The Old Brew House
The Old Brew House
The Old Brew House
Seagate
Arbroath
01241 879945
If fishing towns and seaside resorts usually conjure up images of summer days, beaches and ice-cream the thought of venturing anywhere near a raging sea in the freezing cold may seem less than appealing. However winter does bring it's advantages.
There's nothing quite like spending an afternoon in the comfort of a cosy sea front inn, tucking into a huge dish of seafood and gazing past the warm glow of candlelight to the stormy seas outside.
The Old Brewhouse in Abroath offers just such an opportunity. This 16th century building is so close to the harbour that modern day owners James and Jean Stewart ask visitors to use the side door in winter for safety reasons.
The front door side is beside the alarmingly titled Danger Point where the Brothick Burn runs into the North Sea. When the wind and rain combine with high tide, huge waves and flooding can result.
The day we paid a visit the waves were crashing against Danger Point and although there was no prospect of any seriously scary weather conditions the October temperatures had begun their freefall into winter and we were desperate to get in out of the cold.
Thankfully the Old Brewhouse is one of these all too rare places to serve food outwith the traditional 12 to 2 lunchtime period. It was after two and although the lunchtime menu was no longer available the afternoon selection had just started.
It wasn't a huge choice by any means but the five or so main courses and two or three starters and sweets all sounded quite appealing particularly on a cold autumn day.
Being so close to the sea we felt duty bound to order some seafood so we decided to share a pot of prawns in a creamy Marie Rose dressing with slabs of brown bread.
We continued our maritime theme into the main courses with a large plate of lightly breaded haddock, chunky chips and vegetables and a huge smokie bursting with flavour served up with a large bowl of chips and salad.
We postponed our excursion back out into the wilds with a leisurely cup of coffee and a few more drinks from the bar - all the while savouring the comfort of our surroundings and the contentment a heart meal brings.
Prices at the Old Brewhouse are reasonable too with a starter, two courses, two coffees and a couple of drinks costing just under �18.
~ by Hilary McNally