Friday 31 July 2009

Over the Border

To Salford that is. E was back from London early, so a pint was in order. The Marble is getting too familiar for these post train trips and I just didn't fancy the Angel, so toting our passports we slipped across the Irwell to Salford. To the New Oxford. It's easy to find, set in a leafy square and is an attractive ex Vaux pub turned into a modern, airy and bright free house.

A few familiar faces cluttered the place. On a round tall table, Eddie, the eager, legal beagle, stalwart drinking companion of Tyson, was holding court and a few well known tickers were propping the bar up. One or two CAMRA types purred contentedly. I checked - only one beard in the busy pub and he was a ticker. So there. The beer range was extensive and mostly pale. Eddie recommended the Dark Star Sunshine, but I was drawn like a moth to flame by that most enticing of breweries - Mallinsons - this time in the shape of Cascade. Now I have to say it wasn't the finest Mallinsons ever, but it did have decent bitterness though somehow it just didn't hold together as well as usual. I then took Eddie's advice, but disaster struck. E got her half. My pint spluttered to an end. It was off. I ordered two halves. Acorn Marynka IPA. was pale, full bodied and had a spicy hoppiness that I liked a lot. What it wasn't was an IPA. Salamander Jiggery Pokery was a straightforward pale, hoppy, does what is says on the tin golden ale. Both could have been necked all night, but driving ruled that out. E's recommended beer was excellent. Good call Eddie.



The New Oxford is a modern decent pub with a great range of beers, both British and Foreign and as a bonus for Southern Softies, doesn't use sparklers. Ignore this obvious failing and go anyway.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Acorn Marynka IPA is not an IPA - why? It's pale and got a hoppy spiciness, and if I can make out from the pump clip it's also got a little bit of strength at 5, or is it 6%? To me that makes it an IPA. Perhaps it's not bitter enough?

Just wondered. We have some beers that claim to be IPA in Cumbria, which are nice beers, but I would not class them as IPAs.

Tandleman said...

I thought someone might call me out on that one. I guess the answer is that it drank like a golden ale, was more exotic tasting and just didn't fit my Ronbo coloured picture of IPA.

Mind you, I could be talked round.

Laurent Mousson said...

Hmm, isn't Marynka a Polish version of Styrian Goldings, that is in direct line with the good old Fuggle ?
IIRC - from a magnificient Amber Ale from Browar Stary Krakow a few years back - Marynka would lie in the spicy, peppery, earthy side of hoppy. Now how does that fit in with "IPA" ?

Depends what is one's idea of IPA... 3.5% hoppy bitter, 5.5% citrusy pale ale, or 6.5% resiny/exotic fruit hop monster ?

You tell me ;o)

Tandleman said...

Indeed. See you next week I assume?

Paul Bailey said...

Don't remember the New Oxford from my time in Salford, but that was during the mid 1970's! Will give it a go when I can persuade the family to accompany me on a nostalgia trip back to the area.

John Clarke said...

As Ron Pattinson has conclusively demonstrated, high strength is not necessarily a badge of authenticity for an IPA.

Penny said...

I thought the Mallinons was good but full on bitter instead of the usual citrus hops. Prob not to everyone's taste.

Unknown said...

Visited the New Oxford for the first time a couple of weeks ago; cracking boozer. The Roosters Strawberry (keg?) was awesome!

Unknown said...

Visited the New Oxford for the first time a couple of weeks ago; cracking boozer. The Roosters Strawberry (keg?) was awesome!

John Clarke said...

The new strawberry beer is Phoenix not Roosters

Tandleman said...

It is indeed Phoenix and believe me, the cask version at the brewery was mind blowingly good. Watch out for two more in this vein.

Unknown said...

Ah, my bad. It'd had been a long day on the pop when I posted. A cask version must have been other-worldly.

Most of the ratebeer crew enjoyed it, for some it was the highlight of the weekend. Even Gazza looked like he was enjoying it...

http://bit.ly/huaQX