Bank Holiday week-end saw the Chapman's decamp to Sunny Devon to visit Alison, my wifes, relatives. Exeter was the destination, which suited me as The Old Bridge at Topsham is only a few minutes away, and one of my favourite pubs - definitely worth a visit if you are ever in area. Their web site gives some of the pubs fascinating history, including a Royal visit. All I had to do was hood-wink two very bright teenagers and hope they didn't notice we were off to yet another Ye Olde World pub!

So, why am I boring you with all this anyway?

Well, Alison's family the Duxbury's live in Devon, and Alison went to Uni. in Exeter. She knows that area of Devon pretty well. So, I've got to know quite a few great places to taste brilliant Real Ales - and in some amazing pubs too. As regular Blog readers will know, we don't just sell wine, we sell beer too. No cans, just bottles, and mostly imported non-mainstream beers. Recently we have been expanding our English Ale range @ Surf4Wine (and particularly local beers).

Saturday was hectic family day and the kids had got bored, so I whisked them off for some sea air while Ali caught up with the relatives. By the time the evening came and we were heading back from the wilds of North Devon we were all feeling peckish - and some of us thirsty too!

I was racking my brains for where to go that was family-like but without bouncy castles and adventure playgrounds - I think I'd have got a thump from them and Mrs. C if I'd suggested that. I don't know why I was worrying though - Alison had it all under control - the Duxbury local knowledge came good once again! Alison really does know her husband very well - The Beer Engine at Newton St. Cyres was duly telephoned, a table reserved and Andrew started to get quietly smiley as the thought of this well-known and highly respected brew-pub began to drift into his salt encrusted brain. I am so glad I married Alison for many reasons, but this has to rank up there!

We had a great meal there. For a place most known for it's beers brewed on the spot, this Pub serves some brilliant food too. I managed a couple of pints of their very well made Piston Bitter (4.3% abv) and finished with a half of their Sleeper Heavy (5.4% abv). For those of you that haven't guessed, the beer engine is right beside the railway at New ton St. Cyres - hence the great beer names. I even had Douglas trying Real Ale with a modest amount of Rail Ale (3.8% abv) where he is normally happy, like most teenagers, drinking Coke or at a push, ubiquitous lager! Best start their education properly I say - thank goodness for sensible alcohol laws, at last, as far as over 14's drinking with family while eating.

So, a great evening out with the family with some superb real ale brewed in a great little Pub. And the kids even enjoyed as it was 'not like a normal pub'. Definitely worth a visit if you are down that way.

But the best news of all? The owner has said the next time I'm in Devon, which according to Alison won't be too long, if we give her enough notice, she'll bottle us some Beer Engine Piston Ale in 50cl bottles for us to bring back to Surf4Wine's hollowed out Volcano HQ and sell online. I think we might just take them up on that one.