WHERE DID THAT OLD TOM COME FROM ?

January 2024. Preston.

Short posts from the front carriage of the inevitably delayed Manchester to Sheffield EMR service.

Leaving NICOs after mixing beer and wine, Mrs RMs first words were,

“That looks nice we should go in there”

No, we shouldn’t. We had to be sensible with a gig in a couple of hours.

Somehow, I decided she needed to see the Black Horse.

And of course, she DID need to see the Black Horse

“it’s a top 5 pub in the world” I told her, increasingly confident in that view.

And it was vibrant, and gorgeous, as always. And packed with all ages.

The problem is, it’s just too good.

The Unicorn was off,

leaving me with a choice.

I hate choices in pubs

I made the wrong one .

Half an Old Tom, my first of the season, and half a Plum Porter.

Were they good ? Yes.

Did I regret it the next morning ? Yes.

Did Mrs RM regret it well before morning ? Again, yes.

Too late, far too late, we remembered to eat.

That can wait till part 2, when I’m back in WiFi range.

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Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

10 thoughts on “WHERE DID THAT OLD TOM COME FROM ?”

  1. “Half an Old Tom, my first of the season”.
    I’ve had none this season, but towards the end of autumn I found four pints – or rather six halves and a pint – of it in Stockport.
    I missed the Bathams XXX by a few days but have had at least four pints of the Holdens Old Ale this winter.
    And three pints of Abbeydale English Porter this afternoon was I think my first Sheffield beer this year.

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      1. I’m fairly sure the Bridge End in Llangollen had Old Tom all year round. Haven’t been there for years though.

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      2. It’s “Abbeydale English Porter”, 4.8% I think, but I can’t find any reference to it now. That was in the Bhurtpore.
        No, cask Old Tom is only from early November for the winter now.

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      3. Only if they’re prepared to keep casks of it in their cellar for a LONG time.

        Mind you, I do remember being in a pub many years ago that had a cask of Adnams Tally Ho that the landlord said had been in the cellar for 2 years!

        It was… quite nice 🙂

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      5. Andy,
        Yes, I remember an unbroached cask of Marston’s Owd Roger in a cellar from one December to the next, none the worst for it but different.

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      6. Different not always best, Paul ?

        I have a 25 year old bottle from the Bass museum brewery given to the handful of people who visited the 25 GBG ever-presents and you’re welcome to try it.

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    2. Paul, I’ve been slipping on the Old Ale front, this winter, although earlier today I attended a “Dark Ales” festival, at a well-known Crowborough pub.

      Full report to follow, but still no Larkin’s Porter!

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