Carisbrooke - Top toffee ale'ouses report

Juiced up in Rotterdam

Top Toffee Ale'ouse
Carisbrooke

Carrisbrooke (nominated by Steven Whitehead & Blue Poppet)
Carisbrook Rd
Walton

'Me and all my mates go to the Carisbrooke its realy a great blue house with pics of the pub manager with loads of ex players all over the walls.' (Steven Whitehead 25/09/00)

'I've been coming here with my Dad for 18 years, what can I say? The best bluenose pub to be in before & after the match, a proper pub for proper Evertonians with proper lager, no flat stuff here!!! Evertonians talking football and not listening to some crap music drinking crap ale!!! Let's re-build the Carisbrooke at King's Dock and get that bluenose atmosphere down there, what about it Dave (the Manager)? Just ask the brewery, no problem!!!' (Blue Poppet. 16/11/00)

It's just 'Carisbrooke'( no 'The'), named after a village on The Isle of Wight, otherwise affectinately known as 'The Carry'.
What a visit! After finally convincing Joyce that we were not Inland Revenue snoopers or Double-Glazing salesmen we got the nod and had the freedom of the pub. There are three parts to the pub, the lounge, the bar and the street for the overspill, the place is packed with blues, even moreso on the day of the visit as the Cumbrian Blues were in residence. Not a rockin' place as there is no jukey but it buzzes with pre-match atmosphere.

Nominated by Steven Whitehead

Stella Artois!!

Standing room only

The Management * * *

Joyce Beamish (what a surname for a landlady!) and her fella Dave ('I was born to be Blue just like y'self'), have run the pub for 7 years. Also in residence is Benji the Cocker Spaniel, 'He's blind, deaf and has got no balls - bit like a Liverpudlian really!'. Joyce was christened Mrs Bobbitt after she had Benji's bollocks cut off, she reckons that he got his eyesight back after the operation as his tear ducts returned - well it bloody well would bring tears to your eyes wouldn't it?
Ably assisted behind the bar by Dave Dover, Pauline, Pat, Ann & Tricky Ricky.

Atmosphere * * * *

Absolutely heaving. Bar, lounge and outside as well. Pre-match discussion and anticipation fills the place, mind you it's a good job it's chocka because you wouldn't want to look at the 60's decor for too long. Everton memorabilia is dotted around the pub, solely Blue, no red shite unlike Harlech Castle. Empty, the lounge looks like a bingo hall or 'The Naffii'.
The boys outside mingle into the flow of the foot traffic on their way to the ground, the pavement was heaving.
Both lounge and bar atmosphere was boosted by the presence of the Cumrian Blues who had landed for breakfast and been in there since, they were in fine form.

Ale * * * *

Whitbread house, unashamedly advertising Stella prominently outside, all the usual although Stingray was disappointed in the range of Whiskey!! Flowers bitter, Aussy Whites and 'the best mild in the City' according to Dave, he's probably right because he drinks it! All spirits are doubles.
We certainly got juiced up, nearly missed the kick-off and would have done had we accepted Dave's offer of a session!

Music, TV & Radio *

SKY, big screen in the bar and a couple of small screens in bar and lounge. Jukey in bar piped to longe with 'supermarket tunes' as background when the jukey is off! As Fleur says in her nomination , you there to talk EVERTON, in The Carry they make their own entertainment. We didn't make it post match (just as well after the result) but you could imagine it rockin' on a good day.

Locals *

Arl Billy, Tommy 'Chopper' Fowler, Joe McCullogh & Miserable Charlie arl Arse.

Special Features * * *

Piss anywhere as there are no signs on the bog doors!
Happy Hour 12 Noon - 8pm!! (except matchdays).
Young kids not allowed and spent most of the time playing knock and run to torment the staff.
Benji the castrated Spaniel!!

Pictures from the visit