Blog Tracker
02-02-2024, 11:00
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2024/02/farewell-to-january.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI3tOC70oJgA1wgtlaPF8oM-GP2d1-oZXsxYCavs9NQ277rlGv6vEsQxuCuxLwAliBrLWPCT6K947Faq nBOn1KRDtVbbua4wZScHbQAF0glR-zw_d6eLhOUjkXQSWiUQ2e93LpVufg6ez_8qBrzPE3WzTX0CwkV MCRsV9lDfQZgpkoNRW23jeyL503W4/w400-h225/Sunrise.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI3tOC70oJgA1wgtlaPF8oM-GP2d1-oZXsxYCavs9NQ277rlGv6vEsQxuCuxLwAliBrLWPCT6K947Faq nBOn1KRDtVbbua4wZScHbQAF0glR-zw_d6eLhOUjkXQSWiUQ2e93LpVufg6ez_8qBrzPE3WzTX0CwkV MCRsV9lDfQZgpkoNRW23jeyL503W4/s4000/Sunrise.jpg)
The second half of January has been rather hectic,especially on the work front, featuring a supplier audit, followed by a majorre-certification audit. The latter took place over two days and was conducted bythree auditors from three different countries, on behalf of our notified body,TÜVSüd.Fortunately, we ticked all the right boxes, and our CE accreditation was renewedfor a further two years. We can therefore continue selling our products to therest of the world.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyF_llJv1bZ_Xs06_zIoRbn5B6180tjsKszqPe4IQhX _yPHFcgM7875Nq8aBM_E6x2nRgOMDncjrkwLY-D1nf3XI7ni2PjMKs6SICgwVXP5lewVVtLbw360F4zukLxv7nwv xOIZUfwhTXq-bpEA6GgSXbc2EvJoylWKjSIDdXW9ga2mSn9QOI7WI3Ayg/w400-h240/IMAG0339.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyF_llJv1bZ_Xs06_zIoRbn5B6180tjsKszqPe4IQhX _yPHFcgM7875Nq8aBM_E6x2nRgOMDncjrkwLY-D1nf3XI7ni2PjMKs6SICgwVXP5lewVVtLbw360F4zukLxv7nwv xOIZUfwhTXq-bpEA6GgSXbc2EvJoylWKjSIDdXW9ga2mSn9QOI7WI3Ayg/s2592/IMAG0339.jpg)
Did the Johnson administration seriously think industrywould go along with their ridiculous, copy-cat UKCA Mark accreditation? Especially given the additional costs their “world-beating”scheme would impose on UK companies? Leaving the EU was supposed to be about removing“red tape," not adding an extra layer! Unlike my previous position, as head of Quality Control, I wasn'tinvolved with the audit, although I still ended up pointing my successor, plusour Regulatory Affairs Manager in the right direction, a few times. There’slife in this old dog yet, as well as proof that there’s nothing like theexperience of nearly two decades in the job!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCp3jqsgLOjhM50LcJVxAwQDTgdI_JDfcHigLztZ1mz DxBcAtOb-w5aosA_g9ArtL7zHzSr5Yp2iiCjOcKqLWtNXWYgDiW8hczNfOw 8G44ZXmbQTL2JwJZfM5uI8qve-HP36KWSiwUKdEYA2tUOQTnfOqijMJnYwXQnr6hlaKOr1UoJjyk gLHbMktuwU/w400-h240/IMAG0171.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCp3jqsgLOjhM50LcJVxAwQDTgdI_JDfcHigLztZ1mz DxBcAtOb-w5aosA_g9ArtL7zHzSr5Yp2iiCjOcKqLWtNXWYgDiW8hczNfOw 8G44ZXmbQTL2JwJZfM5uI8qve-HP36KWSiwUKdEYA2tUOQTnfOqijMJnYwXQnr6hlaKOr1UoJjyk gLHbMktuwU/s2592/IMAG0171.jpg)
Following on from the audit, we had visit from our Japanesedirectors. They were here primarily for a board meeting, but also to go overour plans for expansion and see for themselves the alterations and siteimprovements carried out since their last visit. I’ve been heavily involved inboth the planning and implementation of these improvements, and I’m pleased toreport the visitors were impressed by what they saw. Despite not being involved in the meetings, I was still invitedout for a farewell meal on Tuesday evening, along with a handful of fellowmanagers.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLLK0s8wI8fmaQfkWNlpsx_mAYQcikJCeV4E7Trz3Kx 6K8pXvSu0EZO02EJhhn3RI7tLZE7nFTBJkSa0LgbRmCKp8ig3B 6_ZVPIDZ_z3LR0PfKx1CL_yfONK3iVF_Qr_VkN7c4im6TbQ6va NId4dGs0TJASyRnkb6SFTpz2P09pdF_MFbEdGj1WIiahU/w400-h293/Hare-2014a-Langton-Green.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLLK0s8wI8fmaQfkWNlpsx_mAYQcikJCeV4E7Trz3Kx 6K8pXvSu0EZO02EJhhn3RI7tLZE7nFTBJkSa0LgbRmCKp8ig3B 6_ZVPIDZ_z3LR0PfKx1CL_yfONK3iVF_Qr_VkN7c4im6TbQ6va NId4dGs0TJASyRnkb6SFTpz2P09pdF_MFbEdGj1WIiahU/s750/Hare-2014a-Langton-Green.jpg)
Our Japanese colleagues do like to let their hair down, once the businessis over, and we all enjoyed an excellent meal at the Hare (https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/hare/), (https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/hare/)Langton Green (https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/hare/), justoutside Tunbridge Wells. The Hare is a large former Courage pub, which is now aBruning & Price outlet, and as our visit the other evening was the firsttime I’ve set foot inside the pub, I’m unable to say what it was like under itsprevious owners.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOTc9C-B4aN00GjJ5gc8h5hDF322ls60jYjujhdJL1FZbN1guCZHctUXN vFNN9VeWYiUVJZwMxs9V5JFLg-jioC8AEY2tokDNExn-WKoZlvIgCYUv9G83ATvawNSJWctVm_ZiS6Z2E4WtNCDXgDl5k8 IHNx8NVP3NxBOjs61jJ7DOfLSbKigmTMvg78o/w400-h225/Hare%20lobby.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOTc9C-B4aN00GjJ5gc8h5hDF322ls60jYjujhdJL1FZbN1guCZHctUXN vFNN9VeWYiUVJZwMxs9V5JFLg-jioC8AEY2tokDNExn-WKoZlvIgCYUv9G83ATvawNSJWctVm_ZiS6Z2E4WtNCDXgDl5k8 IHNx8NVP3NxBOjs61jJ7DOfLSbKigmTMvg78o/s3959/Hare%20lobby.jpg)
It’s obviously a popular place, as when I arrived with acolleague the car park was already full, leaving us to park some distance away,down a side road. The interior was spacious, and quite palatial, with a number ofdifferent rooms radiating out from a serving area. I'm glad the company was pickingup the tab because items on the menu were quite pricey, although I have to saythe quality of the food was beyond reproach. But what about the beer I hear youask? I ended up having to drive to the Hare that evening, eventhough son Matthew had quite valiantly offered to run me over there and pick meup afterwards. This would have meant four car journeys for him, so I declined hiskind offer, particularly as I’d rather chivalrously offered a colleague a liftto the pub. She was unable to drive, dueto a badly sprained wrist, so was pleased at being able to attend theevent.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius4ZvTIBjW6oeA_4Cih9dnlq8kwz5zi6X386y134v3t fyTwEqWYFY0pdsTyAw45QVviuWowv8n77TF86snPhsSRR7I19a TUWKmNXU-s_P8-p9rQr0vd3cxe132a4jEil5epDMe_UbP_Lr-AocGluJrSdwusHL2uSO8x7kQHFQeSqIDvpCha-Vro36IRU/w400-h225/Hare%20beer%20pumps.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius4ZvTIBjW6oeA_4Cih9dnlq8kwz5zi6X386y134v3t fyTwEqWYFY0pdsTyAw45QVviuWowv8n77TF86snPhsSRR7I19a TUWKmNXU-s_P8-p9rQr0vd3cxe132a4jEil5epDMe_UbP_Lr-AocGluJrSdwusHL2uSO8x7kQHFQeSqIDvpCha-Vro36IRU/s4000/Hare%20beer%20pumps.jpg)
The choice on the bar was the usual Greene King line up ofIPA, and Ruddles Best, along with two guest. These were Purity Mad Goose plusan offering from By the Horns called, Stiff Upper Lip. I opted for the Mad Goose,as did most of my colleagues along with our Japanese visitors. I ticked it onUntappd as light, crisp and refreshing and was the right choice for the twofish courses I’d selected from the menu. It was also my sole beer of theevening, but a couple of colleagues who weren’t driving, decided to give the Bythe Horns offering a try.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCczeWzKORFklyhisLXVX_-2dCkAa2WUsQop36wo-3SWtq8rFpOTCfcdRg2KsGunErhfeRyRP6GtTAg0albeMfLh5mK pqYTIgf7mK9C668KOSnyz-NUvqgEKX2zyNZymCcZFhfGs10D06GOngo4VjZRxpuLQ3im-eGkM74NySWitBPLFeNrC9H-NuCu04/w400-h225/Hare%20fish%20pie.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCczeWzKORFklyhisLXVX_-2dCkAa2WUsQop36wo-3SWtq8rFpOTCfcdRg2KsGunErhfeRyRP6GtTAg0albeMfLh5mK pqYTIgf7mK9C668KOSnyz-NUvqgEKX2zyNZymCcZFhfGs10D06GOngo4VjZRxpuLQ3im-eGkM74NySWitBPLFeNrC9H-NuCu04/s4000/Hare%20fish%20pie.jpg)
The look on their faces spoke volumes for the quality (orlack of it) of Stiff Upper Lip. Our General Manager passed his pint across formy opinion, and one sniff was enough for me to to confirm the beer was way passed itsbest. This action amused my French colleague who didn't realise you could sniffbeer as well as wine. I told her that using one’s nose was an equally goodguide to the quality of a beer as it is to wine, and in this case the sharptaste of the beer confirmed it was off.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDT50-I5FojJIWKeEmyRpS-V_iAnG6sDeGzuCG6J23fEVFWTDlWZC8_-BBDw_IfRM5sZvsIV91rGJGmOwjY7GjQDMShyphenhyphenMuYs X5Bgb-4m7vcKn04sxWNWGfxpFKTAuToHyRj5C4jXz2hiofVXcECOblU3 5T4MzLjMaoOOpA7pE_cQQ4UtI6OrNJ1EU0KQ/w400-h225/Hare%20staircase.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDT50-I5FojJIWKeEmyRpS-V_iAnG6sDeGzuCG6J23fEVFWTDlWZC8_-BBDw_IfRM5sZvsIV91rGJGmOwjY7GjQDMShyphenhyphenMuYs X5Bgb-4m7vcKn04sxWNWGfxpFKTAuToHyRj5C4jXz2hiofVXcECOblU3 5T4MzLjMaoOOpA7pE_cQQ4UtI6OrNJ1EU0KQ/s3910/Hare%20staircase.jpg)
The beer was changed with good grace, althoughI didn't check afterwards. to see whether the pump-clip had been turned round.The clue though is in the type of pub we were in, and as many people knowBruning & Price is an upmarket, gastro-pub chain, patronised by what RetiredMartin would describe as well-to-do “gentlefolk.” Despite this minor hiccup, the staff were friendly and the service exemplary.
I've now got four very welcome days away from the office,although today’s midday, visit to the Optometrist did rather eat into the day.However, it is important to check that my glaucoma-related, "pigment dispersionsyndrome" is being kept in check, and that my eyes are functioning normally. Yesthey are, although I’ve been asked to return in six months’ time, rather thanthe usual twelve.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx6G8UIt1GL5RUlct6GPz89BNBHxAFsURyRNMdD6MEy VoApWK2TCIJeH_e8ETJGH2xvqIXcP1sVUhBLvaT2DFVPDLseW8 ev9YWNZfooGZkdcX24OXC64gskV4CeXWGHxEuDnht1Hb42sk9i 1YEv1lAp5XGD-_AM35qFe5xUjkvYqglaJghJZnOctyUcg/w400-h225/TJs%20Clubhouse.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx6G8UIt1GL5RUlct6GPz89BNBHxAFsURyRNMdD6MEy VoApWK2TCIJeH_e8ETJGH2xvqIXcP1sVUhBLvaT2DFVPDLseW8 ev9YWNZfooGZkdcX24OXC64gskV4CeXWGHxEuDnht1Hb42sk9i 1YEv1lAp5XGD-_AM35qFe5xUjkvYqglaJghJZnOctyUcg/s4000/TJs%20Clubhouse.jpg)
On the beer front, Friday and Saturday night, seesTonbridge Juddians Rugby Club holding their annual Winter Beer Festival at theclubhouse. There are 20 different casks to choose from, but with matches from thefirst weekend’s play of the Six Nations Championship showing in the bar, theclubhouse is likely to be rammed. For thisreason, I’ve decided to give the event a miss especially as I've rather gone offbeer festivals. Last weekend’s Dark & Delicious Beer Festival (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2024/01/dark-and-delicious-winter-beer-festival.html) inCrowborough was an exception, being a pub festival although I'm still of theopinion that too much choice leaves one wanting less.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYk9q5zoAstysyBcF2jzMHu_RxkWQJH1SvmPGUANA1E _Ap3GsKOOeLdBpPVDm-TY1_2yYBnhofCKxLUBbmz0e1b_1ax9-SRRKjOAnRfudijzxcNZqcb2KE45tIAtV0JeK2cRyrAEGjnTkVw RJMPBzWCyasFbp-5Ow7zCx4WcyMetfuCV9xJ1GVEhOEus/w400-h271/Bass%20brewery%20Burton.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYk9q5zoAstysyBcF2jzMHu_RxkWQJH1SvmPGUANA1E _Ap3GsKOOeLdBpPVDm-TY1_2yYBnhofCKxLUBbmz0e1b_1ax9-SRRKjOAnRfudijzxcNZqcb2KE45tIAtV0JeK2cRyrAEGjnTkVw RJMPBzWCyasFbp-5Ow7zCx4WcyMetfuCV9xJ1GVEhOEus/s4000/Bass%20brewery%20Burton.jpg)
My recent post about my first ever brewery visit, which justhappened to be Marston’s at Burton-on- Trent, attracted a lot of comment, butmore so with people trying to guess the pub selling Bank’s Bitter that ourcoach party stopped at, on the way back to Salford, from Burton. 50 years onI'm unable to recall the name or location of this pub, and despite the bestefforts, of some of the most knowledgeable pub goers in the area, I'm still notconvinced that we cracked it.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT4hLz6R7QB1M5Fzfqli90psAvaKY7m9iciIFqt4_8a ZBM_B8ZSu4UCzPTiSIo3TIpMwK_3h4oBdX0SVz_Vryq5gp0Opm RKGSP1mk6acQiOmTBwiE_3GAipTfbPKxj5YDhOrBl5ioVP9C7b ljOdR4AYzpxBuY0-5meb-r3nOxSPR1y0umkKfgXT6Lxtk/w400-h249/Salford%20Uni%20sign.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT4hLz6R7QB1M5Fzfqli90psAvaKY7m9iciIFqt4_8a ZBM_B8ZSu4UCzPTiSIo3TIpMwK_3h4oBdX0SVz_Vryq5gp0Opm RKGSP1mk6acQiOmTBwiE_3GAipTfbPKxj5YDhOrBl5ioVP9C7b ljOdR4AYzpxBuY0-5meb-r3nOxSPR1y0umkKfgXT6Lxtk/s2434/Salford%20Uni%20sign.jpg)
The trouble is we tend to recall events or locations farbetter when there's something memorable or worth remembering, and whilst I’mconfident that the beer was good, (pubs were shifting much higher volumes ofcask back in those days), there was nothing that memorable or out of theordinary that jumped out in front of me. So, try as I might, the only recollectionI have is the pub was close to a roundabout and on the very edge of a town,somewhere between Burton and Greater Manchester.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheARIk9Yw-XSZPJyfdCL98rUYtJ1alcfNMCkH2AP9AU0LPTLNsFWIsDwqU5G 7VuxeJZECQPVaKG1fpgJyeOLmhuCzw4XgpLQHx8hBcvQui3nAz 9PSCO7SQq1iMGONv5eJHoK11Q1yhyY_-TO1x3VBYDkXSXoYYEIZqKooawkKXlh6OkyTbB0t2qX9uoag/w400-h225/Piccadilly%20train.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheARIk9Yw-XSZPJyfdCL98rUYtJ1alcfNMCkH2AP9AU0LPTLNsFWIsDwqU5G 7VuxeJZECQPVaKG1fpgJyeOLmhuCzw4XgpLQHx8hBcvQui3nAz 9PSCO7SQq1iMGONv5eJHoK11Q1yhyY_-TO1x3VBYDkXSXoYYEIZqKooawkKXlh6OkyTbB0t2qX9uoag/s4000/Piccadilly%20train.jpg)
Another thing I've been doing over the past few weeks, is layingsome tentative plans for some days out by rail. Initially I wanted to take advantage of thegovernment's Great British Rail Sale promotion, and whilst there were a numberof bargain, half-price tickets available, none of them were to places I wantedto go. Furthermore, if they were, they were at the wrong time or on the wrongdate. Despite this I have pencilled in a day trip to Newcastle upon Tyne – a cityI passed through several times on journeys to Edinburgh, but have never spenttime at, or taken time to explore. Other places on my wish list include Leeds, plus a fewMidland destinations, including Tamworth, to visit this year’s CAMRA Pub of theYear, winner, (see below), plus the Black Country Walkabout, postponed from lastAugust, due to my third brush with COVID. A lot has been happening as well onthe brewery front, although other bloggers have covered these events far betterthan me. Pride of place here goes to Chris Dyson, whose latest post on his veryreadable, Real Ale, Real Music site – History Repeating Itself, (https://chrisdyson55.blogspot.com/2024/01/history-repeating-itself.html) is well worthlooking at.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dL7pGO8l4Dq7Mgg4BAApMUacZ3Qa3sKIq49QB7jzyz Z6YonMBcMH4mcNY-9WClAMNlOyqK6jgw3FdU78PLtJgPhDWwlhMAixGqAyFH0qkHrq j7HspfOLdyYteAIj6aYEBF5JuPreQwp_77hHqSY02CwIo6nzRv 7z5ygq4-HivJpZPZBhtTt-J5qnWcs/w400-h225/Nelson%20pumps%20July%2022%20LHS.%20jpg.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dL7pGO8l4Dq7Mgg4BAApMUacZ3Qa3sKIq49QB7jzyz Z6YonMBcMH4mcNY-9WClAMNlOyqK6jgw3FdU78PLtJgPhDWwlhMAixGqAyFH0qkHrq j7HspfOLdyYteAIj6aYEBF5JuPreQwp_77hHqSY02CwIo6nzRv 7z5ygq4-HivJpZPZBhtTt-J5qnWcs/s3910/Nelson%20pumps%20July%2022%20LHS.%20jpg.jpg)
Moving on, the news that Tonbridge’s Nelson Arms failed to scoopthe top award in CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year, is probably old hat by now,although the pub did make it to the final four. The Tamworth Tap, in the townof the same name, picked up the top award, for the second year running, so thepub must be doing something right. I haven't been to the Tamworth Tap, althoughI'm seriously contemplating paying it a visit. Having seen the pub’s websiteand taking in all that the Tap has to offer, I appreciate the features which mustreally have appealed to the judges. I haven’t spoken to Matt at the Nelson,since the award was announced, and whilst the pub would obviously have been disappointed,reaching the top four in the country was an achievement in itself. That's it for the time being, and there should be plenty tofollow in February which, as I’m sure you’ve realised, has already begun.
Follow Blog via EmailClick to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
More... (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2024/02/farewell-to-january.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI3tOC70oJgA1wgtlaPF8oM-GP2d1-oZXsxYCavs9NQ277rlGv6vEsQxuCuxLwAliBrLWPCT6K947Faq nBOn1KRDtVbbua4wZScHbQAF0glR-zw_d6eLhOUjkXQSWiUQ2e93LpVufg6ez_8qBrzPE3WzTX0CwkV MCRsV9lDfQZgpkoNRW23jeyL503W4/w400-h225/Sunrise.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRI3tOC70oJgA1wgtlaPF8oM-GP2d1-oZXsxYCavs9NQ277rlGv6vEsQxuCuxLwAliBrLWPCT6K947Faq nBOn1KRDtVbbua4wZScHbQAF0glR-zw_d6eLhOUjkXQSWiUQ2e93LpVufg6ez_8qBrzPE3WzTX0CwkV MCRsV9lDfQZgpkoNRW23jeyL503W4/s4000/Sunrise.jpg)
The second half of January has been rather hectic,especially on the work front, featuring a supplier audit, followed by a majorre-certification audit. The latter took place over two days and was conducted bythree auditors from three different countries, on behalf of our notified body,TÜVSüd.Fortunately, we ticked all the right boxes, and our CE accreditation was renewedfor a further two years. We can therefore continue selling our products to therest of the world.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyF_llJv1bZ_Xs06_zIoRbn5B6180tjsKszqPe4IQhX _yPHFcgM7875Nq8aBM_E6x2nRgOMDncjrkwLY-D1nf3XI7ni2PjMKs6SICgwVXP5lewVVtLbw360F4zukLxv7nwv xOIZUfwhTXq-bpEA6GgSXbc2EvJoylWKjSIDdXW9ga2mSn9QOI7WI3Ayg/w400-h240/IMAG0339.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyF_llJv1bZ_Xs06_zIoRbn5B6180tjsKszqPe4IQhX _yPHFcgM7875Nq8aBM_E6x2nRgOMDncjrkwLY-D1nf3XI7ni2PjMKs6SICgwVXP5lewVVtLbw360F4zukLxv7nwv xOIZUfwhTXq-bpEA6GgSXbc2EvJoylWKjSIDdXW9ga2mSn9QOI7WI3Ayg/s2592/IMAG0339.jpg)
Did the Johnson administration seriously think industrywould go along with their ridiculous, copy-cat UKCA Mark accreditation? Especially given the additional costs their “world-beating”scheme would impose on UK companies? Leaving the EU was supposed to be about removing“red tape," not adding an extra layer! Unlike my previous position, as head of Quality Control, I wasn'tinvolved with the audit, although I still ended up pointing my successor, plusour Regulatory Affairs Manager in the right direction, a few times. There’slife in this old dog yet, as well as proof that there’s nothing like theexperience of nearly two decades in the job!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCp3jqsgLOjhM50LcJVxAwQDTgdI_JDfcHigLztZ1mz DxBcAtOb-w5aosA_g9ArtL7zHzSr5Yp2iiCjOcKqLWtNXWYgDiW8hczNfOw 8G44ZXmbQTL2JwJZfM5uI8qve-HP36KWSiwUKdEYA2tUOQTnfOqijMJnYwXQnr6hlaKOr1UoJjyk gLHbMktuwU/w400-h240/IMAG0171.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCp3jqsgLOjhM50LcJVxAwQDTgdI_JDfcHigLztZ1mz DxBcAtOb-w5aosA_g9ArtL7zHzSr5Yp2iiCjOcKqLWtNXWYgDiW8hczNfOw 8G44ZXmbQTL2JwJZfM5uI8qve-HP36KWSiwUKdEYA2tUOQTnfOqijMJnYwXQnr6hlaKOr1UoJjyk gLHbMktuwU/s2592/IMAG0171.jpg)
Following on from the audit, we had visit from our Japanesedirectors. They were here primarily for a board meeting, but also to go overour plans for expansion and see for themselves the alterations and siteimprovements carried out since their last visit. I’ve been heavily involved inboth the planning and implementation of these improvements, and I’m pleased toreport the visitors were impressed by what they saw. Despite not being involved in the meetings, I was still invitedout for a farewell meal on Tuesday evening, along with a handful of fellowmanagers.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLLK0s8wI8fmaQfkWNlpsx_mAYQcikJCeV4E7Trz3Kx 6K8pXvSu0EZO02EJhhn3RI7tLZE7nFTBJkSa0LgbRmCKp8ig3B 6_ZVPIDZ_z3LR0PfKx1CL_yfONK3iVF_Qr_VkN7c4im6TbQ6va NId4dGs0TJASyRnkb6SFTpz2P09pdF_MFbEdGj1WIiahU/w400-h293/Hare-2014a-Langton-Green.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLLK0s8wI8fmaQfkWNlpsx_mAYQcikJCeV4E7Trz3Kx 6K8pXvSu0EZO02EJhhn3RI7tLZE7nFTBJkSa0LgbRmCKp8ig3B 6_ZVPIDZ_z3LR0PfKx1CL_yfONK3iVF_Qr_VkN7c4im6TbQ6va NId4dGs0TJASyRnkb6SFTpz2P09pdF_MFbEdGj1WIiahU/s750/Hare-2014a-Langton-Green.jpg)
Our Japanese colleagues do like to let their hair down, once the businessis over, and we all enjoyed an excellent meal at the Hare (https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/hare/), (https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/hare/)Langton Green (https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/hare/), justoutside Tunbridge Wells. The Hare is a large former Courage pub, which is now aBruning & Price outlet, and as our visit the other evening was the firsttime I’ve set foot inside the pub, I’m unable to say what it was like under itsprevious owners.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOTc9C-B4aN00GjJ5gc8h5hDF322ls60jYjujhdJL1FZbN1guCZHctUXN vFNN9VeWYiUVJZwMxs9V5JFLg-jioC8AEY2tokDNExn-WKoZlvIgCYUv9G83ATvawNSJWctVm_ZiS6Z2E4WtNCDXgDl5k8 IHNx8NVP3NxBOjs61jJ7DOfLSbKigmTMvg78o/w400-h225/Hare%20lobby.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOTc9C-B4aN00GjJ5gc8h5hDF322ls60jYjujhdJL1FZbN1guCZHctUXN vFNN9VeWYiUVJZwMxs9V5JFLg-jioC8AEY2tokDNExn-WKoZlvIgCYUv9G83ATvawNSJWctVm_ZiS6Z2E4WtNCDXgDl5k8 IHNx8NVP3NxBOjs61jJ7DOfLSbKigmTMvg78o/s3959/Hare%20lobby.jpg)
It’s obviously a popular place, as when I arrived with acolleague the car park was already full, leaving us to park some distance away,down a side road. The interior was spacious, and quite palatial, with a number ofdifferent rooms radiating out from a serving area. I'm glad the company was pickingup the tab because items on the menu were quite pricey, although I have to saythe quality of the food was beyond reproach. But what about the beer I hear youask? I ended up having to drive to the Hare that evening, eventhough son Matthew had quite valiantly offered to run me over there and pick meup afterwards. This would have meant four car journeys for him, so I declined hiskind offer, particularly as I’d rather chivalrously offered a colleague a liftto the pub. She was unable to drive, dueto a badly sprained wrist, so was pleased at being able to attend theevent.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius4ZvTIBjW6oeA_4Cih9dnlq8kwz5zi6X386y134v3t fyTwEqWYFY0pdsTyAw45QVviuWowv8n77TF86snPhsSRR7I19a TUWKmNXU-s_P8-p9rQr0vd3cxe132a4jEil5epDMe_UbP_Lr-AocGluJrSdwusHL2uSO8x7kQHFQeSqIDvpCha-Vro36IRU/w400-h225/Hare%20beer%20pumps.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius4ZvTIBjW6oeA_4Cih9dnlq8kwz5zi6X386y134v3t fyTwEqWYFY0pdsTyAw45QVviuWowv8n77TF86snPhsSRR7I19a TUWKmNXU-s_P8-p9rQr0vd3cxe132a4jEil5epDMe_UbP_Lr-AocGluJrSdwusHL2uSO8x7kQHFQeSqIDvpCha-Vro36IRU/s4000/Hare%20beer%20pumps.jpg)
The choice on the bar was the usual Greene King line up ofIPA, and Ruddles Best, along with two guest. These were Purity Mad Goose plusan offering from By the Horns called, Stiff Upper Lip. I opted for the Mad Goose,as did most of my colleagues along with our Japanese visitors. I ticked it onUntappd as light, crisp and refreshing and was the right choice for the twofish courses I’d selected from the menu. It was also my sole beer of theevening, but a couple of colleagues who weren’t driving, decided to give the Bythe Horns offering a try.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCczeWzKORFklyhisLXVX_-2dCkAa2WUsQop36wo-3SWtq8rFpOTCfcdRg2KsGunErhfeRyRP6GtTAg0albeMfLh5mK pqYTIgf7mK9C668KOSnyz-NUvqgEKX2zyNZymCcZFhfGs10D06GOngo4VjZRxpuLQ3im-eGkM74NySWitBPLFeNrC9H-NuCu04/w400-h225/Hare%20fish%20pie.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCczeWzKORFklyhisLXVX_-2dCkAa2WUsQop36wo-3SWtq8rFpOTCfcdRg2KsGunErhfeRyRP6GtTAg0albeMfLh5mK pqYTIgf7mK9C668KOSnyz-NUvqgEKX2zyNZymCcZFhfGs10D06GOngo4VjZRxpuLQ3im-eGkM74NySWitBPLFeNrC9H-NuCu04/s4000/Hare%20fish%20pie.jpg)
The look on their faces spoke volumes for the quality (orlack of it) of Stiff Upper Lip. Our General Manager passed his pint across formy opinion, and one sniff was enough for me to to confirm the beer was way passed itsbest. This action amused my French colleague who didn't realise you could sniffbeer as well as wine. I told her that using one’s nose was an equally goodguide to the quality of a beer as it is to wine, and in this case the sharptaste of the beer confirmed it was off.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDT50-I5FojJIWKeEmyRpS-V_iAnG6sDeGzuCG6J23fEVFWTDlWZC8_-BBDw_IfRM5sZvsIV91rGJGmOwjY7GjQDMShyphenhyphenMuYs X5Bgb-4m7vcKn04sxWNWGfxpFKTAuToHyRj5C4jXz2hiofVXcECOblU3 5T4MzLjMaoOOpA7pE_cQQ4UtI6OrNJ1EU0KQ/w400-h225/Hare%20staircase.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDT50-I5FojJIWKeEmyRpS-V_iAnG6sDeGzuCG6J23fEVFWTDlWZC8_-BBDw_IfRM5sZvsIV91rGJGmOwjY7GjQDMShyphenhyphenMuYs X5Bgb-4m7vcKn04sxWNWGfxpFKTAuToHyRj5C4jXz2hiofVXcECOblU3 5T4MzLjMaoOOpA7pE_cQQ4UtI6OrNJ1EU0KQ/s3910/Hare%20staircase.jpg)
The beer was changed with good grace, althoughI didn't check afterwards. to see whether the pump-clip had been turned round.The clue though is in the type of pub we were in, and as many people knowBruning & Price is an upmarket, gastro-pub chain, patronised by what RetiredMartin would describe as well-to-do “gentlefolk.” Despite this minor hiccup, the staff were friendly and the service exemplary.
I've now got four very welcome days away from the office,although today’s midday, visit to the Optometrist did rather eat into the day.However, it is important to check that my glaucoma-related, "pigment dispersionsyndrome" is being kept in check, and that my eyes are functioning normally. Yesthey are, although I’ve been asked to return in six months’ time, rather thanthe usual twelve.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx6G8UIt1GL5RUlct6GPz89BNBHxAFsURyRNMdD6MEy VoApWK2TCIJeH_e8ETJGH2xvqIXcP1sVUhBLvaT2DFVPDLseW8 ev9YWNZfooGZkdcX24OXC64gskV4CeXWGHxEuDnht1Hb42sk9i 1YEv1lAp5XGD-_AM35qFe5xUjkvYqglaJghJZnOctyUcg/w400-h225/TJs%20Clubhouse.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx6G8UIt1GL5RUlct6GPz89BNBHxAFsURyRNMdD6MEy VoApWK2TCIJeH_e8ETJGH2xvqIXcP1sVUhBLvaT2DFVPDLseW8 ev9YWNZfooGZkdcX24OXC64gskV4CeXWGHxEuDnht1Hb42sk9i 1YEv1lAp5XGD-_AM35qFe5xUjkvYqglaJghJZnOctyUcg/s4000/TJs%20Clubhouse.jpg)
On the beer front, Friday and Saturday night, seesTonbridge Juddians Rugby Club holding their annual Winter Beer Festival at theclubhouse. There are 20 different casks to choose from, but with matches from thefirst weekend’s play of the Six Nations Championship showing in the bar, theclubhouse is likely to be rammed. For thisreason, I’ve decided to give the event a miss especially as I've rather gone offbeer festivals. Last weekend’s Dark & Delicious Beer Festival (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2024/01/dark-and-delicious-winter-beer-festival.html) inCrowborough was an exception, being a pub festival although I'm still of theopinion that too much choice leaves one wanting less.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYk9q5zoAstysyBcF2jzMHu_RxkWQJH1SvmPGUANA1E _Ap3GsKOOeLdBpPVDm-TY1_2yYBnhofCKxLUBbmz0e1b_1ax9-SRRKjOAnRfudijzxcNZqcb2KE45tIAtV0JeK2cRyrAEGjnTkVw RJMPBzWCyasFbp-5Ow7zCx4WcyMetfuCV9xJ1GVEhOEus/w400-h271/Bass%20brewery%20Burton.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYk9q5zoAstysyBcF2jzMHu_RxkWQJH1SvmPGUANA1E _Ap3GsKOOeLdBpPVDm-TY1_2yYBnhofCKxLUBbmz0e1b_1ax9-SRRKjOAnRfudijzxcNZqcb2KE45tIAtV0JeK2cRyrAEGjnTkVw RJMPBzWCyasFbp-5Ow7zCx4WcyMetfuCV9xJ1GVEhOEus/s4000/Bass%20brewery%20Burton.jpg)
My recent post about my first ever brewery visit, which justhappened to be Marston’s at Burton-on- Trent, attracted a lot of comment, butmore so with people trying to guess the pub selling Bank’s Bitter that ourcoach party stopped at, on the way back to Salford, from Burton. 50 years onI'm unable to recall the name or location of this pub, and despite the bestefforts, of some of the most knowledgeable pub goers in the area, I'm still notconvinced that we cracked it.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT4hLz6R7QB1M5Fzfqli90psAvaKY7m9iciIFqt4_8a ZBM_B8ZSu4UCzPTiSIo3TIpMwK_3h4oBdX0SVz_Vryq5gp0Opm RKGSP1mk6acQiOmTBwiE_3GAipTfbPKxj5YDhOrBl5ioVP9C7b ljOdR4AYzpxBuY0-5meb-r3nOxSPR1y0umkKfgXT6Lxtk/w400-h249/Salford%20Uni%20sign.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT4hLz6R7QB1M5Fzfqli90psAvaKY7m9iciIFqt4_8a ZBM_B8ZSu4UCzPTiSIo3TIpMwK_3h4oBdX0SVz_Vryq5gp0Opm RKGSP1mk6acQiOmTBwiE_3GAipTfbPKxj5YDhOrBl5ioVP9C7b ljOdR4AYzpxBuY0-5meb-r3nOxSPR1y0umkKfgXT6Lxtk/s2434/Salford%20Uni%20sign.jpg)
The trouble is we tend to recall events or locations farbetter when there's something memorable or worth remembering, and whilst I’mconfident that the beer was good, (pubs were shifting much higher volumes ofcask back in those days), there was nothing that memorable or out of theordinary that jumped out in front of me. So, try as I might, the only recollectionI have is the pub was close to a roundabout and on the very edge of a town,somewhere between Burton and Greater Manchester.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheARIk9Yw-XSZPJyfdCL98rUYtJ1alcfNMCkH2AP9AU0LPTLNsFWIsDwqU5G 7VuxeJZECQPVaKG1fpgJyeOLmhuCzw4XgpLQHx8hBcvQui3nAz 9PSCO7SQq1iMGONv5eJHoK11Q1yhyY_-TO1x3VBYDkXSXoYYEIZqKooawkKXlh6OkyTbB0t2qX9uoag/w400-h225/Piccadilly%20train.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheARIk9Yw-XSZPJyfdCL98rUYtJ1alcfNMCkH2AP9AU0LPTLNsFWIsDwqU5G 7VuxeJZECQPVaKG1fpgJyeOLmhuCzw4XgpLQHx8hBcvQui3nAz 9PSCO7SQq1iMGONv5eJHoK11Q1yhyY_-TO1x3VBYDkXSXoYYEIZqKooawkKXlh6OkyTbB0t2qX9uoag/s4000/Piccadilly%20train.jpg)
Another thing I've been doing over the past few weeks, is layingsome tentative plans for some days out by rail. Initially I wanted to take advantage of thegovernment's Great British Rail Sale promotion, and whilst there were a numberof bargain, half-price tickets available, none of them were to places I wantedto go. Furthermore, if they were, they were at the wrong time or on the wrongdate. Despite this I have pencilled in a day trip to Newcastle upon Tyne – a cityI passed through several times on journeys to Edinburgh, but have never spenttime at, or taken time to explore. Other places on my wish list include Leeds, plus a fewMidland destinations, including Tamworth, to visit this year’s CAMRA Pub of theYear, winner, (see below), plus the Black Country Walkabout, postponed from lastAugust, due to my third brush with COVID. A lot has been happening as well onthe brewery front, although other bloggers have covered these events far betterthan me. Pride of place here goes to Chris Dyson, whose latest post on his veryreadable, Real Ale, Real Music site – History Repeating Itself, (https://chrisdyson55.blogspot.com/2024/01/history-repeating-itself.html) is well worthlooking at.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dL7pGO8l4Dq7Mgg4BAApMUacZ3Qa3sKIq49QB7jzyz Z6YonMBcMH4mcNY-9WClAMNlOyqK6jgw3FdU78PLtJgPhDWwlhMAixGqAyFH0qkHrq j7HspfOLdyYteAIj6aYEBF5JuPreQwp_77hHqSY02CwIo6nzRv 7z5ygq4-HivJpZPZBhtTt-J5qnWcs/w400-h225/Nelson%20pumps%20July%2022%20LHS.%20jpg.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dL7pGO8l4Dq7Mgg4BAApMUacZ3Qa3sKIq49QB7jzyz Z6YonMBcMH4mcNY-9WClAMNlOyqK6jgw3FdU78PLtJgPhDWwlhMAixGqAyFH0qkHrq j7HspfOLdyYteAIj6aYEBF5JuPreQwp_77hHqSY02CwIo6nzRv 7z5ygq4-HivJpZPZBhtTt-J5qnWcs/s3910/Nelson%20pumps%20July%2022%20LHS.%20jpg.jpg)
Moving on, the news that Tonbridge’s Nelson Arms failed to scoopthe top award in CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year, is probably old hat by now,although the pub did make it to the final four. The Tamworth Tap, in the townof the same name, picked up the top award, for the second year running, so thepub must be doing something right. I haven't been to the Tamworth Tap, althoughI'm seriously contemplating paying it a visit. Having seen the pub’s websiteand taking in all that the Tap has to offer, I appreciate the features which mustreally have appealed to the judges. I haven’t spoken to Matt at the Nelson,since the award was announced, and whilst the pub would obviously have been disappointed,reaching the top four in the country was an achievement in itself. That's it for the time being, and there should be plenty tofollow in February which, as I’m sure you’ve realised, has already begun.
Follow Blog via EmailClick to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
More... (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2024/02/farewell-to-january.html)