Beers, Boats and Boozers, No.86.

From Upwell we continued on to Salters Lode once again to complete our exploration of the Great Ouse and Tributaries.

We had phoned ahead and arrived about 30 mins before tide time. In fact the lock keeper had us in the lock as the levels equalised but kept us a little time to allow the water to rise a bit. There still seemed a lot of mud as we poked our nose out ready for the short tidal stretch to Denver Sluice.

We had a night alongside, and the pub wan by the time we had arrived. But next day we set off. We passed the old pumping station that had been converted to a residence. I must say I do like the placing of the plaques when things were built or extended, or a new engine was put it, like those that can be seen here. I suppose a lot of it was to 'big up' the Victorian gentlemen involved. It does however well document changes.

We were once again fortunate to find a mooring in Ely, where it seems to be perpetually busy. and once moored up we went up for another look around. We walked up through Cherry Hill Meadow, a nice walk away from the traffic to the Cathedral and Ely Porta. Next to which is the 14th Century barn that was used to store the wheat, malt, salted meat and fish and everything else needed to sustain the establishment. It is now used by the Kings School, who use many of the other buildings too, as appropriately their dining hall.

We found our way up to Silver Street and noticed this War Department boundary marker, and the name of the house. It seems that in 1855, following the Indian Mutiny and the Crimean War, the Cambridgeshire Militia was built up. A base was built in Huntingdon, and another in Ely. This part of the town was home to scattered buildings, such as a hospital, barracks, accommodation for men and horses, a drill hall and parade ground and housing for permanent staff. They all seem to be in this area. Hence the boundary stone.

We found our way to the Prince Albert pub on Silver Street. This has three areas. The front bar is a good place for a quiet pint the middle bit is the a decent restaurant and at the rear is a nicely secluded beer garden. I was disheartened when I saw the Greene King sign outside, but they had five guest beers on from independent brewers. It seems that the pub was originally the wet canteen, or the officers mess, as one of the many militia buildings dotted around this area of Ely. The front bar was comfortable and music free so a nice spot to linger over a pint.

I tried a pint from the Milton Brewery. The idea of a brewery was first dreamt up in the mountains of Pakistan, where there is actually little or no beer it has to be said, by two of the three founders. It took a while but finally premises were found at Milton on the outskirts of Cambridge. It took a lot of hard work to convert the building and build a brewery but the first brew came forth on 9th September, 1999 (9-9-99), and quickly became established. Enlargement came in 2012 with a move to larger and newer premises at Waterbeach, and they have gone from strength to strength. They also own several pubs around the eats and south, many of which have won awards, including three in Cambridge.

Pegasus, 4.1%, was actually the first beer brewed and now forms one of the classic range of beers that are named after ancient Gods. It was bronze medal winner in 2012 at the CAMRA Great British Beer Festival. Maris Otter malted barley is used along with the local water and various hops to create the brew. At first the aroma is flowery and a hop laden first sip. Later comes a fruity sweetness as the malt gets a go. A complex beer that could be supped all night and would satisfy many palates.