Tonight's Theme |
Number 1 Harbourside, Canons Road, Bristol Beer Factory Fortitude
At first, I wonder whether I will be allowed in. Everyone else appears to have children. Free range children. As they are so free range, I could probably claim one of the errant dustbins lids as my own, should I be challenged.
This is a new pub in the quayside. Big windows to allow a solo pub ticker to watch the world go by. An ultra efficient long bar, where people queue.
The modern pub experience |
It was out of this world. Easily the best roast I have had out for a long time. In case you are concerned that the blog will take a future diversion to food orientated posts, the beer was also exceptional.
Nice Line Up |
The Famous Royal Navy Volunteer, King Street, Good Chemistry Brewing Time Lapse
The lady at the Travelodge check in insisted that I went to Ale House next door. You can't say I didnt try. Even spotting the Sam Smiths pumps did not force me to turn around. The barman who wouldn't put his book down to serve me did. Other punters laughed at his lack of professionalism. At least he wasn't on his phone.
Classic Pub - Gone Crafty |
Pointless and horrible |
Go here if you find piddling into converted metal barrels amusing.
Beer Emporium, King Street, St Bernardus 12
Everyone loves a cellar bar. Especially one with a lift. Its quite an architectural feat to create a vaulted ceiling, with the added benefit that the acoustics meant I could eavesdrop on every single conversation going on in the room. This started off as more interesting than the Sunday Times but all those voices soon made me think I was going quite mad.
£8.80 - exactly half the cost of my Travelodge Room - where I had a bath, and 4 cups of tea |
The Seven Stars, 1 Thomas Lane, Cheddar Ales Totty Pott
OK - revelation time. The hairy bikers had a series called "Pubs that Built Britain". They came to Bristol and did a reasonable job of explaining the history and not shying away from the slave trading.
They also came here. I liked the look of it. Who wouldn't.
Its got C17th Lady Pirates |
Having the Place to myself |
Christmas Steps, Twister Oak Spun Gold
Research not completed properly and I had failed to notice the Cornubia closes up at 6pm on a Sunday. And this, after I had battled to find a way through and got as far as the fences claiming if you enter you will be eaten by dogs. One for the next visit.
With the Christmas lights still up but not illuminated, I decide its still seasonal enough to visit the Christmas Steps - taking in some of Bristols more lovely landmarks on the way.
Alas, the Steps themselves are more interesting than the pub.
Bottom of the Steps |
Top of the Steps |
The Steps contain a selection of independent shops, including a board game cafe (packed!) and a DVD rental shop.
Go here of you want to recreate the dance scene from the Joker.
The Gryphon, Colston Street, Paulaner Hell
This is something else. No one can accuse CAMRA of not being all inclusive. You would think it was diverse enough by being my first ever Thrash Metal Real Ale Bar but no. The only real ale they sell are incredibly strong, incredibly dark real ales.
The signs were there.
Skeleton of a previous unsuspecting pub ticker who asked for a Pale Ale |
Go here if you know what you like.
The Three Tuns, St Georges Road, St Austell Cornish
Believe it or not, blogfans, I actually walked past another tick for the Lime Kiln. I'm not Alan Winfield.
This was close to my Travelodge and I'm a big fan of the beer from Bishops Castle.
9:30pm and there's an old boy propping up the bar and a barman who wants to close up but oh no - he's now got a rambling pub blogger to additionally serve.
I am greeted with "customers have increased 50%" and then have to contribute on topics as wide as why Bristol is the centre of the universe, how health and safety has gone mad if you can't give cub scouts beer and a frankly complex Madeline McCann conspiracy that I couldn't keep up with but felt I was better off just agreeing with. He was very passionate about Madeline. And the beery cubs, now I think about it.
Banksy is from Bristol, isn't he? |
Yep - Keep Bristol Weird.
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