September 2026. North Hykeham. Lincolnshire.
Friday was a perfect day, and not in a corny Lou Reed charity single way.
I drove down to see Dad, who despite advancing dementia was as chatty as he’s been for many months, was eating well, and had somehow acquired the Russian resident’s hat.
I stayed a couple of hours, decided I couldn’t face a night in Waterbeach despite the lure of Chung Hwa and the Sun’s 1st birthday, and headed home.
After an extraordinary Summer that’s lasted to the end of September it’s easy to forget how difficult night driving is as you approach middle age, and I opted to park up just off the A1 near Lincoln.
There’s a Travelodge and a Best Western at the North Hykeham roundabout, but I parked up for free behind the McDonalds and car showrooms.
Sound a bit grim, a bit spooky ?
Well, it’s not glamorous, but I knew that a dull mile up the road (in the dark) lay the glamour tick (the “banter entry” per Simon) in the new Good Beer Guide.
I’m fortunate that among my readers are folk who know stuff and can add and subtract, so Dick can probably confirm the Poacher Brewery tap opens four (4) days a week.
And before anyone says it, I will. They can open when they like, sell what they like, use AI anyway they like. Any slight issue I have is with the inclusion in a book of a place that visitors will struggle to, er, visit.
Poachers reminds me of a house on the A10 in Waterbeach, the garden converted into a pleasant seating area for the village’s families and dogs to visit on Friday nights.
(The Real) Mark made some excellent points about the appeal of brewery taps;
“I think the principal attraction of freshly minted Taprooms in previously unpubbed locations is the opportunity for inexperienced pubbers, and chronic wallflowers like myself to create our own ‘local’ space away from the baggage of decades (often centuries) established pubs, where it can be a bit harder to fit in amongst the locals.“
In truth, I never quite felt at home, a bit Billy No Mates appropriately picking Billy Boy.
It’s a superbly rich and chewy pint (VERY GOOD), but I’m more interested in the nuts with the disclaimer.
“Hellishly hot, our signature peanut is made using a unique blend of some of the world’s hottest chilli’s. Trinidad Moruga Scorpion & Carolina Reaper are just two of the peppers that make our Devil’s Nuts some of the hottest peanuts you can get your hands on. Must be respected, approach with caution“.
“You can try the Devil’s nuts” says the local.
All eyes turn to watch me squirm. I give away nothing. Honestly, Lincs folk can’t take the heat.
“ as you approach middle age”
🙂
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Most things can be approached from several directions.
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The point about the GBG is surely to promote and inform the dedicated drinker of the best options in either their home area, or places they are visiting for whatever reason. I fail to see how a business which condescends to open for four hours a week can fulfil either criteria unless the beer or the surroundings are absolutely exceptional.
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Admit it, you’re visiting potential away trips for City next season, aren’t you?
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I was curious so I looked up the Poacher’s Den and the CAMRA branch is Lincoln. On their website they list the pubs in their branch area. There seem to be plenty so it would be interesting to know the branch selection process. Are there any other GBG entries with similar short hours?
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There are plenty that open Thursday to Sunday these days, often from 4pm. Sports Clubs often open later, say 7pm, for training sessions or committee work. Most of the smaller brewery taps only open weekends e.g. Guisborough and that one in Shireoaks last week. The Poacher is literally someone’s back garden and it’s more a social thing to open up.
A separate guide or chapter of the GBG for brewery taps would be a better bet; there must be hundreds of taps not in the GBG.
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