Is this a Brains’ pub? The City Arms. The barman nods. In name only says the chap at the bar as he looks through the mullion-paned windows at Gate 3 of the Millennium Stadium. I was going to a match at Arms Park in the 70s, he continues, bumped into Stanley Baker with a trilby on his head, bit of a tough nut he was, he’d had a few as well, he was off to the rugby. Wish I’d had a camera. He died a couple of years later from lung cancer. Do you like what they’ve done here I ask? Not bad comes the reply. But is it a Brains pub?
Oh yes there’s Brains Dark, SA and Bitter, but there’s also Marble Best (grapefruit star crossed with tangerine, mouth-catching bitterness that clangs away like a demented bell-ringer), Abbey Vale’s Resolution and Otley’s O5, plus others (14 cask in all). Taps and bottles also proliferate. The interior is honey-coloured distressed wood, while remembrance is the theme of décor: sepia-toned prints of yesteryear, old gents, old teams, old towns, rugby, beer and a label of the year award for 1989 for a Brains commemorative beer. This has only been open in this guise for several months, but I like — I’m not sure that the old boy nursing a half of SA does.
I wish I could stay longer but I’m off to Pontypridd prior to brewing with the Otley boys tomorrow (with BAD on tour in Aberdeen this is obviously the week for karaoke brewing). As beer bars start to emerge in all sorts of places (I hesitate to use the word grow, there will always be a pedantic desire for the statistical basis for the word grow and I don’t have it), the City Arms is a refreshing, warm and civilised celebration of beer, and rather brave of the brewery. Yes, this is a Brains pub.
I commend Brains in doing this sort of thing, but major breweries have to be careful they hit the right note with "beer bars", otherwise they won't get the target clientele in. A lack of interest from the staff, or too many "usual suspects" amongst the guest beers, and there's a risk they'll tank.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great pub if a little pricey but the beers they have had since it opened have not disappointed.
ReplyDeleteThe only downside is that my misses says the ladies toilet lets a lot to be desired, but at least the hand drier in the Gents works ;)
Curmudgeon — good point, though the City had some good cask beers and a good feel to it.
ReplyDeleteWilco — I was opposite the ladies’ loo and all emerged looking flushed and happy…
hahaha BAD on tour hahaha nice one!
ReplyDeleteFFS, how many times, it's my name first - ABD on tour.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting bit of news. When I left Wales for the US a few years back the City Arms was not my first choice of a place to go for a few pints. Reading about their big change makes me incredibly excited about visiting my old stomping grounds again this summer.
ReplyDeleteStuart/Zak — what about PMZ or DAB? I like the sound of DAB, could be a Dortmunder revival in the wind
ReplyDeleteJon— well worth a visit in the summer
Been going there since shortly after re-opening and its deffo my pub of choice in the city centre - great ales, constantly being changed, massive selection of bottled beer and ciders from across the globe, friendly staff and cheery landlord Chris. If you like good beer and conviviality get down there - you won't be disappointed.
ReplyDeletePS - don't miss the quirky 'meal deals!