West Country

Goat & Tricycle

Bournemouth, Dorset

James Blake and Tricia Baldwin have moved cask-beer drinking at the Goat & Tricycle to a new dimension. The duo at the Wadworth managed house use third-of-a-pint glasses so that customers can try out six different ales for £5.

Tricia comments: "It is proving to be a very popular option."

So is the "try before you buy" option introduced by the couple. The reason for offering these options becomes apparent when viewing the 11 handpulls on the bar.

Beer festival every day

Permanent fixtures on the bar are four

Wadworth ales - 6X, JCB, IPA, and Bishops Tipple, plus the current seasonal ale produced by the Devizes brewer. The other six beer engines are used for a variety of guest ales, which are rotated at least once a week.

James says: "During busy periods we can get through 25 different ales a week -it's like having a beer festival every day. Even when it's quieter, we will get through between eight and 10 different ales a week."

James and Tricia's select their guest beers from Waverley TSB listings. When making their choice, they take into account customers' requests as well as selecting cask beers that haven't yet appeared on the bar.

James remarks: "We like to have a range of abvs, from 3.6% session beers to stronger ales with an abv of 5.5% and above, plus a range of styles from dark bitters through to blond ales."

Safe venue for Tories

In the three years that the couple have managed the Goat & Tricycle, it has received numerous plaudits, including being voted the best pub in Bournemouth by the local radio station, three awards from Camra, and even becoming the safest venue for Conservatives to visit during the party's last conference.

The charismatic pub is well off the beaten track, but James says: "People who want real ale will find us."

Tricia adds: "A surprising number of young people track us down and most taxi drivers seem to drop people outside the door if a passenger asks 'take me to a good pub'."