Blog Tracker
24-03-2024, 20:20
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2024/03/in-eager-anticipation.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiJxdWJXM1aqAM6xNINCB3fTgcQl8dvlrrXzRjXuYcI ncm8eECRBW0ReOQJL_2-DCZaxxpp8sQv_UcedFaM0LeQGuyHFgdGYUHchImwdDjekk_XyP k2gsfdFAvjPIRAe13x7Z09vLwIeQROD5UQZAF_GK6ST1DERDof tlQHYn-lp3Lb8BDmpl3WUGoWc/w400-h254/Wolves%20bus%20station.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiJxdWJXM1aqAM6xNINCB3fTgcQl8dvlrrXzRjXuYcI ncm8eECRBW0ReOQJL_2-DCZaxxpp8sQv_UcedFaM0LeQGuyHFgdGYUHchImwdDjekk_XyP k2gsfdFAvjPIRAe13x7Z09vLwIeQROD5UQZAF_GK6ST1DERDof tlQHYn-lp3Lb8BDmpl3WUGoWc/s3174/Wolves%20bus%20station.jpg)
It’s strange, although possibly just a fact of life, but inthe space of just a couple of days I’ve gone from having nothing to writeabout, to having a real abundance. As anticipated, Friday’s visit to the BlackCountry, postponed from last August due to me contracting COVID, has provided awealth of material, ranging from some truly classic and unspoilt pubs thatoffered beers from a number of small, family-owned breweries, which havemanaged to survive from a time that predates the birth of CAMRA.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1p5fjPSW_4mNH9P6liiKu1sNYB7_5MYc6mMSMMQYB9 emi0RQKZjdNOEvjglTov6tjwKhyKC8lnyihy8J9crv2H1OSxw0 BehIVM0tYk9j9xgCpLhdq8Kmdwl-vl29btAuytVMkHq1LT0xQsV-Auoeqttg8j5pvqXognJZQ8efH-7AJp7v7fte9D8M0Qw/w400-h263/Old%20Swan.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1p5fjPSW_4mNH9P6liiKu1sNYB7_5MYc6mMSMMQYB9 emi0RQKZjdNOEvjglTov6tjwKhyKC8lnyihy8J9crv2H1OSxw0 BehIVM0tYk9j9xgCpLhdq8Kmdwl-vl29btAuytVMkHq1LT0xQsV-Auoeqttg8j5pvqXognJZQ8efH-7AJp7v7fte9D8M0Qw/s3298/Old%20Swan.jpg)
Three of the five pubs visited had been on my bucket listfor many years, so it was doubly satisfying to experience them at first hand,and be able to enjoy some truly excellent beers, in surroundings that havechanged little over the past century. Sharing these riches with others who notonly appreciate them but are much more familiar with their charms than I am,added to the experience.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSjjdS02RrzGIV_haZH3zMRb8J6B3i0Wdf-h2GDGEWzO06kQh0SIC8pZha4trx2jWIO6ZKXvNvsAcpS4u4Nqh AWfEFgWgwSoQ0A2oVohtaF9u3wisE83pUN_gPeJ95PWq-LcfsrY0eFjQUz4fqXGUGtZksatbBurOF6tCisp5u4_ozbbPbNm E7rKK-DI/w400-h220/Ivy%20House.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSjjdS02RrzGIV_haZH3zMRb8J6B3i0Wdf-h2GDGEWzO06kQh0SIC8pZha4trx2jWIO6ZKXvNvsAcpS4u4Nqh AWfEFgWgwSoQ0A2oVohtaF9u3wisE83pUN_gPeJ95PWq-LcfsrY0eFjQUz4fqXGUGtZksatbBurOF6tCisp5u4_ozbbPbNm E7rKK-DI/s3815/Ivy%20House.jpg)
Before launching into a full-blown article about my day outin the Black Country, I want to finish off a piece which I’d started earlier inthe week. It is one which designed to tie in a few of the loose threads leftover from a previous article about the joys of going out for breakfast at theweekend, so please bear with me until this post is out of the way. I mentioned in my Ides of March (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-ides-of-march.html)post that the lad and I wereplanning on enjoying a Sunday breakfast at a local pub, but as is sometimes thecase, the best laid plans can often go astray. This was certainly the case lastSunday when, after selecting the Ivy House in Tonbridge, as somewhere to enjoya traditional English breakfast, we ended up being disappointed.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SZ5y1n5rFEJfH09LDtQE6sw84ocIiSF0ctSDSDo_6S VPukYP-9O1Hd-ujZymUAl6h-q97QuUo04riUb0qgaWuxK4tpBsiHfahyphenhyphenlvhvn9vV 32fi6llFkZVJ7-hUpt5L1kNBD2Eqgkx0rSTFl79nPvvRmLsDaSTpWdz9iLbETWsG qM6rCshuj-Esd04Z0/w400-h225/Ivy%20House%20Bar.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SZ5y1n5rFEJfH09LDtQE6sw84ocIiSF0ctSDSDo_6S VPukYP-9O1Hd-ujZymUAl6h-q97QuUo04riUb0qgaWuxK4tpBsiHfahyphenhyphenlvhvn9vV 32fi6llFkZVJ7-hUpt5L1kNBD2Eqgkx0rSTFl79nPvvRmLsDaSTpWdz9iLbETWsG qM6rCshuj-Esd04Z0/s4000/Ivy%20House%20Bar.jpg)
The Ivy House is one of the oldest buildings in Tonbridge.It is an attractive old tile-hung building which dates back to the 15thCentury. Formerly known as the Elephant & Castle, the pub is said to takeits name from the mass of ivy that once covered the exterior. The pub has hadquite a chequered history, particularly in recent years. When I first came to Tonbridge,it was a two-bar establishment, popular with bikers and those of a slightly"bohemian" disposition. Later, when I last worked in Tonbridge(1996-2001), the Ivy House had a good reputation for food, and the company Iworked took full advantage of this and used the pub as somewhere to wine anddine visiting customers.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEOfXAD_J8rHZkzU2f0_-ydgPL8hLI73rDQUU2KLfGdNmy2xVhXGpxVOUy1FMb0X1YLZ2Bb t09OMxiRSYJVlskM0z6x7YEskEoX7By-Id8XVwqNF5foYBzpkhTq_j-qPQvdQTjLYAkly0XpKGWPsDTxeaAnQCd6K4L31Bi_qaLDwRTh4 KVU8mq544SEc/w300-h400/Ivy%20House%20side.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEOfXAD_J8rHZkzU2f0_-ydgPL8hLI73rDQUU2KLfGdNmy2xVhXGpxVOUy1FMb0X1YLZ2Bb t09OMxiRSYJVlskM0z6x7YEskEoX7By-Id8XVwqNF5foYBzpkhTq_j-qPQvdQTjLYAkly0XpKGWPsDTxeaAnQCd6K4L31Bi_qaLDwRTh4 KVU8mq544SEc/s400/Ivy%20House%20side.jpg)
There has been several changes at the Ivy House, since thattime, the most recent being just after the pandemic. Mrs PBT’s has been in thepub more times than I have, since those changes, having dined there, withfriends, on several occasions, and following her recommendation, I decided thatMatthew and I would give the pub’s breakfast option a try. When we arrived the otherSunday, it seemed as if half the population of Tonbridge were also there forthe same purpose, as the place was heaving. We were asked whether we had areservation, and whilst I had considered making one, I decided against this,primarily because I was unsure of the time, we would be ready.The discipline of rising at a certain time for work, duringthe week, leads to a much more relaxed feeling at weekends, and because of thisI didn’t want to commit to a specific time. I had also noticed from the pub’swebsite, that “walk-ins” were available, so to my mind, at least, there was norequirement to book a table. Unfortunately, the girl on the door advised theycould only honour bookings, due to the non-appearance of a member of thekitchen staff. Sorry, and all that, but as mentioned above, we could see thesituation the pub was in, so we thanked her and departed, in search ofsomewhere else.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uzUIITO71f9I46Z4XkO1wqJtNhQfYuN3fmFUrXlSnTJGHTZElX 0A9AZVAfXMuzJyXS4IK3kVVO4TJRoZWSocgW963_KfEla3b5Uf 4LNtGJmmXB7TgP_69QNDLujeBKMCDwq7-def1jxOLe9xvJ_-18h2WX7kyzSGNGYCSznBPBUztM2Zz2mNokohxKE/w400-h300/Humphrey%20Bean.JPG (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uzUIITO71f9I46Z4XkO1wqJtNhQfYuN3fmFUrXlSnTJGHTZElX 0A9AZVAfXMuzJyXS4IK3kVVO4TJRoZWSocgW963_KfEla3b5Uf 4LNtGJmmXB7TgP_69QNDLujeBKMCDwq7-def1jxOLe9xvJ_-18h2WX7kyzSGNGYCSznBPBUztM2Zz2mNokohxKE/s1600/Humphrey%20Bean.JPG)
Time was getting on, so when Matthew suggested Spoons, Iagreed, much to his surprise. We walked back along the High Street, dodging thepuddles produced by the heavy rainfall, and whilst the HumphreyBean was also very busy, managed to find a table on the raised section,away from family groups with their “well-behaved” little darlings. The Spoonsoffering was around half the price of that in the Ivy House, or at least the £4.99Traditional Breakfast I opted for was. Being a growing lad, Matthew ordered the £6.59,Large Breakfast – quelle surprise, so after bunging him sufficient to cover myrepast, plus a refillable coffee, I despatched him to the bar, and settled downto read about the current Spoons Beer Festival.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsd4ISGx6Cwf8bVbJBACSMRtw7BTPTB0rIM3L3awhQ4 nhHPJjf5tylkHUZw_4qFN4carl5n9JAxc9wRELgPrtNut9UURu uriUGGmIzneC-WqcxbzdZEzxO3N04xA-LZCds59iOiJbE-fRmnUhEbfNDnvWW1ZlLj5fRJMNqg8Q-rVEiLAZJgvVINI0-Bo/w400-h271/Spoons%20Festival.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsd4ISGx6Cwf8bVbJBACSMRtw7BTPTB0rIM3L3awhQ4 nhHPJjf5tylkHUZw_4qFN4carl5n9JAxc9wRELgPrtNut9UURu uriUGGmIzneC-WqcxbzdZEzxO3N04xA-LZCds59iOiJbE-fRmnUhEbfNDnvWW1ZlLj5fRJMNqg8Q-rVEiLAZJgvVINI0-Bo/s3323/Spoons%20Festival.jpg)
There was a time when I wouldn’t have missed one of these,and it’s encouraging that Tim is continuing with them, including the practiceof visiting brewers from overseas, visiting these shores in order to brew aspecial beer, based on a brew that is available in their home country. Companieswith sufficient capacity, such as Banks, Adnam’s and Fuller’s usually provide thefacilities and equipment necessary to produce such beers, but being something of a purist, I would ratherhave the real thing, imported from the visiting brewers home country. To mymind, these guest “foreign” brews lack the provenance associated with the realthing, although I’ve been criticised as a "beer snob” before, for expressingsuch views.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYTObNY0BQGmpnAHrB-wKE3dIvNv_rZRxlqjR-gyD48qO-TVMP0r4oHChctgbnfTDyLX8asI1Ft9Ws7xohPshi1tSFV5lva3 8KsKKJgSDXRNtEkdw0RFDltTzTcyVUFZowGj_fcug3cRCvJqCX l5yEz-TsrGSaRckppQeMWbmokg-uwHR_xoY4FPeZgc/w400-h225/Spoons%20Breakfast%20+%20festival%20.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYTObNY0BQGmpnAHrB-wKE3dIvNv_rZRxlqjR-gyD48qO-TVMP0r4oHChctgbnfTDyLX8asI1Ft9Ws7xohPshi1tSFV5lva3 8KsKKJgSDXRNtEkdw0RFDltTzTcyVUFZowGj_fcug3cRCvJqCX l5yEz-TsrGSaRckppQeMWbmokg-uwHR_xoY4FPeZgc/s4000/Spoons%20Breakfast%20+%20festival%20.jpg)
I mentioned that the Humphrey Bean was crowded, and I believethis was due to the inclement weather. Sunday morning is traditionally the timefor those families with sporty off-spring, to bring their charges down to the sportsground, a large flat area, enclosed by a loop of the river Medway that containsa large number of playing fields – football as well as rugby. These sports madkids can let off steam to their hearts content, whilst their parents (usuallythe fathers), shout words of encouragement from the touchline. Sometimes, whenemotions are running high, the encouraging words will be exchanged for insults,which doesn’t set a good example, but these highly competitive, "pushy parent" types,forget that what takes place on the pitches is only a game!The staff at the Humphrey Bean coped admirably, with thelarger than expected number of customers, and I was quite happy sitting thereenjoying several flat white coffees from the reliable machine, before ourbreakfasts arrived. The pub itself, seemed to have mellowed somewhat from whatI remember, or perhaps it was just me in a more relaxed mood.
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https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiJxdWJXM1aqAM6xNINCB3fTgcQl8dvlrrXzRjXuYcI ncm8eECRBW0ReOQJL_2-DCZaxxpp8sQv_UcedFaM0LeQGuyHFgdGYUHchImwdDjekk_XyP k2gsfdFAvjPIRAe13x7Z09vLwIeQROD5UQZAF_GK6ST1DERDof tlQHYn-lp3Lb8BDmpl3WUGoWc/w400-h254/Wolves%20bus%20station.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiJxdWJXM1aqAM6xNINCB3fTgcQl8dvlrrXzRjXuYcI ncm8eECRBW0ReOQJL_2-DCZaxxpp8sQv_UcedFaM0LeQGuyHFgdGYUHchImwdDjekk_XyP k2gsfdFAvjPIRAe13x7Z09vLwIeQROD5UQZAF_GK6ST1DERDof tlQHYn-lp3Lb8BDmpl3WUGoWc/s3174/Wolves%20bus%20station.jpg)
It’s strange, although possibly just a fact of life, but inthe space of just a couple of days I’ve gone from having nothing to writeabout, to having a real abundance. As anticipated, Friday’s visit to the BlackCountry, postponed from last August due to me contracting COVID, has provided awealth of material, ranging from some truly classic and unspoilt pubs thatoffered beers from a number of small, family-owned breweries, which havemanaged to survive from a time that predates the birth of CAMRA.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1p5fjPSW_4mNH9P6liiKu1sNYB7_5MYc6mMSMMQYB9 emi0RQKZjdNOEvjglTov6tjwKhyKC8lnyihy8J9crv2H1OSxw0 BehIVM0tYk9j9xgCpLhdq8Kmdwl-vl29btAuytVMkHq1LT0xQsV-Auoeqttg8j5pvqXognJZQ8efH-7AJp7v7fte9D8M0Qw/w400-h263/Old%20Swan.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1p5fjPSW_4mNH9P6liiKu1sNYB7_5MYc6mMSMMQYB9 emi0RQKZjdNOEvjglTov6tjwKhyKC8lnyihy8J9crv2H1OSxw0 BehIVM0tYk9j9xgCpLhdq8Kmdwl-vl29btAuytVMkHq1LT0xQsV-Auoeqttg8j5pvqXognJZQ8efH-7AJp7v7fte9D8M0Qw/s3298/Old%20Swan.jpg)
Three of the five pubs visited had been on my bucket listfor many years, so it was doubly satisfying to experience them at first hand,and be able to enjoy some truly excellent beers, in surroundings that havechanged little over the past century. Sharing these riches with others who notonly appreciate them but are much more familiar with their charms than I am,added to the experience.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSjjdS02RrzGIV_haZH3zMRb8J6B3i0Wdf-h2GDGEWzO06kQh0SIC8pZha4trx2jWIO6ZKXvNvsAcpS4u4Nqh AWfEFgWgwSoQ0A2oVohtaF9u3wisE83pUN_gPeJ95PWq-LcfsrY0eFjQUz4fqXGUGtZksatbBurOF6tCisp5u4_ozbbPbNm E7rKK-DI/w400-h220/Ivy%20House.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSjjdS02RrzGIV_haZH3zMRb8J6B3i0Wdf-h2GDGEWzO06kQh0SIC8pZha4trx2jWIO6ZKXvNvsAcpS4u4Nqh AWfEFgWgwSoQ0A2oVohtaF9u3wisE83pUN_gPeJ95PWq-LcfsrY0eFjQUz4fqXGUGtZksatbBurOF6tCisp5u4_ozbbPbNm E7rKK-DI/s3815/Ivy%20House.jpg)
Before launching into a full-blown article about my day outin the Black Country, I want to finish off a piece which I’d started earlier inthe week. It is one which designed to tie in a few of the loose threads leftover from a previous article about the joys of going out for breakfast at theweekend, so please bear with me until this post is out of the way. I mentioned in my Ides of March (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-ides-of-march.html)post that the lad and I wereplanning on enjoying a Sunday breakfast at a local pub, but as is sometimes thecase, the best laid plans can often go astray. This was certainly the case lastSunday when, after selecting the Ivy House in Tonbridge, as somewhere to enjoya traditional English breakfast, we ended up being disappointed.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SZ5y1n5rFEJfH09LDtQE6sw84ocIiSF0ctSDSDo_6S VPukYP-9O1Hd-ujZymUAl6h-q97QuUo04riUb0qgaWuxK4tpBsiHfahyphenhyphenlvhvn9vV 32fi6llFkZVJ7-hUpt5L1kNBD2Eqgkx0rSTFl79nPvvRmLsDaSTpWdz9iLbETWsG qM6rCshuj-Esd04Z0/w400-h225/Ivy%20House%20Bar.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SZ5y1n5rFEJfH09LDtQE6sw84ocIiSF0ctSDSDo_6S VPukYP-9O1Hd-ujZymUAl6h-q97QuUo04riUb0qgaWuxK4tpBsiHfahyphenhyphenlvhvn9vV 32fi6llFkZVJ7-hUpt5L1kNBD2Eqgkx0rSTFl79nPvvRmLsDaSTpWdz9iLbETWsG qM6rCshuj-Esd04Z0/s4000/Ivy%20House%20Bar.jpg)
The Ivy House is one of the oldest buildings in Tonbridge.It is an attractive old tile-hung building which dates back to the 15thCentury. Formerly known as the Elephant & Castle, the pub is said to takeits name from the mass of ivy that once covered the exterior. The pub has hadquite a chequered history, particularly in recent years. When I first came to Tonbridge,it was a two-bar establishment, popular with bikers and those of a slightly"bohemian" disposition. Later, when I last worked in Tonbridge(1996-2001), the Ivy House had a good reputation for food, and the company Iworked took full advantage of this and used the pub as somewhere to wine anddine visiting customers.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEOfXAD_J8rHZkzU2f0_-ydgPL8hLI73rDQUU2KLfGdNmy2xVhXGpxVOUy1FMb0X1YLZ2Bb t09OMxiRSYJVlskM0z6x7YEskEoX7By-Id8XVwqNF5foYBzpkhTq_j-qPQvdQTjLYAkly0XpKGWPsDTxeaAnQCd6K4L31Bi_qaLDwRTh4 KVU8mq544SEc/w300-h400/Ivy%20House%20side.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEOfXAD_J8rHZkzU2f0_-ydgPL8hLI73rDQUU2KLfGdNmy2xVhXGpxVOUy1FMb0X1YLZ2Bb t09OMxiRSYJVlskM0z6x7YEskEoX7By-Id8XVwqNF5foYBzpkhTq_j-qPQvdQTjLYAkly0XpKGWPsDTxeaAnQCd6K4L31Bi_qaLDwRTh4 KVU8mq544SEc/s400/Ivy%20House%20side.jpg)
There has been several changes at the Ivy House, since thattime, the most recent being just after the pandemic. Mrs PBT’s has been in thepub more times than I have, since those changes, having dined there, withfriends, on several occasions, and following her recommendation, I decided thatMatthew and I would give the pub’s breakfast option a try. When we arrived the otherSunday, it seemed as if half the population of Tonbridge were also there forthe same purpose, as the place was heaving. We were asked whether we had areservation, and whilst I had considered making one, I decided against this,primarily because I was unsure of the time, we would be ready.The discipline of rising at a certain time for work, duringthe week, leads to a much more relaxed feeling at weekends, and because of thisI didn’t want to commit to a specific time. I had also noticed from the pub’swebsite, that “walk-ins” were available, so to my mind, at least, there was norequirement to book a table. Unfortunately, the girl on the door advised theycould only honour bookings, due to the non-appearance of a member of thekitchen staff. Sorry, and all that, but as mentioned above, we could see thesituation the pub was in, so we thanked her and departed, in search ofsomewhere else.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uzUIITO71f9I46Z4XkO1wqJtNhQfYuN3fmFUrXlSnTJGHTZElX 0A9AZVAfXMuzJyXS4IK3kVVO4TJRoZWSocgW963_KfEla3b5Uf 4LNtGJmmXB7TgP_69QNDLujeBKMCDwq7-def1jxOLe9xvJ_-18h2WX7kyzSGNGYCSznBPBUztM2Zz2mNokohxKE/w400-h300/Humphrey%20Bean.JPG (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uzUIITO71f9I46Z4XkO1wqJtNhQfYuN3fmFUrXlSnTJGHTZElX 0A9AZVAfXMuzJyXS4IK3kVVO4TJRoZWSocgW963_KfEla3b5Uf 4LNtGJmmXB7TgP_69QNDLujeBKMCDwq7-def1jxOLe9xvJ_-18h2WX7kyzSGNGYCSznBPBUztM2Zz2mNokohxKE/s1600/Humphrey%20Bean.JPG)
Time was getting on, so when Matthew suggested Spoons, Iagreed, much to his surprise. We walked back along the High Street, dodging thepuddles produced by the heavy rainfall, and whilst the HumphreyBean was also very busy, managed to find a table on the raised section,away from family groups with their “well-behaved” little darlings. The Spoonsoffering was around half the price of that in the Ivy House, or at least the £4.99Traditional Breakfast I opted for was. Being a growing lad, Matthew ordered the £6.59,Large Breakfast – quelle surprise, so after bunging him sufficient to cover myrepast, plus a refillable coffee, I despatched him to the bar, and settled downto read about the current Spoons Beer Festival.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsd4ISGx6Cwf8bVbJBACSMRtw7BTPTB0rIM3L3awhQ4 nhHPJjf5tylkHUZw_4qFN4carl5n9JAxc9wRELgPrtNut9UURu uriUGGmIzneC-WqcxbzdZEzxO3N04xA-LZCds59iOiJbE-fRmnUhEbfNDnvWW1ZlLj5fRJMNqg8Q-rVEiLAZJgvVINI0-Bo/w400-h271/Spoons%20Festival.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsd4ISGx6Cwf8bVbJBACSMRtw7BTPTB0rIM3L3awhQ4 nhHPJjf5tylkHUZw_4qFN4carl5n9JAxc9wRELgPrtNut9UURu uriUGGmIzneC-WqcxbzdZEzxO3N04xA-LZCds59iOiJbE-fRmnUhEbfNDnvWW1ZlLj5fRJMNqg8Q-rVEiLAZJgvVINI0-Bo/s3323/Spoons%20Festival.jpg)
There was a time when I wouldn’t have missed one of these,and it’s encouraging that Tim is continuing with them, including the practiceof visiting brewers from overseas, visiting these shores in order to brew aspecial beer, based on a brew that is available in their home country. Companieswith sufficient capacity, such as Banks, Adnam’s and Fuller’s usually provide thefacilities and equipment necessary to produce such beers, but being something of a purist, I would ratherhave the real thing, imported from the visiting brewers home country. To mymind, these guest “foreign” brews lack the provenance associated with the realthing, although I’ve been criticised as a "beer snob” before, for expressingsuch views.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYTObNY0BQGmpnAHrB-wKE3dIvNv_rZRxlqjR-gyD48qO-TVMP0r4oHChctgbnfTDyLX8asI1Ft9Ws7xohPshi1tSFV5lva3 8KsKKJgSDXRNtEkdw0RFDltTzTcyVUFZowGj_fcug3cRCvJqCX l5yEz-TsrGSaRckppQeMWbmokg-uwHR_xoY4FPeZgc/w400-h225/Spoons%20Breakfast%20+%20festival%20.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYTObNY0BQGmpnAHrB-wKE3dIvNv_rZRxlqjR-gyD48qO-TVMP0r4oHChctgbnfTDyLX8asI1Ft9Ws7xohPshi1tSFV5lva3 8KsKKJgSDXRNtEkdw0RFDltTzTcyVUFZowGj_fcug3cRCvJqCX l5yEz-TsrGSaRckppQeMWbmokg-uwHR_xoY4FPeZgc/s4000/Spoons%20Breakfast%20+%20festival%20.jpg)
I mentioned that the Humphrey Bean was crowded, and I believethis was due to the inclement weather. Sunday morning is traditionally the timefor those families with sporty off-spring, to bring their charges down to the sportsground, a large flat area, enclosed by a loop of the river Medway that containsa large number of playing fields – football as well as rugby. These sports madkids can let off steam to their hearts content, whilst their parents (usuallythe fathers), shout words of encouragement from the touchline. Sometimes, whenemotions are running high, the encouraging words will be exchanged for insults,which doesn’t set a good example, but these highly competitive, "pushy parent" types,forget that what takes place on the pitches is only a game!The staff at the Humphrey Bean coped admirably, with thelarger than expected number of customers, and I was quite happy sitting thereenjoying several flat white coffees from the reliable machine, before ourbreakfasts arrived. The pub itself, seemed to have mellowed somewhat from whatI remember, or perhaps it was just me in a more relaxed mood.
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