Category Archives: Vegetarian/Vegan

CAMRA

I’ve been a (pretty inactive) member of CAMRA for a year and a half. Apart from moaning about finings in beer to a few other members, my goal of infiltrating the organisation and covertly influencing change from within remains unfulfilled.

One factor behind my failure was my inability to motivate myself to begin my mission. However, the main reason was that things were already starting to change. Don’t get me wrong, most CAMRA members I’ve encountered to date have seemed to consider vegans an oddity. I’ve never declared myself to be a vegan, it’s something assumed when I’ve said that I don’t do fish in beer. They generally don’t understand that beer fined with isinglas isn’t actually suitable for vegetarians, although many vegetarians either don’t realise this or don’t care. 

Perhaps I shouldn’t generalise, but I can only relate my experience. Anyway, back to the point. Things were already beginning to change. Not for ethical reasons, of course, but because adding finings isn’t natural (which it isn’t). And because finings remove a lot of what makes beer taste like beer (which they do). 

While I’d be very happy if ethics were a driver, I’m certainly not complaining that CAMRA could be on the brink of a pretty huge change, one that could influence an industry. Guinness’ plans to revert to unfined beer by the end of the year may also contribute. 

There’s more about this here.

Running

We wandered down the hill this morning to watch people running. 

It was all a bit tiring, so we found somewhere to have a sit down. The roof terrace in the Central. 

Then, obeying the instructions on my beer glass, we had a walk along the quayside.

We’re now in the Tyne Bar, then to the Ship for some lunch. 

Addendum: Since the sun is shining, we’ve decided on another beer in the Tyne Bar. 

Saramago

Last time I was in Glasgow, There was a bar-cafe that I really wanted to try. It’s just off Sauchiehall Street, near the ABC. Saramago. 

I was with old gentlemen, so didn’t get to visit; it’s a vegan place and they don’t get such things. 

I’m here now though. And it’s truly great (although expensive). 

A bar of note

My second in command and I are presently enjoying a nice cold Staropramen in the 13th Note, my most favourite bar ever. 

Not only is beer labelled as to its suitability for vegans, the whole (gorgeous) menu is vegetarion/vegan. 

If you’re ever in Glasgow, have a wander down King Street.

Jesus & Gordon

Gordon’s chair in the garden. It hasn’t moved since he last sat in it a week ago. He was only here a couple of weeks, but it’s a little empty here since he left. 

Changing the subject, I’m now home after watching the Liverpool-Barcelona game in the Tuns. My second in command was extremely happy with the 3-0 score, although I was mildly disappointed that no one was bitten. 

We left with five minutes (plus lying down time) to go, but my significant other was feeling tired (early start) and hungry (she’s experimenting with vegetarianism, so can’t pick while at work). 

I’m now, as can be seen above, sitting in the garden with a bottle of Beck’s (correct use of the apostrophe). While we were out, our beer was blessed by Jesus. 

The Station

Today, while escorting my second in command’s father to his train, I noticed something in Central Station. 

I’ve read about these, but hadn’t seen them before today. Just a few years ago, this would have been unimaginable in Newcastle. Hell, I remember being regarded as different in my early days of vegetarianism  seriously think that vegetarians/vegans will one day dominate the world. Naturally, anyone who resists will be fed to cats. And, speaking of which, I need to purchase a chair, a white long haired cat and a pair of black (faux) leather gloves. 

Also in Central Station, on the same theme, was a shop. 

Finally, while having a pre-second-in-command’s-dad-train Erdinger, I found that the Station Hotel  is likely to reopen soon. 

While only the facia has been retained, I’m looking forward to the reopening. 

No fish

We made an important discovery yesterday. Cellar 59, in Lyme Regis. It’s a cool cellar bar which serves only unfined beer. It’s run by the Gyle 59 brewery; all of their beer is unfined too, so is naturally vegetarian/vegan. 

Happy Birthday Mark

Happy Birthday, Mark Luke. I should say that Mr Luke and I share the same birthday. Which is tomorrow. Although, once more, I should say that I stopped having birthdays quite a few years ago.

Mark is a very nice bloke, by the way. But we have an annual ritual where we both try to sent the first happy birthday text. And he’s won the past three years’ competition. I’m aiming to stay awake until 00:01 this evening in an attempt to sent the first happy birthday text. Me resolution is strong and I have Gin (a birthday present from my youngest child) to help me stay awake.

I need assistance in staying awake because my second in command had booked a table at the Painted Elephant in town. Where we had very nice, and overly filling, food. We both had pea and mint soup as a starter and I must say that I’d happily have had a second bowl for a main course. My childhood memories of gloopy home made soup have now been dispelled.

Everything else was lovely too. My second in command had a new take on chilli (I don’t recall the name of the dish) and I had Turkish Delight, a spicy lentil dish (in an aubergine with the best ever roast potatoes).

image

I’d wanted to go there since it opened, so my second in command gets a lot of points for booking tonight. There will be multiple return visits.

Oh, I shall send you a link to this at midnight; happy birthday Mark.