WHEN YOU JUST NEED AN ORVAL

October 2025. Sheffield.

Up in Sheffield for a couple of nights before heading back down to see Dad, who barely recognises me now, but “stole Colin’s chicken” in the care home today, which shows fighting spirit.

Two days to at least confirm our two lads were OK. On Saturday night they went out in Sheffield to the Dog & Partridge, Grapes and the Wellington, Proper Pubs all. #ProudDad

We met James in the Blind Monkey,

he’s looking more like that CAMRA chairman by the day, though he seems to be completely disinterested in the contents of his pint glass (Roosters).

What a local the Blind Monkey is,

quirky, friendly, ever changing clientele.

The beer isn’t bad, NBSS 3 stuff that can’t quite get it back in the GBG,

but the comfy bench seating, chatty staff and crispy pizza will always add a few thousand to the value of our house.

We were still chatting; James had just come back from a week in Portugal.  An Orval in proper glass was the only way to go.

“Is there anything else strong” says Mrs RM, not wanting the night to end l.

Yes, there’s Duvel.

There’s always Duvel.

It’s not a vast Belgian selection in the Monkey, but it’s all you need.

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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.

9 thoughts on “WHEN YOU JUST NEED AN ORVAL”

  1. “who barely recognises me now, but “stole Colin’s chicken” in the care home today, which shows fighting spirit.”

    Those ‘glimmers’ are definitely worth it.

    “On Saturday night they went out in Sheffield to the Dog & Partridge, Grapes and the Wellington, Proper Pubs all. #ProudDad”

    #GoodLads

    “though he seems to be completely disinterested in the contents of his pint glass (Roosters).”

    Look, if he’s aiming to be CAMRA chairman, then he doesn’t need to know the contents of his pint; it’ll be inherent from his vast knowledge.

    “The beer isn’t bad, NBSS 3 stuff that can’t quite get it back in the GBG,”

    Argh. But glad to see it’s still going strong as a great local.

    “but the comfy bench seating, chatty staff and crispy pizza will always add a few thousand to the value of our house.”

    (slow golf clap)

    “An Orval in proper glass was the only way to go.”

    Love how almost every beer in Belgium seems to have its own glass.

    ““Is there anything else strong” says Mrs RM, not wanting the night to end l.”

    Good woman that; and a good mother (wanting a wee bit more chat with one of her sons).

    BTW; not sure just what that ‘l’ at the end of the sentence is all about.

    “There’s always Duvel.”

    It’s called ‘the devil’ for a reason.

    “It’s not a vast Belgian selection in the Monkey, but it’s all you need.”

    Agreed. The beer doesn’t have to be perfect; when you’re catching up with one of your sons in salubrious surroundings.

    Cheers!

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      1. I have a Duchesse De Bourgogne (Belgian red ale, sour) glass; a Lindeman’s Lambic glass and a Delirium Noel glass, which is the Delirium Tremens Christmas winter ale (it has Santa being pulled by three pink elephants wearing Christmas hats on the glass).

        Those are some of my favourite glasses.

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  4. I read that Eric Clapton, on being told that his alcoholism meant that he would likely die, pulled back from the brink.

    (Simply because he couldn’t stand the thought, that if he were dead, then he’d be unable to drink any more…)

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