Station pubs (part two?)

[Whisky Papa]

Deya Pale Ale (5.2%).

Thanks for the confirmation of my suspicions.

Back when there were too many bad pints (aka 'vinegar'), I recall some people preferred keg as there was more consistency in quality.

Sure, sadly all too true. It shouldn't be as much an issue these days, if you are in anything like a decent pub. I might buy the occasional craft beer (especially strong dark ones for my wife) or even genuine imported lagers, but generally I find cask suits my digestive system and wallet much better. And pubs/bars that have good examples of craft or bottles often have very good cask quality anyway.

 

[Llandudno]

I go for the lowest AV, providing it's not one of those watery Fosters/Carling etc!!

In an ideal world pumps would clearly show (a) the price and (b) the AV and I genuinely don't know why they don't - OK there are exceptions like Weatherspoons that shows both, but if you go into a shop you see the labels, why not pubs?

Back on-topic though, are any of the station concourse pubs (eg Piccadilly) open despite trains not running?

Probably ashamed to ‘advertise’ the price!

It’s strange that we never ask the price of drinks in a bar, but probably wouldn’t dream of buying any other products in a shop or online without knowing the price first…?

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Probably ashamed to ‘advertise’ the price!

It’s strange that we never ask the price of drinks in a bar, but probably wouldn’t dream of buying any other products in a shop or online without knowing the price first…?

Many real ale pubs have a "beer board" above the bar with prices and abv clearly displayed. I believe the Parcel Yard at King's Cross, which triggered the discussion about the £9 pint has one, or at least it did the last time I was in

 

[CHAPS2034]

Disappointed the Tap on the Oxford Road concourse was closed early Xmas eve, when I passed about 7pm; was looking forwards to a quick half (three) before getting the last train which was about 9pm!

I think all the station taps in Manchester were closed on Christmas Eve as usual and I think the same will apply on New Year's Eve. There were also quite a few other places in the City closed on Christmas Eve.

 

[Pinus contorta]

I think all the station taps in Manchester were closed on Christmas Eve as usual and I think the same will apply on New Year's Eve. There were also quite a few other places in the City closed on Christmas Eve.

To be fair who wants the vomit comet or whatever to sort out on Xmas Eve.

 

[Mikey C]

Not quite a station pub as it's a short walk away, but The Swan Inn beer garden has a great view of Flitwick's platforms

 

[Haywain]

I've heard that the Rat Race at Hartlepool station has closed down as the owner has retired to France.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

I've heard that the Rat Race at Hartlepool station has closed down as the owner has retired to France.

Tis true. Their website gives a few subtle clues....

Rat Race Ale House - Real Ale at Hartlepool Railway Station - It's All About The Beer!

Rat Race, Rat Race Ale House, Ale, Real Ale, Beer, RRA, Hartlepool, Hartlepool Railway Station, Hartlepool Train Station, Purple, Rat Race, Rat, CAMRA, Teesside, North East, Pub, Public House, Ale House, "Rat Race Ale House", Donkey, Purple Donkey, Micropub, Micro Pub, Butchers Arms, Butcher's...

www.ratracealehouse.co.uk

 

[Travelmonkey]

I had the pleasure of using Carnforth recently. A small selection of beers and a small museum too,

 

[yorksrob]

I had the pleasure of using Carnforth recently. A small selection of beers and a small museum too,

Yes, both the Snug is pretty good, and the buffet usually has something quaffable on cask as well.

 

[IanD]

Yes, both the Snug is pretty good, and the buffet usually has something quaffable on cask as well.

Last time I went in the Brief Encounter buffet they had stopped selling cask and put "fresh" ale on one hand pump. I'd stick to The Snug.

 

[Pinus contorta]

Last time I went in the Brief Encounter buffet they had stopped selling cask and put "fresh" ale on one hand pump. I'd stick to The Snug.

They're probably not shifting much cask ale at the Brief Encounter if they are only open till 4pm. Thats probably why it is now fresh ale.It was only open during the day the last time I went. Has it changed?

 

[yorksrob]

Last time I went in the Brief Encounter buffet they had stopped selling cask and put "fresh" ale on one hand pump. I'd stick to The Snug.

I was there yesterday and they had a perfectly good cask. I guess their one may be down occasionally !

I like the snug, but for a fifteen minute interchange, its a bit too far away !

 

[xotGD]

I was there yesterday and they had a perfectly good cask. I guess their one may be down occasionally !

I like the snug, but for a fifteen minute interchange, its a bit too far away !

Well done getting a pint in on a +15!

 

[IanD]

I was there yesterday and they had a perfectly good cask. I guess their one may be down occasionally !

Any idea what it was?

We had the whole restaurant booked on a Saturday evening but I think they are generally shut at that time.

 

[yorksrob]

Well done getting a pint in on a +15!

Only a half ! (I'm too much of a light weight to down a pint in that time).

Any idea what it was?

We had the whole restaurant booked on a Saturday evening but I think they are generally shut at that time.

I think it was something like hob goblin pale ale.

 

[IanD]

Only a half ! (I'm too much of a light weight to down a pint in that time).



I think it was something like hob goblin pale ale.

Probably brewery conditioned "Fresh" ale then rather than real ale which is conditioned in the cask. CAMRA don't like it.

 

[yorksrob]

Probably brewery conditioned "Fresh" ale then rather than real ale which is conditioned in the cask. CAMRA don't like it.

I'm no connoisseur, so it was fine for me.

 

[52290]

Probably brewery conditioned "Fresh" ale then rather than real ale which is conditioned in the cask. CAMRA don't like it.

Camra don't like it because it's keg beer served through a hand pump, a scheme devised by the Danish brewery Carlsberg after acquiring the breweries formerly owned by Marstons.
Daniel Thwaites don't like it either because they use the logo " a breath of fresh ale" to describe their cask- conditioned beers on their hand pumps. There's little they can do about it though because Carlsberg distribute Thwaites beers to Thwaites pubs.

 

[yorksrob]

Fortunately, the pubs at Arnside to some very decent Thwaites beers (which is usually where I'm heading to when changing at Carnforth).

 

[xotGD]

Pretending that keg is cask is very poor form.

I remember years ago when Scottish & Newcastle discontinued cask Exhibition, one of the pubs in Newcastle removed the fittings from kegs of Ex and served it through the Cask Ex handpump. The brewery wasn't best pleased.

 

[yorksrob]

It is very poor form - people should know what they're getting.

I have to say, the beer in question that I had seemed a lot less gassy than I usually find keg beers to be, so that was a difference.

A quick google on the t'interweb suggests that some of hobgoblins lighter beers are indeed available in cask, so maybe this one was.

 

[IanD]

It is very poor form - people should know what they're getting.

I have to say, the beer in question that I had seemed a lot less gassy than I usually find keg beers to be, so that was a difference.

A quick google on the t'interweb suggests that some of hobgoblins lighter beers are indeed available in cask, so maybe this one was.

I find it more gassy than real ale but less gassy than keg beer.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

I don't think anyone has mentioned it, The Ale Way at Axminster.

Tiny micropub on the Exter bound platform which serves a rotation of real ale and is also part of the Salisbury to Exeter rail ale trail.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I got the recommendation from on here, apologies I can’t remember who suggested it, but the Real Ale-way at Hayes (Kent) station is very very nice indeed.

 

[Mikey C]

I got the recommendation from on here, apologies I can’t remember who suggested it, but the Real Ale-way at Hayes (Kent) station is very very nice indeed.

Yes, that's a very decent micro pub. Not good enough to justify the tedious slog all the way down the Hayes branch to reach it though, unless I'm down that way!

 

[The Mercian]

I’m sure it’s been mentioned but the Tite and Lock on Lancaster Station is very nice and was an oasis of calm on a busy day on the WCML. 2 lovely pints of Lancaster Blonde.

 

[yorksrob]

I don't think anyone has mentioned it, The Ale Way at Axminster.

Tiny micropub on the Exter bound platform which serves a rotation of real ale and is also part of the Salisbury to Exeter rail ale trail.

I never knew there was a Salisbury to Exeter rail trail - I'm intrigued !

 

[dk1]

I never knew there was a Salisbury to Exeter rail trail - I'm intrigued !

Ale Way bar on Axminster down platform is something I’m going to sample in a few weeks whilst staying in Torquay again. Will be convenient after ticking the Chard Spoon.

 

[yorksrob]

Ale Way bar on Axminster down platform is something I’m going to sample in a few weeks whilst staying in Torquay again. Will be convenient after ticking the Chard Spoon.

I will get there some time (last time I stopped off that way was the depths of winter and it was closed).

I'm assuming that for Yeovil Junction, the station buffet is the stop !