20/09/24 - Tewkesbury, The Oldest and the Newest Pubs

Trapped by a Tornado

As excuses for being late for a Worcester Pick up - trapped in a pub by a tornado is right up on the edge of the believability stakes.

Caught a little down spout in Tewkesbury, looks better in 4k. pic.twitter.com/LwnP5gWx7X

— Rich$ingularity🇬🇧 (@richdeanmartin) September 20, 2024

Quite mental, as there was only sunshine at Worcestershire Parkway Station. That, and no trains south caused by all the flooding.

Tewkesbury was a stop off - Two Adventure Lab Caches opening my eyes to this rather unspoiled town. The Abbey, medieval buildings all flag bedecked as though the armies from Games of Thrones are visiting, cat art and many, many alleys.

How great to see the Black Bear open for the first time in my beer blogging career. And haven't they done a fine renovation job. If I told you it had a sympathetic make over, with a fine terrace overlooking the River Avon, you'd probably expect Gastro.

Glosters Oldest Inn

Lots of claims - as you would expect. Dating from 1308 and etched onto the pint glasses. Shakespeare performed there. A tunnel runs to the Abbey - now glass covered, with a monk hiding below. Used as a field hospital after the 1481 Battle of Tewkesbury. More ghosts than you can rattle a chain at.

I was impressed that they had Uley Brewery house beer and the prices kept to an affordable £4.  Excellent stuff.

And since my last visit in 2018, a new Good Beer Guide Tick in town. Architecturally, you would be hard pushed to tell which pub was the newest.

Someone's Pub of the Year - 2023

It's a cracking two roomed micro. Ales, counter top mounted and gravity fed. Ciders and perries in bags in pull out draws.

Carton were exported to Worcestershire. 

Frequent checks at the door to see if the storm had passed. Time to determine that Travelodges are available in December for £30 a night. I'll see if any fellow casketeers are interested in a festive crawl in an impressive beer town.

Not yet