May 2024. Hereford.
An unsatisfactory overnighter in Hereford, lacking return visits to the Barrels and the crafty place, but I did tick the last newbie in the county,
and while the Orange Tree may be a bit identikit Black Country it was cheery and the beer was great so I’ll take the win.
A young chap smiled as I line up my shot, then followed me in and headed behind the bar.
A great advert for Black Country, though his less than positive recollection of the merits of the Orange Tree may not chime with some of my readers.
More beers on here than in Tenbury, but I followed the hordes (well, one bloke, probably called Derek) and had another Pig.
As with Wye Valley, it only took a couple of days drinking pints on home turf to realise how good HPA and Pig on the Wall (3.5) can be.
Loads of Old Boys on the cask, Barry Manilow on the stereo, fresh flowers on the tables.
Look, I couldn’t tell it apart from a BCA in Bewdley or Bridgnorth (is there one?), but it felt pubby. It’s not perfect, but it’s not a crime against nature. 51 Black Country pubs, and perhaps a higher % of them in the Guide than any other sizable pub chain.
Later that night Mrs RM would join me in the drizzle to stand outside a cathedral playing “Queen by Candlelight” to hear to heathens.
Now that, THAT is an abomination.
retiredmartin 