BRAPA .... WHEN I SAW DAD'S FACE, NOW I'M IN WEAVERS (Malvern Special Pt 1/2)

Saturday 8th March 2025

Looking south towards Worcestershire might sound like crazy talk when you're booked down to Brum New Street with no overnight stopover, but it surprisingly isn't that far to Worcester if you get yourself on an hourly zoomer.

And if you're going to Worcester, you may as well stay on to Great Malvern. "We could even stay on to Ledbury?" I suggest to Daddy BRAPA, but he looks at me like that really is crazy talk. Herefordshire anyway, a terrifying prospect, I'm swerving that one for now.

It's hard to get a cup of hot chocolate to line your stomach when the daily B. New St. milk order hasn't arrived from the dairy, so an overpriced Leon (not Foster) had to do. Pop a filter on Colin to make him look less grey, and we're off .....

Ain't Malvern glorious? Before you've even left the station ......

I'd only seen the town in torrential rain before (2017 - Nag's Head and some hotel not currently in the GBG) but it is befitting of today's spring warmth and sunshiiiine.

In fact, today's flying visit inspired Daddy BRAPA so much that by the end of the weekend, he'd booked a few days down here with Mummy B. in April. Good on 'em!

A man apologises to me most sincerely for blocking the pavements with his hedge cuttings. It felt like a very Malvern response to life.

Good start to the ticking too, the acceptable face of modern pubbing warms the heart. On a day of strong pubs, Weavers, Malvern (2994 / 5479) would be our silver medallist. A known lady arrives at the same time as us and gets a squeal and a hug from our barmaid. Where's my squeal and hug? Where's Dad's squeal and hug? Where's Colin's squeal and hug? Not to worry, she's a great host, low key legend in fact. I order a beer cos it has an elephant on the clip. Fownes? Didn't I go to one of their pubs in Burton? She's not sure. I expect bar staff to know these things. Some curious but friendly dudes are hanging up their artwork for sale. They eye me hungrily like I'm a cash cow. We're recommended the garden. Suntrap. First outdoor drinking of 2025. Spring is here ... or so I thought back then. Don't mistake this place for a micropub, It isn't. Check out the upstairs room. Beautifully done. Dad's loving it here so much, he's not going to rush down to pub two with me, he's going to sit here in the sun for a second, take his time, chat to the landlord about Worcester's best pubs, and relax. These non-tickers eh? They don't know how lucky they are. Imagine being able to CHOOSE which pubs you want to do. I cannot comprehend.

Legend, but unaware of the Burton pubs I did in 2019

Sorry Col, but at least you are coming with me!

So I dash off alone, downhill at a million miles an hour on my incredibly sore toe which I don't like to talk about. I have a strict 25 minutes here before meeting Dad back at the station.

I so nearly did this pub back in 2017 but just ran out of time as I was on a train to London. Let's hope it is worth the wait .....

I did a Beavis & Butthead style 'huh huh huh' at this point

Wye Valley fun in the sun at the Morgan, Malvern (2995 / 5480) as a voice from behind a pillar says "you can't sit there!" I shuffle across to another table. "You can't sit there either!" then much guffawing. Two jokey blokies bringing the Worcs banter. An Asian lady carrying a pocket sized child enters. One of the blokes bounds over to her and starts making jokes about his lack of hair. Poor lady looks terrified, and very confused. The Usual Suspects are on, guest beer I mean, confusing because the actual usual suspects of HPA and Butty Bach are on too. Jaipur is guesting, but I didn't see it, and just as well. The lunch set up throws some visiting elders into a spin. Lunch rolls (note, not cobs, we're in civilised lands far enough away from the Black Country) and a silver salad dish with a hard to open lid. "Do I HAVE to have a roll and salad?" wails a posh blouse as though she's been called up for National Service. Our host is a very matter of fact tough old bird, and looks at her like she's quite ridiculous. Which of course she is. Amusing stuff, solid pub.

Back at the station with time to spare, Daddy B is just coming out of the loo, hands me the massive station key (proper old skool down here) so I can go too.

Next stop then is Worcester where I have four required ticks. 2007 was my last visit, pre-BRAP, I did the Dragon, something with an Austrian(?) theme I think called the Cardinal's Hat and a gorgeous old building with tonnes of beer which might've been a King Charles but I'm not sure.

I was wearing my Gogol Bordello 'Start Wearing Purple' tee shirt and got befriended by two young men who assumed I was a homosexual which can happen especially when wearing that or my rainbow unicorn top, but less so when wearing my 'boobs are mint' hoodie. But so what, I can be an ally to all persuasions #WokeSi2025

We'll end part one with our first of three, but could it deliver?

Regular readers will know I've had a Black Country Ales wobble of late, as I start to appreciate why those who frequent pubs in the Black Country seem to favour the more independent minded Holden's and Batham's outlets. But Imperial Tavern, Worcester (2996 / 5481) hasn't been overly BCA'd, it perhaps was once a pre-BCA pub, a sturdy gaff comfortable in its own skin. The carpet and upholstery aren't BCA regulars from memory. I run the gauntlet of all those Pig on the Wall / BFG ales before reaching a guest Oakham, and it's lovely fluffy stuff. Forest are about to beat Citeh and the pub is lined with balding beef & onion baguettes of men, feigning interest but secretly wishing they're watching rugby union. I nearly tread on a dog that is identifying as a gremlin squirrel as I squeeze between tables to find the loos. Good stuff, felt a real good n proper locals local.

The best pub was still yet to come, so join me same time tomorrow evening for that + two more.

Have a good week, Si