I love London. I love the bustle, the theatres, the restaurants, the big sights, the little hidden gems, watching the people, wandering the markets; I even love the tube. Well, OK – I don’t always love the tube. Sometimes I like the tube. Probably something to do with the novelty of it; John O’Groats hasn’t got a tube that I know of. Of course, I also absolutely love the fabulous array of pubs and bars. What an amazing range of beers to sample from across the world.
However, I do remember being a little taken aback when we were charged £15 for a couple of pints in one bar last time we were there. This was particularly vexing as it was my round and John beat a hasty retreat from the place before having to return the favour – but I digress…..
This is by far the longest I have been without a visit to the place. That Corona virus put pay to any chance of even a fleeting cheeky weekend there, but it hasn’t stopped us at John O’Groats Brewery sending beer to the London Beer Competition. And that will have been the closest any of us has been to the Big Smoke for a while.
London Beer Competition pitches beer from all over the world into a heady mix of rounds of assessment. Here a quality bunch of folk sniff, eye up, quaff away; and tally up the points till eventually there’s a score of sorts or everyone falls off their chairs.
For ourselves it was great reward for our entry (the Deep Groat) ale to be rewarded with a Silver Medal! Normally (so I am told) there are black tie meals and celebrations after these kind of events. Set in plush hotels with lots of pomp and ceremony. This time there was just ourselves in our living rooms raising a glass in celebration. Still, very pleasing non the less.
Onwards – Gold next year?
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