed by himself. 

I learnt a lot of new swear words that night !   Happy days 

    . 

BEER IN PLASTIC GLASSES AND A MISHAP IN RICHMOND

Friday gone saw the start of the 2017 Sunderland International Airshow. Another event , timed to coincide, was the reopening of the Smugglers pub on Roker Beach. Now called Grannie Annie's , we called at the very start of the Airshow. Confronted by 3 Maxim Hand-pulls ( Swedish Blonde, Double Maxim and Lambtons), I opted for Double Maxim, which was served to me in a plastic glass.

 

Fair enough if I was going to sit outside , but we stayed indoors and weren't  offered a choice. I suspect it was for staff convenience with the anticipated rush later. ( we had a look in on the way to see the fireworks later and the place was rammed !!)

Anyhow, this got me thinking about plastic glasses. Somehow the beer doesn't taste the same and seems to warm up quicker. I can see the need at say a pop festival or at a public outdoor area with a hard surface.

Speaking of which ( finally - ed) about 5 years ago a group of us went on a pub crawl in Richmond ( Yorks). While having breakfast in the town' s Wetherspoons, a couple of bearded individuals sidled over with some leaflets.

Fancy calling to the Market Hall for our local CAMRA beer festival lads, it starts in an hour?

We promised we would so after breakfast and doing a couple of pubs, we headed for the market hall. Now when we do these trips, one of our group brings a quiz. Comprising several sheets of paper , its contained in a see through plastic wallet with a zip.

The hall had a cobbled stone floor, so the beer was served in plastic glasses. One of our lot just growled and muttered to himself throughout, glowering at his glass. In the corner of the hall was the gents, and just outside the door, was another  door at right angles. This door was open and behind it was a shelf. Bamber Gasgoigne, clutching his plastic wallet, headed to the loo. Seeing the shelf , he put his questions on it and went in the loo. 

I didnt see what happened next, but he came out of the gents and turned towards the open door to retrieve his quiz questions. Except the door wasn't open anymore...it was locked !. In the time taken for him to relieve himself, someone had walked over, shut the door , locked it and buggered off.

Well the rest of us were pissing ourselves. Fearing his life work was lost, Magnus Magnussun  frantically dashed up the CAMRA bar and asked if they could contact whoever had locked the door. Luckily, the guy had a mobile and so he returned to much fanfare and applause about 20 minutes later.

Typing this Ive just remembered something. The pub we visited before the festival was the Bishop Blaize. Sitting in the pub garden I said. I believe Richmond Castle is near the town centre.

You mean that tall tower behind you ?, the rest pointed out. 

Stupid boy !

   

MISTAKEN IDENTITY IN KESWICK

 It is said there is a typical male CAMRA Member. :

Mid 60's bald or balding, grey beard, pot belly and wears a fat bastard T shirt.

So park that thought for a while,

After it was announced in the news that the Lake District had been awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO, I suggested a trip over to Keswick before the inevitable rush started. I found a Keswick Tourist map which  had pictures of various places to visit.

" Oh look " said Mrs Ken. "There is a Brewery Lane and a Keswick Brewery!"

" Is there really ? "

I was also keen to visit the Wetherspoons in town, The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. This was a former police station and magistrates court, and still retains the prisoners dock, magistrates bench and 3 cells ( see photos).

So after an hours cruise in the sun on Derwentwater, it was a walk into town for lunch in Spoons.

Then it was time to find the Keswick Brewery which began operation in 2004 and is located on the site of a former brewery which closed in 1897.

 

I had with me some CAMRA Angle magazines to leave in the small bar and shop. so as a typical CAMRA stereotype I  asked the guy behind the bar :-"Can I leave these real ale magazines please ?"

"Yes no problem, I recognise you from the last time you left some !!"

I HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE IN MY LIFE !!