Feels like I’m picking on the Southworths as soon as they land back in the States, but I guess that’s what they read the blog for.
Only one and a half more pubs in Leek on Thursday, and the pace was telling on our Pub Heroes as I caught up with them after checking in at the Green Man B & B.
Our host Paul at the Green Man had run the Gladstone, an Adnams pub near Stowmarket I rather rated back in the day. His B&B had a few nice touches from its time as a pub in pre-woke days.
He told us all about 11.5% Tiny Rebel beers we should finish the night with in the Roebuck, and craft beer pubs that had just opened in town, and it all sounded very exciting.
But #PubMen stick to plans or dreadful things happen, and next up was a sentimental bollock of De Koninck in Den Engel.
At least, I always thought it was bollock, but Dave insisted it was bo-lek-er and he is, after all, a beer sommelier.
Whatever, £2.50 a half is a bit of a steal and it was marvellous. I sentimentally recalled the time that Tim Martin imported De Koninck on draft into Spoons.
“Less hoppy in the mouth than in the nose” said Dave, probably.
I was very sorry to hear that Geoff Turner, longstanding co-owner of Den Engel had died last year, but pleased to see the place as calm and characterful as ever.
Just like Leek.
retiredmartin 
“The Green Man is the bed symbol, before you ask”
Which one? The Portland Mews or the White Hart B&B?
“He told us all about 11.5% Tiny Rebel beers we should finish the night with in the Roebuck, ”
Sound advice. Never start with the 11.5% beers. 😉
“I always thought it was bollock, but Dave insisted it was bo-lek-er and he is, after all, a beer sommelier.”
I guess now is not a good time to say ‘bollocks’? 🙂
““Less hoppy in the mouth than in the nose” said Dave, probably.”
Ah. Explains the sommelier thingy. The sniff is hoppier than the sip. 😉
“I was very sorry to hear that Geoff Turner, longstanding co-owner of Den Engel had died last year”
Sigh. Getting a bit crowded up where Richard and Alan are. 😦
Cheers
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I remember there when if served a Belgian beer in a fancy glass like that you had to hand over one of your shoes as a deposit so it wasn’t ‘half inched’.
Always preferred the Wilkes Head though.
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Leek looks terrific….
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