March 2024. Rochdale.
Enough culture; let’s do a pub.
Here’s the maps I forgot to give you earlier.
We met Blackpool Jane at the station (12 minutes from M’cr Victoria), with that half mile walk through a less than salubrious part of town best known for the two dozen Sam Smiths keg pubs Leon ticked for his 40th birthday.
You’ll no doubt be devastated to hear I managed ZERO (0) Sam Smiths pub on Wednesday, but a nap hand in Rochdale town centre wasn’t too bad.
Rochdale had felt far too quiet, and tipping up at Bombay Brew dead on 5pm because we hadn’t booked a table (NEVER book a table, kids) found us with the freedom of the pub.
As on my first visit with Matt, very “quirky”,
a bit “Bundobust” perhaps ?
You’ve seen how fast Stafford Paul crosses the road to a pub; look how quick Blackpool Jane steams into a pub to examine the craft fridge.
One handpump, a couple of craft kegs including Magic Rock (for Mrs RM), several Vocation cans with the word “sour” and Margarita on the front.
The house beer didn’t taste right, but I needed Mrs RM to confirm.
“Tastes like vinegar”. It WAS the first pint of the week (Wed-Sun opening), and I was sent back to the bar to do the “Really awfully sorry but I wondered if this might be the end of the barrel” dance.
I thought the young staff were wonderful. No argument, just a can of the Margarita Sour,
and a handpump turned round after an attempt to change the barrel seemed to end in disaster.
Whether this is what you want to see in a GBG pub is another matter, but frankly the food was SO good I can’t complain.
In particular, the Mango Chicken Pau and Peshwari Naan were “historic”.
I have to say, I prefer to drink on an empty stomach and eat last, but I was outvoted.
NB Looks like BRAPA had a similar experience to us here.
retiredmartin 
Not a pub is it though? Never mind a GBG pub. Didn’t have any cask last time I was in either.
The menu doesn’t change, so if you live here it stops being interesting after a while.
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Is that right ? I agree if it wasn’t a one-off, it’s not a place to be promoted for the beer. I’ve rarely seen a curry house menu change over decades, so that shouldn’t exclude it from the Good Curry Guide (were such a thing still to exist).
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My last Sam Smiths pub was the Crystal Fountain last Tuesday. T’other Paul reminded me two days ago that “Open now the crystal fountain” is sung in ‘Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah’.
My last curry, with Uttoxeter American Pale ale, was four hours ago.
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Oh no, I’ve got Fountain and Palace mixed up !
It’s been a long week.
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I’m sure we’ve had that debate before, Paul !
A long week, but hopefully a good one. Beer with Blackpool Jane and my wife and the two Pauls in the same week is a treat.
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Yes, a very good one,
I’ve not met Blackpool Jane though.
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I’ll arrange a meeting in Candid for 1 April.
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Uttoxeter beer in the Morris Man ? Not ditched the Doom Bar, I hope ?
I didn’t like the Night Inn in Uttoxeter, which seemed to be their main outlet, but it was very good beer at their little brewery tap (open weekends).
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Yes, Uttoxeter beer in the Morris Man and alongside the permanent Doom Bar.
The second customer yesterday afternoon asked “Can I have a big head on the beer please” and that’s what he got.
In the Night Inn my pint was undrinkable but willingly replaced.
Uttoxeter’s beers seem to be of odd recipes but non the worse for that. Their American Pale Ale is surprisingly lightly hopped.
My neighbour wants a day in Uttoxeter with me.
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How old is your neighbour ? Is he old enough for Uttoxeter ?
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About the same age as me, so yes.
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When it opened we were told there would be weekly specials and a seasonal menu changing every 3 months. Doesn’t happen sadly. :-((
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Would there be enough trade for that? It’s always good to see towns like Rochdale with small places (pubs and shops) popping up but they need the turnover or you get less than great beer as BRAPA and I noted recently.
D’ale House was closed and I liked that on my visit a year or so ago.
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D’Ale House only opens Thursday to Saturday currently having redused their hours significantly recently.
On the other hand Our Gracies started opening on Sunday a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty busy as well last Sunday when we called in after visiting Hoochi Koochi for their Northern Soul afternoon.
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Bombay Brew is now closed. See their Facebook page.
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Thanks.
Blackpool Jane told me, a shame for them and staff, hope they can find somewhere else as food was superb.
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