A Couple of Things

We had our CAMRA Rochdale, Oldham and Bury committee meeting at the Baum in Rochdale last night. It used to be our main branch venue until changes made it too small for our needs, but it was good to be back. The beer there is always excellent and as if to prove it, in addition to our meeting, I presented an award for 20 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide. In my few kind words, I recalled the heady days of a Good Beer Guide entry and subsequent Pub of the Year award, leading ultimately to that toppest of top gongs - CAMRA National Pub of the Year. The year? 2012, though then it was revealed to the world at large in February 2013.  How time flies, but it was good to remember it and see the evidence that standards haven't slipped since. Go there if you can. It's a smashing pub.

Now the Baum is one of the few outlets I know of for Hoegaarden Witbier. I didn't have any as I'd forgotten about it and anyway there was a cask beer well worth drinking, namely Thornbridge Twin Peaks. American Pale Ale at 5%.  This was a fab beer. Clear as a bell and with a fresh cask just on, it was beer of the night by a considerable distance. Like the Baum, seek it out.

Is that the two things then? Well no and here I'd like some feedback. The barman told me that Hoegaarden in draught (keg) form is ceasing UK distribution. Wow.  I can't find anything on t'internet confirming this though. Does anyone know if it is true? 

I have an urge to buy some Hoegaarden now, so maybe I'll check that out tomorrow or even go back to the Baum, where to add weight ohis story, the barman told me they had got several extra kegs in. 

The Baum is next to the Co-op Pioneers Museum. That's another story though.