retiredmartin

Next up is one of those really dreadful things that pub tickers do occasionally; return to a pub they’ve already ticked.

Sometimes that happens by accident, of course.

Sometimes it’s because you know they’ve got this on;

At least I hoped the Three Kings in Threekingham hadn’t decided to make it an “occasional” beer, or only put it on when I gave them six months notice and a promise to drink it all.

Even our local pub is at it, putting on Bass on the one weekend I can’t be around to enjoy it (BRAPA’s fault).

Thanks Saimon.

Deep in the heart of the Kesteven wilderness, I have a better chance.

Of course, I could be met at the bar by Milestone (no offence) or Brewsters (ditto) or Oldershaw, and face a choice of a sharp exit or a coke by the window.

But there you go;

It’s an immaculate little pub, with gleaming pumps and a spotless branded Bass bar.

“Bless your heart”  I think to myself.

“You’re sticking with the Bass then !”  I say, a touch over-excitedly.

“I’d be lynched if I ever took the Draught Bass off”  says the old school barman, nodding at the gent sitting with his wife at the table nearest the bar.

“My shandy’s made with Bass.  It’s the best shandy I’ve ever tasted !” said his wife, who’s clearly never had the ready-mixed cans from our Chinese takeaway.

They were a lovely couple.  And their meals looked great.

“I’ll have what they’re having”  It was fish pie.

Oddly, no picture of the fish pie, which was wholesome, hearty and filling in the best Lincs tradition.  Chicken Tikka Masala is regarded with suspicion round here.

The Draught Bass was also immaculate; cool and rich.  An NBSS 3.5, even if not quite at the level of the Petersgate Tap (and that’s the last plug they’re getting till they make Bass a permanent beer).

Across from me, our Bass loyalists were in full flow.

“How come your plate stops still when you eat and mine doesn’t ?”

“I’m a thru’ an’ thru’ royalist but I can’t be doin’ with all these hangers on”

A few more OAPs came in for their Friday lunch.  It had the feel of the similarly rural Pig & Abbot in rural Cambridgeshire.  Top beer, proper home-cooked food, sparkling pub.

The best reason you’ll ever get to head east from Grantham.