As mentioned already, I’m spending more time than strictly advisable in Peterborough at the moment, due to Mrs RM’s foreign excursions up the east coast starting at the nation’s favourite railway station.
On my recent visit to the Abbey Stadium, Cambridge fans were still singing that immortal ditty;
“Cheer up Barry Fry
Oh what can it mean
To be an industrial Cathedral city,
Where real ale pickings are so lean”
(Or something similar)
But I’ve always liked ‘Boro, and frankly Leyton Orient were always more realistic rivals for Cambridge anyway, both being London overflow at heart.
The area west of London Road (aka ABAX Stadium) used to be a string of top boozers, as well as a rare outlet this far south for cask John Smiths.
Less so now, with the Cherry Tree closed and the Coalheavers losing its top beers from my own village, but Oundle Road still has more pubs than the approach to the Etihad.
It’s what we call a mixed area, reflecting the brickworking industry in Fletton as it merges into more residential Woodston (apparently home to a Sam Smiths pub).
For years the most famous pub was the Palmerston, once evicted from the Beer Guide for the same selective admission criteria that did for a certain York gem. I’ve saving this one for a visit with Mrs RM. She’ll love it.
Instead, I popped next door to the Yard of Ale, as certain a pre-emptive GBG tick as I’ve been in all year.
Admit it, you thought it was going to be a micro pub, didn’t you ?
Wrong.
If it was, it wouldn’t have been open at 3pm on a Monday, let alone selling Doom Bar and Tribute.
Despite cheery and efficient service, I feared the worst, especially as Monday afternoon is a real test for cask. A few Professional Drinkers in, a Brewery salesmen looking for lager business, and a pleasant but modern sports bar styling don’t raise your hopes, do they ?
But the Oakham Citra was spot-on, as beer sommeliers say. Perfect serving temperature and texture, and it smelt gorgeous (NBSS 4+).
Citra really is a safe bet, whether because it’s the nation’s choice or because Oakham teach pubs how to keep it, who knows.
Fans of ’80s English pop would enjoy it more than fans of ’80s boozers, “Wings of a Dove” and a 12″ version of “Lip Up Fatty” the highlights. I suspect at 2pm on a matchday Saturday it’s hard to beat.
And just look at this head;
“Admit it, you thought it was going to be a micro pub, didn’t you ?”
Not after seeing the extending sign. 🙂
“But the Oakham Citra was spot-on, ”
Having a Session IPA myself right now (have to start packing in a bit and want a clear head for the long day tomorrow).
“I suspect at 2pm on a matchday Saturday it’s hard to beat.”
High praise indeed. (thumbs up)
Cheers
PS – I will more than likely not be replying to posts for the next 10 or 12 days as I’ll be visiting my sainted mother who does not have access to this new fangled Internet thingy. And, when I do get access at say – a bar – I’ll be too busy knocking back some beers with my brother who is flying in from France to visit at the same time as me. 🙂
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You have your priorities right, but I dare say Simon, Ian, Paul, Glyn and myself will be devastated by your absence.
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“but I dare say Simon, Ian, Paul, Glyn and myself will be devastated by your absence.”
That thing you’re holding? It’s my leg. 🙂
Cheers
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Yes – that is so true – devastated….come back soon…my comments box is empty (violins)…
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Russ, would you like me, in your absence, to point out any incorrect usage of “it’s” versus “its”? 😉
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There is strict demarcation of those roles, Mark.
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“Its” up to you Mark. 😁
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You can’t really go wrong with Oakham can you. In fact it beggars belief that they have Doom and Tribute on at the side of them – Faced with the choice, What would you say? The path of least resistance it seems the only way. But can we look a little further? Too little far I think, self-belief’s the answer and not another drink.
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The safe method, the only way…
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“You can’t really go wrong with Oakham can you” except for all the beer fanatics so concerned about ‘provenance’ that they wouldn’t touch with a bargepole an ale brewed in Peterborough but labelled only as ‘Oakham’.
Give me a Proper Cornish beer any day, preferably Tribute rather than Doom Bar.
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Yes to Tribute, yes to Citra, yes to Plum Porter, no to provenance fusspots.
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Can I have Proper Job please Paul?
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Oddly, Proper Job is the other beer I’ve had which was consistently good, sensational in Knaphill Surrey last year.
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Richard,
Not from me, and it’d cost you more than £1 outside of Wolverhampton !
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St Austell Proper Job was our favourite drink while on holiday in Falmouth.
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Nothing wrong with Proper Job. Nice pint.
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Bad Manners Madness and Oakham Citra… fantastic! Agree re GOOD Citra it’s a miles better version of Doom Bar…I had a couple of weeks at Posh back in the day and either farmers or London overspill…good place for night out..I missed Barry at Blues
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“No- it’s not Doom Bar in that glass”
That’s obvious – you didn’t have to say that Martin, no-one would drink that stuff…;)
PS – practicing Russ style comments in case we need them in his absence…
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Have Russ and Pub Hermit ever been seen in the same room ?
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It’s possible, having seen his photo with his flat cap – I think we could be distant relations…
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