Ray's blog: A love of good food & drink
I’ve been thinking about doing this for a little while now. I love talking to customers and letting them know what’s been going on in and around the pub and this felt like a nice way of making sure you all get to hear about it. So, here goes, my first blog…
We’ve said goodbye to summer, and the clocks have gone back, but there's something rather lovely about this time of year. The evenings draw in, the fires start to earn their keep and there's even more reason to settle down with a good meal, a decent glass of wine and some good company.
October has been another busy month, with a little bit of everything: plenty of beer, lederhosen, some lovely countryside walks, a good dose of friendly competition and, of course, lots happening in the kitchen. So, here's a little look at what's been going on at The Druid Inn.
At the heart of any good country pub is the food and drink, and I like to think there's something for everyone at The Druid. One wine I've been enjoying is our Bodegas Muriel Reserva Rioja. A proper Spanish classic, this Reserva has spent a minimum of three years ageing in a combination of barrel and bottle, giving it a lovely depth and character. It's a wonderfully rounded wine, perfect for those who enjoy something with a little more character. Particularly good alongside a hearty meal or simply enjoyed beside the fire at this time of year!
And talking of food, one dish I would encourage you to try is our Sweet Potato, Chickpea & Spinach Curry. I’m a fully-fledged meat eater, but this vegan friendly dish ticks all the boxes. It has a lovely combination of warming spices, fresh flavours and a little sweetness, it's a delicious alternative to some of the more traditional pub favourites. Comfort food with a little bit of a twist!
Whether you're a Rioja drinker, a curry enthusiast or firmly in the Sunday roast camp, we always believe good food and drink should be enjoyed without too much fuss.
October can be a quieter month, but it certainly wasn't short of entertainment! We kicked things off with the Pub Hopper Oktoberfest celebrations, which brought plenty of beer drinking, lederhosen and a fair amount of questionable German-inspired fashion! The team got fully involved, dressing up for the occasion, although I'm not entirely convinced Liv was quite as enthusiastic about her outfit as the rest of us! Nevertheless, a good time was had by all, and it was lovely to see everyone getting into the spirit of things.
Our regular monthly countryside walk was another highlight, with Kinga taking the lead this time around. It's always lovely to see people joining us for a bit of fresh air and good company before returning to the pub for a drink or a bite to eat. We also hosted our second charity quiz in aid of North Clwyd Animal Rescue, raising a fantastic £118.50. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported such a worthwhile cause.
And finally, some rather lovely news for the pub. We've found out that The Druid Inn is featured in the 2027 CAMRA Good Beer Guide. That's two years running now! It's a wonderful recognition of the work that goes into looking after our beers and keeping a good selection for our customers to enjoy. A big thank you to our team, to CAMRA, and, of course, to all of you who continue to support us.
Of course, there's plenty that goes on around the pub that doesn't always make it into the limelight as well. Our fabulous housekeeping team (Kate, Claire, Juliette and Chris) have been busy getting stuck into a deep clean, making sure everything is looking its best and keeping the pub in tip-top condition. The paintwork has had a touch up, all of the chair covers and window seat cushions have had a thorough clean, and we've also started preparing for the change of season, with our winter planters arriving courtesy of the lovely folk at Holly Farm Garden Centre, in Whichurch. It's these little details that make such a difference to the comfort and feel of the pub.
There's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to make sure everything feels just right when you walk through our doors, and it's something I’m very grateful to our team for.
As we turn the page into November, our thoughts naturally begin to turn towards Christmas. This month, we're celebrating something particularly close to our hearts: the heritage of hospitality. There's a reason why old country pubs hold such a special place in our communities’ hearts for generations. A warm welcome, a table full of good food, a familiar face behind the bar and somewhere to bring everyone together. It's a tradition I’m rather proud to be part of here at The Druid.
With our Christmas menus and events now taking centre stage, we're looking forward to welcoming friends, families, colleagues and local businesses for festive lunches, Christmas parties and get-togethers. Whether you're planning a big celebration or simply looking for somewhere to enjoy a lovely meal and a little Christmas cheer, we'd love to be part of it.
So, as the nights draw in and the festive season approaches, there's no better time to gather around the table, enjoy a glass of something lovely and make a few memories along the way.
As always, thank you for continuing to support us. It's the people who come through our doors, the familiar faces, the new faces and the conversations shared over the bar that make The Druid what it is.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my blog, I’ll aim to get one out at the start of each month. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Cheers,
Ray
The Druid Inn
