Pub News in the City
The Carlton Arms in Carlton Way has been
renamed The Carlton, with Trophy replacing Boddingtons as the one real ale.
CAMRA should be grateful to those pubs which not only sell good quality cask
beer but do so in the kind of atmosphere that younger drinkers tend to look for.
The King Street Run in King St. is a classic example, with its rope
ladder bridge to the Ladies toilet, working model of a still and upside-down
tables, it is unashamedly gimmicky and "fun".
Managers for the last year are Andy Leaver and Kerina Brown. Ten real ales are
normally on offer, which might sound like too many, but the turnover is such
that there is little chance of the beer going off. The pub is part of the
Whitbread Tut 'n Shive chain and so has access to the full Whitbread range
including the regular seasonal and novelty beers. Andy is allowed to trade with
independent breweries, so interesting or unusual beers are frequently on sale.
Beers are all served through swan-necks but sparklers are only used where
appropriate. Prices, as might be expected in a city centre location, are a bit
on the high side. During the day and early evening, the pub has a relatively
peaceful, traditional atmosphere, despite the odd zany touch. CAMRA
members may tend to be a bit suspicious of pubs like The Run, but if real ale is
to have a future, it must cater for all tastes. Give it a try - you may well be pleasantly surprised.
At the beginning of July, Whitbread opened The Hogshead in Regent Terrace
overlooking Parkers Piece, and with an entrance from Regent St. It is a
remarkable transformation of the old Avery Building which stood derelict for
years. The decor is in the style of the modern ale house with plenty of
interesting features. With two staircases to the upstairs bar, it is a good idea
to do a circular tour of the place to appreciate all that it offers.
There are an enormous number of real ales on at any time. The saving grace of
the otherwise all swan-neck dispense is the gravity stillaging behind the bars.
When the temperature is eventually properly controlled, the beers here will be a
real asset, but so far they have sometimes been too cold. Manager Brian Sullivan
has introduced all manner of independent brews. At the opening, the ground floor
stillage was composed of beers from Suffolk and the first floor beers from
Norfolk. Since then there has been an A-Z beer festival - go on then, you do it,
off the top of your head - and a dark beer festival and a Batemans promotion.
It's not cheap, but then neither are the
other city centre ale houses. It offers a lot of interest and bags of choice.
Changes at The Zebra in Newmarket Rd. see a totally revamped menu with
pizzas, pastas and rice dishes at all times and Mexican snacks at lunchtime. The
structural alterations and spruced-up paintwork have not affected the G.K. IPA,
Abbot and Seasonal Beer which remain as well-kept as ever.
The former City Limits in Station Rd. has been transmogrified into
Chambers, a smart and stylish cafe-bar with bare floorboards, large
tables, big mirrors and a generally light, airy atmosphere. It is also bigger
than its predecessor, having gobbled up the shop next door. Real ales are Bass,
Directors and a guest, served via swan-necks and sparklers. Food is served
lunchtime and early evening with baguettes, pastas and jackets on the menu.
Rumoured
The long-closed and boarded-up Coach and Horses in Trumpington
seems likely to reopen soon.
ALE November/December 1996 No. 286
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