My beer-filled PechaKucha talk
New York – 5 Highlights
A summary of 5 places that I absolutely loved on my last two visits to NY.
I’m Back!
I realise I’ve been an absolute slacker on the blog-front. The lure of Instagram got the better of me, with its ease and story function becoming my platform of choice for most of my recent beer-tinged exploits. I’m sorry.
However, I’ve decided to dust off my Wordpress and regularly submit articles to this blog. I promise.
Beer Travels – Havana
I’ve had a bit of a break from blogging – a lot has happened in my life over the last few months (I won’t go into all this now) and things overtook my writing time and time again. Well now I’m back and hopefully you’ll enjoy the new content I’ll be adding to this little corner of the internet.
Earlier this year I was lucky enough to get my ass to a few places on a crazy jam-packed trip – one of these places was Havana. Though there are many problems with hunting down beer in Cuba; one being that there’s often beer designated for tourists (namely Cristal) and some more tastier beer which the locals love – this was the stuff I was trying to sniff out! Both Cristal and Buccanero weren’t really hitting the spot to say the least! Check out the reviews on Rate Beer if you need further evidence.
So, apart from sipping copious amounts of Havana Club what were the beer highlights?
Well, first up there was Plaza Vieja a Microbrewery tucked away in the corner of a lively part of Havana. This location is a magnet for tourists so try to be selective about when you arrive – there could be a wait if you’re banking on getting a table for more than two of you. If you have patience, it’s well worth a visit.
Extremely crammed, there was a little wait for a decent seat when we arrived. It might not have been the greatest time to visit because it was absolutely teaming it down with ran when we arrived so everyone was eager to get inside. A band serenaded the guests as is normal in Havana but there was definitely an increased vibrancy about this place with folk having dance offs outside! At one point I even got roped in……
If you go make sure you invest the 12 CUC for the cylinder of beer – only in choices of dark, light and black. We opted for the light option and although it wasn’t amazing this really was one of the times I’ve been most thankful for a sip of beer! The cylinder held 6 pints and was excellent value… we were definitely tipsy when we stumbled out. The food wasn’t great but to be honest we only found one decent place to eat in the whole of Havana – if you’re going to graze go for the skewers.
A few days later we took a long stroll to Cerveceria Antiguo Almacen de la Madera y El Tabaco, which is in the South East of Havana on the docks. As the name suggests this hanger style Microbrewery is situated in an old tobacco factory and has a pretty nifty looking taproom. After days sipping Cristal this place seemed like it was sent from heaven.
If you have time to visit one beer hot spot in Havana then choose this place. Although we arrived in the day where the atmosphere was more chilled, the set up is certainly impressive.
Beer comes in light, medium and dark and when it arrived it was lovely and cold. If you love your snacks BBQ style, then the food offer here will be right up your street too.
Brews & Trews – A day in York
I recently had the pleasure of spending just under 24 hours in York. It was actually my first visit (well, that I can remember) and I was a little too excited to sample its delights.
My reason for visiting? Well, I was invited to attend the IoIC awards by Purple Monster who were up for the ‘Standout Communication’ award – and they only bloody won didn’t they?! Thanks so much for the invite guys.
I’ve been to a lot of award type events (it comes with with the marketing job territory right?) though this venue was definitely the best one yet. The National Railway Museum was definitely magical – the sight of the opulent trains dripping in gold trimmings actually got my pulse racing nearly as much as my trip to Hogwarts at Universal Studios last summer. I wasn’t sure this was possible at all.
Yes, I found the train with a bar inside it of course – you can always rely on me. I’m mentioning the awards because I munched on a tasty Yorkshire pudding with pulled beef and black sheep ale gravy! I’m not sure I’ll ever look at a Yorkshire pudding in the same way now. This little delicious treat was like a cross between a filthy Mexican meaty delight and a home cooked Sunday roast. Weird like a Heston-bluemential creation but I’m sure I’ll spend hours trying to recreate that delectable little Yorkshire pudding dream.
The day after the night before… so what to do? According to my research, I’d heard that the Trembling House of Madness and Brew York were the places be. My extremely helpful Twitter buddies also pointed out that I might like to give the Maltings, York Tap and also Fossgate Social a try to. With only five hours and a couple of vintage shops to throw into the mix I had to be smart with my decisions.
Vintage treats
It was only 11am and I was residing in a ‘post awards do red wine mist’ so we decided that a vintage shop would be the first stop in the five hour trip round York (with a rather heavy suitcase in tow may I add). Dog and Bone Vintage seemed to summon me from the allure of its photo on the Google listing and I’m seriously glad it did. I’d be happy if this place was my next home and this really is no joke. From the NASA bags, the vintage games and its shiny books that will make any table glimmer, this place is a winner. I felt like a magpie figuring out what jewel to make its own first. The choices were plentiful.
My credit card was happy that I walked away with just a cropped cowboy red jacket, a zany patterned shirt and a series of pinup goodies that will look rather splendid in our collection at home.
The next stop was Bowler Vintage in Fossgate. Sharply dressed gents, this really is the place for you with its glorious hat collection, sharp tailoring and beard grooming essentials. Gals fear not, the upstairs is like a treasure trove where labels like Collectif and Hell Bunny adorn the rails – there are also some genuine vintage gems to be found, like old school denims and the sunglasses collection kept me busy for a while. I walked away with some sunnies and little red pillbox hat – which I’ve longed for. Normally finding a hat that perches nicely on my massive head is rather difficult.
Beer o’clock
It was just past noon when we went on our quest to locate Brew York. We arrived at the gates and my heart sank when I thought the tap room wasn’t open but I’d read the sign wrong and realised it opened at noon – phew!
Brew York is located around 15 minutes from the station and hosted within York’s historic city walls. The brewery houses a 20 hl Brewhouse which is perfectly set up to brew it’s core range of six beers.
This place really remind me of Nightshift which I visited in Boston. Although it wasn’t busy due to it being so early we really sensed the good vibes in this place – I wish there was somewhere like this where I live, I’d definitely be a regular. For such a big space it really managed to feel homely and I really could have stayed there relaxing for hours. I’d love to have experienced the place on a Friday evening as I’m sure it would have been bursting with energy.
We chose to sip the Brew York, Brew York American IPA and the Big Eagle IPA. The latter was definitely my preference, it was just well a little more punchy and I certainly needed something with a little more flavour to get me going.
Next stop: The Hop – the sheer thought of having a stonebaked fresh pizza with a beer had me salivating like Homer Simpson lusting after his favourite shiny pink ring doughnuts. The bar man (sorry I didn’t catch your name) was so friendly and whilst pouring me a half of White Rat he placed a bet that the pizza would rock my world. I was sceptical after suffering major pizza disappointment in the past from so called ‘artisan’ outlets that tricked me and my cheesy lust with their promises.
Our ‘spicy pepperoni’ landed on our table and my eyes popped out my head because it looked so darn tasty. Would it taste as good as it looked though? It really tasted sublime, the right side of spicy, it was crispy edged and they didn’t scrimp on the cheese – good work guys. The venue was great, airy and quirky and with our pizza (big enough for two to share) and my beer coming in at under a tenner this place did rock my world.
My ‘must-visit’ was definitely the House of Trembling Madness and what a place this really is. So many beers to choose from downstairs and so much quality banter upstairs in the pub/restaurant area. With a whole floor of beer to drool over it was hard to know where to start.
I needed a beer to contemplate my overwhelming beer purchasing decisions, so upstairs we went. After making friends with a few locals we managed to hustle a few standing spots which was perfect before the epic three hour train journey we’d need to catch afterwards. If there’s more than a few of you wishing to eat here plan carefully, this place was buzzing and hard to find a few seats if you were craving their mouthwatering pies to eat. What I will say is – be patient, browse the beer selection, grab a half and chill standing up and it won’t be long before your reach table nirvana.
As we sipped our beer, mine was a cheeky little half of ‘Seed of Good Hope’ by Bad Seed Brewery we drank in our surroundings. A collection of taxidermy animals stared at me from the high wall above as I considered if I could truly manage the £9 yard of ale before the train journey home. I decided it wasn’t a great idea, Virgin Trains are hellish enough.
If carrying beer wasn’t an issue we’d have no doubt walked away with more beery delights. So, what did I grab….? Here’s the lowdown below:
Last stop on the way to our train was The Maltings which kind of looks like a crazy old school rock club from the outside with its plethora of black paint. Getting a seat inside was really easy mid-afternoon and the beer choice was pretty good. I settled for a ‘Howl’ by Rooster brewery which I sipped while readout the hilarious trip advisor review adorning a wall near the bar. The reviewer in question really wasn’t happy at the spice of his chilli – you’d have thought the term ‘chilli’ on the menu may have been a good enough hint at it’s possible taste. You’ve got to love a pace that has a great sense of humour and this place certainly has personality a plenty.
I might have only spent a day in York but it has certainly made its way into the chart of one of my favourite places in the UK for a short break. I’ll be back York.
My Hollywood Moment
My Hollywood Moment involving the Marilyn Swimsuit from Pinup Girl Clothing
I’m a Barbie Girl….
If you’re off to Paris in the coming months, please make sure you visit the Barbie exhibition at Les Arts Decoratifs. Running until 10th September, its the first show of its kind in France – Barbie has never been invited there before…gasp.
Barbie is a figure that incites an awful lot of debate. You only have to look at the recent release of the more ‘body positive range celebrating diversity’ to see the controversy this little lady courts on a regular basis. Online some ladies have lashed out against the launch saying that “adult hangups are being forced on kids”, yet others heralded it an amazingly positive move that should be celebrated.
There’s no doubt that Barbie divides opinion. However, I’m going to chime in with the great words of Marilyn Monroe to explain why I’m celebrating her on my blog:
“it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring”.
Barbie – What a woman
This pinup has been breaking hearts since 1959 when she created by Ruth Handler, head of Mattel following a fascination with how her daughter Barbara played with paper dolls (hence her name Barbie).
Although some see Barbie simply as an airhead, her creator’s intension was far deeper:
“My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.” – Ruth Handler.
For me, Barbie was an integral part of growing up. As someone with a rather crazy imagination I could dress Barbie in all manner of creations, most importantly ones which I was too scared to even contemplate wearing myself for fear of my fellow classmates making fun of me. As the years went on there were other rival dolls competing for my attention; Cindy and also Jem – both of which I liked an awful lot. The bugbear for me though was that I couldn’t actually swap shoes between them (Jem’s feet were majorly bigger). Although they competed for my affections, Barbie took the number one slot.
Yes she’s plastic and at times jeered at for being an unrealistic role model due to her inhuman like proportions but she has her redeeming qualities. When I was an infant Barbie allowed me to use my imagination and surprisingly I also found her ambitious and inspiring – hey, that astronaut Barbie was kick ass! Even though I knew I’d never look like her, the amount of clothes and accessories I could adorn her with, and the imaginary situations I could place her in were truly endless.
The exhibition features Barbie’s humble beginnings – her creation was designed to embody the “American way of life”. It then delves deeper into Barbie’s evolution through social, political and cultural changes. The new range might have attracted publicity in the shedloads but Barbie has always been diverse. The first ethically diverse Barbie’s actually appeared in the 70s, contrary to what the latest news stories would lead you to believe about the new range’s groundbreaking launch.
Throughout the decades Barbie has undergone a fashion evolution too. Her style and occupations have echoed contemporary trends. The exhibition takes you through a myriad of Barbies clearly evidencing her relevancy through the ages. Of course there’s some great Barbies to glare at: The Alfred Hitchcock, DC Comics and the Marilyn incarnations are my personal favourites from the collection.
Passion for Fashion
Although Barbie was far from a classic Pinup figure wise, she definitely put her stamp on society from her release. A highlight of the exhibition explored her relation to the fashion world: firstly her relation to the traditional pinups of latter-day, right through to the partnerships with couture houses – think Diane Von Furstenberg, Versace, Thierry Mugler, Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier, Maison Martin Margiela and Christian Louboutin…the list goes on!
I’m not sure there’s a better symbol for ‘Pop’ than Barbie herself, hence why she was immortalised by Andy Warhol – a picture than took pride of place in the art section of the show.
The wall of Barbie clothes and accessories at the end of the exhibition nearly sent me into meltdown. I was transported back to my childhood where I’d throw all her clothes onto my bedroom floor and spend hours choosing outfits for her. For me it’s the endless possibilities that Barbie had at her fingertips that was alluring – and I realised while standing there (nose pressed on glass) that nothing’s changed. Even as an adult I left the exhibition feeling ‘hey I might be 33 but dammam what a world of possibilities there is out there’! And who can argue with that right?
The Dress of Dreams
The Gilda Gown by Pinup Girl Clothing made me feel like a million bucks!
Visiting Sierra Nevada
I’m so enamoured with learning that I even visit breweries on my holidays. On my visit to California in April, I booked in a tour at Sierra Nevada Brewery.
Here’s my trip diary for your reading pleasure.
Craft Beer Pin Up 