In June of 2002, Al and Mart decided to invade the quiet, unspoilt fishing village of Mevagissey on the south coast of Cornwall. The reason for this was simple: within the sleepy confines of this traditional village are no less than five pubs within 150 yards of each other. The week was also the Feast Week of St Peter, a time when the village traditionally goes slightly mad, has a variety of fish-related events, and spends most evenings walking the streets doing the Floral Dance to the tune of the local brass band.

It was a very hot summer's day when Al and Mart decided to attempt this crawl. Deciding, however, that this task would be a feeble challenge to their beer-drinking skills, they walked the 3 miles along the coast path to reach the sailing resort and hamlet of Pentewan, which contains the repected Ship Inn, where the fine St. Austell ales can be purchased. They drank 6 pints of the bitter-sweet Tribute Ale, while Martin's neck slowly toasted in the blistering sun.

At a slightly more sedate and wobbly pace, they returned back to Meva along the coast path, loaded up on food, and after a brief walk to build up a thirst they hit the village pubs, working from south to north towards their flat (right next door to the final pub).

First on the hit list was the King's Arms, a small, pleasant wooden-beamed pub, with antique swords and firearms, plus photos of waves crashing against the village lighthouse. Here they sell a fine pint of Bass, and one or two others. Resolving to stick to Cornish beer all through, the duo elected for Sharp's Eden Ale (Wadebridge), a brew created for the opening of the Eden Project just outside St Austell. This summery ale is fruity and has characteristic Cornish bitterness. The King's is frequented by the village male voice choir, but tonight the air was filled with the music of the Floral Dance passing by.

Next, on to the Harbour Tavern. This is on the harbour front, has a fantastic view, is quite a large pub, has over 150 rums, and never has anyone in at night. They sell beer from two Cornish brewers, Skinners of Truro and Redruth. Skinners Figgy's Brew, a dark, malty beer was supped here as the sun descended slowly and the brass band could be heard slowly fading away into the distance.

On to the Ship Inn (a different one). This is the largest and most town-like pub in the village. It is very old, with low wooden beams, serves the full range of St Austell beers, has accomodation, and serves good food. Usually the dukebox plays classic 70s and 80s music, but sometimes is mercifully silent. Having developed the taste for Tribute earlier in the day, it was decided to compare the quality of this brew in the two Ship Inns within 5 miles of each other. I can't remember whose won - it was very good anyway. Tribute was originally brewed as Daylight Robbery, a special beer for the solar eclipse of 1999, but it was so popular that it has been retained as a standard.

Penultimate on the crawl was the Cellar Bar, an intimate stone building with deep orange lights and all the feeling of an Oxford college beer cellar. Two beers are available here, usually one Sharps and one Skinners. More Figgy's was consumed in this locality before the aweful prospect of the 15 yards walk to the last pub...

Finally, and rather the worse for wear, the companions reached the 15th Century Fountain Inn, a delightful local with two bars, well-kept St Austell ale, ancient beamwork and the remnant of a pilchard press under the flagstones. Here they thought it wiser not to venture to a Hicks Special Draught (aka High Speed Death, aka High Strength Diesel), the ultimate in dark, Cornish beers, but for the Tinners Ale, a refreshing session beer full of flavour. This is just as well since they had many pints here before collapsing either next door at the flat or in the pub itself. Shown below is the Fountain duting daytime, and Mart and his sister.

More picture of this illustrious break can be found in the photo album here.