retiredmartin

July 2023. New Brighton.

I had a vague recollection of the James Atherton in the heart of New Brighton’s youthful Victoria Road back in December 2019 (you’ll know the date), a fun pub alongside the two crafty micros across the road.

A little while later it gained some national notoriety during lockdown for its rebrand.

Never saw it getting in the Beer Guide, though, but that’s true of virtually every new entry in GBG23. What mysteries will GBG24 hold ?

In fairness, Wallasey is a bit under-represented in the Guide and 3 pumps in a sports car gives you a 4/7 chance of GBG glory, even if EVERYONE else is on the Madri.

Everyone else in this case is “blokes with dogs” rather than “blokes recovering from jewellery inflicted injury”.

To the credit of the young barman, singing along to “Lightning Bolt”, he asks if I’d prefer “a bigger head on that”.

I presume he means sparkled, but since I’m not the Tand I say no.

It’s an OK (3) pint of Trappers Hat, the national beer of the Wirral (cask division), but looks stunning in its dedicated glass.

And the nice barman digs me out a copy of the street art trail with a level of effort not often seen

No, I won’t be coming back for poker, but there’s a lot going on and I can’t knock a pub with as many comings and goings as this.

Even if most of them are canine.