Oh What a Strange Trip its Been!

One of my favorite English stories is Robin Hood. I loved the characters as a kid; King Richard, Friar Tuck, Maid Marion and the Sheriff of Nottingham. So when I saw that Nottingham was the next town over from Derby, it seemed to make sense to take a trip over to see Nottingham Castle. And since Nottingham is home to the oldest pub in England, it was a no brainer. So after we walked about the castle, we headed over to the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (http://www.triptojerusalem.com/index.php?page=the_pub).

The story states that the pub has been serving beer since 1189, and it is carved into a corner of Nottingham castle. This was a stopping point for the crusaders on their way to the Holy Land. The pub had recently changed ownership (or is it sponsorship?), and was now associated with Greene King. The hose beer is Olde Trip, a wonderful bitter that they had on cask. Len tried the Nottingham Rock Mild and the Extra Pale Ale, and I wrapped up with the Abbot Ale. We ordered our food at the bar (an English custom that is common with Mahar’s back home) and was very satisfied with the Beef Pie and chips (French Fries to us Americans). I struck up a conversation with Rosie, the landlady who liked Irish Bars in New York City, and was pleasantly surprised when she presented me with a souvenir mug and an Olde Trip marker.

Rosie offered to give Len and I a tour (how could you refuse a tour that focused on history and beer), and showed us the caves that were used to cellar the beer. Len proved to be the champ at an old medieval game (he has earned his title, “Hooker”), while my skills still need honing. Rosie showed us the spy hole in the basement, the jail cell where folks once waited to be executed (it holds wine now), and a recently discovered hidden room. She also offered us a chance to participate in their guest beer program. With the proper heads-up, she could have any English cask beer available for a certain night (Highgate Dark Mild, perhaps?). I just have to send an e-mail.

The excellent beer, the good traditional English food, the historical setting and the personal tour made this my favorite pub experience by far! - 5086

"This is grain, which any fool can eat, but for which the Lord intended a more divine means of consumption. Let us give praise to our maker and glory to his bounty by learning about beer." – Friar Tuck, “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”