Curry v Beer - Round Two

Finding myself unexpectedly in Robinson’s country with a free Friday on my hands, the thought of how to fill my time, like the fabled Crusoe himself, turned to making the most of what was to hand, well . . . after making a further detour south that was, and if you’re going to land on someone unannounced, what better gift than a Curry and a Beer? Add to which, the opportunity to further my quest, was not to be missed!

The ‘Bengal Spice’ on Long Eaton’s Market Place, is like many a Curry House up and down the land, maybe not the sort of place you’d immediately walk in off the street, yes it’s had a make-over in the last few years, but still doesn’t quite shout its appeal. However, once through the door and seated and you’ve experienced the food you’ll keep going back - their Curries are consistently good. And so it was with my takeaway, a Naga Lamb and Garlic Rice, with a few Chapattis served up for good measure, but what about the beer? Well if we’re talking big flavours, it had to be a BrewDog, and for maximum attack, not one but two, both their Punk and Hardcore IPA’s (Sainsbury 26/08/11 - 330ml, £1.49/£2.05).

BrewDog, like their name and marketing are somewhat unconventional, I personally don’t buy into it - see www.BrewDog.com/EquityforPunks (no pun intended), however these are ‘uncompromising, bold and irreverent’ beers, packed with flavour and that I do like. Punk: straw gold, citrus notes, big finish, Hardcore: amber, brooding, complex - a match for the curry? Well, on this occasion events overtook themselves; a first class feast and two outstanding beers, each savoured for what they were, my host being likewise impressed. Trying to package as a whole proved impossible, a night of quiet contemplation therefore ensued, and it was roundly agreed that we really must do it all again sometime. The quest continues!

◊

Missed opportunities? The Harrington Arms Beer Festival this Bank Holiday weekend at Sawley and a sign on the A52 for Real Ales at Mr Grundy’s, neither of which I had time to investigate.