Last time we went to York, in the early days of this blog, Maieb (now Tweeting instead of blogging) told us in no uncertain terms that we really ought to make it to the Maltings. So, a couple of weeks back, finding ourselves nearby, in a heavy snowstorm, frostbite beginning to affect our extremities, we decided finally to take his advice.
It’s a very cosy pub — a place where the bark of passive-aggressive signs is definitely worse than the bite. There is a tongue-in-cheek tone to some of it (“Our staff are not highly trained — please treat them accordingly”) and the service was very friendly. It was standing room only, no doubt in part because of the roaring fire and huge portions of basic, tasty, piping hot old-school pub grub.
On the beer front, the highlight for us was Sawbridgeworth Stout — so thick and chocolatey we wanted churros to dip in it. As well as several cask ales, there was also a really well thought out selection of bottles and, in honour of the season, hot Gluhkriek, perfect for supping while the snow falls outside.
Yes, we are southern softies. It wasn’t really that cold. And this is yet another pub which we are the very last people in Britain to visit…
4 replies on “Snow and stout in York”
It had a nice enough feel in the summer. But I confess to being a little bit envious of your snowbound scenario.
What is it with pubs and real fires?
That whole atmosphere always serves to trigger recollections of experiences I swear I never actually had.
Pubs in winter remind me of nice moments – from other peoples lives!
That’s a pretty impressive party trick.
Went there on my birthday this year, (after dinner at the excellent Delrio’s not far away). Liked it a lot, though we found the streaky, blood-coloured walls a bit odd. Looked like the aftermath of a chainsaw attack.
Cor, didn’t know there was a brewery in Sawbridgeworth! (Grew up down the road in Harlow). There’s an excellent pub there called The Gate. Will be looking out for it!
Of course, a quick google would have revealed that the Sawbridgeworth brewery is *at* The Gate 🙂 I am a wally.