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Just
as some people are confused by fine wines, which cutlery to use
or how to eat shellfish, I am totally bamboozled by beer.
Traditional pubs are great places and I've whiled away many a night
in a country boozer but my round is rarely as adventurous as the
pub's cellar will allow.
 Now
look at our photos
There's
a world out there that I've been avoiding, a world where alcohol
percentages, weird names, kegs and special tankards rule - the "World
of Beer". It's a world that I've decided to explore.
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| Annabel
and John - Two likely characters looking for a pint |
So, with
an open mind and a trusty companion - BBC Radio Derby's John Holmes
- I have drawn up a list of Derbyshire pubs, each famed for its atmosphere
and choice of ale. And, just as Scott set out to explore the Antarctic,
I'm on a mission to chart the best drinking establishments in Derbyshire.
First
stop, the Dead Poet's Inn in Holbrook.
Until
five years ago the Dead Poet's was known as the Cross Keys. It was
a uninspiring place with grotty carpets and a tasteless briquette
fireplace - according to the locals.
Then,
David Brown, the current landlord who'd been working at the Hollybush
in Makeney and the Brunswick Tavern in Derby, bought the pub and
decided to turn it into something new.
"We
knocked out the false ceilings and fireplaces and started revealing
original beams and the inglenook fireplace. It was a real treat.
The floor was beyond repair but we took up the carpet and then laid
a lorry load of quality York stone. Looks like it's been here for
hundreds of years doesn't it?"
You
certainly could be mistaken for thinking that you've stepped back
in time, the walls look as though they have been subjected to generations
of pipe smoke and they're covered in pictures of dead poets, Byron,
Yeats and Wilde et al stare soberly on as you, with the help of
the odd pint, get more and more lyrical yourself.
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| Outside
the Dead Poet's |
David
shared a few tricks of the trade with us: "We actually used
wood stain to give the walls that aged look. It just looked too
new after we'd painted."
The bar
is a simple affair, the lager taps - yes they do sell lager - are
hidden under the counter. A higgeldy-piggeldy row of bottles containing
exciting sounding fruit wines - rhubarb, cherry and blackberry - inhabit
the back shelf and a row of jugs, tankards and special drinking mugs
hang ramshackle from the beams.
So
what of the beer then?
Kevin Litchfield, the bar and cellar man, quizzed me about my usual
tastes. Between us we chose Golden Delicious and as my first considered
real ale, I think I did quite well. It's got a strong hop aroma
and a dry bitter finish. At 3.8% it's not too strong either.
Another
that comes highly recommended by the landlord is 'Sarah Hughes Dark
Ruby Mild', quite a bit stronger and darker, it has a sour, crisp
yet malty favour and quite a bit of fizz. David assured me that
it's very popular with the ladies.
The beer board is full of interesting and curiously named drinks.
Church End Goat's Milk was another that was pointed out for its
flavour as well as its peculiar name.
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| Les
Baynton - The Pub Poet |
As
well as the beer, the ambience and the friendly locals the Dead
Poet's has another draw. Contrary to its name, the pub plays host
to a bunch of LIVE poets on the first Tuesday of each month.
We
were treated to the rants and rambles of resident pub poet, Les
Baynton, Mark Gwynne-Jones, an old guy called Geoff with a filthy
tongue and a Dutch chap who told me he'd travelled all the way from
the Netherlands to come to the Dead Poet's poetry evening.
 Looking
for a local by Les Baynton
To get a real idea of what it's like at the Dead Poet's Inn and
to meet the locals and the staff why not take a virtual tour of
the place.
Now
look at our photos
Where
should we go next?
I think I could get used to this beer drinking malarkey. Come back
soon to see where we get to next.
Annabel Caulton |
