Date: 6 July 2011 Black Holes and Gaseous Explosions
Sampled by:
PV, KOC, FN, ROC, SH and TM
Although running a quarter of an hour late we still let the train take the strain to Farnham. Then the uphill climb to the Ridgeway and the plummet to Lower Bourne to meet up with our local guide. Due to our tardiness, SH had used the time to try and find the Spotted Cow but poor navigation resulted in failure. Some guide! TM eventually conquered the Ridgeway and fully gathered Mengo were ready for the first pub of the evening.
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
|
| Fox
| Lower Bourne
| GU10 3PH
|
Comment | | The Springhead Leveler was on promotion but given the barmaids warning that 'it is not to everyone's taste' we tried a sampler. As it tasted like syrup of figs the reason for the promotional price and the warning became clear. The downside was PV had to pay full price for his round and it came to over 20 Pound. A Wednesday night record for Mengo.
|
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|
| Belhaven
| Bonnie Birdie
| 3.8
| 3.40
| 2.5
| Scottish & it tasted like it
|
| Springhead
| The Leveler
| 4.7
| 2.00
| -
| Syrup of figs!
|
| Greene King
| IPA
| 3.6
| 3.15
| -
| Not tried
|
| Greene King
| Abbot
| 5.0
| 3.40
| -
| Not tried
|
Although our guide couldn't find a blemished bovine he could find some cricketing equipment.
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
|
| Bat and Ball
| Boundstone
| GU10 4SA
|
Comment | | In these stringent times it seems the Wednesday Women's Club has been partially disbanded and the pub was rather quiet. Our talk turned to space and included black holes and gaseous explosions but these final topics were just about TM on the bog. The majority of beers tried were in good condition but SH was disappointed with the Skew Sunshine - it was just not as stunning as remembered.
|
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|
| Youngs
| Bitter
| 3.7
| 2.90
| 3.0
| Enjoyed by TM
|
| Otter
| Amber
| 4.0
| 3.25
| 3.5
| Excellent pint
|
| Itchin Valley
| Winchester Ale
| 4.2
| 2.95
| 3.0
| A true Hampshire taste
|
| Oakleaf
| Nuptu'ale
| 4.2
| 3.10
| 3.5
| Well received
|
| Suthwyk
| Skew Sunshine
| 4.6
| 3.05
| 2.5
| Slightly stale
|
| Hogs Back
| TEA
| 4.2
| 3.15
| -
| Not tried
|
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
|
| Sandrock
| Boundstone
| GU10 4NS
|
Comment | | In an attempt to recover some of their lost custom the beer prices have been lowered. While the lower prices are most welcome the biggest selling point for real ale drinkers is still missing - there is no Bathams. However, the pubs current standard beer - Sharps Cornish Coaster - is not a bad replacement. Apart from the Summer Lightning the beers were in good condition.
|
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|
| Timothy Taylor
| Golden Best
| 3.5
| 2.90
| 3.5
| Rare light mild
|
| Sharp's
| Cornish Coaster
| 3.6
| 2.90
| 3.5
| Excellent
|
| Sharp's
| Doom Bar
| 4.0
| 3.00
| 2.5
| Bit flat & lackluster
|
| Exmoor
| Gold
| 4.5
| 3.00
| 3.0
| Lovely golden bitter
|
| Hop Back
| Summer Lightning
| 5.0
| 3.20
| 0.0
| Handed back
|