February 2024. Cambridge.
As you’ll know I’m a creature of habit, and on my first Cambridge history quiz trail I was keen to pick a dull, predictable, heritage pub to celebrate completion of pages 1 and 2 of my book (recommended for children age 8-12).
The Eagle and Bath House were unpleasantly packed, so they can await my visit on a wet weekday in February.
Oh, it was. Yes, whatever problems pubs face seems to be more about cost pressures than custom in Cambridge.
The exception was Brew Dog, coincidentally the place we’d ended up after walking St Mary’s tower pre-Covid.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a busy Brew Dog, certainly not for a decade or so. Come to Sheffield and compare their trade with the new Vocation across the road.
But I have a soft spot for Cambridge’s Dog, which served takeaway pints to enjoy sitting on the wall outside King’s College during Lockdown 1.
Their soundtrack is aimed squarely at young hipsters like me;
And the barman today was charming, even offering me a sampler of a beer called Mild sitting on the side of the taps.
“Have you ever tried “Mild” “, he asks, the way you’d enquire if you’ve ever eaten raw dinosaur eggs before.
The mild (from local Three Blind Mice) was dull, perhaps a result of ambitious pricing at £6.65 a pint for a 3% er.
A schooner of Lucky Break, their own strongest murk was great. Just don’t ask “how much ?”.
Oh well, that’s Brew Dog done for 5 years, Pint Shop next time.
The next set of clues came back on museum street.
I made a note of the answers in pen in the book, rendering it useless on the resale market.
And then a rush to the station, Cambridge North for a change.
Ooh look, the St Radegund is about to re-open
The “Rad” ?
Oh, let’s hope they haven’t mucked about with it too much. That would be a…
retiredmartin 
Brewdog is starting to seem vaguely old-fashioned now. Music is from the best punk era of 2000-2005 and this doesn’t seem to change.
Punk IPA doesn’t seem as hoppy as it used to be though. And I miss 5a.m. Saint.
LikeLike
The Cambridge branch has always seemed to have a better range of their own beers and guests than most of their branches but I think their appeal went long, long ago.
LikeLike
I still like the taste of their beers although Punk has dropped its ABV to 5.2% for the draught version. I guess this to hit a price point in Wetherspoons.
I am also guessing the price for the 10% Hoax is for 1/3 which means it’s over £18/pint.
All a bit pricey for this Yorkshireman. I also miss the 5am Saint.
LikeLike
It can’t help that their flagship beer is half the price they charge in their bars in the local Spoons
Nevertheless I can’t quite join the pile on (see CAMRA Discourse).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Know what you mean about Brewdogs not being busy. The only one I frequent is in a shopping centre near the ferry terminal in Aberdeen. You’d think it would be busy with blokes having a couple of quick scoops while their wives are shopping but it’s dead. I slope off there while Mrs B is in Hobbycraft getting girly things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been to the Union Square one, they had cask on, but a pizzeria really.
LikeLike
“The mild (from local Three Blind Mice) was dull, perhaps a result of ambitious pricing at £6.65 a pint for a 3% er.”
Mild was an unambitious £2.60 a pint in both Bathams pubs yesterday.
LikeLike
“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a busy Brew Dog” Try the one near my office in Fetter Lane, always rammed after 5pm; you’d think it was the only pub in a five mile radius.
LikeLike
London is a different country !
LikeLike