48 Hours in Rye
If I could have my time again, I would chose to do this on a Thursday. The Ypres Castle, a long time destination pub, doesn't open until the end of the week.
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| Handsome, Hidden and Closed |
There is still plenty to discover, pub-wise. The only surprise for such an ancient pubby town is that only one place, the Waterworks, is in the Good Beer Guide. Let's see what I found over the two nights - from the worst to the best.
I may have simply picked the Globe Marsh Inn on a bad day. Having found plenty of Harvey's Sussex Best over the two days, I know exactly what it is meant to look and taste like. The unholy mess that I was served here did not even need to be sampled. Straight back to the bar, changed and pump clip reversed, apology accepted. Alas, the next pint, a Romney Amber, looked exactly the same. How many times can a man take a pint back before being banned? I simply struggled through it, sat outside in a busy nautically themed foody pub. Moaning to myself.
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| Shame, as it is pretty |
Late on night 1, but still not dark, I ventured into the Ship Inn at 9:30pm for a half of Long Man Best Bitter. Nothing going on, and the staff were obviously keen to get home. They told a group of three German's that last orders had been called at the frankly bizarre time of 9:45pm and they wouldn't be served. I saw them forlornly walking the dark streets later and apologised on behalf of British Hospitality. The next group to be refused service 5 minutes later unsuccessfully played the "even to residents?" card after being refused service. I almost got involved in the row, but needed to use google to check the law first.
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| Need to work on the hospitality side of hospitality |
A slight improvement at The Old Bell. A sign claiming it to be Rye's oldest pub but I am sure the Mermaid would like a word. A nice line in Greek Food, which I could take advantage of on the second night. I just needed to track down bar staff to serve an excellent Harvey's. One staff member running the bar, the table clearing and the waitressing.
A nice patio out front to watch the world go by and determine how to get to the Mermaid.
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| Harvey's in the Oldest |
Turns out the little cobbled alley opposite does take you right to the door to this old hotel, with two bars and a little courtyard. Liveried staff running around looking after the diners. I thought that £2.50 for a half of excellent Harvey's was a small entrance fee to such a museum of a place.
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| The Way to the Mermaid |
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| May not be everyone's cup of tea, but I loved it |
Which leaves the Waterworks for the Good Beer Guide Tick. A micro housed in the you guessed it.
Exactly how a micro should be. A wide range of interesting drinks. Served by knowledgeable and super friendly staff. Quirky decor, signage and joke facilities.
Having had my fill of gravity poured ales during the many micros of Kent, I moved onto the Cider... working my way through 3 pints over 2 visits. Blogfans will know I had company on night 2.
They have reported home to Mrs M that I have started drinking out of flagons. I could almost hear the tutting from Worcestershire.
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| Take your pick - I worked the right hand column |
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| Pubrules - we all like Air Con |
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| From Flagon to Glass |
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| Closest I have come to pulling a pint |
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