We ask the questions MAXIM BREWERY

Q&A KATHLEEN
CROFT, THE GREY HORSE, CONSETT
.
We ask the questions
KATHLEEN CROF
How long have you been in the
The Grey Horse, Consett
that after a few pints. Ha ha, so
pub trade and how long have
'way back in 19971 took a part-
you been at The Grey Horse?
time job in a small local pub.
I've enjoyed my working
life here
at this great pub, affectionately
What is the best thing
known as The Horse, for over six
about your job?
years. Never for one moment did
There's nothing more wonderful
I ever imagine I would work in
in life than hearing laughter.
a pub serving real ale, for I had
It's infectious and good for you,
studied at university for three years
too. The Grey Horse is one of
to become a graphic designer.
those special pubs where you
What made you do it
TVs or juke-boxes,
in the first place?
and laugh. The crack is brilliant.
in the cold cellar, moving and
If you had a pet hamster
It's the best feeling in the world
lifting casks and barrels. That
what would you call it?
making someone laugh. l lovs'it.
soon puts you right. If it doesn't,
It's almost similar to a hamster
there's always gin and tonic.
as its often found asleep in the
Are you a pint or a
he's my rock. He says: 'Someone
can do just that; we don't have
I love the atmosphere
in pubs, the
evening especially when people
we just chat
come in to unwind have a few
drinks and relax. You talk about
And the worst?
anything and everything.
You know that feeling when
I believe
bar. Everyone calls him Crofty but
all young people should have
you have to get up early after a
halves person?
has to be the QC and sample
work experience
late night and you're slow and
What????? Of course not, "I'm
the beers. After all, we wouldn't
in a bar - it gives
you life and social skills. Think
sluggish? Yes that one, its not
a Lady". Only champagne
want the good reputation
about it, you use maths, sciences,
too good is it? Working here,
will do, but I don't mind
Consett Ale Works to be tarnished
English - oh and my favourite,
however, I've discovered a quick
drinking
Gobbledygook.
remedy - it's called working
(Is bucket a legal measure?!
Everyone uses
out
it from the bucket.
of our
would we, so I'll just try another
White Hot, mmmmmmm.
MAXIM BREWERY
Great Beer, Great Brands
1
1 Gadwall Road Houghton le Spring DH4 5NL
Telephone: (0191) 584 8844 Email: admincsdmbc.org.uk
18 ~
october 2011
We are situated 9 miles South of the
Sc;;ottishBorder on the A697 in Milfield,
Wooler; Northumberland
NE77 6JQ.
Telephone: 01668 216224
www.redlionmilfield.co.uk
AUTUMN BEER FESTIVAL
Apart from The Grey Horse,
Melloves
what's your favourite
can be found enjoying his pint
pub/pubs?
White Hot ALe and
If you ever get a chance to visit
at weekends
in the bar in our
London, you must go to The
aptly-named
Bullshit
Jerusalem
Corner.
Tavern, 55 Britton
Street EC1. It's great. Built in
What words or phrases
1719, it was once a merchant
do you most overuse?
house, a watchmaker's
and a
Drink ... along with thank you, but
coffee house. Its dimly lit interior
my favorite phrase is 'One more?
welcomes
Arggh go on'. They can't resist
you on a dark winter's
night. It's a tiny pub with wooden
and that's when I'll sit down and
floors, candles, hidden tables and
reLax and have my cocoa. That
stuffed animals. The beer is nice
is how you spell wine isn't it?
and a variety of peculiar flavours
are on offer from bitter to lemon
After the Last customer
and ginger, elderberry
you reLax with whisky
grapefruit
beer and
ale. Well worth a look.
has Left, do
or cocoa?
HALLOWEEN BEER FESTIVAL
Thursday 27th tillSunday 30th October
Fea!tJring some frighteningly good beers
served on hand pull over the weekend.
My pillow. It's a long day
but I wouldn't
change it.
Who was the Last ceLebrity
you served in the pub and
• The Grey Horse is on Sherbum
what were they Like?
Terrace, Consett. The pub dates
The Grey Horse has its very
back to 1848 and is a two-roomed,
own local celeb - Mel Ay ton, an
traditional
investigative journalist
close to the Coast to Coast pathway.
and true
and very friendLy oasis
crime writer who has appeared
Consett Ate Works beers
in many documentaries
are brewed in buildings
for
National Geographic and the
at the rear of the pub.
Discovery Channel and as a
TeL: 01207 502585. www.
historical
greyhorseconsett..co.uk
consultant
for the BBC.
Come on in, the beer is great.
57 St Andrews St,Newcastle NEl 5SE
t: 0191 2602490 I w: www.newcastlearrns.co.uk:
Pants
REAL ALE
FESTIVAL
on fire
wI-rH A COUPLE
- in November
Jennings
Laughing
is held in the
aLe is
Bridge Inn at
Gravy, but Look out
for next month's,
It's a true
Late autumn-early
winter
Santon Bridge,
Cumbria, to
aLe
award the title of
caLLedWorLd's Biggest Liar
(4.3%abvJ.
The dark golden-brown
"The Biggest Liar
in the World" to the person
bitter
with a chocolate, toffee and roast
who is worthy of following
malt character
footsteps.
Cumbrian
OF REAL CIDERs
- a contest
of Cockermouth's
October "special"
A:real pub with real tradition.
is named after a
called Will Ritson (1808-
Further
information
in his
THURSDAY 20TH OCTOBER
TILL 23RD OF OCTOBER
AT THE DUNES, SOUTH SHIELDS
THURSDAY OPENS 7:00PM· 11 :OOPM
FRI, SAT & SUN OPENS 11 :OOAM . 11 :OOPM
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
WWW.SMALLBEERWHOLESALE.CO.UK
at
1890). He liked to tell a tale or two
www.santonbridge.com
did "Auld Will", so now every year
www.jenningsbrewery,co.uk
and
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Jarrow
Madame LilLy Bollinger
RIVET CATCHER at 3.9%
"I drink
1drink
Brewing
is providing
something
local
& special
it when 1am happy and when 1am sad. Sometimes
it when 1am alone. When 1have company
it obligatory.
when
on when to drink champagne:
1trifle
with it when
1am. Otherwise
1am not hungry
1never touch
it - unless
1consider
and drink
it
WWW.DUNESADVENTUREISLAND.CO.UK
DUNES TELEPHONE: 0191 455 5255
The Dunes, Sea Rood, South Shields, NE33 2LD
1am thirsty."
october 2011"beers
19