Last weekend I lazily cancelled this survey because I didn't fancy walking in the snow. No such problem today although it was only two degrees when I set off. A train and a bus took me to the outskirts of West Kirby, to the Ridger which is now called the Newton Arms:
Outside this is something of a sixties classic, or actually I think it is more modern than that, eighties or nineties? Pleasantly done out in the open interior, anyway.
Three handpumps but sadly the clips were turned round, so I started the day with a Carling. I recall problems with the cask on a previous January visit where I ended up with a free pint of lager. There's no better beer than a free one!
I sat in a comfortable corner with lots of windows looking out on to the beer garden. The more I looked round the more I felt this was a pleasant friendly space. It won't be winning any prizes for interior decor but it is simply a comfortable place to be.
About a dozen customers were in here at half one, one or two eating, and as I wrote that three more meals came out. I couldn't see a menu.
Unusually I could hear football commentary but from my seat I couldn't see any TVs showing it. Not a complaint, I'm sure I could have moved if I wanted to watch, in fact I was happier without the distraction.
Next, a walk taking me past Leaf which was closed as expected:
This one has had at least four other names since I first drank in the Black Horse in 2004, including Collingwood, Hilltop and Viking. Leaf, the final version, closed suddenly a couple of weeks ago and I wonder if the pub will live on with yet another name. Seeing as how this road is Black Horse Hill I would suggest returning to the original title.
Now, on to the Ring O Bells:
This has been very nicely done up since I was last here, I think. An attractive dining pub, very busy indeed. It was only when I got home that I noticed from the pictures that it has lost its Greene King branding.
I selected an excellent pint of Scarecrow from Brimstage, I don't often see anything from them that isn't Trappers Hat, this was another tasty pale one. The pub also had the ubiquitous Trapper's Hat, and the even more ubiquitous London Pride on offer.
I toured the rooms looking for somewhere to sit and after being politely rebuffed at the dining area I eventually found a table in a corner. It would appear that neither dryanuary nor the cost of living crisis are adversely affecting this place.
A very attractive dining pub, I suggest you book if you're coming on a Saturday afternoon! The menu looks good, but with fish and chips at eighteen quid it's not cheap.
A couple of dogs were visible, I hope they aren't allowed in the dining areas!
By three o'clock there were plenty of empty tables as the lunchtime crowd went home.
Just down the road is Hickory's:
This was a sixties/seventies pub called Moby Dick the first time I came here, in 2000, and my notes say it offered a fine pint of Cains Bitter.
Another place mainly aimed at diners but I was welcome to go to the counter and order a pint of Hickory's Pale Ale, which is a great beer, "malty, caramel and hoppy" is what the menu says and it is exactly correct. I would say that "Pale" is less accurate. It is brewed by Purity, so it's bound to be good.
The same as last time if I remember correctly, a waitress came to my chosen table to take my order but she was quite happy to let me just have the beer. They were doing a good trade, mostly diners, but hadn't quite run out of tables. Waiting staff were constantly moving around.
I perused the food options. Texas style barbecue, it looks very tempting but I've got more targets to visit so I will resist. Actually, I'm hoping the next two will be new ticks, that'd be good.
I walked in to central West Kirby, Google Maps taking me on a very pleasant route via a churchyard and an attractive park with a lake, to the Wild Inn:
A shop conversion is a shop conversion, but this one feels better than average for some reason. A dark colour scheme is lifted by lots of sparkly lights hanging from the ceiling.
For a change, I selected Shipyard from the seven keg taps, other choices include Erdinger, Guinness and Kirin. On reflection I should have chosen the Japanese Kirin because I've never had it before, and also because I'm hoping to organise myself a trip to Japan before too long.
Three drinkers occupying one of the booths finished their drinks and departed, leaving just two customers and two staff. At least I assume the bloke adjusting bar stools with a screwdriver was staff, perhaps he wasn't!
As I relaxed and enjoyed my beer I thought that, once again, on a very chilly day all today's pubs were comfortably warm. Is it just good fortune on my part or have things improved compared with a few years ago? However, it occurs to me that I haven't done a Kirkdale (or similar area) survey on a bitterly cold day yet this winter. I need to do Kirkdale next time Everton are at home as there are some possibly match day only pubs I need to tick before Goodison closes, so maybe we'll find out...
Just a few steps into the town centre is Black Lodge Brewery Taproom:
This shop conversion has nothing really special to recommend it except, of course, for the quality beers from Black Lodge. A comfortable one room bar, something of a contrast with their other tap located in a scruffy corner of an old warehouse in Liverpool. I selected a hand pulled Outside The Frame, a rather fine pale one.
As I sat down the place was remarkably empty but a few moments later there was a queue at the counter, and more people coming in. It shows how business can randomly go up and down.
Oddly, a group of six stood in the street outside, some smoking. Would they come in? Yes, and suddenly the place was filling up. Who cares, I've got my table, says he somewhat selfishly. By the time I'd finished my ale every table was occupied with about a dozen standees as well, and the whole room was full of laughter and chatter. What a transformation.
The bad news is there is now exactly one "required" tick in West Kirby, but five is enough, I think, so WRO Bar will have to wait. I had predicted that at least one of today's targets would be unexpectedly closed so I could finish at WRO but with no such disappointments that didn't happen.
I have other things to do next weekend so there probably won't be a survey. Rest assured I'll still be visiting pubs!
Beer of the day: Brimstage Scarecrow
Miles walked: 2.4
Maybe coming soon: Kirkdale
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