A LIVERPOOL POINT OF VIEW On Saturday, 12th August, 40 intrepid members of Liverpool branch set off for their coach trip to Hull. It had been 4 years since our last branch visit, so we were all looking forward to it.
We duly arrived at Hull around noon, bang on time, and were met by Jon Major, who had very kindly helped out in the preceding week with pub details, and who was there to show some of us around. Jon went with many of our party to the Old Town, whereas myself and my 'entourage' (I feel like a pub tour guide at 44 times!) headed straight to the Minerva- one of our number had been a student in Hull during the late 80s/early 90s, and recalled drinking in that pub, so we started there for his old times' sake. I sampled an excellent pint of Kelham Island Full Nutty Jacket, just my kind of ale. From there, we headed back into town, looking for somewhere that had the football on (Liverpool was the early game), but also sold proper beer, unlike many of the places that were showing the game! We settled on Ye Olde Corn Exchange, a bit soulless and open plan inside but, importantly, had a good selection of beers on, I opted for Daleside Old Legover, an old favourite. However, as the match wasn't going in the Reds' favour at that point, we left at half time and continued our trail. Next up was Ye Olde White Harte, where everyone enthused about the interior and the history of the place. After a nice pint of the house beer, Hotham's Harte, we met another local branch member, Ian, as we were leavingHull and East Yorkshire CAMRA
and told him we were on our way elsewhere but would see him later (which we duly did, see later!), but that other members of our party were on their way there, so to make himself known to them. Next was the Lion and Key- well, for some of us, at least. A couple of our party considered it 'too foody' (they don't like the smell of food whilst supping), so they went straight to the Wm Hawkes, where we met up with them later. Of those of us that stayed, I had an excellent pint of Hilltop Classic Bitter, served by some very helpful staff (as they were in all the places we visited). After this, the short hop over the road to meet our companions, who were having the time of their lives in the Wm Hawkes! I have to agree, it was a fantastic pub, probably my favourite of the day- so much so that we stayed for a second pint (the ones who got there first had 3 or 4 in there!). Mine were another Hilltop beer, a superb Mild, and a Cathead Blonde, brewed just around the corner, of course. Whilst we were there, it got fairly crowded, as several other members of our coach party turned up, in separate groups, and they all seemed to enjoy the pub too.
Having to wrench ourselves away from the Wm Hawkes, our next stop was Chilli Devil's (above) a new micropub-cum-chilli emporium that I had not been to before. Four well-kept ales, my choice was a lovely Osset Chardonnayle, and the very friendly owner gave us a sample of their hot sauce, which had a kick to it but was also flavourful too! We met Ian again, and Branch Website - www.hull.camra.org.uk