Sorry for the gap between posts. I’m just back from the Isle of Man, which has wonderful coast, cask and cockles (well, Queenies), but cruddy internet.
Resuming my chronology, I finished Durham’s GBG entries in Stockton-On-Tees, one of our greatest towns.
You may disagree with that, but I doubt you’ve been. Or possibly you just put less value on the merits of calorific takeaway products, cheap B&Bs and pubs that open from 9am to 2am on Fridays.
I was discussing Stockton with the Pubmeister yesterday, reflecting on the variety of the town, which gets progressively smarter north to Norton and south to Yarm. I believe that’s it even possible to buy Prosecco in town these days. And the handsome High Street is looking better than ever.
But ultimately Stockton means pubs, one of which serves foamy Bass, and many of which look a bit scary if you’re an American tourist who’s somehow confused Stockton with Sedgefield.
I contemplated asking for a Babycham in the Reindeer, but realised that only sounded funny in theory, and discretion is a virtue to be treasured, even as a blogger.
So I started my night in the Wasp’s Nest, popping in at 5pm, just in case the extensive opening hours were a joke.
As Pubmeister discovered recently, the Stockton/Middlesbrough/Billingham micro triangle only really comes alive on Friday and Saturday, with Sundays left to the hardcore. In this case the hardcore were a charming couple about my age. And me.
Anyway, we had the crisps and nuts all to ourselves.
The young barman had lots of micropub tips as well; I believe it’s part of the syllabus on most courses at Tees University.
Tasty beer from Mad Squirrel, just a bit warm to the touch (NBSS 3). More of a modern bar than a micro, and still more pubby than anything in Herne.
And with that, Durham was conquered….
But the best of Stockton was still to come.
retiredmartin 
You are correct Martin, I haven’t been to Stockton-on-Tees, but I’m certain I am not alone in this.
I have been to the Isle of Man though, where I believe they still have dial-up if you want to connect to the internet! I’m pleased I made the effort to go (despite that volcano), but it’s not high on my list of places I’d like to return to.
ps. The Wasps Nest must be a unique name for a pub. Rather like the Viper near Ingatestone in Essex.
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Yes Paul, I guess my point was there’s some very lazy BBC journalism that uses Stockton (or Middlesbrough) as an analogy for Northern deprivation and it’s a lazy one. Folk driving to Northumberland/Newcastle would never stop there, just as few folk would visit Gillingham.
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But from your photos Martin, Stockton looks an attractive town. Perhaps it the proximity of the town to Middlesbrough, which puts people off (including me, until I read your post).
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Stockton has some history, not all of it pulled down in the ’60s. I guess Gravesend would be a better comparator than Gillingham. Some pockets of deprivation, some smart public schools in the suburbs, a burgeoning micro scene, a few trad pub survivors.
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“the crisps and nuts all to ourselves” as Bombay Mix hasn’t reached Stockton on Tees yet.
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Keep your filthy exotica away from the north-east ! Anyway, if there HAD been Bombay mix Old Mudgie would have stolen it.
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It is testament to your commitment, and how prolific you are, that a single day counts as a gap between posts! We your readers are indebted to you for your once- and often twice-daily updates.
A 9am opener– I reckon Simon would take full advantage of that and be peering through the window at 8:55 am to see what’s on the bar. 😉
Is it common to see bowls of snacks like that in a pub? Looks like they are free for the taking as long as you’ve ordered a drink.
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Aw, thanks Mark ! I’m sure Simon is as big a fan of Stockton as I am !
Bowls of snacks are quite common on a Sunday, and often in the working class boozers in south London and Kent (as opposed to gastropubs !). Probably break all our current hygiene laws !
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“a single day counts as a gap”. Yes, two days absent and I would be enquiring as to Martin’s health.
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None of you did though ! Plenty of Proper Pubs on the Isle of Man for you, Paul, though a bit tricky for a day out ;-(
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“None of you did though !”
I was just bloody happy you’d stopped posting for a bit so I could try to catch up!
But then we were inundated with company yet again (sigh).*
Cheers
* – to be honest we were alone Sunday and my wife didn’t have to do any cooking or prep for either her lunch truck or private catering so we took advantage of that.** 🙂
** – by going for walks by the ocean and discussing the merits of crab cakes vs complete crabs for catered dinners if you must know. 😉
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Is that debate about crab cakes v complete crabs the equivalent of our cobs v baps argument v?
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I’m really enjoying a lot of these young servers I run into these days. Great people.
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Good man. Yes, lovely young people in these modern beer bars. One in new Leyland micro/tap was great, as was the Cliftonville Tap with the weird music choice.
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Yes, and no need for them to wear name badges as there’s little danger of having to complain about them.
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Name Badges not an indicator of a Proper pub !
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Sadly, just on the wrong side of the river to have been in GOC.
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I wondered why M’bro was York and Stockton Durham as they’re virtually contiguous.
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I think the boundary was the river, Yarm and Thornaby were always North Riding until 1974 metropolitan counties act.
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Looks terrific! I like the thought there’s a Uni degree on Micropub tips…to be fair, there are less importnat ones you can do so why not!
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“Possibly not even the cheapest”
And no wonder. They have more than one channel on the telly! (you still only have 3 channels, yes?) 🙂
“Named in honour of Cooking Lager”
LOL
“In this case the hardcore were a charming couple about my age. ”
Is that they’re ages combined or individually? 😉
“And with that, Durham was conquered….”
And no comment on the jam jars. 🙂
Cheers
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We get to Stockton about once a month to ring the bells at the top end of the high street. Beer quality at the Sun is up and down in my experience, most of the “micros” are just trendy bars and the beer is always way too strong, but the Golden Smog is always the highlight of the visit. 2nd best beer usually found at the Spoons with Oakham and Ossett featured regularly!
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I’ll take the view of local CAMRA members like you on the Sun. It was good on that Sunday, but of course I’m no regular.
Agree on Spoons, and a healthy range of quality beers too !
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There is definitely something very special about that method of dispense though! (see also Strongarm in Hartlepool)
Anyway congrats on completing Durham! But I hope you’ll come back 🙂
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Not till early August !!
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Rich and poor cheek-by-jowl in Stockton.
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