A jolly day out in sotty Stamford. A glorious 300 pubs and a drink shy of a landmark number of beers.
301. The George, High Street St. Martins.
A splendid little pub bar in a grand and historic hotel that has entertained crusaders, kings, and now the famous lads of the beer odyssey. A smart lad with a black bow tie pulled the half pint. A delight to sit in and take in the atmosphere and ancient stone structure.
Beers:
Grainstore Brewery Triple B - translucent , served in half tankard, chocolatey to the nose, quite strong, full and yeasty.
300. Tobie Norris, St. Pauls Street.
A top destination on the odyssey. A creaky old nest for punters old and young dating from 1280. Originally a bell foundry, the pub enjoys celebrating antiques of industry, pinned to the walls. Elsewhere, historic portraits and blooming flowers hang under centuries old oak beams and stone walls. The many rooms are fascinating to explore, with space for comfy consumption infront of a fire, group guzzling in the large wood panelled room, or dainty dining in the upstairs rooms. Just watch your step, you may not be drunk, it may be the wonky floorboards!
Beers:
Thornbridge Wild Swan Extra Pale Ale - thin, watery, colourless at it's thinnest, light amber, mostly without flavour, possible a single hop, would be handy to wash down an oversized meal.
Hopshackle Best Bitter - amber, medium, complex flavours, long tail, multi hopped, wholemeal, could have done with a spread of butter.
299. The Millstone, All Saints Street.
Lovely stone pub that you can walk all the way through and end up in two different parts of town. Tudor beams. Long flagstone paved beer garden. Average beer selection.
Beers:
The Grainstore Brewery Ten Fifty - quite mild, nutty amber, a heavy tilt, sessionable, good beer to wear sock and sandles to alongside your long white beard.
Timothy Taylor's The Landlord - a twinge of spirit, generally mild and timid, would make your piss smell of asparagus.
298. The Golden Fleece, Sheep Market.
Everards pub with stone facade. Long horizontal bar with beer garden popped up on the square. Sporty feel with TV's on and dartboard strategically placed at one end.
Beers:
Everards of Leicester Tiger Copper Ale - dull amber appearance, mild, metallic edge, no bite.
Everards of Leicester Old Original Ruby Ale - dark amber, nice head, ruby fruity redness.
297. London Inn, St. John Street.
Tidy little upstairs nook with long benches and a lovely beer garden overlooking part of the town. Brings a sense of a modern on without forgetting too many pub traditions.
Beers:
Grainstore Brewery Hornet (accidentally cider) - tastes like honey, quite appley actually, oh bugger I picked up a cider.
The Grainstore Brewery Rutland Bitter - very smooth, beechy, nutty colour, mild head, fairly malty, mild sweet aftertaste.
296. The Stamford Post, Sheep Market.
A pretty classy woody warehouse spoons with decent decor and a good atmos. The frontage immediately feels welcoming as you enter the front facing beer garden. Beer festival upcoming, something Wetherspoons does well.
Beers:
Camden Hell's - light yellow, somewhat glowy, hoppy and lagery, pleasant, quite bitter
Brewdog Hazy Jane - hazy af, cloudy as the opening day of english cricketing summer, aroma of a wheat beer, wheat tinged IPA feel, nice but not worth the 660ml bottle it arrived in.
295. Jolly Brewer, Foundry Road.
A strong start to a sunny day. All the hallmarks of Stamford; a tidy stone frontage, garden, well looked after wooden decor without the clutter. Nicely placed on the edge of the town centre. Excellently placed dart board.
Beers:
Oakham Brewery JHB - pale, a feckin cracking beer, not as wet as expected, medium punch, light citrus notes, floral, a local favourite.
Theakston Lightfoot Blonde Ale - lighter version of above, bit warmer, nice beer, inoffensive, the sort of thing Michael portillo would drink on the train whilst wearing a cravat.
