Friday 14 January 2011

All Quiet on the Beer Front


A bit of a quiet time on the beer front at the moment, with not a lot happening. Mind you, January's always a dull month, and often a lean one as well, after the excesses of Christmas. We've got our Good Beer Guide Selection meeting at the end of the month, which promises to be a lively event. I've still got one more potential candidate to inspect; a real gem of a country pub. I don't want to drive there, for obvious reasons, so a friend and I are planning a walk out to it next weekend.

I've still got the beer I brought back with me from Bamberg to drink, plus a bit left over from my Christmas stache, so am unlikely to go thirsty at home! So until I've got anything more exciting to report or comment on, it's bye for now.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

If the gem of a pub you are talking about is the Elephants Head, (your photo) then I suggest you drive there because most probably you will want to leave after the first pint.Something has gone very wrong with this wonderful old pub.Ive been visiting it for the past 45 years along with another of your favorites the Brecknock, unfortunately one is not measuring up.I hope you can report that it is now OK. Our visit was late Nov.

Paul Bailey said...

You are correct in your assumption, anonymous, I was referring to the Elephant's Head at Hook Green. Sorry to hear the bad news but, as you say, hopefully I will be able to report that all is well after my visit.

Regarding the Brecknock, so far as I know, Jo and Charlotte have now left the pub, which is a great shame. I'm not certain at the moment whether Harveys have found new tennants, or have just put a caretaker manager in the pub.

Paul Garrard said...

I don't dislike this time of year. I enjoy the relative slowness after the frenzy that is pre-Christmas.

Paul Bailey said...

I know what you mean, Paul.

Anonymous said...

Elephants head has been in terminal decline
over the last 12 months. Do keep up Paul! West Kent is fecked as far a pubs go. May as well disband the CAMRA branch - File next to nothing to see here. How the likes of Dredge operate and thrive in this ale wasteland is beyond me.

Paul Bailey said...

I can't say I agree with your overall impression of West Kent pubs, Mr Anonymous. There are some real centres of excellence within the area; places like the Halfway House, Brenchley spring to mind, alongside the Royal Oak, Tunbridge Wells.

As for the Elephant's Head, I will reserve judgement until after my visit.

Anonymous said...

1st anon ( a little unknowledgable & careful) would like to know from 2ND anon who or what is dredge?.