As far as nominative determinism goes, it’s tough to beat East Midlands Today’s weather presenter Sara Blizzard. But up there are husband and wife publican team Jen (née Pottle – an old word for a half-gallon bottle), and blues lover Ralph Glover, who were perhaps always destined to open their own music-based micropub, Pottle of Blues.
Having only opened in April 2016, Pottle of Blues takes up residence in an unassuming shop front just off the high street in Beeston. A bit of a career change for former Nottingham teacher Jen – the pair decided to go into the pub trade after her dad opened up his own micropub, The Copper Pottle, in Kent last year.
Through the door to the small former candle shop, you’re welcomed with proper warmth and community vibes. Everything’s designed to be as convivial as possible – a few tables and conversation-optimised wooden pews take up the front section, and the tiny bar area (well, vintage piano) with a barrel room at the back featuring Ralph’s hand-crafted stillages, keep everything nice and open. Decor-wise, vinyl records and old acoustic guitars repurposed as lights and planters line the walls, with candles and glass ‘pottles’ referencing the place’s heritage.
Early on a Tuesday evening the atmosphere was already popping as the very friendly Jen and Ralph chatted to us and served up a few samples of the five beers on at the time. They’re always rotating, but you’ll usually find the house ale, Pottle o’ Gold (3.8%, £3.00) in attendance – a tasty golden ale brewed specifically for the Pottlers by the Ilkeston-based North Star Brewery.
Also sampled were the hoppier Manning’s Music Man pale ale (4.2%, £3.20), Cathedral Heights’ copper BBH Bitter (4.3%, £3.40), Blue Monkey’s Guerrilla stout (4.9%, £3.40), and Chesterfield-based Brampton’s brill Jerusalem (4.6%, £3.40), a trad bitter that balances hops and malt perfectly. There are also always four traditional ciders on tap, like the lip-smacking Orchard Pig Maverick Ginger and Chilli still cider (4%, £3.20) and the ferocious Thatchers Cheddar Valley scrumpy (6%, £3.60).
By the time the local running club had all piled in for a swift post-jog snifter, things were in full swing. If you head down on Wednesday evening, you get to see the blues side of PoB too, as Ralph takes to the guitar for a weekly music night. It all makes for a refreshingly friendly atmosphere and community feel, with locals and non-locals alike chatting to each other over a couple of cracking pints. Shariff Ibrahim
1 Stoney Street, Beeston NG9 2LA. 07923 517331
A Pottle of Blues on Facebook
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