Desert Island Pubs – Steph Shayle, commercial manager, Admiral Taverns
Beer Insider is pleased to bring you the latest Desert Island Pubs column, supported by Sunrise Beverages. So settle in and enjoy reading the stories behind the selection of pubs from…
Steph Shayle, commercial manager, Admiral Taverns
1. Earliest Memory of a Pub
Earliest memory of a pub I can recall is coincidentally an Admiral pub, The Brick on County Road, Walton in Liverpool, or as it’s known to the locals The Blue House, due to the proximity to Everton’s old Goodison Park stadium. My mum and dad never went near it on match days, but we went to celebrate passing the 11-plus, Holy Communions etc…What always struck me about that pub is that it was like being in your own front room.
2. Most Inspirational Pub to my Career
I would reset this question to most important pub in my career and that’s The Adelphi pub next to Asda House in Leeds where I worked for 10 years. I was there in the Archie Norman and Allan Leighton years and there was a real sense of everyone in it together. Fridays was The Adelphi night and the numbers of people heading there after work spilled out onto the pavement. The real joy of commiserating or celebrating what had gone on that week with some amazing individuals was a real highlight for me and lifelong friendships were forged in that pub.
3. My Current Local
The Wheatsheaf in Raby Mere is the oldest pub on The Wirral where I live and dates back to the 17th Century. It has the original oak beams and does excellent cask ale from Weetwood Ales plus some great local guest ales. I love it in the summer when we can all sit out in the garden but the winter is really special with a huge open fireplace. Plus they do a pie and a pint for £10 on Tuesday’s!
4. My Favourite Pub
The Philharmonic on Hope Street, Liverpool. I have been coming here for 40 years and always like the vibe. Everyone knows about the amazing gents toilets with marble stalls but the ceilings in the main lounge area are spectacular. I got married at The Metropolitan Cathedral (AKA the Wig Wam) a few hundred yards away and return on my Anniversary every year.
5. The Pub you’d like to take to the Island
The King’s Arms, Akrigg, North Yorkshire. I was lucky enough to own The Manor House attached to this pub in the mid noughties and spent many happy hours in this pub. I could wave to my mum, who was sitting in the back kitchen of our house as she minded our twins on a Saturday night, while we sat in the back parlour of The King’s Arms away from their screaming! The Sunday roasts are amazing too – no one does Yorkshire puddings better than the people of Yorkshire.
6. The beer (unlimited supply) you’d take to the desert island?
Theakston’s Old Peculier. It’s not available on draught where I live now so having it on the desert island would be a real treat. But I would need to take it steady as it is 5.5% ABV.
Glynn Davis, editor, Beer Insider
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