Raise a fork to Rabbie (From York Press)

Raise a fork to Rabbie

11:52am Saturday 21st January 2012 in Pints of View

Rachel Proctor-Broad swots up, ready for the Burns Night celebrations, at the Ackhorne pub in York

GAVIN AITCHISON checks out where to celebrate Burns Night in York this week.

COULD Burns Night slowly be going the way of St Patrick’s Day, I wonder? The poet’s birthday, January 25, has long been a celebration for Scots, but over the past few years it seems to have been gaining in popularity in England too, spreading its wings just like St Patrick’s Day before it.

More and more pubs seem to be catching on, using the day as a good excuse for a party, a new menu or some novelty beers.

It makes sense, of course. January is a particularly tough month for many pubs, so anything that draws in extra customers is to be welcomed. And in the same way that St Patrick’s Day has long proved a money-spinner in March for savvy landlords, so Burns Night could provide welcome extra revenue in these dark days of winter.

As a Scot myself, I’m certainly pleased to see such new-found enthusiasm for the day. Ten years ago, options were few and far between, and I had to harangue suspicious friends into trying the haggis I had cooked at home. Now, we seem to be spoilt for choice.

I won’t bore you with my impassioned spiel about how fantastic Rabbie and his writings are. Not, today at least. Instead, I’ll simply say this: his work is brilliant and so is haggis, so join in the festivities if you can. Here are your choices in York:

• The Ackhorne in St Martin’s Lane has a Burns Supper on the 25th, with the traditional haggis, neeps and tatties, as well as a quiz and – of course – some poetry (tickets £5.95 in advance).

• The Punch Bowl in Blossom Street and The Postern Gate in Piccadilly are holding a five-day celebration from Monday to Friday next week. Haggis, neeps and tatties plus a beer will be £4.99, and there will be up to seven Scottish guest ales, whisky and a Scottish steak dish.

• Brigantes in Micklegate will have haggis, neeps and tatties from 7pm on Friday, plus whisky tasting (tickets available from The Whisky Shop in the Coppergate Centre).

• The Lamb and Lion at Bootham Bar will have haggis, whisky and possibly cock-a-leekie soup from 6pm on Wednesday.

• The Fox and Roman in Tadcaster Road has a range of Scottish dishes from Monday until Wednesday, possibly longer, and offers a dram of Talisker for £1 with any meal.

• The Royal Oak in Goodramgate has a three-course Burns Supper on Wednesday for £18.95 a head, including a dram of whisky. Contact the pub to book.

• The Cross Keys and The Old White Swan in Goodramgate both have a three-course meal for £15.95, including a dram of Talisker. Again, contact the pub to book.

WE spoke last month about York’s newest brewery, Treboom in Shipton-by-Beningbrough.

Their beers are now hitting the city’s bars and are well worth trying. Venues to have received deliveries include The Ackhorne, The Blue Bell, The Maltings, The Masons Arms and Meltons Too.

IT hasn’t taken long for York’s first beer festival of 2012 to come along.

The Fox Inn in Holgate Road is holding a four-day event, from February 16 to 19, with about a dozen different ales.

TALKING of festivals…. Readers in East Yorkshire may want to leave the pub and head to church in April.

The Hull and East Yorkshire branch of Camra is holding its beer and cider festival from April 19 to 21 – in Hull’s biggest church, Holy Trinity.

Ventilation was a problem at the old venue, so Camra has teamed up with the local clergy. Organiser Stewart Campbell said: “Holy Trinity has been at the centre of the community for centuries and we are looking forward to holding the festival in such an historic building.”

Common sense or nonsense? Follow Gav on twitter@pintsofview for beery news, views and chat throughout the week.