retiredmartin

April 2024. Holbrook. Belper.

I had to run through Belper‘s high street to catch the bus, scolded gently by a lovely driver. “Why’d ya run ?, I saw ya“. The journey to Holbrook takes 10 minutes, passing perhaps a half dozen worthwhile pubs on the way, including the White Hart.

But today, at least, I was focused. A first visit to Holbrook since, well, I drove BRAPA there in 2019, but somehow never mentioned it myself.

I see the Wheel, once a cracker, is now a beauty salon, though you wouldn’t know it.

But 30 seconds down Chapel Lane, the Dead Poets is very much alive.

Amber Valley CAMRA Pub of the Year in fact, quite a resurrection for a place that seemed to drop out of the GBG every time I raved about it.

My favourite pub in the world from 1997, a first visit after buying our Denby crockery from their shop (still got it), till at least 2008, by which time the place seemed a bit more upmarket and child unfriendly (see Beer In The Evening reviews here).

In 1997 it was Pedi from the jug, then Everards bought it and Brunswick lease it but they lead on Oakham and have Bass at No. 7, which is all very confused and Project William-esque.

Easy choice then.

“Are you a CAMRA ?”.

“I AM Camra, but I DON’T take discounts (except in Spoons)” I reply, rather too loudly.

It’s not Bass from the jug, but it might as well be. Cool, rich, flat. I think 3.5+ is fair,

but by the time I excitedly claim that seat by the ferocious fire it’s a 4.

And a spiritual experience. PRESS PLAY now;

It’s a pub that feels ancient,

but the mixed crowd includes a young lady on her laptop with a Madri, a couple out on the piss, various groups of mates, and virtually no diners.

I stay for a second pint of Bass, obviously, that second thicker than the first (a definite 4), and discover that this track,

is the ONLY US Number 1 written by the Boss.

But is the Dead Poets my Number 1 pub ?