Enough of this live blogging from Manhattan.
Back to the knitting. Chucking duff halves of Otter in plant pots in Somerset.
Note the exclusive video evidence.
It gets a bit dull after 5 seconds, as I forgot to turn off the camera, but you get the idea.
Hands up who knew where Somerton is?
I’m guessing Somerton will be crawling with horrible Southerners called Emily and Hugh about now, on their way to drink Prosecco at “Glasto” this weekend.
On my visit it was deathly quiet, so quiet even BRAPA’s parents who were staying nearby would have been scared.
It’s a quaint but pointless little village, once the capital of Wessex. Whoopydoo.
What Pub claimed the White Hart would serve me a pint at 9am but we know that’s never going to happen, don’t we?
The smartly dressed young man in posh waistcoat said “Yes Sir“, but looked frankly horrified when I asked for an Otter at 10.30am.
“I can only serve you coffee till 11, Sir”
“I’ll be back” I said, and stormed off to stare at churches and top music events and send a message to local CAMRA.
At 10.59am I was back. The barmaid asked me what I wanted again, on the basis I might have switched allegiance to Amaretto or something, and relieved me of £2.
Nice fireplace, duff seating.
The Otter was dreadful, real butterscotch stuff (NBSS 1.5).
I really should have taken it back. But what do you say?
“This beer has butterscotch notes”
“Ay”
And isn’t that what pubs provide secret gardens for?
(Plants not shown)
Isn’t Somerton about 18 miles from Taunton?
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I’m always wary of that first pint out of the pumps, straight after opening time.
From your description though it sounds like the Otter was already way past its best.
The Guide did come up trumps last weekend in Norfolk, as I will reveal when I eventually get round to writing the trip up.
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Due to the laws of physics or something, SOMEONE has to have the first beer out of the pumps.
Of course, in good pubs the staff will pull it through, and sometimes taste it, first.
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I know Martin, but due to the law of licensees not wanting to waste a single drop of beer, I try to ensure that I don’t get that first pint out of the pumps!
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In some pubs I visit that will mean visiting at 10.59pm Paul!
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“SOMEONE has to have the first beer out of the pumps” – and as often as not it’s me while all the “lie-ins” are still at home having their breakfast. .
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Have you ever considered carrying your own pot plant ? That would guarantee its availability in all locations.
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What an excellent idea. A bit like BRAPAs beermat.
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Somerset takes its name from Somerton, of course, just as Wiltshire takes its name from the equally insignificant Wilton.
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Any ideas on Berkshire?
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Maybe from David Cameron who was raised at Peasemore in Berkshire !
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Sparkford is famous as the home of Haynes Manuals. Wonder if they do one on how to keep Real Ale.
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I would have mentioned diacetyl to the barmaid!
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– who would have most likely replied that her hair colouring is none of Martin’s business.
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I often think that you have an enviable lifestyle, getting to visit great pubs in great places. Other times, though, it seems like an ordeal. Gentrified hell-holes, with cafes acting as pubs, and with staff and customers who don’t know what a pub should be like. Maybe if more pubs realised that a pub is a place for people to drink and socialise in relaxed surroundings, we wouldn’t need micros.
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“SECRET GARDENS FOR BEER CHUCKING”
Secret garden… this way? Isn’t that a bit of an oxymoron?
“It gets a bit dull after 5 seconds, as I forgot to turn off the camera, but you get the idea.”
You do know there’s free programs to edit such things.
“Hands up who knew where Somerton is?”
Some- where in Somer-set? 🙂
“on their way to drink Prosecco at “Glasto” this weekend.”
Yikes.
“Whoopydoo.”
That ‘plant beer’ is making you irritable. 🙂
““I can only serve you coffee till 11, Sir””
Ok, I take my Whoopydoo remark back. Sheesh.
“on the basis I might have switched allegiance to Amaretto or something,”
Or maybe… Prosecco? 🙂
“(Plants not shown)”
That patchy bit on the right could’ve used the beer more than the plant.
Cheers
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More mileage for micros serving cask 🍻 no barman should be horrified at people drinking at 10.30 😉
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