It's been a while since the last post appeared on these pages. In that one, which solved a mystery when it identified the former Green Man in Great Melton, Norfolk, I signed off by saying that I was off to sample some of the delights of Belper and essentially promised that a post on some of Belper's bygone boozers would follow shortly. Well, there is a post in preparation featuring some of that town's past pubs but for a reason or five, some of which I may or may not expand upon in the future, it's been held up a little in the production process.
One of those reasons which, one which I will expand on a little, is that Mrs Bygone Boozer and I have had to take a little trip down the M5 to see the Outlaws. Ma Outlaw had a hospital appointment and felt that it would be a good idea if Mrs BB accompanied her, whilst I could be left in charge of Pa Outlaw. Upon Mrs BB's return we went out for a wander around town and in doing so passed the Crown.
Glastonbury's Crown Inn was originally owned by Bruton Abbey and can be found to have been operating in 1535. The building that stands on the spot today was built in the late 1600s and refronted around a century later. It closed around 2016 and appeared in this earlier post.
However, it was seen to open again by the summer of 2021 and with its pink paint, new sign...
...and open door, it called us in. For we were curious.
Actually, that's only half true. Mrs BB was curious, I was just thirsty.
The reason for her curiosity was that back in her schooldays she used to work at the Crown, setting out breakfasts for the Duke of Monmouth's supporters before they set off for the Battle of Sedgemoor, and she was wondering how much it had changed. Quite a lot as it happens. Walking through the door it was easy to notice that the stone flagged floor had gone, that there's no Right of Way passing through the place any more and to the left of where it used to run is the bar.
Numerous keg brews were available, but only a couple of cask offerings. They were at least local.
I plumped for the Potholer from Cheddar Ales, brewed on Winchester Farm on the outskirts of Cheddar village, as I'd sampled the Hedge Monkey in past and also because it was the lighter of the two. It was lunchtime, after all.
This golden ale arrived starbright with a thin white head which wasn't especially long-lasting. It smelt ever so slightly bready but the overarching scent was of hops. Traditional British hops. Nothing too citrusy. The effect of those hops on the taste was apparent. Decidedly bitter, like an English Pale Ale. There was also a faint hint of honey. All in all a very quaffable brew.
With only time for one we left, Mrs BB having cured her curiosity and me having quenched my thirst. I certainly think that we'll pop in again on future southern sojourns.
So, only a bygone bygone boozer in this post. If only there were more of those about.
Having reversed the journey up the M5 hopefully I can set about some other posts again without any further distractions and get the one on a brace of Belper's bygone boozers finished sometime soon. It will arrive eventually.
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