At the beginning of the season, our first ever trip to the DCS Stadium, home ground of Stratford Town, had intended to be a Scottie Tour destination, but for various reasons was not to be. Therefore, the pubs sourced near the train station were no good for this visit as the DCS Stadium is a few miles from the city centre. Referring to the trusty Good Beer Guide, we found The Boars Head, in the sleepy village of Hampton Lucy. Set further up the River Avon, Hampton Lucy is four miles from Stratford and only has a population of 566.
The Boars Head is a cosy and attractive 17th Century free house owned by the local church when it was built as a cider house, the present kitchen originally being a mortuary. A sheltered rear garden is popular in the summer and the open fire in the bar is during the winter months. A former Warwickshire County Champion Pub of the Year 2010, it serves Ringwood Razor Back as a regular, plus has 4 changing beers.
Pushed for time after a terrible journey cross country we quickly got stuck into Mild High Club from the Bird's Brewery. This lovely mild, from a brewery thirty minutes away in Bromsgrove, had a full malty flavour with a creamy, nutty aftertaste with just a hint of dark chocolate. This was swiftly followed the Razor Back from Ringwood’s and at 3.8% is a decent session bitter.
Following the uneventful 0-0 draw at the DCS, we popped into one of the pubs earmarked for the Scottie Tour in the city centre. Situated next to the Swan's Nest Hotel, The Bear offers a beautiful riverside location with stunning views across the River Avon. A free house serving eight real ales, over 20 wines by the glass and tasty home cooked food, it is a definite return venue for next season on a Scottie Tour.
With the drive home looming, we sampled the Sadler's Mud City Stout, which was incredible. Brewed with raw cocoa, vanilla pods, flaked oats, wheat and a blend of dark malts, this stout is delicious, but packs a punch at 6.6%. A must for the Tour next season.
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