You Can't Take It With You!

We were in London most of last week as I was judging beer for the International Beer Challenge. The trip didn't start off too well as the train into Euston was over two hours late. A broken down train in front of ours at a network choke point seemingly you know.  It wasn't so bad at first as the aircon was set high and I was in shorts and a t shirt,but oddly after two hours I was getting cold.  Still, we get our money back and there was a free coffee and some Scottish shortbread -  is there any other kind? - and I was more or less first in the queue as we were in the coach next to the buffet car.

In London, of course, when we'd sorted out the post and established our flat was in one piece, we headed to the Aldgate Tap. It was Monday night and quieter than usual and we enjoyed our German lager. There was one cask beer on, but it was still around 30C outside, so I wasn't taking that chance. No real gamble with Bitburger and Tegernsee Helles.

Tuesday saw a tube trip to the Oval where the judging was held. A quick walk to Aldgate tube, change at Moorfields and a hop down to Oval. I've never seen a big cricket ground close up before and was impressed. My mate Nigel Sadler (left) was Table Captain and while it was good to see people I know, we weren't blessed with any great beers. Frankly, you rarely are at these events. It is more experience than fun, but you usually learn something.

At the end we went to a local pub. Not a bad place inside. It was clearly Star Inns and Bars given the supping options though. A few of us opted for Taylor's Landlord which was absolutely rancid and exchanged. It should never have been offered for sale in the first place. I had a replacement pint of Brixton Lager - forgettable at best - went back to the tube, completing the circle round the Oval. It really is big.

After that I was cured of cask ale.  What's the attraction of a gamble at around six quid a pint? Let me answer - none.  

A couple of other notable points. We went out to Bethnal Green to the King's Arms one afternoon.  They were one of the first to get Augustiner Helles and though the pub was quiet, most people were on it. It was fab. A lovely beer which we enjoyed outside in the shade watching the locals vie for the few parking places available. £7.40 a pint and in the circumstances, well worth it. Proper glass too.

We walked back along Bethnal Green Road, down Brick Lane and intended to have a pint in either the  Carpenter's Arms or the Pride of Spitalfields. We decided on the latter, but on a sunny early evening, you couldn't even see the front door of the pub for the crowds outside. What then?  Enter The Buxton, a hotel and bar with an open front, a bit of a terrace and a free spot looking out on the Brick Lane crowds. Lovely service and the Lost and Grounded Keller Pils, again £7.40, well worth the money. As an aside, it isn't hugely Germanic, but boy is it a good beer.  At least in good weather, we'll return to the Buxton too.

So what did I learn?  Thirty odd degrees and cask - in London any - just don't mix and looking around, I don't recall a single pint being sold in my presence.  The other big take is that you sometimes have to pay more for quality, but we all knew that didn't we?

We also visited, just to see it, the Grapes in Limehouse. Co-owned by actor Sir Ian McKellen, it is a cute little place, dating back to 1583 apparently. The area is really lovely and a huge contrast to Commercial Road, just a short walk away. There was two people drinking cask there, but they were when we arrived. It looked a bit dodgy.

And there are no pockets in shrouds, hence the title.