All 'Ale' The Nation's Top Pub Poet
Posted on 21st September 2009
Andy Fraser from Broughty Ferry in Dundee entered the Pub Poet competition via his local Vintage Inn, the Kittiwake on Dalhousie Road.
Poems needed to reference a beer from the company’s Summer Festival of Golden Ales, which included Everards’ popular and thirst quenching Sunchaser Blonde.
Andy managed to skilfully work the brew into his piece From Stannergate to Kittiwake, an evocative account of the walk along Broughty Ferry’s picturesque waterfront.
The poem has been voted the nation’s favourite by visitors to the Vintage Inns website www.vintageinn.co.uk, earning Andy a VIP weekend break to London for four people.
Oliver Turner, brand manager for Vintage Inns, said: “All our entrants penned very good verse, but Andy’s poem is a worthy winner because it’s so well crafted and beautifully worded. It makes you want to see and experience his journey for yourself.”
A delighted Andy added: “I’m surprised but obviously delighted to win. It wasn’t hard to be inspired by the six festival golden ales, plus my poem came straight from the heart as I think I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.”
Sunchaser Blonde (4.0% ABV) is an innovative cask conditioned beer made in the style of a continental lager. It has a rich gold-straw colour, delicate citrus aroma and includes subtle fruit flavours and a touch of sweetness.
So three cheers for Andy and here’s a copy of his winning poem, which naturally is best enjoyed with a cool pint of Sunchaser in hand!
From Stannergate to Kittiwake
An evening too good to waste
A walk at sundown along the shore
Sea air and more to taste.
My path cuts a swathe through Grassy Beach
The river on my right
A heron stands at the water’s edge
A statue in the fading light.
Onwards into Douglas Terrace
A look back up the Tay
Reveals the bridges bathed in red
I’m sorely tempted to stay.
But no, press on past the lifeboat, moored
All must be quiet out at sea
While in day I was Sunchaser
Now twilight is chasing me.
The castle looms into view straight ahead
Five centuries of sunsets it’s seen
The cannon within are silent now
But that’s not the way it’s aye been.
Push on eastwards along the Esplanade
Beach deserted bar a dog on the run
Today will have been a different story
Throngs descending to worship the sun.
Just time to witness a glorious scene
A pod of dolphins at play in the briny
Turning somersaults over the sun-dappled waves
Perfect soulmates of nature’s finery.
Change the company of the river for the nature reserve
Haven for wild flowers & walkers alike
Cross the railway bridge in the deepening dusk
A short climb and my goal is in sight.
At last, in the garden of The Kittiwake
Warmth surrounding me, glass contents cold
Reflecting on my journey, I take a long draught
Now I know how it feels to strike gold!
Picture courtesy of The Courier, Dundee: Andy Fraser with wife and son Elaine and Scott alongside Manager of The Kittiwake Pub David Jardine and Assitant Manager Karen Forbes
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