Named after the beautiful, historic and rather pleasant (hic) surroundings of the Olde Trip to Jerusalem - allegedly the oldest pub in England - although I suspect Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans may have as good a claim.
I have a strong link with the Olde Trip. For my many-greats grand sire, Sir Guillaume de Burton-Dassett, was the accountant at the court of King Richard, and followed him on his Crusades, counting the shields and assessing the damage to suits of armour. However, it is unlikely that Sir Guillaume would have travelled to Nottingham on his way to the Crusades. More likely he would have taken the Akeman Street down through Aylesbury, and joined up with the Nottingham contingent at St Albans (change at Luton Parkway).
the beer named after the inn is a well-balanced, darkish, medium-strength best bitter. Tastes better in the Olde Trip than elsewhere, I suspect. But will never re-create the glories of the days when it was actually brewed in the Nottingham area. How often is that the case? Old Speckled Hen tasted better when it was from Abingdon than now, from Bury St Edmunds. Ruddles County never recovered from being brewed in another county. And Carlsberg tastes just the same, wherever it's brewed.
Personally, I'm still mourning the passing of Royal Oak, late lamented product of Eldridge Pope, which worthy organisation now just runs pubs. Such was my fondness for the stuff that the Old Dear and I were actually known as 'Pint & a half of RO' (he was the half).
ReplyDeleteNow just restricted at home to Harvey's Sussex Bitter, I bought a round of three pints last evening and the tenner I offered WASN'T ENOUGH!!!! Three pounds and forty new pennies a pint!!! Account for that, Accountant-person!
And Carlsberg isn't brewed, it's assembled.
Carlsberg eh? All our lager has been passed by the landlord.
ReplyDeleteLady Beerdrinker you are in the right! For did Eldridge Pope not produce Thomas Hardy Ale of blessed memory?
ReplyDeleteAnd Richard - I believe you are a St Albanian. The city in which the blessed CAMRA dwells. How lucky can you get? Surely the beer of St Albans must be of fine quality. Even unto the inns of London Colney and Redbourne.
It's nice here - can I come & live with you?
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