Back at the terrifying underpass at Newport Station at 7pm, I had a few choices after checking in at the Spoons.
- Train to Cardiff to join a crowd of 7 million celebrating the TdF with Brains in a plastic cup.
- Go to bed, listen to Brexit debate over a Chinese takeaway.
- As 2), but find Sam Smiths first.
- As 2), but find Bass first in the Pen and Wig.
Sadly, I spent two minutes standing at the bar being ignored by staff engaged in something more important than me. Of course, if there had been a proper queueing system I ‘d have been fine.
So I abandoned my plans and set off for a pre-emptive tick.
The town centre was deserted, apart from families transformed to stone as they turned to look at craft being delivered to the Tiny Rebel bar.
Checking What Pub, I find only one option for a pre-emptive tick.
You can tell the Cellar Door is on the “alternative” street by the company it keeps;
No sign (it’s a micro) but I don’t think you’ll miss it.
It’s a bit chaotic for a Sunday night, which I like, and folk move up to give me a seat, which I love.
Being adventurous, I went for the middle one, hand written clip and all. Ten points for correct identification. It was a decent BBB in the Cotleigh style (NBSS 3.5).
As you’ll see, this isn’t quite your usual micro mob, perhaps reflecting the music. It had more than a touch of Burton’s Last Heretic, though without the ritual CAMRA magazine burning.
Eagle-eyed readers may note that I thereby turned down both Oracle AND Sarah Hughes Mild. I’ll be staying in Wolves, a mile from the Beacon, on Monday night, so I may be able to rectify that error.
Now, there are 3 sure signs of the End of Times a certain future GBG entry.
- It’s a micro
- It’s just won a CAMRA award
- It’s got a folkie singing Joni Mitchell’s “A Case Of You”
Full house.
Perhaps the most modernist of toilet signs so far. I’m sure Mudgie will approve.
I finished at Red Hot Goodness, a Chinese takeaway too far.
Five trips to Newport in 18 months. That’s more time than I spend at home.
NB Breakfast at Parc Pantry on Malpas Road rather than Spoons. How good is this mango DIPA with paper straw ?
retiredmartin 
Like bigger pubs….some micros are decent and some are full…just on a smaller scale…like the cheesus place!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do believe Leila Dee thinks she’s going places judging by her home address.
LikeLike
“I’ll be staying in Wolves, a mile from the Beacon, on Monday night”. Is that because the Great Western and Stile once a year isn’t enough or because there’s GBG pubs thereabouts you’ve not yet done ? ,
LikeLike
Meeting my mate Charles for a curry and pint, Paul. You’re very welcome to join us. Guess from 6ish.
LikeLike
Which curry house ?
LikeLike
Might go back to Hooded Ram to see if their Manx beers as good as on Man.
LikeLike
Martin,
Please let me know if it’s definitely there as it’s only a cockstride from the railway station and I might also manage a pint or two in the Great Western.
It’s very kind of you to invite me along.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always welcome good company. I’m coming up from Weston super Mare and Charles working in Dudley so guess a 6/7pm start.
LikeLike
Okay, so I’ll be in the Hooded Ram from 6pm tomorrow, I shall expect you within about an hour and we can take it from there.
My wife has nothing planned tomorrow evening so after the curry could drive the three of us round a couple of pubs if that would be helpful.
LikeLike
Left you a personal message on Beer and Pubs forum, Paul.
(No, you can’t all have one).
LikeLike
If you’re a mile from The Beacon, yow ay in Wolves, surely?
LikeLike
No, not necessarily.
The Wolverhampton boundary is not a quarter mile north-eastwards of the Beacon Hotel.
LikeLike
Staying in Blakenhall south. Can’t be more than a mile or two from there.
LikeLike
Good post and statue. Will be in Cardiff and Gwent for annual non league Groundhop later this month and was wondering if there was anywhere new so thanks for the info. Beezelbub is new in Cardiff. Any other pre-emptives?
LikeLike
Haven’t looked at Cardiff yet, Gwent tends to the more traditional, which then closes before you get there !
Didn’t GBG18 come out before August Bank Hol ? Fingers crossed for this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Last year it did though I was already in Cardiff by then and relied on emergency extracts sent by carrier pigeon. That was the earliest ever so not holding out too much hope it will be repeated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Given the few clues and location, shall take a guess at Glog by Bragdy Twt Lol (Trefforest Brewery) which is under 20 miles away.
LikeLike
I think I know the geezer with the grey hair and ponytail. If it’s who I think it is, he owes me money!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Does he reside in Partridge Green ?
LikeLike
Majestic Discoteque -love it !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, I reckon that sign is unchanged since 1977 !
LikeLiked by 1 person
“As 2), but find Sam Smiths first.”
You were going to go to bed in the Sam Smiths then?
“Of course, if there had been a proper queueing system I ‘d have been fine.”
Nah. With five pumps it would have been ‘orf’, like most you’ve had lately.
“apart from families transformed to stone as they turned to look at craft being delivered to the Tiny Rebel bar.”
I think that’s just the latest from Tobacco Control trying to show the evils of Cannabis.
“It’s a cheese shop – geddit ?”
And according to Streetview they’re keeping up the tradition of punny names as before them it was Snacks Above the Tracks. 😉
“No sign (it’s a micro) but I don’t think you’ll miss it.”
At least they took down the previous sign indicating it was County Computers.
“Cluttered bar top of your dreams”
Was the Pellegrino can so you could tip Leila Dee for her CDs?
“OK”
Not sure if that should be Whomever but… whatever. 🙂
“a Chinese takeaway too far.”
Ooh. Was that a bridge joke? 😉
“with paper straw ”
Thank goodness it’s not a plastic one!
Cheers
LikeLike
I congratulate you, Russ. You spend more time analysing these posts than I spend writing them 😱 Cheers
LikeLike
I use it as an excuse from having to do yard work. 🙂
Cheers
PS – It’s like that classic cartoon:
https://xkcd.com/386/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Should selling something as trad as Sarah Hughes be illegal in a micro according to Herne rules?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Probs.
LikeLike
Arrived in Newport tonight after a packed 5 hour train journey from Durham, and I can’t remember the last time I was so scared to be walking round on my own! NBSS 4 Abbot at the Queens (the Rev James went off), 4000dB music and craft at Tiny Rebel, and the prospect of greater Sam Smiths yet to come are some consolation. My accommodation is an aparthotel (nope, me neither) on the 9th floor of an office block, and its BYOB (bring your own breakfast). As soon as my meeting is over in the morning I’m going straight to Bristol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re not in Durham now, Tonto !
I admire you for exploring Newport; I love the place (it’s only scary when you go a mile south toward the Tom Toya). Enjoy the Sam’s. The micro was good for music.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well it’s not quite how I expected to spend the penultimate Sunday before Christmas but it’s certainly an adventure! There’s no place like home, though… Had to save the micro for next time due to micro opening hours (!) but Sam’s was excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person