The Beer Stalker - Episode 1

I have enjoyed camping for many years. I have often used my trips away in the caravan to explore local watering houses and hostelries with the main aim of trying some local and regional real ales. Having failed to set-up a brewery of my own a few years ago (the Shire Horse Brewery if you are curious) I still consider myself something of an expert and a bit of a “Beer Stalker” on the quiet. Anyway, this combination got me thinking on how I could incorporate these interests into an occasional “Club Together” item for the lovers of decent beer. So here we have an occasional piece which will highlight an interesting pub, beer or brewery that is easily accessible from either a club site or CL. Hopefully, you will find it interesting! So sit back with a glass of something and enjoy the first episode of “The Beer Stalker” ….................................

A few weeks ago I found myself caravanning at Low Moor Site, Sneaton which is just a hop, skip and jump from glorious Whitby. Sadly, Low Moor could do with a touch of tender loving care but it is in a lovely position and offers a very peaceful and restful place to pitch your awning so don't let it's need for a manicure to put you off a visit!

There are a couple of nearby pubs offering cask ales but my feeling is that recent poor trade has hit the quality of their ales to the point that I don't feel confident in recommending them sadly.

My Low Moor pub recommendation is only a short drive away and it is a cracker! At the big red painted gates (if you visit Low Moor you will immediately know what I mean) turn right and follow the B1416 until the junction with the A171 Scarborough to Whitby road. Turn left towards Whitby and continue for a short distance until you see the road sign pointing towards a turn-off for Fylingthorpe and Robin Hood's Bay on the right. Continue along this road taking in the spectacular views of the bay (you will experience a real feeling of childhood excitement at seeing the sea for the first time I promise you!), continue through Fylingthorpe village and past “The Fylingdales Inn” (probably worth a visit as it serves cask ales and the food is reputed to be good) until you reach Robin Hood's Bay. Turn right at the junction and on your left in a very short distance is the impressive 19th Century “Victoria Hotel” which boasts great views over the bay.

The pub itself doesn't have any parking that I could see although I do know that there is allocated parking for hotel residents. However, this is not a problem as there is a reasonable sized public car park (Bank Top) opposite the hotel. This has 74 spaces. If this is full then, a very short distance back up the road, is the larger Station Car Park (on the site of the old railway station) which has 207 spaces and public toilets. After 6 pm both car parks offer free parking.

The “Victoria Hotel” has large gardens where you can enjoy a peaceful pint taking in the wonderful views. It has a large, comfortable bar where excellent food is served all day. I can thoroughly recommend the Whitby Haddock in beer batter which is some of the best I have ever tasted. The homemade toffee pudding which comes with its own jug of custard looks delicious and the couple siiting next to us who had ordered a portion where making very satisfied noises! The menu was fairly priced and all the food looked delicious and appealing. For those of you with children the hotel boasts a family room which looked friendly and comfortable. For a special night out there is also a separate restaurant with a different menu and very exclusive views. If the food is anything like the excellent fare served in the bar it should be well worth a visit. Whilst I remember, I should also mention that the staff are efficient, helpful and very friendly.

All this alone would make the “Victoria” a pretty perfect place to visit, but remember that this article is about good cask beer and fortunately, the “Victoria” doesn't disappoint! It usually serves 5 handpumped real ales all of which seemed in good fettle when I was there. If you happen upon one that you are unfamiliar with then a chalk board helpfully gives a brief taste profile and description which more pubs should do in my opinion. However, there is one beer that is a regular here that I was eager to try. That beer is “Strongarm” brewed by Camerons Brewery in Hartlepool. The staff were shifting pints and pints of it on the occasions I was there which says volumes for it's popularity.

In many ways “Strongarm” is an unfashionable almost old-fashioned beer. It is a ruby red ale. A style of bitter that is still popular in Ireland but has largely been replaced more and more by pale blonde beers here on the mainland. Fortunately, drinkers in the north east have remained faithful to their traditions and strong brown ales and ruby ales have always remained popular in the region.

“Strongarm” is a delicious beer and surprisingly easy to drink. It weighs in at a respectful 4%. In the glass it looks a delight with a ruby red body and a large, dense creamy head. It is brewed with crystal and pale ale malts and a blend of 3 hops (Fuggles, Target, Goldings) which all goes some way to explaining its complexity. The aroma of the beer hints at a rich treat with toffee and malt coming to the fore. The taste is a creamy mouthfeel and complex sweetness followed by a heavenly bitterness that is never harsh. The beer is an absolute delight and I can thoroughly recommend that you try it if you find yourself camping at Low Moor.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this little pub visit from Low Moor. If you have then I promise to take you for a pint or two after my next trip out in the caravan!