30/07/16 - Malvern Pub Crawl

Public Transport and a lovely walk from Colwall to Malvern, left me in the town with three hours to spare before the first direct train home.

What to do?

I know, I'll investigate the pubs.

The first three are within spitting distance of each other.  At 11:55am, only the Wetherspoons is open.  Wetherspoons are always open.

The Foley Arms - Malvern - Inveralmond Lia Fail

Pub Number 3, the Unicorn, is in view

One of the more architecturally interesting Wetherspoons.  This is a 200 year old former coaching house and with it wouldn't look totally out of place in New Orleans.  You can imagine people hanging off the gallery during a mardi gras.

Finding the long bar packed with thirsty pre dinner drinkers, my mardy server caused pub chaos by making the classic mistake of shouting "who's next?".

Why of course, it was me.

As well as rescuing old buildings, JDW does a good job of introducing you to interesting beers.  Who would have thought in a Worcestershire spa town, I would be drinking a decent pint from Perth (Scotland, not Australia).

Taken outside to a lovely beer garden with the 2nd finest views from a pub in Worcestershire.  Try the Brewers Arms in West Malvern for the best.

Superb Scottish Ale

2nd Finest Views from a Worcestershire Pub

I could have spent a while here but a sandal and sock wearing Brexiter was quoting too many statistics to a bored looking couple.  When he shouted loudly "how would you like 5m Muslims living here?" it was time for me to find the Cask Marque sign, scan and move on.

The Red Lion - Ringwood Boondoggle

This could have been pub 1, but wasn't quite open after my descent from the hills.  It must be good, as there were at least four people waiting patiently for it to open.  Maybe, they really like Thai food - as this was half pub, half Asian restaurant.

There comes a time in a man's life when he wants to read weighty WWII fiction - and the beer garden here provided a perfect spot.

Red Lion - Part Pub, Part Thai

Boondoggle and Nazis.

The beer was exceptional.  Library style peace and quiet only interrupted by the families marching up to the hills and a couple who came in for a liquid lunch.  Conversation;

Lady - "Would you like a pint?"
Man - "yes"
Lady - "Of anything in particular?"
Long Pause.....
Man - "No".

Two chapters read and its off to pub number 3.

The Unicorn - Wye Valley HPA

This is the earthy one.  Every town has one.  Barman with a tattooed neck.  Jukebox with every top 40 hit from 1952 contained within.

Plays all the Hits

A quartet on the next table are discussing box sets.  Man 1 has Game of Thrones and Peaky Blinders to watch.  Man 2 has Lovejoy to offer in riposte.  It's a wonder they got on so well.

Inspired by Peaky Blinders reference, I hit the music machine.  A bit of Nick Cave and PJ Harvey on a sunny afternoon really warms up a Malvern Pub.

I leave as my music choice expires to see the bar man feeding the machine.  Hit the streets to the Blues Brothers soundtrack.

The Morgan - Wye Valley HPA

A short walk in the general direction of the train station and into a previously undiscovered pub.  Its a tied house to the Wye Valley and judging by what they have done with the Black Star in Stourport, I am highly optimistic.

The Morgan

Perfect Pint

It lives up to its promise.  Nice interior and fine beer garden to consume some fine beer.

I could have spent longer listening to some very knowledgeable boxing fans on the next table, but the 15:32 express to Kiddermister was calling.

Just need 5 minutes to spend on a fruitless search for the cask marque certificate.