In contrast with Surrey, the annual tranche of new Beer Guide pubs in Worcestershire are always a really mixed bunnch, with more boozers than gastropubs.
That’s true of the county town as a whole, whose centre has a surprisingly high number of drinkers pubs, the Plough and Dragon standing out.
I’d been hoping to coincide a visit to the new Guide entry with a soporific day of County cricket in the sun at New Road, but I’ve clearly missed summer this year.
The suburbs of Worcester haven’t produced a great wealth of Guide entries over the years, with the east of town particularly barren (and spectacularly dull).
You’re on your way to Claines and dreaming of the Mug House before you get to the Winning Post, beautifully situated in a residential street facing Gheluvelt Park.
This was a great way to conclude Worcester GBG16, the sort of neighbourhood pub that survives against the odds.
Bedford has a few Irish pubs with similar traits – colour, fresh flowers, Guinness memorabilia, a welcome to all. The Winning Post throws in home-brewed beers from across the road, which isn’t always a great idea but does contribute to the cheapest pint in the county (£2.50).
The Porter was served in a Guinness glass, which is OK Full of flavour, it might have benefitted from chilling though (NBSS 3).
It was a very relaxing half hour in as comfortable a setting as I’ve had for a while. At 5pm the local tradesman popped in (either that or they’re in the local production of Clockwork Orange) and the banter picked up. I was sorry I hadn’t been in the night before for the Italy match.
I’ll spare you the collection of humorous postcards, but they alone are worth a visit.
retiredmartin 