Moodmusic: "Question number nine, what is the name for a female spirit in Irish mythology, usually seen as an omen of death, and no, before you answer, it’s not the wife!"
Today's memories and soundbites
Well All Hallows eve was a strange day, started as it ended, with me sending a text to the wrong person at 06.30 in the morning and another text to a different wrong person at 23:00. We only hope it doesn't matter and I'll be forgiven. But in between times there was some lovely beer in the most unexpected location, and a most unexpected win of the pub quiz for a cash and beer prize. Talybont on Usk right beside the Monmouth and Brecon canal, goodness, why on earth did this settlement appear here? The Usk valley it seems was an important farming area during the Medieval period, and a bridge over the river Cearfarnell. The same valley during Tudor and Stuart times became an important route to the western Welsh ports at one end and a route to the North and through to Holyhead at the other. The bridge was an important crossing point, until Telford's A5 became the main route on the other side of the river. The arrival of the canal in 1804 was to transport limestone, coal and iron cleaved from the surrounding hills, and Talybont was an important loading point. All Hallows Day driving through the Welsh mountains was particularly beautiful, strong gold and auburns of autumn and snow in the mountains, driving through snow over the high passes. Wonderful.
Location: The Star Inn
Drinks
1. Brecon Brewery, Busters Broomstick Brew (4.3%)
Reactions
Emotional: Blood red ale ... yumyum!
Critical: Depth of flavour, some good bitterness, lovely medium body, clean finish. Good session beer.
2. Abbeydale Brewery, Moonshine (4.3%)
Reactions
Emotional: Amazing colour, look at that, stunning
Critical: Fruity and extremely moorish .... this is just far to enjoyable and easy to drink, some lemon and grapefruit, and there might even be a hinto of bubblegum, but it is not sweet or cloying, medium bodies and clean ending
3. Dark Star brewery, Revelation (5.7%)
Reactions
Emotional: Oh ..... surprising
Critical: Also a pale ale, but this is less fruit and exciting and far more full on hops and bitterness. It does not taste as strong as it is, so could be dangerous.
4. W H Buckleys, Best Bitter
Reactions
Emotional: OK that will do
Critical: Nice traditional bitter, medium bodies, great balance between hops and malt, vague chocolate and vanilla flavours hidden at the back, toasted cereal coming through on finish.
5. Wadworths XB (4.3%)
Reactions
Emotional: Also good enough!
Critical: This tastes like a standard bitter should taste, strong hop flavours and a hearty bitter thickness, some carbonation to lift the ending.
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| Star Inn |
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| The TWIZY ecofriendly transport by Renault. The village has a car pool scheme. |
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| Canal bridge - looks very Dutch? |
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