Across the Solent
Originally I was going to call this post "I'm King of the World", in tribute to our day trip to Southhampton, aka the launching point of the Titanic and Leonardo DiCaprio's career. However, both sunk some time ago, so I stuck to a more literal title to describe our day: Across the Solent.
Today was Zoe's birthday, so in honor of the Birthday Girl, we made our way over to the mainland to get a bit ofdrinking shopping in. This was my first time to Southhampton. With Wendy along for the ride, we zipped over to West Cowes where we got a passenger ferry ride over to Southhampton harbor. The 23 minute catamaran ride was a blast...especially after I stopped holding the line up while I searched my 12 jacket pockets for the right damn ticket.
Cruising through the harbor towards the dock, we passed several cruise ships, including the Queen Mary II. Upon docking, we spent several hours exploring the shopping district. I about died when I found an Apple Store. I had no idea they had a retail presence here. Very cool. Of course, it wasn't the tech from Cupertino that captured my imagination, it was the 300 year old building around it.
After spending most of the morning on the mainland, we decided to grab a pub lunch back on the island. Enter: The Traveller's Joy.
The Traveller's Joy, picked out by the Birthday Girl, based upon her knowledge that I succumb easily to great advertising (they had a sign showcasing 8 Real Ales..hello!).
The Traveller's Joy dirt parking lot and battered exterior are a prime example of why you can't judge a pub from the street. Although its weathered exterior might indicate otherwise, the Traveller's Joy is an award winning pub. In 2009, they were the runner-up CAMRA pub of the year on the island, thanks to their serious commitment to providing good beer. With eight cask ales on draft, it was obvious to me too, The Traveller's Joy takes Real Ale seriously.
The Traveller's Joy is every bit of a "local" pub. It was nestled so far back in the neighborhood, we thought we missed it as we drove in. We arrived a little past 1 o'clock, and the pub still had a handful of people finishing lunch, and others just plain drinking.
This is the type of pub where everyone knows everyone, and even their dogs (There were two inside while we were there). The first pint was up was Wight Gold, another from the Isle of Wight brewery. I found it enjoyable, but not necessarily memorable. For lunch we ordered sandwiches. I had a great sausage baguette and...a plate of chips.
My last pint (for lunch), was rather interesting. It was called "Black Imp" and was an Imperial Stout. What I found unique, is the low ABV. Black Imp clocked in under 5%, which I found different, as most American craft brewers kick them up to 8% and above. ABV aside, this was a nice roasty, sweet stout, which I found really, really enjoyable.
Yes, I garnered some strange looks."He's American...he's taking pictures of his...sausage!", but in the end, the Traveller's Joy lived up to its name.
Today was Zoe's birthday, so in honor of the Birthday Girl, we made our way over to the mainland to get a bit of
Cruising through the harbor towards the dock, we passed several cruise ships, including the Queen Mary II. Upon docking, we spent several hours exploring the shopping district. I about died when I found an Apple Store. I had no idea they had a retail presence here. Very cool. Of course, it wasn't the tech from Cupertino that captured my imagination, it was the 300 year old building around it.
After spending most of the morning on the mainland, we decided to grab a pub lunch back on the island. Enter: The Traveller's Joy.
The Traveller's Joy, picked out by the Birthday Girl, based upon her knowledge that I succumb easily to great advertising (they had a sign showcasing 8 Real Ales..hello!).
The Traveller's Joy dirt parking lot and battered exterior are a prime example of why you can't judge a pub from the street. Although its weathered exterior might indicate otherwise, the Traveller's Joy is an award winning pub. In 2009, they were the runner-up CAMRA pub of the year on the island, thanks to their serious commitment to providing good beer. With eight cask ales on draft, it was obvious to me too, The Traveller's Joy takes Real Ale seriously.
The Traveller's Joy is every bit of a "local" pub. It was nestled so far back in the neighborhood, we thought we missed it as we drove in. We arrived a little past 1 o'clock, and the pub still had a handful of people finishing lunch, and others just plain drinking.
This is the type of pub where everyone knows everyone, and even their dogs (There were two inside while we were there). The first pint was up was Wight Gold, another from the Isle of Wight brewery. I found it enjoyable, but not necessarily memorable. For lunch we ordered sandwiches. I had a great sausage baguette and...a plate of chips.
My last pint (for lunch), was rather interesting. It was called "Black Imp" and was an Imperial Stout. What I found unique, is the low ABV. Black Imp clocked in under 5%, which I found different, as most American craft brewers kick them up to 8% and above. ABV aside, this was a nice roasty, sweet stout, which I found really, really enjoyable.
Yes, I garnered some strange looks."He's American...he's taking pictures of his...sausage!", but in the end, the Traveller's Joy lived up to its name.
Mike Lang
