By
Andy
As
we were slowly being absorbed into the adult world, Pubquest was
becoming harder and harder to co-ordinate. Despite a honeymoon period
where I had been working in Sheffield, my job was
about to relocate again. Rob had also held
down a full-time job, but soon ran screaming back to university.
Worryingly, he had now reached that stage of post-graduate education
where you actually need to attend your lectures.
Thank
goodness then, for that period between Christmas and New Year.
For
one glorious week, nobody cares what you're up to. We were both in
Sheffield for Christmas, and could both skulk off from our families
for a day to meet up and be merry (i.e. get slaughtered).
No
matter that I had work tomorrow – the office would be practically
empty so I could recover at my desk.
Indeed,
with a full day at our disposal, we even planned on correcting a
disparity which all and sundry had observed – we visit too many
pubs in the city centre.
Onwards
then, to the edges of the earth: Chapeltown.
Uncharacteristically,
we had prepared a map with a hit-list of pubs, although we needn't
have bothered – our first stop, The Wagon & Horses (a
Wetherspoons), dominated the skyline as we alighted our train.
Located
on the main roundabout, it was the perfect place to discuss our plan
of attack. Originally, we had hoped to visit every pub in Chapeltown
in one day, but glancing down at our map, we knew it couldn't be
done. Credit to the people of S35: an excellent pubs per person
ratio.
Still,
we could cram in as many as possible.
A large pub with a modern interior, The Wagon & Horses was unlike any Wetherspoons I had previously encountered – indeed, the celebrated Spoons carpet had been replaced in parts by vinyl flooring, in a move sure to anger traditionalists everywhere.
Furthermore,
the stools had backs to them, the room was well-lit, and the tables
weren't covered in empty plates and smears of mayonnaise.
It
was, I have to say, impressive – as if someone had mixed Spoons
with the 21st century.
We
sat down with two pints of Fairytale of New York by Kelham Island
Brewery – we always seize any opportunity to drink a seasonal pint,
because you're less likely to encounter it throughout the year. The
beer was dark yet citrussy, with a hint of Christmas spices, and –
like everything else produced by Kelham Island Brewery – was
thoroughly enjoyable.
By
this point, the 'well-lit' nature of the pub was beginning to bother
me. I like to see what I'm doing as much as the next person, but I
draw the line at being dazzled by a spotlight shining directly in my
face.
Plus,
the more I thought about it, the more I missed the traditional Spoons
quirks. Vinyl flooring is all well and good, but it seems a bit
soulless when compared to fraying carpets with hallucinogenic
patterns. And what's even the point of a trip to Spoons if you don't
accidentally rub your elbow in the mayonnaise of your table's
previous occupants?
If
you hadn't already worked it out, there really is no logic to our
scoring system.
Pub:
The Wagon & Horses (2 Market Place, S35 2UU)
Rating:
6.5/10
Pint:
Fairytale of New York
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