Pub 161, Day 59 – Red Lion

By Ashley

It’s a big moment here at Pubquest HQ, as we introduce you – the beloved reader – to our first international blogger. Brace yourselves for a transatlantic masterpiece, as our American friend Ashley swaps her Bud Light, broncos, and lack of universal healthcare for the Heeley pub scene!

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After months of training me on the ways of British binge drinking, Rob must have thought he had adequately increased my alcohol tolerance so that I would survive one of his and Andy’s famed Pubquest pub crawls. Either that, or he wanted an excuse to get an American girl drunk, to serve as comedic inspiration for his next blog post. No matter his exact motivation, I was curious enough to accept the invitation to join the prestigious ranks of Pubquest guest bloggers.

Pub after pub, some of us foreigners may struggle to drink each beer, but these two practised Brits stay true to their mission and finish their pint, whether or not it tastes like monkey snot. As a guest blogger, I am thankful I was not subject to those same rules. If you value a coherent blog, you'll be thankful too – I was struggling to stay upright by the end of the night, despite not finishing all my pints.

After garnering the history of Pubquest at The Sheaf View, the three of us headed to the Red Lion to experience Heeley’s version of this ubiquitous English pub. Though there weren’t many people in the pub at this time, Rob and Andy managed to run into old friends from school. (And Rob says I know too many people in Sheffield…)

This unexpected encounter showcased the friendly nature of the neighbourhood pub, which was a little shabbier than the surrounding venues, but was pleasant enough. Whatever the decor and beer selection, the snooker table was the highlight for me.

Being raised in the United States, this was my first snooker experience. My slight familiarity with the game of pool did not really come in handy when faced with this extra-large British billiards game. Rob and Andy did a fair job of explaining the game to me, yet I couldn’t compete with their snooker skills, and they both beat me. Nevertheless, I wasn’t quite set on leaving the Red Lion on this note. So, we played another game and I kicked their Sheffield asses. Just kidding! I wish.

Anyway, several games and too many beers later, this American lightweight was all snookered-out, in proper post-Pubquest fashion. Too bad we had another pub yet to go…

Red Lion Snooker Score: Andy 0-1 Rob

Pubquest Snooker Score: Andy 4-6 Rob

Pub: Red Lion (653 London Road, S2 4HT)

Rating: 5.5/10

Pint: Theakston Dark

Brewery: Theakston Brewery (Masham, North Yorkshire)

NEXT UP: Ten out of ten, at The White Lion...