Trifter

THE County is a delightful village, that overlooks the village green of Aycliffe in Co Durham.  This village pub has played host to both the British and French heads of government.

It has earned an enviable reputation for the high quality of its food, all of which is seasonal and sourced locally.  Its oysters come from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and the beef, which co-owner Stewart Dale selects himself, is sourced from Durham farms and hung for 28 days.

The customers of the County are traditional, yet adventurous in their tastes.  The serves a great deal of game and venison and even the pigeons are shot locally.

The County also has a large real ale clientele and last year retailed over 150 different brews.  Among have been Nordic Fury, Golden Plover and Workie Ticket.

Stewart Dale approached the neighbouring Yard of Ale Brewery to brew a special beer to celebrate his first year of running the County.

County Best Bitter quickly became a favourite ale with his regulars.  It is an inoffensive bitter beer that is neither too hoppy or too dark and sells at £2 a pint (2009)

The County has an impressive wine list, including Canadian Ice Beer and Californian Starboard Wine.  Ice wine is made from grapes that have frozen on the vine before being harvested to produce a more concentrated must.  Californian Starboard Wine is their equivalent of port with a rich chocolately full-bodied palate and a dried fruit nose.

This is great inn for anyone, not just heads of government, to visit.