Date: 24 June 2009 - The Not So Long Longest Day Cycle Ride
Sampled by:
ROC, RN, FN, KOC, TM & PV with guests LOC & MV
With MG on a beach somewhere in Turkey we had no transport to take us out to Long Sutton and, for us, the long cycle back to Aldershot. The alternative was Binsted, which for ROC who rides out from Aldershot fulfills the original challenge. RN also rode all the way but that was on his scooter. The guests came by car and the rest made use of the train to get as far as Bentley before taking to their bikes.
MV was taking LOC out for a drink for her upcoming birthday and passing ROC as he cycled up the hill gave him the appropriate encouragement. RN did much the same to the train group as he passed by at Isington.
After a couple of drinks at the Cedars the guests moved on to The Bull while the rest set off down the hill to Holybourne. Mention must be made of the sky as we descended: the sun was setting and the clouds were tinged with every shade of pink. Lovely.
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
|
| Cedars
| Binsted
| GU34 4PB
|
Comment | | It was a very quiet evening at the pub. Apart from us there were only two locals having a drink in the bar and one couple in the restaurant. The lack of custom probably accounted for the reduced range of beers available with only two guests joining the standard Courage Best. Fortunately the landlord recognized us from previous visits and brought out a taster of the next beer due on, York Constantine. This encouraged us to stay for a pint of the stuff. Served direct from the barrel, it was very enjoyable.
|
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|
| Courage
| Best
| 4.0
| £2.80
| -
| Not tried
|
| Greene King
| St. Edmunds
| 4.2
| £3.10
| 3
| Quite refreshing
|
| Bath Ales
| Golden Hare
| 4.4
| £3.10
| 3
| Tasted like Mead
|
| York
| Constantine
| 3.9
| £3.10
| 4
| Flavoursome session beer
|
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
|
| White Hart
| Holybourne
| GU34 4EY
|
Comment | | Another quiet pub. On arrival only the Greene King beers were available but the manager came out to see who was making all the noise and put a fresh barrel of Courage Best on. The two who tried it were surprised at how good it was. He also informed us that the GK St. Edmunds and Dallaglio’s Heroes were one and the same beer! Whether they are or not, they were both disappointing. Rather pricey with the guests at £3.30 a pint.
|
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|
| Greene King
| IPA
| 3.6
| £3.00
| -
| Not tried
|
| Greene King
| St. Edmunds
| 4.2
| £3.30
| 2.5
| Rather disappointing
|
| Greene King
| Dallaglio’s Heroes
| 4.2
| £3.30
| 2.5
| Rather disappointing
|
| Courage
| Best
| 4.0
| £2.95
| 3.5
| Surprisingly nice
|
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
|
| Queens Head
| Holybourne
| GU34 2RB
|
Comment | | Darren and Ann have been hard at work since our last visit and the public bar has been decorated in many shades of green and the bar extended with an additional room and new gents. Many more punters than the other Holybourne pub; perhaps because the beer is cheaper. They have installed the new Greene King magic beer dispenser: flick the switch one-way and you get IPA Cask, the other, IPA Smooth. Whatever next one wonders.
|
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|
| Greene King
| IPA
| 3.6
| £2.70
| -
| Does it qualify as ‘real ale’
|
| Greene King
| Abbot
| 5.0
| £2.90
| -
| Not tried
|
| Hardy & Hansons
| Olde Trip
| 4.3
| £2.90
| 3
| Generally enjoyed
|
| Tom Woods
| Bomber Country
| 4.8
| £2.90
| 2
| Not enjoyed
|
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
|
| Railway Arms
| Alton
| GU34 2RB
|
Comment | | The pub was as busy as usual but the excellent barmaid amply administered to our every desire quickly and efficiently so we had time for a couple before the train. The Triple fff Apache Rose Peacock was still in fine form but the Isle of Purbeck Studland Bay Wrecked unfortunately was. Still the cheapest beer for miles around.
|
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|
| Triple fff
| Alton’s Pride
| 3.8
| £2.50
| -
| Not tried
|
| Triple fff
| Pressed Rat
| 3.8
| £2.50
| 3.5
| Good mild
|
| Triple fff
| Moondance
| 4.2
| £2.60
| 3.5
| Excellent premium ale
|
| Triple fff
| Stairway
| 4.6
| £2.70
| -
| Not tried
|
| Triple fff
| Apache Rose
| 4.2
| £2.60
| 4
| Why is it brewed so infrequent?
|
| Isle of Purbeck
| Studland Bay
| 4.5
| £2.60
| 2.5
| Rather tired
|
So, despite a late start we still managed the full itinerary for the Binsted to Alton trip. On the train back we meet Cally who had been on a girls’ night out in Farnham. It would have been rude not to accompany her back to the Garden Gate for a final beer. Whilst doing so KOC demonstrated his virtuosity in bike riding and became the first Mengo to hit the deck this year.