Friday 18 June 2010

Friday, 8 - 15, The Bon Accord

The Bier after the Village

Our dear host Paul had invited Hector to arrange a surprise party for Jonathan at The Bon Accord (North St, Charing X, Glasgow). Months, literally, after the Volcano’s collateral damage, i.e. only one third of us actually making it to the Augustiner Tap in München on July 17, it became apparent that Jonathan would actually have to be ‘in’ on the surprise. He tells Hector that he had already rumbled a previous ‘surprise’ party. Is that ‘Rumble of the Bailey?’
We have not Blogged our usual Friday night venue before. This was to be a special evening with Jonathan’s specially selected ales and ‘The Voice from the Cellar’ in cahoots providing them. Hector 'particularly enjoyed' the absence of anything from Brewdog, Dark Star American IPA and Thornbridge’s Jaipur. Kelham Island’s Pale Rider was not missed at all. But whose party was it?



This was an evening of two halves. The first was the assembled mass worshipping at the television. Ah, the wonders of technology bringing us live pictures of a football game in South Africa where ‘England expects’ but did not deliver. Yvonne is of the opinion that the photo below should not appear in case we alienate our English readers. Lord Clive was not present. Mr Taylor and Mr Holden are hiding in Leipzig.







The second half was meet the family. They must have been to a better pub before joining us. If they can find a better pub in Glasgow perhaps they will share this knowledge.
The Bon Accord will no doubt wish me to share the knowledge that the rear area is available free of charge for all interested parties and that they will provide a small buffet at no charge at all.

This was an evening of Absolution, courtesy of Abbeydale. When it was time for Thornbridge’s St Petersburg, it was time to go home.

No volcano will stop us...



Only two months and one month late, we gathered at the Bon Accord to celebrate my 40th - you will remember that 11 of us made it to (and from!) Munich for the actual day, all others being prevented from doing so by a volcano.


The beer available, particularly Abbeydale Absolution, Milestone Deliverance and Thornbridge St Petersburg seemed to go down well with the assembled company.


Thanks to Paul, Russell and all who attended for making it a memorable night.

Saturday 5 June 2010

A Tale of Two Bocks

Lord Clive is in Glasgow (again?)

This must mean one thing: there is a Faß !

Indeed today we have two.

Schlenkerla Urbock


The Bier that made Dr Stan swear by text for the first time when Hector and Marg were in Bamberg one October, and stumbled upon the fact that the Bocks are on this early. Kippers in a glass and then the kick of the proverbial goat.


Löwenbräu Buttenheim Bockbier


The partner today was Löwenbräu Buttenheim Bockbier, a Helles style Bier that again will creep up on you. You can read Hector’s comments from his first visit back in 1997 here!

That day was memorable for the Goulash Suppe at the station en route, as well as the Bier and the hospitality. Today the accompaniment would be Yvonne’s Aloo Beef, a Curry-Heute entry.












We were limited to twelve people. The usual suspects were assembled including Paul, Mein Host from the Bon Accord. He held court in the garden of Craig and Yvonne. For once, Dr Stan did the same as Hector and stayed indoors out of the sun. Sun and Bock, not a good combination.
















A BIG thank you to Craig, who claims he did nothing: he was the perfect host. But especially to Yvonne who did all the preparation before retiring, exhausted?.

As for Lord Clive, we are all due to see him next at Hilpoltstein for the Burgfest: will he make it? Should he have given Hector his social diary for the next five years?