Hi,
        I'm off to Edinburgh by train for the day in Mid March which gives 
my all afternoon to explore.
Anyone able to give a couple of tips on where I can get some quality ale?

TIA.  Ken (the Wanderer).

PS: I used to do this trip on Saturdays before England had "all day" opening 
but my old haunts have probably changed/shut down by now.

On Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:13:10 -0000, "Ken Ward"
 wrote:

>Hi,
>        I'm off to Edinburgh by train for the day in Mid March which gives 
>my all afternoon to explore.
>Anyone able to give a couple of tips on where I can get some quality ale?
>
>TIA.  Ken (the Wanderer).
>
You've a marvellous choice!

The 'three-line whip' pubs are my favourite, the Bow Bar in Bow Street
just off the Royal Mile, The Halfway House, in the narrow ginnel
(sorry, bit of Yorkshire there) between Waverley Station and the Royal
Mile, The Guildford Hotel and Cafe Royal, next door to each other in
West Register Street (New Town), and, if you fancy a trip down to
Leith (and you can get an all day bus ticket for next to nothing), The
Malt and Hops, overlooking the harbour.

Some excellent beers at these and so many others, but here's a
challenge - can you find a pub that doesn't sell Deuchars IPA!!??

On 25 Feb, 20:13, "Ken Ward"  wrote:
> Hi,
>         I'm off to Edinburgh by train for the day in Mid March which gives
> my all afternoon to explore.
> Anyone able to give a couple of tips on where I can get some quality ale?
>
> TIA.  Ken (the Wanderer).
>
> PS: I used to do this trip on Saturdays before England had "all day" opening
> but my old haunts have probably changed/shut down by now.

...and in addition to the others you'll undoubtedly get I really
recommend the "Rebus" pub

http://www.oxfordbar.com/

..and my other must visit is the Jolly Judge:

http://www.jollyjudge.co.uk/

Steve

<M Platting> wrote in message 
news:qamcq4lni4cl3qh1c7n92p8p9p3m0shl9q@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:13:10 -0000, "Ken Ward"
>  wrote:
>
>>Hi,
>>        I'm off to Edinburgh by train for the day in Mid March which gives
>>my all afternoon to explore.
>>Anyone able to give a couple of tips on where I can get some quality ale?
>>
>>TIA.  Ken (the Wanderer).
>>
> You've a marvellous choice!
>
> The 'three-line whip' pubs are my favourite, the Bow Bar in Bow Street
> just off the Royal Mile, The Halfway House, in the narrow ginnel
> (sorry, bit of Yorkshire there) between Waverley Station and the Royal
> Mile, The Guildford Hotel and Cafe Royal, next door to each other in
> West Register Street (New Town), and, if you fancy a trip down to
> Leith (and you can get an all day bus ticket for next to nothing), The
> Malt and Hops, overlooking the harbour.
>
> Some excellent beers at these and so many others, but here's a
> challenge - can you find a pub that doesn't sell Deuchars IPA!!??

I will take that challange! I was thinking about a quick raid on Leith as I 
went there once as a courier (no drinking and driving).
Ginnel? yes, quite exceptable, it's the "back entrys" you have to be careful 
of.

KW

"Steve-the-Wargamer"  wrote in message 
news:bf5b1f68-c9ed-4a3e-91e5-7a5897a8d8e8@e24g2000vbe.googlegroups.com...
On 25 Feb, 20:13, "Ken Ward"  wrote:
> Hi,
> I'm off to Edinburgh by train for the day in Mid March which gives
> my all afternoon to explore.
> Anyone able to give a couple of tips on where I can get some quality ale?
>
> TIA. Ken (the Wanderer).
>
> PS: I used to do this trip on Saturdays before England had "all day" 
> opening
> but my old haunts have probably changed/shut down by now.

...and in addition to the others you'll undoubtedly get I really
recommend the "Rebus" pub

http://www.oxfordbar.com/

..and my other must visit is the Jolly Judge:

http://www.jollyjudge.co.uk/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for the help..

Ken.

M Platting wrote:
> On Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:13:10 -0000, "Ken Ward"
>  wrote:
> 
>> Hi,
>>        I'm off to Edinburgh by train for the day in Mid March which gives 
>> my all afternoon to explore.
>> Anyone able to give a couple of tips on where I can get some quality ale?
>>
>> TIA.  Ken (the Wanderer).
>>
> You've a marvellous choice!
> 

<snip of excellent suggestions>

Another one ... I had a great time in here:

<http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/pubguide/bannermansbar.html>

Very atmospheric but CAN GET NOISY  <G>

> 
> Some excellent beers at these and so many others, but here's a
> challenge - can you find a pub that doesn't sell Deuchars IPA!!??

I think it did, but it was the Froach that did the damage !

C.

In article ,
   Chris Lonsbrough  wrote:
> <snip of excellent suggestions>

> Another one ... I had a great time in here:

> <http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/pubguide/bannermansbar.html>

> Very atmospheric but CAN GET NOISY  <G>

Good to know Bannerman's is still going: it's got to be one of my favourite
bars ever - especially the Sunday brunch!

-- 
Christine Pampling
www.pandorasboxhealing.com

On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:28:40 +0000, Chris Lonsbrough
 wrote:


>
>> 
>> Some excellent beers at these and so many others, but here's a
>> challenge - can you find a pub that doesn't sell Deuchars IPA!!??
>
>I think it did, but it was the Froach that did the damage !
>
>C.

Ah yes, I forgot Bannermans. Bit young and vibrant for me (being over
50 and the opposite of 'vibrant') but a decent pint, and about the
only place in Edinburgh you can guarantee Fraoch.

Spectacular setting though, penetrating, as it does, the vaults under
the South Bridge. If you've time do go on one of the tours of the
vaults (http://www.mercattours.com/the-vaults-tour.asp - Bannermans is
right by the big arch in the diagram, which is Cowgate)

I note that the "other" GBG 2009 Leith pub, The Old Dock (think that's 
the right name) is now closed - looks like they shut up shop immediately 
after Christmas as the Xmas menu is still in the window ... Malt & Hops 
was fine, but empty mid afternoon.





M Platting wrote:
> On Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:13:10 -0000, "Ken Ward"
>  wrote:
> 
>> Hi,
>>        I'm off to Edinburgh by train for the day in Mid March which gives 
>> my all afternoon to explore.
>> Anyone able to give a couple of tips on where I can get some quality ale?
>>
>> TIA.  Ken (the Wanderer).
>>
> You've a marvellous choice!
> 
> The 'three-line whip' pubs are my favourite, the Bow Bar in Bow Street
> just off the Royal Mile, The Halfway House, in the narrow ginnel
> (sorry, bit of Yorkshire there) between Waverley Station and the Royal
> Mile, The Guildford Hotel and Cafe Royal, next door to each other in
> West Register Street (New Town), and, if you fancy a trip down to
> Leith (and you can get an all day bus ticket for next to nothing), The
> Malt and Hops, overlooking the harbour.
> 
> Some excellent beers at these and so many others, but here's a
> challenge - can you find a pub that doesn't sell Deuchars IPA!!??

"Chris Adams"  wrote in message 
news:0093bd87$0$7589$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
>I note that the "other" GBG 2009 Leith pub, The Old Dock (think that's the 
>right name) is now closed - looks like they shut up shop immediately after 
>Christmas as the Xmas menu is still in the window ... Malt & Hops was fine, 
>but empty mid afternoon.
>

Empty?   almost a bonus, as I'm quite adept at drinking without an audiance.

No mention as yet, of the Wetherspoons (3) in the area but, they *will* have 
a visit none the less.

I have come across some lovely bottled ale from Alloa (williams bros) 
recently so would like to find some on draught if possible

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:37:12 -0000, "Ken Ward"
 wrote:


>
>No mention as yet, of the Wetherspoons (3) in the area but, they *will* have 
>a visit none the less.
>

I strongly advise against the 'Foot of the Walk' in Leith. Poor beer,
seedy clientele and worst of all, uncontrollable kids tearing round
the place bumping into people, while the staff just looked on. We were
going to say something, but no, nobody else seemed to mind - this was
obviously the way the locals liked it. What right did we, as one-off
offcumdens have to unbalance the status quo. (Ok I'll be honest - we
didn't want to risk the wrath of an aggressive Scotsman!)

The Playfair is in a modern shopping/sports centre and is much more
like a Lloyds. An uncomfortable pub - all high bar stools and echo-y.

The Standing Order in George Street is your best bet. Not far from the
Guildford and Cafe Royal mentioned earleir, its back entrance is onto
Rose Street which has a reputation as Edinburgh's main pub run (some
indeed in the GBG). The Standing Order is much more of a traditional
Wetherspoons (is that an oxymoron?) - an impressive converted bank,
complete with a wonderful safe on show. Should be fine in the
afternoon but as many JDW's becomes heaving in the evening.

<M Platting> wrote in message 
news:p1shq45igt22jrb7ojb4ih238mbv0qc5f3@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:37:12 -0000, "Ken Ward"
>  wrote:
>
>
>>
>>No mention as yet, of the Wetherspoons (3) in the area but, they *will* 
>>have
>>a visit none the less.
>>
>
> I strongly advise against the 'Foot of the Walk' in Leith. Poor beer,
> seedy clientele and worst of all, uncontrollable kids tearing round
> the place bumping into people, while the staff just looked on. We were
> going to say something, but no, nobody else seemed to mind - this was
> obviously the way the locals liked it. What right did we, as one-off
> offcumdens have to unbalance the status quo. (Ok I'll be honest - we
> didn't want to risk the wrath of an aggressive Scotsman!)
>
> The Playfair is in a modern shopping/sports centre and is much more
> like a Lloyds. An uncomfortable pub - all high bar stools and echo-y.
>
> The Standing Order in George Street is your best bet. Not far from the
> Guildford and Cafe Royal mentioned earleir, its back entrance is onto
> Rose Street which has a reputation as Edinburgh's main pub run (some
> indeed in the GBG). The Standing Order is much more of a traditional
> Wetherspoons (is that an oxymoron?) - an impressive converted bank,
> complete with a wonderful safe on show. Should be fine in the
> afternoon but as many JDW's becomes heaving in the evening.

Thanks for that (Miles?),
                        I have seen photos of the interior of the "Standing 
Order" and so thats one of the three which deserves a visit. A couple of 
years ago I was suitably impressed by the Ayr 'spoons called "The Kirk" and 
yet another excellent change of use/alteration.

Ken (only 17 days to go).

In article <p4vpl.15917$Ii4.3401@newsfe19.ams2>,
   Ken Ward  wrote:
> it's the "back entrys" you have to be careful 

back passages in e yorks!!!

-- 
Chris de Cordova (West Cumbria & Western Lakes) www.westcumbriacamra.org.uk
Whitehaven Beer Festival: 21st & 22nd Nov 2008 (www.whitehavenbeerfestival.co.uk)
www.cumbrianbreweries.org.uk for good craic on our beers!

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.