SUMMER DRINK IN WINTER

I don't know if you have seen the Theakstons advert about a drinker complaining about his beer not having any kumquat in it. Well , my daughter, returning from a recent holiday in the US,  brought me back some beer from Houston Texas which included a bottle of Spoetzl Brewery Shiner Prickly Pear summer lager

Now I  have had fruit flavoured beers before. As recently as our Sunderland Octoberfest, there was Darwin Orange IPA and Temptation Raspberry American and Cherry Belgian , not forgetting Titanic Plum Porter. Well here is another one I have just had, but a beer flavoured with prickly pears ?

I have done some digging and Spoetzl Brewery was established in the small town of Shiner in 1909. This therefore predates the so called US Craft explosion by a long way. I would have liked to have stated that Shiner is "On The way to Amarillo" ( as per the Neil Sedaka song), but its not - located approx halfway between Houston and San Antonio. "Is this the Way to San Antonio" doesn't quite make it when you sing it.

Sorry, back to the beer. Shiner  Bock is their flagship beer but they also produce seasonal specials. The prickly pear is a cactus found in Texas (see picture above)  and the brewer uses it to flavour this drink,  along with Citra and US Golding hops. 

So what does it taste like? Making sure there were no spines I  poured it out. The beer comes out as a deep amber colour. I am usually poor at sniffing beer ; the one fruit beer I can do is the aforesaid Plum Porter which  has a distinctive plum aroma -  I'm OK with that one. This beer had a faint fruity aroma, not too powerful.

There is some carbonation in the beer so getting used to the gasiness took a while. The initial taste was sharp, but not having eaten the fruit of a prickly pear ( have you ?) I had no idea if it was that or not. - Its a bit like having Ostrich Burgers or Kangaroo Steaks - how do you know ? Getting used to it, a cranberry flavour  kept coming onto my taste buds. I eventually got used to the bubbles and the fruit taste and finished the rest of the drink. 

During this I imagined lounging outside a cantina on a hot day in the desert, watching a tumbleweed roll past   and having this refreshing drink.Instead, as I type this, its cold and damp outside. Ah well.

  

This is about drinking summer beer in winter, for a winter drink in summer see this previous post ;- Winter lager in summer

  

ITS HALLOWEEN !

Well its that time of the year again when an American custom takes over for the day. I'm talking about Halloween. Actually its been more than just today, with the shops full of costumes for weeks to entice the kids. Inevitably, some pubs start selling more  Hobgoblin, of course.

So for me, there are three choices when the Trick or Treating starts:-

1. Switch the lights out and pretend you are not in.
2. Dress up yourself and jump out when the kids ring the bell and scare the crap of them.

3. Go to the pub.

While 2 is sorely tempting, Option 3 is the one.

Meanwhile this got me thinking. It may be an appropriate time to do some research on Ghost Pubs. There are several books on the subject, and someone with time on their hands has actually compiled a website ( see link):-

ghostpubs

Now I must admit I don't go for this kind of stuff myself, such as ghosts, extra terrestrials, Loch Ness monster etc. I even stopped believing in Santa Claus last week! I just thought it might be interesting to look at some examples of what has been claimed for some pubs in the immediate area.

Staff in The Black Bull, East Boldon have frequently seen the figure of a small boy sitting at the bottom of the cellar steps. And of course, despite the smoking ban, a stack of ashtrays suddenly fell over. Well they would if not piled up correctly.

Its claimed The Old Ship in Harton is haunted by a man who died inside the pub, He climbed on the stone to mount his horse (if you see what I mean), the horse kicked him and he banged his head on it.

I was curious about this so had a visit to see for myself. I was expecting this large meteor type boulder, but instead was confronted by what looked like a full black bin bag, or even a lump old frozen snow that had refused to melt. It's now used  as a dog loo apparently.

Now I've never been to The Lord Nelson in Monkton Village, and  it sounds very pleasant. Must visit, for the real ale of course, not the modern dressed phantom who keeps disappearing. Any excuse to avoid a round, that's what I say.

There are several alleged haunted pubs in South Shields, including the Alum Ale House (an Irish Prostitute called Giggle Meg), the Steamboat (a local old sea dog or a Tyne Pilot captain) and the Dolly Peel (press gang escapee). Now I've been in all three and have yet to be manifested (if that is the correct term).

One "ghost story" concerning the Jolly Sailor in Whitburn is the one about the landlady trying to pull a pint and the beer wouldn't come out!  Derrr !!

In the gents of the Havelock in Washington is a blackboard where punters who stand and relieve themselves can chalk comments (I wrote - I've just pissed on my trainers writing this). Anyhow, I've never seen anyone else doing any writing so maybe its the local ghost doing it, a former owner called Long John?

Over in Sunderland the bar of the Empire Theatre is supposed to have a poltergeist, which manages to cross the street and do his ghostly business (if you get my drift) in the Dun Cow. I'm guessing he does this because the beer is better in the Dun Cow!

On to The Copt Hill Houghton Le Spring. When visiting to do some research, one of the authors was told by a pub regular about the phantom cyclist that passes! Come on, a ghost bike? Who was riding it then, Sir Walter Raleigh?

In Newcastle, the sadly missed Cooperage on the Quayside had a ghost, now presumably claiming job seekers allowance. Another old pub, The Old George has been visited by the ghost of King Charles 1, with head still attached. I reckon that if he didnt have his head on, you wouldn't know it was him!

There are many other examples but I've spotted a couple of old pubs that miss out on this free publicity. One is The Washington Arms, directly opposite a churchyard. The other, dating from 1856 is the imposing Central Bar in Gateshead.  The latter sells itself because of the beer and actual building

As i said at the outset, I'm a sceptic. But I don't have a problem if people believe in these stories.  So  if you want read more , there's a couple of books to seek out :-

Haunted Sunderland by Rupert Matthews

Ghost Taverns by Darren Ritson and Mike Hallowell

And remember, Don't Cross The Streams **

Having decided on Option 3, we are off to our local JDW Autumn Beer Festival. The beer list doesn't mention any Halloween based beers so I may escape for another year.

** Ghostbusters 1984 

Nov 1st Update - Mrs Ken went down with heavy cold so no designated driver...went for option 1 but no one knocked. Drank Double Maxim and Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA instead  

UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES

During the summer I mentioned that I may have found the perfect pub, The Endeavour in Whitby. ( Read about it here ) the most perfect pub in UK ?

Well I think I may have found another one. Once upon a time, I worked for over 10 years in the Royal Mail offices behind Newcastle Central Station. The nearest pub was The Telegraph, which was usually full of smoking posties and keg beer, so any Friday lunchtime sessions we had  meant a walk into the city centre. 

Now that I'm no longer there and all the staff have gone, in May earlier this year news came of a new micropub opening , under the railway arches, just along from the old office. Called the Split Chimp and named after the wedge that is put under a cask of ale to tip it ( although why that would be called a split chimp Ive no idea).  

Anyhow, I called in for the first time recently and was really impressed. The place is small but comfortable. There are padded stools next to the window, with benches in the middle of the floor either side of 3 wooden barrels that act as tables. There are a few seats outside.

The pub has three handpulls and a keg font on the short bar. In front and under the bar is an extensive bottled beer fridge. The actual casks are behind the bar cloaked in cooling jackets . All handpulls were local ales.  I ordered a Tyne Bank Cherry Stout, and the beer temperature was spot on. Mind you, and this isn't the pubs fault, I couldn't smell or taste the cheery, but as a stout it was fine. 

When I ordered my pint I was actually asked if I was a CAMRA member and offered 10% discount. This is the first time I have ever been asked directly as most pubs who do offer this have to be asked first.

One feature I particularly like is the large chalk board occupying the part of one wall. It is covered in details of all the beers, bottled beers and wine. Importantly, all prices are shown in clear view, not hidden way stuck on a wall in tiny print. The next beers to be on are also indicated. The board is actually the door of a cupboard, which is the stock room for bottled beers. Next to this store is the single unisex loo, with a wonderful sign for the men to read.

There is an upstairs area , which I didnt investigate and outside is a well lit sign showing opening times. (I would check their Facebook page for these.)
   

During this experience, there was the occasional rumble overhead of trains passing over, which must be louder upstairs . This reminded me of another pub, the Knott Bar, under Deansgate Station in Manchester.

There is no TV, loud music or evidence of the dreaded lager ;  its just a place for conversation, which is fine by me. Good beer, clear pricing, CAMRA discount, whats not to like ? This is Newcastle first micropub and a welcome addition to the city pub scene. As Arnie once said "I'll be back".

THE PERILS OF OVER INDULGENCE - GETTING LOST IN MUNICH.

In 2002 my boss said "Do you want to go on an all expenses trip to the famous Oktoberfest in Munich?"  Stupid question. This was all to be paid for by a German company,  that starts and ends with an S, so the answer was "yes please".

Since 1810, the worlds oldest beer festival has been held on a large open space in Munich called Theresienweise. This annual jamboree lasts for 16 days and in 2002 was from 21st September to 6th October.
  
I don't recall the actual date we were there but it all started as an overnight stay in a hotel near Heathrow (I was on the cokes!). The next morning saw us on a Lufthansa flight bound for Germany. Stepping out of Munich Airport into the fresh Bavarian air, we were soon transported to our hotel in the city centre. 

We made our way to the festival, which was a half hour walk, later that  afternoon. It was set out as a large showground, with some huge marquees as beer tents. Inside were long tables and benches and a stage. Soon the drinks flowed freely, too freely as it turned out. Drinking many beers and joining in rousing choruses with an Oompah band made for a raucous night. I was amazed that some of the frauleins who served us could carry 12 ( TWELVE) heavy glasses of beer.


I have absolutely no idea how much I had to drink, or indeed how strong the beer was, but needless to say we all had a good time.

At the conclusion of proceedings I made the fatal decision to pause on the way out to purchase some souvenirs, namely a T shirt and two steins (one being for a missing colleague). Thankfully, passing on the lederhosen ! As a result I became separated from the rest of my party. So retracing my steps out of the Oktoberfest showground, I headed back to the hotel, but got lost and ended up outside Munich Railway Station.

Now I have since forgotten  the name of the hotel, but how was I to know there were two in the city with the same name?

I hailed a taxi, babbling the hotel name. Now after 10 minutes even I could figure out we were heading in the wrong direction. Burbling something to this effect, the driver slammed on the brakes and did a quick u-turn. Now during this manoeuvre the meter was flying round. In my befuddled state I realised I would not have enough money  to pay the fare, having stupidly invested half my euros in souvenirs.

At the right hotel at last , I counted out my fare  in vain. Now I tried to study German for 2 years at school but as I was by this time incapable of speech in English, I can only imagine what came out my mouth was total gibberish. Handing  over all my money, I then  tried to explain to the stony faced taxi driver  I was going to retrieve some more cash.

I vaguely recall getting out of the hotel lift on the wrong floor and trying to get into the wrong room. Finding the right floor and room eventually, I retrieved some Euros  and made my way back to the lifts and down to reception, to find the driver had driven off! I then noticed my colleagues had arrived ahead of me and  were watching this performance from the hotel lounge. Schweinhunds!

Next day everyone was suffering from a collective hangover.  Hardly anyone spoke, either during breakfast, on the coach to the airport, in the airport, on the plane or on the tube back into central London. It must have been one of the longest hangover recoveries in history.

PS For any fashion enthusiasts, despite it being 13 years old, I occasionally wear the T shirt, ( but have never drunk out of the stein)

OCTOBERFEST TAKE DOWN DAY

Well, 10am Sunday morning sees a dozen hardy souls standing around outside the (locked again) Bonded Warehouse in Sunderland. The Sunderland & South Tyneside CAMRA Beer Festival finished last night. If you wish to recap on previous days, follow these links :

OCTOBERFEST SET UP DAY 1

OCTOBERFEST SET UP DAY 2

OCTOBERFEST - THE DRINKING DAYS

Now perhaps you have been wondering about this place , so here are a couple of photographs. The building has some historical significance and warrants a blue plaque. Note the past connection to beer.

After about 15 minutes standing around outside  , I spotted a lone figure running from the direction of the Wearmouth Bridge. It was the guy with the keys !

Soon we were inside raring to go. Last night after closing time the team had take down the racking and removed the chillers, casks and handpulls. All that remained was to strip down the bar and carry everything downstairs and out to the by now,  three waiting vans. The pictures show getting from this   ( left) down to this (right)

Maxim had arrived for the mostly empty casks. It was so much easier loading these than unloading earlier in the week, although I still struggled with the wooden ones. Thanks to Mark for turning up , presumably on his day off, and helping us out this way.

The rest of the stuff was loaded into the other two vans, and exactly 60 minutes after we started , we all set off back to the lock up garage to unload everything for storage till the next time.

Despite a fraught start , I really have had a great week. Met some characters and some old friends,  experienced a unique feature with the floor surfing ( see previous post ),  had 12 of the 30 beers ( halves !), and , unheard of for me, 2 perries and a cider.

Well I hope these 4 posts have given you an insight into what goes on behind the scenes at a beer festival, run entirely by volunteers.

So here's to next year

 

SUNDERLAND AND SOUTH TYNESIDE OCTOBERFEST - THE DRINKING DAYS

The Sunderland and South Tyneside CAMRA Octoberfest was in full swing when I attended on the Friday . If you wish to read my previous posts giving the background leading up to this one, please link to the following

Octoberfest set up day 1

Octoberfest set up day 2

So Friday saw my first visit to the Beer Festival proper ( it started the day before. Although I claim I was mostly working behind the bar, there was also time to socialise and try a few beers.  This must have been the first time a topic of conversation by some punters was the function room laminate floor, but more on that later.

I have to say there was a really impressive range of beers and ciders / perrys to try. Of the 30 beers available, 5 appear in CAMRA books 300 Beers To Try Before You Die and its sequel, 300 more. Not a bad ratio . For reference they were :-

Castle Rock Elsie Mo

Dark Star American Pale Ale

Highland Dark Munro

Hopback Taiphoon

Little Valley Hebdens Wheat

Also featured were local beers " from the wood" . What this means is they were in wooden casks. Now my own personal opinion is that I didnt think these tasted anything different. Non of our customers  who came to the bar and ordered them even mentioned the fact they were from the wood. For a real comparison you need the same beer in metal cask and wooden barrel, blind tested to tell the difference. Even then I probably wouldn't be able to. For the record, the beers in question, all fine beers and  local ,  were :-

Maxim -  Maxim Ale 

Maxim - Maximus

Temptation - Cheery Belgian &   Raspberry American

3 Kings - Webb Ellis  

 

So over the 2 days , If you are asking me , "which was your favourite new drink ? ", based on the fact I had never tried it before I have to say ( drum roll) 

Orchard Pig Maverick Cider !!

I had this near the end of my Friday night session and its sweetness hit the spot as a final drink. Don't get me wrong, all the beers I had were great ( well, apart from the Brewlab Orange IPA - where was the Orange ?) So much so that on Saturday I threw caution to the wind and my final drinks were a couple of perries , after my beers.

Customer of the day. Well that Friday evening there was a lady dressed like a character from an Agatha Christie story , with a floppy hat and cape ( a 21st century version of Margaret Rutherford ). She was very excited about having the Maxim Ale (5.4%) , then moving up to the Maximus (6%), and finally Roosters Baby Faced Assassin ( 6.1%). I never saw her after that !   

And what about the floor then ? Well we spotted during the set up days that the laminate flooring just in front of the bar had a distinct bulge to it. I didn't take much notice at the time but on approaching the bar for a drink there was a noticeable buckle when waking on it. It was quite amusing standing behind the bar, with line of sight down the bulge, watching punters weave about like they were drunk, without yet having had a beer. It was interesting that the more people had to drink, the less weaving there was. This must have been Newtons 3rd law  kicking in ( for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction) caused by the drink counteracting that of the floor distortion . Very entertaining. 

As a summary, a good combination of helping behind the bar, trying a "few" beers and ciders, and mixing with the punters made this a fantastic two days.  

The final post in this "exciting series" is Sunday, the take down day. Stay tuned.

Octoberfest Take Down Day

SUNDERLAND AND SOUTH TYNESIDE OCTOBERFEST DAY 2

To recap, this week its the Sunderland and South Tyneside CAMRA Octoberfest. Yesterday was the first set up day, and a post of our adventures can be found here :-

Octoberfest Day 1

So , good news, the missing wooden cask of Webb Ellis has been found !  

I turned up at Maxim Tuesday lunchtime and there it was, sitting all alone on a fork lift truck. We had just missed it yesterday , that was all. 

Now I would like to say I lifted the HEAVY wooden cask into the boot of the car, but I didnt. Someone else did, making it look effortless. Driving away I immediately thought , Ive got to get this thing out at the other end yet.

Needless to say, the venue, the Bonded Warehouse was locked up again when I arrived, but only for about 10 minutes this time ( the caretaker had gone shopping !).  Fortunately help was at hand to lift the cask and soon it was up next to the bar. Speaking of which, this is what the room  looked like before we started (above left) and this is what it looked like when I turned up ( below). 

  

Soon the last beer, the Darwin Orange IPA arrived,    so we now had all beers and handpulls in place. The main thing later that evening was for the guys with the technical expertise  to connect the casks to the handpulls. ( not me I'm just a grunt )

Today we just concentrated on health and safety issues, a bit of tidy up  and then I turned my attention to washing the festival glasses, ( in a glass washer,  not by hand). Of the 400 that were ordered, I managed to get about 100 done before I got bored. Time to head off home for my tea, then out for a few beers tonight.  

My next visit will be Friday, Day 2 of the actual event. Its Mrs Kens birthday on opening day and I know what my priorities are ; well at least Ive been told what my priorities are !

To Be Continued Octoberfest Drinking Days