retiredmartin

August 2023. Ely.

My sister continues her market gardening business near the Chung Hwa (Beach Blooms),

but has moved house to just off Ely waterfront, which gives me an excuse to visit her for a beer when I get bored of Waterbeach. (“bored of Waterbeach ! Surely not ?“).

Ely isn’t over-pubbed, considering its population boom over the last 30 years, but on the other hand it seems nothing much has changed, either.

I’d love to tell you I suggested the Royal Standard (approach from the Cathedral car park below) because it’s a classic unchanged boozer,

but truth is I just wanted to see if the Abbot was drinking well in a typical Fenland Greene King town pub.

Unusual little alleyway linking the town car park to the High Street,

upmarket looking restaurant extension,

shabby-chic interior,

and suntrap garden with the Madri drinkers.

But it’s the seating for the bar flies that would attract the Mudg(i)es ire.

I was just upset at the lack of the award-winning Abbot. How can you win Champion Premium Beer of Britain and NOT be on the bar in a busy town pub 20 miles from the brewery ?

So it’s the IPA, and a mysterious house beer (3.8%) with homemade clip which Sis eventually has, after a taster (ugh). Despite being threatened with the sort of torture exacted on Oliver Cromwell, whose museum is a city highlight, the staff do not reveal the mystery brew, which I will therefore guess was Ruddles.

I hand over a tenner and wait for change (in Sheffield you’d get about £2.20 back).

“Er, it’s £10.40” says the embarassed young barperson. Sis looks at me, as embarrassed as I am by her asking for a taster.

“You’re not in Sheffield now, Tonto“.

Apparently Ely is the new Didsbury, now. In fairness, and I am fair, the IPA and hous beer are both GBG standard,

and the garden has nice views to the Cathedral,

and it’s about time I learned to stop complaining about beer prices, I reckon.