From the outside, The Cask (or the Cask Pub and Kitchen to give its proper, wince-inducing moniker*) looks like it belongs in one of those estates on The Secret Millionaire, with anti-heroin striplights in the bogs. Miles better inside though, where it's all light jazz, comfy chairs and tea lights. Much as I like the horse brass 'n' copper kettle trad pub, i'll drink in a cave if the pop is good, and the real delight at the Cask is the range of beers on offer. Two pumps from Dark Star (oddly, wearing a CAMRA LocAle badge on the Hophead), two from Arran and - oh boy - three from Thornbridge. There was also two from Brugs Zot, Kuppers Kolsch, Mort Subite Kriek, Moravka's unfiltered lager, Rothaus Pils and Keesman Herren Pils. I've never seen a spread quite like it in London. They even had Andechser Weissbier in the fridge, an all-time favourite of mine. I nearly did a little dance when the landlord said they had Andechser Dunkel coming in later. When we got back to Ten-Inch Villas, I was delighted to find Mrs TIW had got me a couple of weiss as a Valentine treat. That's real romance.
We got through a Dark Star American Pale Ale, one each of Thornbridge Hark, Wild Swan and Kipling - every drop in perfect condition - and a couple of superbly refreshing and quietly potent Herrens. I knew it was time to hit the road when, on a visit to the facilities, I was cursing the lack of hot air from the hand dryer. Then I realised I was actually rubbing my hands together under the paper towel dispenser.
(*'Kitchen' I can deal with if there's food on. But the only pubs with 'pub' in their official title should be found in tourist hotels and theme parks in Tokyo or Nevada.)
3 comments:
Have you slurped Kwak from one of those funny mini-yard-of-ale glasses? We'll know the beer revolution is here when they start appearing!
Kwak's a fixture at the Rodney in Keighley, which given its previous reputation as the worst pub in Christendom is quite a feat. Never sure exactly how to tackle a Kwak. Do you use the wood bit as a handle, or do you take the glass out and swig directly from that?
Glad you liked it. It's getting busier, too, which is great to see after a few quiet early months.
I take the Kwak pipe (heh heh) out of the holder to drink.
Post a Comment