Monday, September 10, 2012
Blatant Brewery At Not Your Average Joe's
Join Ben Fuller and Don Roine, NE Beer Examiners as they catch up with Matthew Steinberg of Blatant Brewery at Not Your Average Joe's in Norwell, MA. 12/20/2011
This old New England Beer Examiner examines the new Old London Pubs VII
This is series of visits and
reviews of the very highest rated London Pubs according to CAMRA (Campaign to Save Real Ale),
Cask Marque, Time Out London and ViewLondon.com (along
with some very pleasant surprises along the way).
In brief, the better London
pubs of today capture most of interesting architecture, style, charm,
character, comfort and feel of the pubs of yore, but they are so much more. Oh,
so much more!
See part one for the criteria
for a New Old Pub;
Market Porter - 9 Stoney
Street | Southwark, London SE1, England
Man, that busy Borough Market can be a challenging place to muddle your
way through! This is especially true if you happen to suffer from any sensory
overload issues, or dyslexia…or dementia. It’s a wonderful place to sample
England’s finest all-natural, and/or organic foods, or select some
one-of-a-kind artsy trinkets, or, drum roll please: pick up some rare British
(and beyond) Ales. YA! But it is a bit confusing and one must be vigilant to
guard his wallet from the local pickpockets and/or from some
of the pricier merchants.
Before completing your ordeal in the Borough Market, try a tasty meat
pie from Pieminister. Focusing on the pie (add gravy) certainly helps ease the
drone of the swarming mob. Next, head door to the laid back Market Porter for a
pint or two of some Real Ale.
The din of the crowd fades to a hushed level the instant you step
inside. Ahhh!
Rich dark woods, etched mirrors, leaded glass and muted colors help
create a warm and inviting appeal. The
furniture is a mix of old and old and worn (in a good way, of course). At a
casual first glance you will spy the “Usual Suspects” taps. It sort of lends
the impression that the Market Porter is a touristy kind of boozer. But, a
closer looksee reveals a proud array of Real Ale pulls that quicken the pulse. If
you’re a bit uncomfortable craning your neck and ogling the tap handles behind
the regular’s backs at the bar, a board to right provides an impressive list to
contemplate.
Andwell Ruddy Darter, Daleside, Half Nelson, Heritage Copper, Sunner
Republic, King John Amber, Kiliman Yard and Beach Blonde were the offerings of
the day. I can attest to the Darter and Kiliman Yard’s quality and tastiness!
Delightful!
The stairs to the left of the bar leads to an additional, slightly more
formal-looking dining room, but it’s the famous floor-level pub that stars
here. Speaking of star, the pub was made over for the role of ‘Third Hand Book
Emporium' in the film 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'.
Quite content to stay awhile longer, my wife coaxed me on. She knows
the best way to lure me out of a comfy pub is by steering me towards another,
and we still had ‘The Cittie of York’ on the pub agenda before doing some
shopping and attending a play that evening. London’s a swell town!
Market Porter - 9 Stoney
Street | Southwark, London SE1, England
020 7407 2495
Monday - Friday: 6am – 8:30am & 11am – 11pm
Saturday: 12noon – 11pm
Sunday: 12noon – 10:30pm
Cheers!
Next week: ‘The Cittie of York’
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