I know it is rather late but I think I should report on my liquid experiences in York. I have been home a month now, and I have needed that time to digest all the input I had. The transition from English to Norwegian beer prices was not smooth, and it caused me to sober up quickly.
Most evenings were spent in lively company visiting between two and 10 pubs, and the Guinness was always excellent. I tried to find the Riggwelter, it was hard. On the third last evening I found a place that had it, but only in bottles. It was good, but after such a long search it should have been better. I quite quickly returned to my Guinness. I tried several other ales from Black Sheep and Young’s, and did not find a single one I did not like.
The worst pubs I visited were all at the university. We quickly located the nearest off-campus watering holes. They were only five minutes away, and although both had half a dozen large TV screens they still served good meals and excellent brews.
I’ll not bore you with all details, so I’ll only mention the one pub I liked the most. Located in the medieval part of town, and reputedly the most haunted pub in York, it was called The Golden Fleece. No TVs, no loud music, no level floors, actually not a single 90 degree angle in the whole place, but with loads of atmosphere and excellent service. Initially I thought “The most haunted” would be a tourist trap, but it isn’t. We only met one other foreigner there.
Tom
Poll