Had Problems, so...

I've had problems with this blog, so have began writing a new blog at www.stevethebeermeister.blogspot.co.uk - please visit there for more recent blogs.

Cheers!

Another pub to disappear?

Earlier today I passed the Robert de Mortain pub (website) up on The Ridge, in Hastings, which reminded me that Greene King, the pub's current owners, have put the building up for sale, wanting at least £550,000 for it, according to reports. I'd imagine the competition from the new, very close-by, Marston's Conqueror's March (website), has influenced Greene King's decision to sell, and I wouldn't be surprised if a request for change of use gets presented to the Council...

 One side of the original pub sign

The building was originally a lodge house, and, before it became a public house in 1946, it was the Ripon Lodge Hotel.

The other side

Who was Robert de Mortain? Well, he was half brother to William the Conqueror, and one of his most trusted supporters, being given land all over the country by William, notably, Pevensey, where, in the 1070s whilst Robert lived there, a stone castle replaced the 1066 motte and bailey wooden fort built inside the old Roman walls. It is thought that Robert had also been given the task of building the first Norman stone castle in England, that is, in Hastings, which William ordered in 1070 to replace Hastings motte and bailey fort, and the White Tower in London circa 1078 onwards...

So, Robert de Mortain was important historically for Hastings, a shame if lost to us!

Simples!

Simples, I believe in beer! 

Finalists for CAMRA National Club of the Year 2017

The 4 finalists of the CAMRA National Club of the Year 2017 include my (reasonably) local (only 5 miles walk away) RAFA Albatross Club in Bexhill-on-Sea again (the reigning champion), the Cheltenham Motor Club, Dartford Working Men's Club (sic), and Leyton Orient FC Supporters Club in East London. Oh yes, and I walked the five miles along the seafront to the Albatross Club yesterday, and five miles back, and enjoyed a pint of the Hastings (now brewed by Franklins) Mosaic Pale (4.8%), a single hopped, slightly hazy, vegan friendly, pale citrus bitter, not bad at all, cheers!

Ale doesn't ask questions...

Ale doesn't ask questions... Ale understands!

Though this one does ask questions of you, the (at least!) 6.5% Our Auld Ale, the annual dark winter ale from FILO Brewing Company of Hastings, drank in their brewery tap, the First In Last Out (FILO), 14-15 High Street, Hastings TN34 3EY. Spicy, rich and full bodied, a Christmas Pudding of a beer, cheers!