Pre-loading in Tunbridge Wells, prior to dinner with the directors

I was in Tunbridge Wells on Friday night, for what can best described as a “Works Do.”  Technically, it was a meal out with a group of directors from our Japanese parent company, who had flown over for a board meeting. This visit is an annual event, although this time it was beefed up by the presence of the group president, in what was his first visit to our company. The dinner took place to wrap up the two-day visit, and as a member of the senior management team, I was invited to join the group for an evening meal. 

This was despite Friday being a “non-working day” for me. It might come across as a little mercenary of me to show up for a “free meal”, but there were some genuine reasons for me to attend, not least of which was the opportunity to meet up with those Japanese visitors who I knew from previous visits to the UK. These visits were rather more than fleeting business trips, because it is head office policy to second one of their employees to come and work as a “researcher” at our company, normally for an extended three period of three or more years. Providing they can manage being away from their home country for that length of time, it’s an ideal position to be offered, because the chosen individual will be allowed to bring their spouse over with them, along with any children they might have. They are able to choose a suitable flat, or apartment, which will be provided at a nominal rent, for the duration of their stay. 

They are also given a car, to enable them to drive into work and back, each day. The final perk is the hours they are required to work, as whilst they are in line with our normal working times, they are invariably considerably less than the insanely long attendance times that are common in Japan. Two former “interns”, were amongst Friday’s group, and they have done pretty well for themselves, with both appointed as company directors for the UK business. 

 

 It was therefore good to catch up with them, that evening, at a rather nice  Mediterranean restaurant called, Rocca,  situated at the bottom end of Tunbridge Wells High Street. I didn’t carry out a headcount, but our combined groups occupied a couple of tables, on the first floor of this imposing building. The food was top notch, and the company equally good. The beer wasn’t really up to much, but that was to be expected, and the couple of pints of Estrella Damm I consumed were still a good match for the rich and spicy Mediterranean food.

Prior to meeting up with the joint UK-Japanese group, I took the opportunity to call in at a couple of local pubs, located in the Pantiles area of the town. The outlet I want to make special mention of is the Mad Dog Brewery Taproom, which opened recently, in the premises formerly occupied by the Pantiles Tap.

I wrote about this impending overcharge in November last year, but having now has the chance of visiting the place I can report that the Tap is ticking over nicely. Located partially underground in the old cellar/kitchen of what was the first pub on the Pantiles, the Tap’s interior provides a stylish yet relaxed atmosphere, with a rustic wooden décor, and communal tables that encourages visitors to linger over a pint or two.

I had an informative chat with the friendly and knowledgeable girl behind the bar, who has been at the pub since it reopened under its new owners. She told me that whilst things were understandably quiet in mid-January, they had enjoyed a good Christmas that was preceded by an equally good December. The pub needed quite a bit of work, following the departure of the previous owners, and one thing the new management were determined about, was not to let the clutter that had accumulated, to build up again. This was a reference to, but not a criticism of, the previous owners. I didn’t count the number of beers on sale, but Mad Dog produce a range of 14 vegan-friendly and preservative free beers, with five of them being gluten free, as well.

I said to the bar manager, that I found it strange to be opening a pub that is so remote from Mad Dog’s Cardiff home, but she told me that the brewery owner lives relatively close to Tunbridge Wells, and with a further outlet in Brighton, plus one in Cheltenham, perhaps this is part of a gradual expansion strategy. I couldn’t stay too long, although I did explain I was a lapsed CAMRA member who still kept in touch with the local branch. She mentioned one, well-known character, who lives nearby, although I won't embarrass him by revealing his name. As with the previous owners, no cask is available at the Tap, but that could change in the future.

Before saying goodbye, I enjoyed a glass of Mad Dog’s oatmeal stout which, despite its daft name – Stouty McStout Face, was rather good. So, the Tap is well worth a visit, next time you are in the area, and whilst no cask is currently available, what is on sale still provides a welcome addition to the local drinking scene. Guests can expect a rotating selection of seasonal specials and experimental brews exclusive to the taproom, so watch this space. Final note on this post, I also called in at the Fuller's-owned, Duke of York which, although not full to capacity, wasn't far off it. This was followed by a very swift half, at the Ragged Trousers, which seemed popular that evening with "loved-up" couples, and their canine companions.