A couple of buses took me to Childwall on a day when the town centre is to be avoided at all costs. I started my research in the attractive Childwall Abbey:
Inside the historic building the pub interior has been remodelled more than once so I don't think it counts as "historic", but it is pleasant and comfortable, which is what we want, after all.
It was ticking over gently at two on Aintree Saturday. I selected a fine pint of Bombardier from the small range of cask ales. The customers were a mix of drinkers and diners, plus one or two checking in for the hotel.
If I'm going to nitpick, the soundscape in here was slightly too loud music and racing commentary which could have done with being turned down and off respectively. Not too bad, though, a comfortable pub all told.
I noted that a number of tables were reserved for diners later.
Next, the Halfway House:
This one hasn't changed at all since my 2020 visit, it is still a pleasant comfortable two sided pub which also has a restaurant area at the back. A little busier than the Abbey, perhaps, but not packed, despite Everton being on the tellies. (They finished one all while I was there.)
Three handpumps were in operation. (By the way it was zero in the bar side, make sure you go in the lounge.) Unusually, it wasn't three "standard" brews, they had Wainwright and two I've never tried before. I chose York Brewery's Calmer Chameleon which was a very good pale fruity one.
A special mention of the barmaid/landlady who was exceptionally cheerful and friendly with all her customers, including me. This is quite a rare skill and deserves to be praised.
People were coming in to watch the National later, 16:00 I think, and also phoning up to book tables at that time.
Next, it's not far to the Fiveways:
Now a Wetherspoon, of course, but I used to come here regularly many years before they took over. They didn't really change the interior of this 1930s roadhouse very much, it's just as great as it was when I drank here in the 1990s. Compared with the previous ticks this one was very busy, but once I joined the throng at the counter I soon got a delicious pint of Jaipur, selected from the wide choice of cask ales.
I see something on the Wetherspoon website suggesting Jaipur is going to become a standard offering, although I'm not sure because in classic Wetherspoon website style, clicking on the story gets a page about Kronenbourg 1664. They really need someone better to run their web presence, but I don't think they could afford me.
Although the pub was very busy I managed to find a quiet corner in one of the little side areas to enjoy my ale and write this.
Once again I am wondering why my shares are going down when every Wetherspoon I visit is busy. I ticked a few in Greater London last weekend, and all seemed to be doing well, or in some cases packed. Even the one at Camden Lock which I described as an "oasis of calm" was still doing a good trade in food and drink. I don't think I've used that phrase before to describe a spoons but compared with the touristy bedlam outside it certainly was!
So far, three decent real ales, I've got a feeling that isn't going to continue, but you never know... Next, a short walk along Queen's Drive took me to the Rocket.
As I strolled here, I paused for a moment for a look round. It is an overused phrase, perhaps, but there was literally not a cloud in the sky. That must be good for the racegoers.
I arrived two minutes into the big race. The pub was very busy but not so much that I couldn't get a Carling and a seat. Actually, perhaps the National being under way meant the counter was a little less busy. The majority of the customers here seemed to be watching, there was a collective "ooh" when one horse fell.
I see they still offer a Sunday carvery, I was impressed when I tried this back in 2008. The menu looks rather good, it would appear to be an independent pub rather than a chain, and the menu is unique to here.
The hubub stabilised but didn't really die down once the race was over, I was trying to decide how many people were here just for the National, what will it be like next Saturday? I don't know. What if it's raining?
Irrelevant aside: I have always been very fond of the Carling glass, something about the waist and the ribbed grip makes it a favourite. Friends suggested I should pinch one from one of the many pubs I drink Carling in, but I decided last week to buy two from Amazon. They will often be used for pints of water! Stealing glassware is an awkward question; in my collection I have a GR stamped ten-sided pint which my father said he pinched from Alexandra Palace. So I don't really have the moral high ground, do I?
Finally, just a short walk away is the Turnpike so I let's tick that one as well:
Another busy but not packed pub. The three handpumps offered just Doom Bar but I'm afraid I bottled it and had another Carling, so I won't know if this one does drinkable cask for another five years!
A busy pub at five on a Saturday, only a few TVs so most people weren't here to watch sport. Plenty of "sizzling" food was being sold. Just like the last one, this pub seems popular, friendly and well run, what else could one ask for. As I sank my pint lots of food came out of the kitchen.
Five required ticks, three quality cask ales and I avoided the transport chaos that is the Grand National, I call that a success. Just across the road is Broad Green station for a train home.
Beer of the day: Jaipur, but Calmer Chameleon gets a special mention for a great pun.
Miles walked: 3.2
Maybe coming soon: Litherland
No comments:
Post a Comment