IF you want to taste a unique, home-grown beer, hop to it. That's the message from Andy MacKay, genial host of the Tap & Spile. Back in August, as the Evening Press reported, Andy had harvested his own crop of hops growing in the beer garden of the Monkgate pub.

Subsequently, Harrogate brewer Rooster (we're not worthy) turned the hops into a mightily quaffable ale.

So great has been the demand that Andy reckons he only has a week's supply left - and then that's yer lot until next year's harvest.

Andy explained to Bar Talk how he came to have a hop bush in his back garden.

"The chef who used to do the cooking here, Ralph, was moving. He decided it would help him sell his house if he tidied up his garden.

"So he dug up his hop bush and gave it to me."

That was about four summers ago - the length of time it takes for the plant to mature and bear fruit.

"I wasn't confident we would get many hops in the Yorkshire climate," Andy said. But with some careful nurturing - his horticultural expertise boosted by visits to the hop fields of Kent - he managed to bring the plant to fruition.

The beer has proved a real hit. Beer fans have travelled from across Yorkshire to try out Monkgate Hops, as it's been christened.

Artist Miladdio, a Tap and Spile regular, was commissioned to design a pub clip for the new beer.

"The plan was to have a monk hopping over a gate," Andy explains. "He took that theme and, with artistic licence, had me hopping over Monkgate."

The original artwork is now propped up behind the T&S bar.

Incidentally, for all you gardening types, the posh name for this variety of golden hops is Humulus Lupulus Aureus. Very apt, says Andy, because he's humorous and loopy.

Meanwhile, dig out your sporrans, because the Taps is celebrating St Andrew's Day in full Scottish style on November 30.

u STEAM down to the Locomotive, Watson Street, York, tonight. Dave and Moira Hay are celebrating both a year in charge of the pub and Dave's 50th birthday with a big party from 7.30pm.

"I don't know where the year's gone," says Dave, who swapped 30 years in the motor trade for the Locomotive.

"It's been absolutely brilliant. We have met some lovely people."

Everyone is welcome at the party, which includes a disco, karaoke and a free supper.

He hopes the anniversary will be the first of many: they have another nine years to go on their lease and cannot imagine leaving.

Congratulations to all at the Locomotive, too, for their fantastic fund-raising efforts. The pub has handed over £500 to the Children In Need appeal.

u LOONY Elvis impersonator Eddie Vee was strutting his stuff at the Cock & Bottle, Skeldergate, York, last night.

Unfortunately Bar Talk couldn't be there - we were detained ironing our sequined jumpsuits - but we are quite sure the Yorkshire TV cameras captured some unique footage of Eddie working a Friday night crowd of drinkers.

"It's a nice little place to perform in," Eddie said.

Look out for the programme, called Family Values, when it is broadcast. TVs with Nicam stereo sound are recommended to capture the full Eddie experience.

u THEY'VE been tweaking their sheep up in Masham. This is not a reference to some obscure farming practice, or an illegal hobby, but instead to the activities of a certain ruminant-styled brewery.

The team from Black Sheep Brewery (did you guess?) have redesigned their pump clips "to reflect the quality of our beer".

"We wanted a 'family' of Black Sheep pump clips that are easily recognisable and I believe we have produced just that," said sales director Pat Green.

As long as they don't mess around with the liquid stuff, Bar Talk will be happy.

u WELL done to The Ackhorne for being voted top pub by readers of :here, 'York's free-est magazine'. The St Martin's Lane boozer "combines a relaxed air with lively clientele and decent prices" says the mag.

Joint runners-up were The Swan, Clementhorpe and The Golden Ball, Cromwell Road, and taking the bronze was The Black Swan on Peasholme Green.

What fine taste these people have.

u DO you like hanging around in cool bars with sexy people? Thought we'd never met.

Anyway, if you do, here's a job opportunity passed on by Bar Talk. The Baja Beach Club chain is opening a Leeds venue in 2002 and its looking for staff with star quality.

Be warned: you will be expected to take to the stage and perform an audition rather than take part in a traditional interview.

For more info call 0113 243 6215 or check out www.bajabeachclub.co.uk

The manager of the Leeds venue, David Cooper, says it's more than a job; it's "a non-stop party every night".

Sounds exhausting.