The Championship
Wednesday 15 March 2023
SUFC 2022/23 Game #53
Excellent beer day today. We used to stop off in Durham when I was in Spencer's Private Army. But that's so long ago, I can barely remember. There's a dilemma for The Organiser. The need for 'spoons means he inevitably stops in the (we'll live and die in these) same towns year in year out. Some passengers want familiarity and certainty. But, he also needs to pander to the chaos and variety passengers by suggesting new and different pubs to last time.
One thing he needs to embrace is a Map App which shows inclines and gradients. Because he's had the Carrier Bag Firm going up and down a whole heap of hills to execute the intended target pubs. Fair to say that not everyone made it.
We did the Refurb, the Hole In The Wall, the Trad and the Hipster.
The Waiting Room
North Rd, Durham DH1 4RB
Better described as on the Northbound, Platform 2 at the station. A great refurbishment of a station room (see also Sheffield Tap). That was deffo UP from the drop off. Bright and welcoming decor. The set of waddling Baggers I was in approached by going in the station and along the platform. Only to enter and find a set of Breakaway Baggers had entered from the road. What fresh hell is that.
Small, simple, interesting choice. Two on Cask. Two on Keg.
Almasty Brewing Co (Newcastle), Session IPA on Keg at 4%. That had been rebadged as DHM Session IPA for the station.
That was lovely. More rich than thin. But still rolled around your taste buds. Tasted full of hops. Coming in tangerine for me.
Then, it was back down the hill we'd already fucking walked up to;
The Station House
Station House, North Rd, Durham DH1 4SE
I'd imagined a straight ahead old school pub. But, imagine again. A bright and breezy seating area. With the bar behind a hole in the wall on the left. Something happened to me in here that I can't recall ever knowingly happening before. The guy pulling my pint was being encouraged in a training him up way by his colleague. After a bit of joshing, he admitted that my pint was the very first he'd ever pulled in his life. I was naturally proud to play the most important role in this sideshow.
I chose from the four on Cask and two on Keg.
Cullercoats Brewery (North Shields), Shuggy Boat Blonde on Cask at 3.8%
Challenger, Bramling Cross and Cascade English hops. With yet more Jester and Bramling Cross added to the fermenter. Got to say, wouldn't know about all those hops in the taste. I suppose that's the art ain't it. Blending it all in to make the magic happen. A perfectly pulled cherry busting pint from my soon to be award winning barman. But, not quite in tip top condition. With a bit of cardboard going on.
Down the hill, to reach a right turn up a STEEP hill. Fuck sake - can't we maintain our height on any of this.
Ye Old Elm Tree
12 Crossgate, St Margarets Garth, Durham DH1 4PS
"Ye. Old. This wouldn't be the Traditional Boozer would it, Phil?"
Correctamundo. And, frankly, what's a lovely meets everyone's requirements boozer doing up this hill? Pristine furnishings and decor. Couples and groups signing off late afternoon drinking. Lads n lasses, mums n dads, in the twilight zone between work and life.
Small World Beers (Huddersfield), Long Mood Pale on Cask at 3.9%
Centennial and Cascade hops. Very drinkable in a goes down easy way.
Just a short trek (down) to;
The Holy GrAle
57 Crossgate, St Margarets Garth, Durham DH1 4PR
High fives all round at the planning meeting for that pun pub name. Just one on Cask, but a range on Keg in this welcoming but vaguely hipster gaff.
Almasty Brewing Co, Galaxy Pale on Keg at 4.5%
Back to an Almighty Almasty. Gloriously opaque. Welcomes you in. Just rich enough. Great balance between sweet and bitter. Hoppy and Hazy.
The Blades started like a house on fire. I was there to witness. And it was good to be back. Switched on. Committed. But mainly mobile. I'm a big McBurnie fan. But, he can be a bit one dimensional. Aside - he comes on and he wins clean bullet headers in his own box, and that's (one of the things) what we fucking pay him for, and he's the best in the division at it. Yet. As an attacking threat, it's all knock ons and cushions. Get some fucking bulleting done on attacking corners - please.
Anyway. In that front foot first 25, I thought Dan J, brought more dimensions. A neat first touch and get the shot off brought a save. And, just before he got clattered, he puts the shoulder on the Sunlan. That physicality has been lacking from our game. Me head said - we can't keep this up & we couldn't.
But, yes, the game will move through different phases. And we phased it. Came back from their goal with a bit of genius, some luck and a lot of fucking about at the end. All that made the dangerous descent from the top tier at the end a joy. Not the first time we'd been up and down during the day.
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