Finally, a pub for Professor Pie-Tin to warm to.
We took the bus into the tiny capital of Valletta on Carnival day. In Waterbeach, Mrs RM makes Feast costumes on an animal theme each year. In Valletta, they dress as Dante’s Inferno.
And make papier mache models of Freddie Mercury.
Valetta itself is a tiny amalgam of Genoa and Ramsgate, which is great. All it lacks is the tacky backstreet bars and Gadd’s No.7. It has the narrow hilly streets off to a tee.
Being tourists, we met Leeds’ Official Beer Blogger at The Pub for a pint of Tetley’s Magic Rock. The sign tells you all you need to know.
This is the place where Oliver Reed sadly died in 1999, after an inadvisable bender shamelessly commemorated on T-Shirts and key rings.
The drinking today was more modest, though Mrs RM put back cans of High Wire and Cannonball in rapid time. Are they craft ? I forget.
My pint of creamy Farsons Blue Label tasted a lot like 1995 Caffrey’s. They know their market here.
Richard was distracted by some oval ball nonsense. You could have been in Headingley.
The fun came outside, as the Carnival procession attempted to pass down an alley patently unsuited to vehicles pumping fumes through the door.
Inside the famed toilets were a bigger health hazard than those fumes.
When I got back from the loo Richard and Mrs RM were discussing hopping rates or summat.
Great pub, like a rougher version of the Nutshell. Bet you didn’t think that was possible.
retiredmartin 
Wondered when you were going to post this, I saw you sneaking a few pics. Not my favourite Maltese “pub” but the cap bands and other naval memorabilia are interesting. The toilets are without doubt gopping, but some of the graffiti is interesting and pre-dates the prehistoric remains at Hagar Qim.
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I’m assuming that is how the famous CAMRA Revitalisation Resolution will be delivered to the AGM. Choose your standard bearers of good news/bad news/indifferent news.
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Lol – Reading down the blog, I wondered if the toilets were going to get a mention!
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Doesn’t do much for me I’m afraid.
As a golden rule I never step into an English or Irish themed pub anywhere abroad.
Surely you stumbled across at least one good back-street local boozer on your hols Martin ?
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Wait and see.
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This is where I re-cycle my Malteaser joke …
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“Great pub, like a rougher version of the Nutshell. Bet you didn’t think that was possible.”
I thought it was remarkably similar to The Nutshell. I wouldn’t call ether terribly rough- maybe I just like grotty pubs?
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Basic, rather than rough. Yes, both work for me.
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I was hoping you’d make it down the Gut but as you were spitting distance away that must be in another installment?
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Are there any pubs down the Gut these days?
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Still lively but not in the way it used to be!
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“Oval balls and Ollie”
I take it you’re not talking about the fellow in the window. 🙂
“Carrying an original 1975 Good Beer Guide”
My guess would have been your ride home if you partook like Ollie did. 😉
Looks like a great pub experience though. (thumbs up)
Cheers
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Love the line about Oliver Reed being followed by “The drinking today was more modest.”
Well at least they had something other than cans; I was beginning to fear beer on tap was given an island-wide ban during the winter months!
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You’ll only find Bacchanalian excess on BRAPA, Mark !
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The first photo on Simon’s new post is another work of genius. See how generous I am with my praise.
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Great stuff 👍 love the oval ball nonsense line for Richard 😄
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I just laughed at my own post. Is that legal?
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