retiredmartin

November 2023. Spondon. Derby.

Spondon ? Me neither, before a trip to the lovably Old Skool Malt Shovel in 2021.

There’s an A52 bus, but I managed to catch a train with only slightly better hours than the one to Brigg. The sun shines on the righteous, but not today as I enjoyed a soggy mile’s walk from Spondon station, which seems to be in the next county.

How did I miss the obvious pre-emptive tick at Hoptimist 2 years ago ?

ALL pubs called Hoptimist get in the GBG eventually; it’s the law.

This is one of those community all-rounder micros, a companion to Maggie’s in Chesterfield if you like.

You don’t come here to add to your Unappd count, though Mrs RM would, but it’s one of the best beer ranges of the year in the “Not Bass” category.

Couples discuss tea, a lady comes in to see if she’s left her brolly (I hadn’t stolen it),

the barmaid deduces a chap only needs a half because his wife “is only halfway down hers”, and the Falstaff is a murky joy.

Honestly, approaching a third of my beer scores this year have been better than NBSS 3, but I know good news doesn’t sell. Just see the misery fest that is CAMRA Discourse, pontificating on phalluses and the definition of “real”.

Meanwhile, neighbourhood pubs like Hoptimist provide a smart place for local folk to have a pre-tea beer, or give in to early temptationl;

Actually my main recollection of this place was that the loo, through the pretty conservatory, had a sliding door I couldn’t open.

But in fairness, that may have been more of a reflection on my own abilities.