I’m starting a Southport pub of the year award. Nominations are now open, so let me know which Southport pubs deserve to be on the shortlist – and why.
Dec
11
The old royal coaching house in the centre of Burscough has been reborn as The Hop Vine. Five real ales including resident beer brewed by Prospect at a welcome £2 per pint.
200yds from Burscough bridge station.
Nov
30
According to The Whisky Bible 2010, rye has made a comeback with Sazerac Straight Rye (£89) of Kentucky named best in the world.
Second is Ardbeg Supernova (£95) from bonny Scotland, while surprise third is Amrut Fusion (£34) from Bangalore, India.
I haven’t tried any as they are all far too dear for the likes of me. Anyone shed any light on whether they do the biz?
The only rye I’ve ever drunk is Canadian Club, useless on its own but dependable in a cocktail.
Nov
29
Keeping the pressure up I asked to see the CoOp manager today to vent my frustration over the lack of Proper Indian Tonic.
My heart leapt when the boss explained – following a tiresome lecture on the problems facing retail managers – that he would be bringing tonic back due to an upswing in demand.
‘Hardly sold any, now everyone’s asking for it,’ he said to my delight. ‘Some nobhead’s even put something on the Internet saying boycott the shop.’
My cup runneth over!
Nov
27
Saw a little old lady in much distress today. Turns out Co-op is removing Indian tonic water from its roster, only allowing us the slimline variety.
Ugh! What’s behind this? Whatever the reason it must be challenged. Slimline gin and tonic may be alcoholic, but it’s not a proper drink!
Nov
24
In an exciting sign of progress in society, the former Carter Hodge Halsall solicitors office in Ainsdale and (it is rumoured) the posh women’s boutique next door are both to become part of a Bargain Booze ‘warehouse’.
With other off licences like Threshers and Booze Busters going to the wall, the company see expansion as the way forward.
Not only will the store provide a vast range of grog at generous prices, it will help drinkers stay pennywise by offering stockpiled grub and everyday essentials.
A typical buyer, so the hope goes, will leave the new store clutching a four-pack of Breaker, a quarter bottle of Famous Grouse, four tins of Fray Bentos steak pie (no fat or gristle guaranteed) and a chocolate orange.
I’m visiting Ainsdale more and more these days for its bars, especially since the Railway started serving cask five days a week – although why they think no one wants good ale at the weekend is beyond me.
Bar Mio, meanwhile, is pricy but a first class bar worth a visit, while the Sands continues to serve a good pint if you can stomach the parking ticket arrangements.
This new booze superstore can only add to the reputation of the village.
Nov
24
The Echo has a great Liverpool pubs supplement tonight, including two pages on the best Southport pubs. A big picture is given over to The Lakeside.
This brought back a lot of happy memories as it is a pub I was barred from and threatened by the landlady’s snarly granddaughter who was a hack on the Daily Post. I wonder where this great lady of the Press is now?
Here’s the original post for a laugh. Things must have improved.
http://southportbooze.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/lakeside-can-stew-in-its-own-juices/
Nov
19
Puritans like ‘doc’ bellis caught flat footed as the booze truth emerges.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6597011/Drinking-up-to-bottle-of-wine-a-day-can-cut-heart-disease-risk.html
Nov
10
This looks like paradise – opening on November 12 is The Contemporary Urban Centre at the junction of Jamaica, Greenland and Parliament Streets, close to Liverpool’s city centre.
The jewel in the new venue’s crown is the Beer House basement, with live jazz and acoustic music two nights a week with a beer menu to die for.
Kicking things off this Thursday is the Marley Chingus Quartet at 8pm. Jazz every Thursday, open mic each Sunday and music quiz nite on Tuesdays.
Nov
07
Simon Cowell was going on about the film Gumbo on tonight’s X Factor, featuring the Roy Orbison song Crying. It’s not Gumbo, it’s Gummo, an ace punk film featuring loads of drinking and bizarre characters.
It’s a genuinely disgusting film featuring cat mutilation and other disturbing scenes but it’s got that X Factor that used to make American indie films so great.
Simon Cowell’s never seen it. He’s a cheat. Vote funboys John and Edward, give Simon a dud.
Here’s an interesting essay on the film
http://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/uploads/docs/050008.pdf
