QVI VVLT PLACERE CVNCTIS NEMINI PLACET

It's starting to get to the time when we think about our beer festival. Only 7 weeks or so to go. As the price of everything is going up we have to think about the price of the ales. Well we could go for all cheap if we wanted. But of course the more something costs, generally the better quality. So, hopefully we'll have a range of ale, with a range of quality and a range of price. You can make your own mind up whether you think the quality matches the price.
We will of course stick with our Cumbrian Ale only policy. With the ever increasing worry over transporting food and drink over great distances, beer miles are very important.
Of course Cumbrian Ales can be more expensive, but in most cases we will fervently defend the fact that Cumbrian Ales are the best :-)
The Latin quote in the title of this blog (which is now displayed above the fizzy stuff on the bar), was created by Dr. Neil Hopkinson of Trinity College, Cambridge. He and his students stayed here for a week of concentrated study and tuition as well as daily wanders, good food, wine and beer. Whilst they were here we finally found that Dave's favorite saying of "If you try to please everyone, then you will please no one" actually comes from the Aesop's fable of The Man, The Boy and The Donkey. Apparently there does not seem to be a Latin Translation of this Greek Fable or it's moral. So, even when it comes to classics we can be the first!!
A more accurate translation may be "If you don't like it then please go away". Although Alan's (the barman) translation would use more basic Anglo Saxon of course...

.....satisfied customers...... some that are famous

Well as this season progresses we feel more confident that the way we do things is working. It's true we do get a few miffed people who come in and ask "....'you doin' food mate?", "Yes, but we're fully booked until 7:45" we reply, "Food's off guys!!" ...did we say that? No, just trying to politely point out that we take care over our food and as a result we take bookings.

But for the discerning, who are looking for an experience to enjoy, it's worth it.

Below is reproduced verbatim - a customer review written by a nice Farmer from Cambridge.

"Having left the lunacy of the motorway and fought your way along roads that get smaller and found yourself wondering whether it’s you or the rest of the world or both that is going mad there are a number of things you can do.
One of the best things you could do would be to turn off the A595 and onto the single track road up Eskdale until you reach The Woolpack Inn at Boot and enter a world where you are warmly welcomed, presented with a wonderful range of local and home made beers and then offered a menu with so many locally sourced ingredients that you’ll wonder how much goodness can be packed into so small a valley.
Your host will greet you at the bar adjacent to the brewery where he will tell you with engaging enthusiasm that most of the ales available have been brewed by him and they are the best real ales in Cumbria (probably) and would you please not call them bitters."
(Although some are bitters, some are light ales or stouts or pale ales or possibly mild - Ed)
Your hostess will then with equal enthusiasm and a trifle more modesty than your host, wave a menu at you which will have a menu sourced as locally as possible right down to the selection of cheeses, jams and marmalades all made or grown in the area. Local home grown bananas are being considered (possibly)
In conclusion you can sigh and wish your local MP took half as much care and thought into making your stay so enjoyable then the world would be a better place. Don’t write to your MP go to The Woolpack Inn instead, much more enjoyable."

Thank you to Mr S for his marvellous insight into staying at The Woolpack Inn.

Last Saturday we welcomed a famous actor for lunch. We hope he and his family enjoyed the peace and quiet. Apparently he has been coming here for years. But I'm not going to tell you who he is. You can always ask us when you come for lunch.

The price and availability of hops are causing difficulties. We are probably going to have to stop making Woolpacker for now due to the lack of Willamette hops. But reduce the hopping rate, add some ginger instead to make Wooly Fussion - casking tomorrow.....oh and we've got a brand new one - probably called Light Packer or maybe Traveling Light, either way it will be light, relatively mildly hopped and quaffable - sub 4% ABV.