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Joining Pubquest: A mission in Mosborough

On a cold winter’s day, I, along with Damo and my brother James, were invited on a very important and privileged mission by an old school buddy of mine (and now one of James’ best mates!), Wilson. We were asked to join Pubquest (set up by Wilson and his friend Rob) in discovering the pubs around Mosborough, Sheffield.

If you’re from Sheffield, live in Sheffield or you’re visiting Sheffield and like beer and pubs – you need to swing by their blog. Pubquest have sampled beer in 165 pubs across the Steel City – and this crawl has added to their total.

Mosborough is a beautiful, picturesque village on the cusp of Sheffield bordering Rotherham. Although I’m born and bred in Sheffield it’s a place I’ve never been before, but has a great pub walk to explore. With our thick winter coats pulled tight and bellies lined for the copious amount of beer that was about to be consumed, Wilson, his girlfriend Catriona, Rob, Damo, James and I were ready to take on this mission.

The Alma

76 South St, Mosborough, Sheffield S20 5DF

After what was a close call when our taxi ran a red light going over the tramlines, one pint was the very least we needed! Stepping out of the taxi and waiting for the dizziness to stop, outside The Alma we could really take in the views of Mosborough and the Yorkshire hills. It was set on the top of a hill; it was quiet and peaceful.

On entering the pub, we soon realised we were the first people there – as there was no money in the till and no one in either side of the pub. This didn’t put us off though! It was a cosy pub with corner settees. The choice of beers here were limited; there was only one pull beer which was the Robin Red Best at 4.5%. On tap there was Tetley’s, Carling and John Smith’s. It was super cheap though and was a cute pub to visit. I didn’t see the view from the beer garden but apparently it was stunning.
NB. They only take cash here.

George and Dragon

20 High St, Mosborough, Sheffield S20 5AE

A short walk away was the George and Dragon. This is a small pub with two rooms. I particularly enjoyed the toilets here where someone was sharing their love of Jason Momoa, of which there were posters plastered across the cubicles. Sadly, the three pull beers weren’t available but we spotted Theakston’s Best Bittier which we settled for. Also, on offer was John Smith, Carling, Strongbow and Beer Moretti. They also allow dogs here, so most of the time was spent ogling at the gorgeous dalmatian!

The Royal Oak

53 High Street, Mosborough, S20 5AFA

Compared to the first two pubs, this one was heaving. As we walked in, we clocked the broken front window which was being pieced back together and there were lots of double takes as we stepped up to the bar. I’m going to put this down to the cold gust of wind that followed us in. We don’t judge a book by its cover though because what’s the point? We received great service and three pints of Stone’s Bitter cost £9. Can’t argue with that. Part of the PubQuest rules are that Wilson and Rob must have different beers in every pub – a new beer, and a pint of it! So, they enjoyed five bottles of Pils. Charismatic pub, dogs also allowed. I think in this pub it was a rotty (grrrr!) which I stepped around. You can also bring your own food. Worth the experience for sure.

The Queen

135 High Street,Sheffield, S20 5AF

I’d say this is a more typical pub akin to your Harvester-eske. It was nice and busy, but not too busy. The downside was that the boards were advertising things that weren’t available which is a big no-no and let down for Catriona who was after a cocktail at this point. We enjoyed a pint of the beautiful Farmer’s Belgium Blue (which I look forward to every winter). Also available are Carling, John Smith’s, Strongbow, Amstel, Fosters, Coors Light and Stones Bitter. As I say a nice pub, but rather standard.

The British Oak

1 Mosborough Moor, Sheffield, S20 5AY

Saving the best ‘til last was certainly the case for The British Oak. It was absolutely stunning. It had an authentic interior with wood panelling and stone walls. It’s everything you look for in a Yorkshire pub, coupled with a different range of ales which was something lacking from a lot of the pubs around Mosborough. It was very busy, but spacious. Beers included Cupid (Myrddin’s), Dasher the flasher (Myrddin’s) and a couple from True north.

This was a really good crawl, filled with a variety of drinkers across the board and very different pubs. If you’re in the area I’d recommend calling into a couple of these pubs to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a good pint.

As Damo dashed for his train to London, the night was still young and in our wisdom called in at the Hammer and Pincers, Prince of Wales and The Cherry Tree in Ecclesall (I’ll do another blog about the pubs in this area at a later date, as it’s my home stomping, or should I say drinking, ground) before calling it a night.

Thanks for inviting me on Pubquest. Mission complete.

See what Puquest have to say about the Sheffield pubs they’ve visited by going to their blog: http://pub-quest.blogspot.com/

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A Christmas pub crawl around Smithfield

Everyone has a Christmas tradition.

The one I started back in 2015 was a Christmas pub crawl with The Old Git and it is the one tradition that I look forward to the most. The Mission: to taste and sample Christmas ales from a selection of pubs. For the last couple of years we have frequented East Central London and never go home sober or disappointed. Here’s the 2019 list. Sadly not all the following pubs had their Christmas ales available, so we just had to throw a couple of favourites into the mix.

The Artillery Arms – Fuller’s

102 Bunhill Row, EC1Y 8ND

Not originally on the list but this is a favourite of ours nonetheless and we were delighted when we arrived and found two stools free at the bar. Beer on tap was the usual Fuller choices including Oliver’s Island, Seafarers, ESB and London Pride. We wanted the Santa by the Surf which had sadly ran out so opted for the light and hoppy Fresh Tracks. Described as a White India Pale Ale, another seasonal beer brewed by Fuller’s, it was a first for both of us and a great way to kick off the crawl.

I love the layout of this pub; it sits on the corner by Bunhill cemetery and is always a bustling with activity – at lunchtimes and during the evenings.

Two Brewers

121 Whitecross Street EC1Y 8JH

I’ve been working in this area for around three years now and for whatever reason have never stepped inside this pub which sits at the bottom of the incredible street market, Whitecross. We walked in and again managed to grab two stools at the bar. The bar staff here were lovely, the gentleman that served me was very friendly and apologetic as they ran out of Landlord! We could, of course, have waited for the barrel to be changed but we were on a mission so opted for Black Sheep Pale Ale. Other choices included Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter and Purity’s Mad Goose.

I wonder how much this pub has changed over the years. Hanging on the wall was a black and white picture and the outside and windows looked original. It was a truly beautiful pub, made extra special by the friendly staff. We will be heading back in the future.

Hand and Shears

1 Middle Street, Barbican, EC1A 7JA

A short stroll away which helps to work off some of the liquid is the Hand and Shears. We have frequented this pub many a times, and sometimes have even struggled to get in because it is so popular. But here, we never fail to not have a pint of Christmas ale. What I like about this pub is that it’s a step away from the hustle and bustle of Smithfield Market and the commuter trail of those heading to Farringdon. The setting is your typical Victorian London Street, but the pub has such a homely vibe that it reminds me of the pubs back home in Yorkshire. There are four compartments to this pub to drink in around the island bar. In this one we had a choice of two Christmas ales – BrewDolph and Rocking Rudolph among Urban Fox and Holy Cow. We went for the BrewDolph by Wychwood Brewery, at 4% it this light and crisp beer was very much welcome.

The Rising Sun – Sam Smith’s

38 Cloth Fair, Barbican, EC1A 7JQ

As a duo, we can never seem to walk past a Sam Smith’s pub without popping in. By far the cheapest pint we bought all night and a safe and satisfying option for us. The Old Brewery Bitter is what we go for, though we did read that there is a Christmas ale available but couldn’t see it. The bar staff here are always so friendly which is also half the reason we go every year. Or multiple times a year. It’s also down the road from a 24hr greasy spoon which plates up ham, eggs and chips for under a fiver. Last Christmas we coincided with a student pub crawl of about 50 people so held our breath as we pushed the door open. Buzzy and busy but it wasn’t overcrowded – result!

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Hoops and Grapes – Shepherd Neame

80 Farringdon Street, EC4A 4BL

The first year we went to this pub on our Christmas crawl we were met by an amazing bartender who really knew his stuff and recommended what to drink. Although, on the main road leading to Blackfriars, this pub is never as busy as I expect. By this point, we were well on our way and feeling rather hot, so decided to sit outside in the beer garden which was heaving despite it being a December night! We enjoyed Hardy’s and Hansen’s Rocking Rudolph, 4.2%, here – and missed a trick as you can get a CAMRA discount if you bring your card.

Crown and Sugar Loaf – Sam Smith’s

26 Bride Lane, EC4Y 8DT

By this point our list had barely been touched. We went incredibly off-piste but were having a great time. Finishing on another Sam Smith’s – this one is a truly beautiful establishment with wooden panels, old glass windows and mirrors lining the back wall. Because of its location, where it is sandwiched between two great pubs and sometimes overlooked, we normally get a seat. But as it was the day before mad Friday it was busy. We quickly took our two pints of Old Brewery Bitter and cut through the crowds to enjoy it outside.

After six pints and four hours, we were ready to wish each other Merry Christmas and good luck on getting home.

Whether it’s Christmas or not, this pub crawl will take you round some historic pubs with a mix of atmospheres and ambiance and most importantly, great beer.

For another pub walk around historic pubs, check out my post about Rochester.

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Amsterdam pub walk

Around Amsterdam in as many beers that your legs can take…

Amsterdam. Famous for its canals, cannabis and red-light district. There’s so much more to this incredibly cool city. Museums galore, cafes offering meals that will fill your belly on every corner and some of the friendliest and most vibrant people around.

With my housemates in tow, Damo, Joe and Caro, we boarded the Eurostar at St Pans and made our way to The Dam. Of course, this did not go to plan as the train broke down leaving us stranded at Brussels. We boarded a local train which stopped at least at 15 little towns en-route to Amsterdam, so on arrival we were more than ready for a beer – or ten – which set the precedent for the next two days. Here is Around Amsterdam in as many beers that your legs can take…

Arendsnet

Herengracht 90

This bar was situated along one of the canals. There is limited outdoor spacing, but we managed to get a table on a hot Friday afternoon. Nice cheese and sausage platter here that was washed down smoothly with a house pale ale!

Cafe de Jonge Wees (FKA Cafe Chaos)

Looiersgracht 144

This establishment was taken-over three months prior to our trip and speaking to the barman not much has changed apart from a little tidying up. Our experience here was very much made by the bar tender who told us the way locals drink (a shot of Genever with a small beer, 25cl), he gave us all a taster and told us the history of the bar (and his experience as a barman). Very much a locals’ pub – which we revisited.

Haven van Texel

Sint Olofseeg 11

This was very crowded as it is at the junction of two canals, but we still managed to get a seat and a couple of portions of Bitterballen. This bar was once a Scottish brothel which was quite hard to picture. Here, to wash down our Dutch snack we enjoyed a cold glass of the Texal Dubbel before running off for our canal trip (however, we did make a slight detour to Cafe Mandje – dubbed Mangetout)

Cafe Belgique

Gravenstraat 2

This bar is on the left-hand side heading towards the station from Dam Square. Although a very touristy area, if you head in around the afternoon you won’t see a soul. This is the best way to see this café as it is full of beer signs and art… there’s a picture of a lady with tigers and a cartoon picture of Catwoman and the mice of Amsterdam… needs to be seen in its full glory! Here a glass of Jack’s Precious IPA was very refreshing – especially after a two and a half hour walking tour!

Drie Fleschejes

Gravenstraat 18

Just a short walk from Cafe Belgique, again this was not a busy bar. Very interesting, but not one to go to for the beer choice but rather to see the sheer volume of barrels privately owned – with lots of Genever inside. This bar would be good if you like the spirits or don’t mind a Pilsner.

Cafe Mandje

(Zeedijk street near Chinatown – the one with the pink bow on the outside!)

Cafe Hegeraad

Noordmarkt 84

After what was a rather heavy session on Thursday, we retreated to this café for a coffee, full fat coke and a cheese toastie. We sat outside and it was nice and quiet. Most people stopped at the café before that was brimming – but walk straight past and head here. This is one not to be missed. Although we sat outside, when we went inside it was incredible to see the décor. It was almost as if we’d been thrown back into a (wealthy) 1920s Dutch living room. The first thing you’ll notice is the grandfather clock, then as your eyes move across the room, you’ll notice the tables have carpets on them – albeit slightly worn but if they could talk, I’m sure they’d tell a good story. Apparently, there is a tiny Pissor in this room which sadly, I missed.

De Ooievaar

Sint Olofspoort

This is a great little locals’ pub around a five-minute walk from the station but not too busy at all. As I say, very local with a few chaps partaking in the beer and Geneva custom. Here, we were told by a local just how genuine this establishment was – and it really was. Vincent, the bartender, was a delight and enjoying a few beers himself! Interestingly, two of my friends had been here on their last trip and it hasn’t changed a bit. The Texel was the beer I chose here, and I thoroughly enjoyed sitting inside watching the locals go about their business…which involved eating a boiled egg as a bar snack, so I decided to join in the tradition.

Cafe Papeneiland

Prinsengracht 2

This was when things got a little hazy following the canal trip where we were encouraged to sample more beer… This pub was the biggest one we went to, but still had a cosy feeling to it. There was a bedpan on the wall… Not surprisingly it was very narrow and with a rather small bar, but there was lots of outdoor seating to take your pick from. However, I enjoyed sitting inside looking at the old, traditional interior and imagining all the catholic priests escaping through the tunnel in the cellar!

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Rochester pub walk

To enjoy what is likely to be the last of the summer days, I was invited along to historic Rochester with my Uncle (aka The Old Git) and Auntie Margaret (AM).

While living in London is nothing short of fantastic, on the weekends it is always nice to be able to pop outside of the Big Smoke.

It’s become tradition that we meet at Wetherspoons before setting off on a walk. We lined our stomachs at The Willow (note to self, this is not the loud, stag go-ers, football fans, spoons located in the station…) and caught the 45 minutes train journey from Victoria

On this trip we took in two pubs – one of the oldest pubs in Kent and the other with one of the most passionate bar tenders in Kent. We finished the night off at an old favourite in Victoria.

Why Rochester?

Rochester is a beautiful little town on the River Medway and a was a popular place to stop among royalty over the years on their way to London. Not only that, it is the place Charles Dickens grew up and later used this quaint place to base many scenes from his books. As you walk around the town, see how many Dickens references you can spot!

As you walk out of the station follow the signs to the high street and the first thing you will notice is the 12^th century castle (which is fantastic) – and across from there the huge 11^th century cathedral. After you’ve seen this, walk along the high street and look up! The buildings, some of which date from the 14^th century, reminded me of York. Unlike York, among the hustle and bustle, you can still walk around at ease popping into the many second-hand book shops and the really good tourist info office.

The Coopers Arms

10 Margaret Street

Situated up a little street nearby the cathedral, The Cooper Arms opened and started serving cask beer in 1543, but dates back to 1199. On a trip to the toilet be sure to check out the list of all the Innkeepers going back to that time.

As you walk in The Cooper Arms will automatically strike you as a locals pub. Everyone seemed to know each other but was really friendly. You’d think on a Saturday it would be heaving with tourists, but this was not the case at all. There are two bars, we opted for the back bar, and upon looking at the choice of beer (of which there were four or five handpumps) me and The Old Git opted for a pint of the 500 Pale Ale by The Canterbury Ales, a limited edition at £3.85 a pint.

This pint was beautiful – fresh, light and a session ale even at its higher percentage of 4%. If you spot this one, grab a pint of it. It certainly won’t disappoint.

Although we would’ve loved another pint of this, we were on a mission, so therefore needed to make the most of the different ales on offer. We opted for Thwaites Wainwright, 4.1% at £3.85. A light, golden ale. Very enjoyable but we agreed that the 500 was the way to go.

On route to the next pub we were lucky enough to see The Knife Angel – an incredible sculpture touring the country which represents an Angel constructed of knives. The project by British Ironwork Centre (Iron Works), and artist Alfie Bradley, is to raise awareness about the current knife crime epidemic in the UK. To make the sculpture, Ironworks set up ‘knife banks’ across the country where people could surrender their knives.

The point? To make sure the laws change before more people lose their lives because of knife crime. This piece of work is breath-taking. To see over 200 hundred knives – which could’ve taken many lives – which have been blunted to create such a thought-provoking piece of art is incredible. At the time of writing, knife crime is on the rise AGAIN. Something of which effects my hometown of Sheffield greatly.

Moving on to the next pub…

The Man of Kent (Ale House)

6 John Street

Not to be confused with The Man of Kent in Tonbridge, this pub is a hidden gem. You, nor the locals it would seem, would know where to find it. But we eventually stumbled across it. On a first glance it looks closed. We, however, persevered and were welcomed by a chap from the Dickens era. He knew his beer and was incredibly passionate about it. Among the 11 or so handpumps, we spotted the 500 sold at the previous pub and decided to not the fall into the trap of familiarity. We opted for the Tonbridge Kentish Ale *I’m not overly convinced this is the name but it’s OK as neither of us liked this one* and The Second Coming.

The Second Coming, brewed by Angel & Demons, was a 4.5% and very good. Especially in comparison to Tonbridge Kentish Ale. But on its own, anyone would be chuffed to have picked this. For someone who isn’t a massive fan of IPA, this beer was an incredibly subtle version which was sip worthy. It also came recommended by the bartender, who was fantastic.

As a former bartender, I appreciate that working the bar isn’t the most glamourous job, but this guy was fab. As we entered the bar, he was so passionate about all the beers. Every beer at this pub is from Kent, so anything you buy means you’re supporting local businesses. My eyes darted to the Paulaner… upon noticing this the bartender hastened to add that they do have beers outside of CT16 however, the renowned and fantastic local brewer, Gadds’ of Ramsgate, does swapsies. A pallet for a pallet with other breweries so it all counts.

Next round, we opted for the Gadd’s Kentish Ale – which just so happened to be the bartender’s favourite. He was a fellow Northerner and it upset him very much that this was his favourite beer. A southern one. ‘This is how a bitter should taste’ he commented. How could we not have a sample after that recommendation – from a Northerner? It was incredibly good. But was it as good as a Timmy Taylors? The Jury’s out.

Our time in Rochester came to an end. And for those wondering, there was no tap room at Rochester, but we did grab a coffee for the journey home. Upon arrival at Victoria we ventured to a safe haven known as the Windsor Castle.

The Windsor Castle

23 Francis Street, Westminster

…is a Sam Smith’s of Tadcaster pub. If ever in doubt, head to a Sam Smith’s. Sam likes to keep his pubs looking Victorian – and the pints are as cheap as chips. The Windsor Castle still has little compartments which is a feature you don’t see in many pubs. Alongside etched glassed windows, big mirrors and wood paneling it screams ‘traditional English pub’. You’ll be welcomed by great bartenders, guaranteed a good pint of the Old brewery Best Bitter and enjoy a cosy atmosphere.

Five or six pints in, this trip sadly came to an end. Rochester, however, will be a place to revisit.

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About Beer, there and everywhere

Everyone keeps asking me, what is the point of this blog and in all honesty I don’t really know. I love to write, I love pubs and I love beer, so why not? There is no rhyme or reason to this blog, but my hope is that someone else can enjoy the pubs I have and find some hidden gems on their travels. There’s nothing much more to it than that!

As a bit of background, I moved to London a few years ago and was warmly welcomed by the pubs of London. Before arriving here, despite being from the North which has a wide-range of ales, I would opt for a Carling or Fosters *no judgement here*.

When I came down to London, I moved in with my Uncle (you will see him referenced as The Old Git – his own choice) and within a day I had supped in some of the oldest and greatest pubs around the Big Smoke to calm my nerves ahead of my first day. The rest is history. Sadly, I haven’t been keeping count of just how many pubs we have visited together, but when I moved out I was given a copy of London Pub Walks which I took with me everywhere I went.

For me, pubs are more than where to get a pint of something. I spent a year working in The Windmill, Acton, where not only did I learn how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness, but I really saw what pubs mean to people. They are a central place of humanity, where a whole host of people from different backgrounds can mingle and be whoever they want to be and always feel welcome.

I’ve laughed, cried and created so many memories in pubs and I’m sure the thousands of people before me have. So why not encourage others to step inside and make some of their own? I suppose maybe that is the point of this blog.

I hope this blog will have a variety of crawls / walks going forward including holidays abroad, staycations and just weekend jaunts. If you have any recommendations of pubs to visit, please do leave a comment.