2021 - The Year in Beer

Ladies and gentlemen, boys, and girls, here at last is my review of 2021, from the perspective of the themes of beer and travel. As with the preceding year, 2021 was very much a year disrupted by the Coronavirus known as Covid-19, and the impact this pesky little piece of RNA had upon everyone’s plans, dreams, and general well-being, to say nothing of their general lives, is something that cannot be over-estimated.

 The year got off to a poor start, with pubs, bars, restaurants, leisure clubs and other indoor places where people gather to socialise, shut for the first quarter of the year. The one ray of sunshine that seemingly offered a way out of this mess, was the development and roll-out of a number of anti-Covid vaccinations.

Being of a certain age, Mrs PBT’s and I received our first dose at the start of February, followed by our second shot at the end of April. That wasn’t the end of it, though as we both received “booster injections” in mid-November. Throughout 2021, the virus continued playing cat and mouse, with the emergence of a number of “variants” that were different from the strain that first appeared in Wuhan at the end of 2019. We have therefore seen alpha, delta and now omicron variants, each one more infectious than the previous, as the virus continues to evolve and mutate. 

 It is too early to say how this is all going to end, and I’m certainly not going to make any rash predictions. I will though, be following the science, and by that, I mean observing the continuing research into Covid-19 that is taking place, as opposed to the “pseudo-science” conducted by the doom-mongering mathematical modelers of SAGE, who seem determined to always present the worst-case scenario.

On a deeply personal note, I lost my dear old dad on 6^th January, (Twelfth Night). He was six months short of his 90^th birthday, and whilst his death was attributed to Covid, the family’s belief was advancing Alzheimer’s was the prime cause of his death, rather than Coronavirus. As one of the two executors of dad’s will, I was left to make the funeral arrangements, and to start sorting the estate out. This is because the other executor was the elder of my two sisters, and she lives in the United States.  

The funeral took place at  the Breckland Crematorium, at Scoulton, just outside the Norfolk town of Watton, which is close to where my parents spent the last quarter century of their lives. With strict lock-down procedures in place, there were equally strict rules governing the funeral. Sadly, the only people in attendance, apart from the funeral directors and staff, were my immediate family and that of my younger sister.

There was no wake and nowhere in which to meet up after the service. With restaurants closed and hotel accommodation severely restricted by Covid regulations, the Bailey contingent drove up to Watton and back, on the same day, as did my sister and her family, who live in Nottingham.  I then had the complicated task of settling dad’s estate, a matter I placed in the hands of a local solicitor. It took until August before the estate was eventually wound up and the beneficiaries paid out, and from what I understand that was pretty good going!

By April, the UK government felt sufficiently confident to begin a gradual easing of restrictions, in their so-called “Roadmap out of lock-down.” People were allowed to gather in outdoor settings, such as pub gardens, or restaurants equipped with similar facilities.  Fortunately, April was a mainly dry month, but it was definitely on the cold side!  

I recall meeting up with group of friends, in the garden of the Nelson Arms, Tonbridge, a few days after my birthday. It was fine all the time the sun was shining, but as soon as it began to set, the temperatures nose-dived, and I was certainly glad to have brought some extra layers of clothing along, to keep out the cold. The following month, my wife met up with a group of friends for an outdoor meal – postponed from Christmas 2020. It was equally cold that evening, so a number of environmentally unfriendly space-heaters, strategically placed around the pub garden came into their own. 

The programme of tentative re-opening was extended to allow customers to eat and drink in an indoor setting, but with table service only. It wasn’t until July that restrictions were finally lifted, completely, and customers were allowed to mingle freely, buy their own drinks at the bar, and even drink there if desired. 

 In mid-April, I passed a major milestone in my life, by reaching state retirement age, qualifying, on top of my pension, for a pass entitling me to free bus travel. Six months later, I switched to part-time working, along with a new position. I now work just three days a week and am enjoying my newfound sense of freedom.

 The highlight of the year for both Mrs PBT’s and I was a four-night cruise to Liverpool and back, on the Queen Elizabeth. This was part of the Cunard group’s “return to cruising” programme, which involved a number of strict anti-Covid protocols. 

 These included a requirement for all passengers to be double-vaccinated, the wearing of masks in communal indoor settings, and the ability to demonstrate a negative lateral-flow test, prior to boarding. The ship didn’t leave UK territorial waters, and passengers were only allowed off the vessel at Liverpool, on pre-booked excursions.

None of this mattered to Eileen and me as it was just nice to get away from it all, whilst enjoying being pampered onboard ship.  Beer-wise, I brought a stash of cans onboard with me, Pilsner Urquell and Hawkshead Pale, to supplement the rather expensive beers available on the ship. There was a range of three beers, specially brewed for Cunard by Wiltshire-based, Dark Revolution. These were well worth trying despite the premium price, with the Cunard Black – Biscotti Breakfast Stout, worthy of special mention.. 

 The four nights we spent on the Queen Elizabeth, plus the night in Winchester, prior to sailing, represented the only time away from home, during 2021. That represents an all-time low for me as, although I managed to get some walking in, and finished several more sections along North Downs Way, unlike the previous year there were no overnight stops.

Whilst on the subject of hiking, and long-distance footpaths, I treated myself to a new pair of boots. New footwear was something that was long-overdue, as the soles had parted company from the uppers of my decade old, trusty pair of Trespass boots. I really splashed out, this time around, opting for a pair of hand-crafted, leather Bhutan boots from legendary Bavarian boot-makers, Meindl. Given the outlay involved, I also took the trouble of getting my feet measured and having the boots properly fitted at a well-known Outdoor Clothing chain of stores. 

 There were two more highlights to 2021, the first one being the “Codgers’” trip to Stockport, for a “Proper Day Out.” This represented my first long-distance rail trip for 18 months – the last one having taken place about three weeks prior to country going into lock-down. That too was a “Proper Day Out” with Burton-on-Trent the destination.

Local blogger, Pub Curmudgeon, aka Mudge, was our guide, leading us on a circular tour of some of Stockport’s finest hostelries. In a town dominated by Robinson’s Brewery, the latter’s beers obviously featured prominently on the schedule, but for me it was good to visit a couple of Samuel Smiths’ pubs, as well. Sam’s only cask offering, Old Brewery Bitter (from wooden casks, mind you), isn’t to everyone’s taste, but I have long been a fan, and the chance to enjoy a few pints, in some unspoilt pubs was an experience not to be missed.

We also visited a Holt’s pub, plus the Petersgate Tap – a modern free house, offering an interesting selection of both cask and craft beers. A hearty, filling and keenly priced pub lunch was also enjoyed by the majority of us, at the Arden Arms, a 19^th Century, brick-built pub, boasting three rooms, and a reputation for good food.

The visit to Stockport, allowed me to wallow in a bit of nostalgia, as for awhile I had lived in nearby Romiley, during my student days. It was over four decades since I had last set foot in Stockport, and whilst much had changed, there was still sufficient that was familiar, and which reminded me of those earlier times. The return rail journey too was enjoyable, despite having to wear a face-covering, and I am looking forward to many more such journeys, as well as days out, once our dalliance with this latest strain of Covid-19 is out of the way.

The other highlight for both Mrs PBT’s and I was seeing Sir Tom Jones performing live at Paddock Wood Hop Farm. Tom put on an amazing performance, demonstrating that at 81 years of age, he still hasn’t lost it. If anything, his voice appeared more powerful than ever, and his stage presence was unquestionable. He opened with a couple of numbers from the start of his career, What’s New Pussycat, It’s Not Unusual and Green, Green Grass of Home, before moving onto some newer material, such as Sex Bomb, and She’s a Lady.

The climax of the performance for us both though was Tom’s stunning rendition of Delilah. The band really pulled out all the stops as well for this number, and I have to say that they too, were amazing.  Tom had certainly gathered together some world class musicians, to act as his backing groups, and as if to compliment the virtuoso players, the sound quality was crisp and crystal clear.

The final two and a half months of the year have been spent enjoying my extended leisure time. I have carried out a few, small-scale home improvements and, for the first time since I can’t remember when, I am more or less up to date with the garden. In addition, as mentioned earlier, I knocked of a few more sections of the North Downs Way.

Son Matthew and I enjoyed a full-on, father and son day out in London, during which we visited three classic pubs, listed on CAMRA’s National Inventory. We had a pub lunch at one of the pubs, the Salisbury, close to Covent Garden, and also walked our socks off, taking in sights which varied from Hays Galleria, Tower Bridge, St James’s Palace, and Kings Cross station.

A month or so later I returned to the capital for the British Guild of Beer Drinkers’ Awards Dinner. Held in the lavish surroundings of the Institution of Civil Engineering, at One Great George Street, in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament,  the evening provided the chance to catch up with other Guild members, along with fine-dining and ample supplies of beer.

With beers carefully chosen to match the food, it was two offerings from north of the border that really stood out.  Wolf Dark Scottish Ale 6.0%, from Windswept Brewing of Lossiemouth, went really well with the main course of roast lamb rump, whilst the Waiting for the Rain 11% Imperial Stout, from Loch Lomond Brewery was a good, but high-octane match for the dessert of chocolate fondant with morello cherry compote dessert.

The following afternoon I attended my company’s Christmas dinner, in the slightly less opulent setting of the Little Brown Jug, at Chiddingstone Causeway. There was more excellent food on offer although after the previous evening’s excesses, I went very easy on the beer. After missing out last Christmas, due to the pandemic, it was good to spend time with colleagues, enjoying each other’s company, in a non- work-related setting.

Finally, unlike pre-pandemic times, there are no special category awards, loosely-based around the “Golden Pints“ idea that has been running for the past 10 years or more. There is still a:

Best Day Out - Stockport.

Best Location(s) to Enjoy a Beer - Elephant’s Head, Hook Green & Rock Inn, Chiddingstone Hoath.

Best New Pub Find - Miner's Arms, Dunton Green. 

Best Beer on Home Turf - Harvey’s Sussex Best, but that’s about it.

As for 2022, after the past two years I’m keeping my mouth shut and saying nothing. I’m sure I’m not the only person who’s thinking this way, either!