WE'VE a mixed tray of drinks snippets this week, with various happenings around York's busy beer scene.

First up is news of a mouthwatering event taking place at The Duke of York in King's Square this coming Thursday.

Regulars will be familiar by now with the pub's monthly Brew Offs, in which two breweries present two beers apiece, and go head-to-head for drinkers' votes.

This month, Salamander from Bradford and Two Roses from Barnsley are on the bar.

After trying one or both beers from each brewer, drinkers will be invited to put a voting chip in one of two bowls. The winner's beers will then be given preference on the bar in the coming weeks.

The beers available from Salamander are Warriors of Light and Golden Salamander, while Two Roses will be represented by Heron Porter and Pacifica Pale.

 

York Press: Paul Marshall, landlord of the Rook & Gaskill

Paul Marshall at The Rook and Gaskill (library picture)

THERE is good news for fans of The Rook and Gaskill in Lawrence Street, which has long been one of the city's finest real ale pubs.

Landlord Paul Marshall was set yesterday to sign a new contract with the building's owners, Castle Rock Brewery from Nottingham, which he says should mean he is there for a good number of years to come.

Paul was previously over the road at The Waggon and Horses, but took on The Rook as well in late 2013, and relinquished The Waggon a few months later.

The original deal was a three-way arrangement involving him, Castle Rock and also Wharfebank Brewery, but it seems the new arrangement may be a direct deal with Castle Rock.

Either way, Paul is hopeful it will give him long-term security, which will enable him to crack on with new plans, including looking into adding a roof terrace at the back and revamping the food menu.

York Press:

ST Matthew's Church in Grosmont, in the North York Moors, is holding a three-day beer and music festival next weekend, to raise money for the church roof fund.

There will be real ales and also wines, ciders and soft drinks.

Admission is free on the Friday evening, when there will be an open-mic night, but is by ticket only on the Saturday and Sunday evenings. Tickets are £5 each and can be For tickets or more information, phone Grosmont Post Office or Grosmont Bookshop on 01947 895170.

York Press:

TEN miles north of York, The New Inn at Huby is undergoing a refurbishment. It should reopen in the last few days of August, so we'll take a proper look in due course.