BITE user comments - EnnioD
Comments by EnnioD
Pleasant surprise!
Good choice of 4 ales on pump and 3 on gravity, plus about 300+ cooled on bottle. Think I have to jump of the train in HW more often.
25 Jun 2011 23:40
Strayed in there a while ago on the advice of a local CAMRA member and was pleasantly surprised.
Today they had Castle Rock Harvest Pale ale and Sharps Doombar both in excellent condition. This seems exemplary for their choice of ales, a lighter one and a more amber-ish one, and a lower alcohol and a medium alcohol one, nothing too extreme, always established ales, so no silly unbalanced experiments here.
In short, perfect if you are in a more 'conservative' mood and just want pure quality without surprises.
Also one of a few pubs that I am aware of that serve a 'dry' pint by design and not by accident. Dry on the outside that is
Strange that others still expect me to put on an overall before drinking an overflowing pint, or risk soiling my white shirts
The only other pub that I am aware of standard serving a clean dry pint is the Farmers' Bar, though they occasionally need some tissue for the same result.
And of course squeaky clean glasses, leaving a nice lace pattern after every sip.
This is one of the pubs I'll miss when going back to the Northern lands where they serve the real 'real ale'.
A shame Doombar isn't originating from my home too (probably a Northern defector stuck among the Celts; may need to organise a rescue mission one day)
Cheers
EnnioD
21 Jun 2011 20:38
Went there for their first beer festival today (and tomorrow)
nice choice of local (Bucks) Rebellion, Vale and a few others.
Good that a more 'foodie' oriented pub (actually an excellent restaurant by now) still cares for the ordinary drinkers, with even an big public bar area (and an even bigger and beautifull garden).
Also had one of the most delicious meals since ... well since the last time I had a meal there. This time a nice salmon, last time the famous Aylesbury duck.
Just a missed opportunity they didn't try to match the choice of ales with their menu. Lot's of opportunities there, though it might have required a few different beers.
Still one of the best pubs in Aylesbury (certainly the best on food!)
Cheers
EnnioD
18 Jun 2011 19:33
Finally, Vale Brewery heard our prayers (or read out emails)
Rumoured, on Wednesday 22nd June the previous landlords return.
It will be a bit of an uphill battle for them to convince previous customers to return, even though they have the advantage of an impeccable ale quality record
Let's hope Vale made them an offer that allows them to make a decent living, which apparently wasn't the case previously (otherwise they wouldn't have left, would they?)
That still leaves several 'issues' unresolved, so Vale cannot do the Pilatus hand wash trick (yet).
Beer too warm!
During the summer months the beer is to warm! Didn't matter much in the past, but does now we have two JDWs serving ale at the right temperature all year round.
Get the cooled pipes in!
Guest choices a bit erratic (to say the least)
The choice of guest ales too often seems determined by whatever Vale's partners in the exchange schema want to get rid off, and not by (even a try to align with) local customer preferences. Apart from that, why should I drink that stuff if you or the landlord fail to explain what it actually is that I am supposed to be tasting in these cases? A little more homework is required! And a little more alignment with customer preferences, or even just to get a balanced 'beer menu' is highly advisable. It doesn't make sense to have three very, very similar blondish hoppish Vale ales on, a few bitters, the good old Grumpling, but nothing darker or more complex, when you can know that the customer base favours the latter.
Price outdated high (especially for CAMRA members)
The two JDWs that came into town June 2010 changed the scene; when they occasionally sell Vale ale, they sell it at price which makes the Vale offer look like 'TWO FOR THE PRICE OF THREE'.
It may keep some chavs out (but that didn't work with me yet).
The site and the complements of the offer are not that 'upmarket' to make current �3+ prices acceptable. Like some other CAMRA favourite pubs, do at a reasonable discount for members, like the pub did in the past.
Why can I get a Vale ale for less than �2 in pubs in surrounding villages and not in my favourite local?
So dear Vale, you can blame it all on the person who sells the beer, kick him out and try to continue with 'business as usual'.
...
Won't work, and though I hate the 'told you so'-game, I'll continue remembering you in case you forget!
Your brew some grate ales, you had a great pub, now get your act together again!
Cheers
EnnioD
18 Jun 2011 19:24
The Hop Pole Inn, Aylesbury
Again a good choice of beers in excellent condition.
Still a bit on the warm side especially on the sunshiny days you would like this least, so unlike to local competition pipes are not getting cooled yet.
Food returned to form, best pizzas in Aylesbury!
a big Cheers
1 Aug 2011 07:07