Mystery Pub Survey Trip

Tuesday 15th March 2011

Part of the pleasure of a Mystery Trip is trying to guess where you are going. Our driver Alan takes pleasure in thwarting our attempts by driving through numerous villages without stopping at the hostelries en route.

This evening was no different and we were relieved when we finally pulled in, at THE GATE HANGS WELL at Carlton, where the choices on offer were MARSTONS BITTER and PEDIGREE, GREENE KING ABBOT and BASS.

Boarding the bus again, more attempts were made to guess where our next port of call would be. Imagine our pleasure when we arrived in Thornton at THE STEAM TRUMPET one of the STEAMING BILLY BREWING COMPANY’S five pubs. There we had the choice of Steaming Billy’s BITTER, SKYDIVER , TIPSY FISHERMAN and BILLY THE KID. Skydiver proved particularly popular and several pints were tasted.

Our final destination turned out to be the ELEPHANT and CASTLE in Thurlaston, where we were met with the choice of EVERARDS’ TIGER, BEACON and ORIGINAL plus INSPIRATION and Castle Rock Brewery’s HARVEST PALE ALE. Unfortunately the Harvest Pale finished as we walked in the door but Inspiration proved to be a hit and our evening ended with very welcome plates of sandwiches and homemade chips prepared and served up by landlady Lisa.

Thanks to Robin for arranging the trip and Alan for maintaining the mystery for as long as possible.

Words by Barbara Bowley
Photos by Chris & Alan