Saturday 19th December - Burton Beer Circle Christmas Meal

Winter's arrived and so it has to be strong beers on offer at the Coopers.

Started with P2 - that excellent stout from (well White Shield these days) followed by Red Shield - i wanted to try the Thomas Sykes 10% offering but "Its been knocked and needs to settle." Someone did acquire a sample and (excuse my French here) "Kin heck" its like whisky.

Thence Merrie from Thornbirdge "a fantastic deep brown ale was flavoured with Liberty, Chinook and Santiam hops and a generous dosing of some Derbyshire Hidcote Lavender."

On to the Manzil for the meal (and some Cobra) and its rained and froze outside whilst we were inside - interesting trip back to the station.

Friday 18th December - Tamworth

Friday night outing with RG.

Started at the Globe for our usual (Holden's Mild - RG says he likes this but prefers Batham's Mild - I know what he means.)

Into the Sir Robert Peel and some acquaintances not seen for various lenghts of time and some excellent Jingle Fells from Hawkshead. Tony (the landlord) gave me a free promotional hat as well - cheers Tony.

Next into the Silk Kite ( a recent addition to Tamworth this Lloyds bar charges £1 on a Friday night for admission) - The Deer Hunter from Harviestoun (specially brewed for JD Wetherspoon’s international Real ale festival Oct 09. Hops used are; First Gold, Pacific Hallertau and Styrian Goldings.) A bottle of Becks followed.

Onto the other wetherspoons - the Bole Bridge for a quick San Miguel and an even quicker Glenfidich and thence home via the Dug Out chippy.

Tuesday 15th December (Exening) - Burton Beer Circle Cheese and Biscuits

So we assemble (again) at the Coopers for the Cheese and Biscuits and what a lovely selection.

Oakham's Citra and Punk IPA from Brewdog were the drinks tonight.

Tuesday 15th December (day) - Works Xmas Meal

Works Xmas meal is at the Swan Hotel (which got a mention a few postings back.)

Old Speckled Hen this time (tried to see if they'd got bottled local alea like last time but apparantly not.

Afterwards onto a new venue by the Market (with waiter service but pub prices) - the Pie and ale shop - reasonable choice but not great quality I felt. anyway its was Marston's Old Empire and thence their Bitter.

Thursday 10th December - Wetherspoons of Central Birmingham

In Birmingham on business but with an early finish so chance to take in a few pubs.

Back round the German markets - the cats are still there so purchased along with a festive candle holder but I ain't paying £3.50 for Gluvein spice.

Met up with GP and we decived to contrast the Wetherspoons of central Birmingham (except for the Dragon as it a bit to far in the available time.)

Started at the unroofed! Wetherspoons by the library for Turkey's Delight from Smiles.

Next through the market and the Wood's stall (opting for the Shropshire Lass) qwhilst we watched a drunken gentleman scurry about with a plate of food - how come he didn't drop any?

Brier Rose next for Lodden Razzle Dazzle - GP noting he felt the food was not such good quality these days.

Square Peg for Winter's Tale from Warwickshire.

Finally a lookalike Wetherspons - the Yard of Ale - didn't note down what beer was drunk here but we did sample some technicien butterscotch schnapps which GP thought Mrs GP might like and which JF mentioed a few days later he couldn't stand.

Wednesday 9th December - Burton Beer Circle

Brief staop at the Devonshire for guess what - yes that old friend Burton Bridge Porter (but withn good reason).

On to the Cooper's

"Ladies and gentleman - welcome to the cheese and biscuits evening..." - in walks Mary (the land lady) "That's next week you lot, this rooms booked the for beer festival organisers."

Plan B - we take over the other room and continue the tasting of the stout and the like and decide to reassemble 6 days hence whilst some of our party and split between the two meetings.

A selection of stouts including a surprisingly drinkable sherry , whoops sorry JF - 18 year old stout.

Anyway the one commercial beer from the pub here was Woods Wonderful but someone did sneak in a Brewdog Tokyo Stout. Please they enjoyed my recently brewed Nominic Porter (read it backwards!).

28th November - Derby

Christmas social with the Craft Brewing Association attracted a good crowd from all over for a crawl round Derby.

Starting at the Babbington (Wetherspoons) they had a good selection as always with a number from Leatherbritches and so let's work through those was my decision. And so it came to pass that Dovedale, got followed by Hairy Helmet and finally Lemongrass and Ginger.

Long stroll next to Mr Grundy's Tavern for luch washed down with Falstaff's and Fistful of Hops followed by Fireside from Greene King.

Next one of my favourite's , the Flower Pot and a rare chance to try an 80/- beer from Spire (and well timed as I'd recently been judging one in that style (see earlier posting re Burton bottle swap). Also was the deceptive 7.5% (must be getting near Xmas) Zymosis from Headless.

Final port of call finds us in the Silk Mill for Wye Valley HPA and lestly Wentworth Stout and finally home.

Good day - cheers Ron.

Friday 20th November - Rugeley / Walsall

This should have been one of Februsary 2010's posting but due to a change of circumstances I find myself with the task of quicking sorting out somewhere for the latest Friday night outing.

I'd heard some good reports about Rugeley recently and as it can be done by train from Birmingham decided to test the group's self-imposed boundaries and head that way.

However, the German market was in town do do a quick reckie of there (oh look at those pot cats - they're nice) including avoiding a potential dog fight and ending at the Wood's brewery stand for a pint of their Christmas Beer (6% Christmas Cracker) to join their more regular Shropshire Lad and Lass offerings.

Thence onto the Wellington (and joined by TH) for Derby's Irrestiable, Beowulf's Dark Raven and Belvoir's Dark Horse Mild.

Time to eat and an excellent bagette for £1 from the shop at the top of the ramp into the shopping centre above New Street station - apparantely they were that price only as opening offers but seeing as opening was several months ago one wonders.

Onto what is becoming a common haunt at present (the Yard of Ale) where Jennings Bitter was consumed at which point the others joined us.

On to the train and all the way out to Rugeley Trent Valley and across the road to the Yorkshireman (with stinky drains).

They sell a couple fo the local Blyth beers here and so it was Palmers Poison (we are in Rugley after all) although could have had Bagots Bitter.

Back to the sation and off at the preceding station (Rugeley Town) to the Britannia - not a great choice but the Banks's Bitter wasn't that bad. Interesting use of beer engine on toilet cistern here.

On to the Red Lion which is one of the CAMRA heritage pubs. Again Banks's but this time the Original.

We'ed hoped to do Wetherspoons but to do so would have meant an extra hour plus here so missed out and into Walsall for the Black Country Arms. Salopian Shropshire Gold drunk here.

Back to Birmingham and quickly into the Newt for a half of Stella before rushing for the train.

22nd October - Burton - Coopers Tavern Autumn Beer Festival

My first visit to one of the beer festivals that take place at this wonderful venue and the choice didn't let me down.

Beers available included :

* Sarah Hughes Ruby Mild
* Blue Monkey Guerilla
* Thornbridge St Peterburg
* Tower Black Stout and Fros Brook
* Mallinson Oat Meal Stout
* Brown Cow Bowlocks Stout (sip)
* Milltown Mild
* Bass Bitter
* Woodlands Mild
* Bristol Beer Factory Sunrise
* Enville Ginger and Dragons Den
* Teme Valley Blond and North Down
* Oakham Baja 1000 and Xterminator
* Wem Cherry Bomb (not on)
* Leatherbritches Ginger Spice (sip - Lemon Grass Beer)
* Brewdog Hardcore
* High House Matten Magpie Ale
* Quartz Grun Gold
* Thornbridge Jaipur (sip) and Halcyon Epic
* Castle Rock Warbler
* Hopback English Hop Medley

The biggest challenge however wasn't deciding which beer to have next, rather it was deciding when was safe so we could dodge the flying blades used by the Ryknild Rabble rapper (sword and clog dancing) ensemble.

21st October - Burton Civic Society Talk - "Taste of Brewing"

Along with a small group from the Burton Beer Circle I joined some 30 interested people for a talk, hosted by the Burton Civic Society, by Dr Paul Hegarty who is the Head of Communications for Molsun Coors here in the UK.

Paul's talk covered :

• how beer is made -he included a tale that the company received complaints after they started emphasising that they only used 100% British grain in their beers despite the fact they always had. He noted that areas where grain for beer making is grown are carefully chosen to be where there are low levels of rain fall as this help prevent problems during growing and harvesting. We were then offered round samples of different malts to get our teeth into to show the different types of grain (how they varied in colour, taste, etc) that are commonly used in British beers. Paul mentioned the brewing grew up in areas with good local water suppies e.g. Burton where the high levels of gypsum adds to the flavour associated with Burton and gave a water suited to brewing ales (as against soft water on the continent which is good for lager , etc.) Interesting that the water drawn from the wells around Burton originates in rain falling in the Matlock area and is estimated to take 20 years to find itas way to Burton. despite Burton being upon Trent they use well water and so were unaffected by the recent poison scare in the river.
• tasting beer / health benefits- many of the different flavours we get in beers are down to the yeast that is chosen. Beer is likened to liquid bread and some interesting statistics are to be found on Milksucks.com including that 1l of beer provides 10% of daily protein requirements, 20% ish of the fibre. As ABV increases so do the calories but an average beer is only 19o calories as against 300 for a packet of crisps for example. It isn't the beer that make you fat, it what you eat with it (Ed's note - why does it make you hungry?)
  

On to tasting some of the beers Paul had brought along :

• Coors Light - an American light ale
• Golsch - a continental lager
• Kasteel Cru Rose - an Alsace lager made with champagne and flavoured with Elderflower and Elderberries
• White Shield - their classic IPA
• Blue Moon - an Amercian craft beer (wheat beer) produced by The Blue Moon Brewing Company

Further bits of trivia - Carling originated in Canada.

In Elizabethen times there was an allowance of 2 gallons of beers per day for a woman.

Finally that whilst the duty on beer and whisky increases as the strength does this is not true for e.g. cider or wine.

After the talk, our party moved to the Coopers in a failed attamept to try some of the beers due on for the festival starting the next day but alas to no avail (except one!). Sampled there were Milton Mild from Howard Town brewery, as well as Guerilla from Blue Monkey.

17th October - Burton Auction and Bottle Swap

This was the inaugural get together for a subset of fellow members of the Midlands CBA. Early meetings of the CBA had included a chance to swap bottles but this practice was discontinued due to a range of issues not least of which was carrying them around the various pubs after the meeting. Whilst we do taste beers at the CBA meetings, it is often difficult to get an overall impression based on a small sample and it was felt better to experience a full pint and report back. Also taking the beers away for later sampling removes the problem of others' comments affecting one's own judgement. More details on the beers I'm judging (if that's the word - its not a competition after all) will follow in later entries.

On to the rest of the day.

The main reason for choosing this date was that it coincided with the national breweriana auction. I chose to arrive even earlier and sample the breakfast in Big Macs café. Choosing the Brunch option at £4 plus a large mug of tea at 70p appeared the best option and indeed filled the gap well (must try the monster option at some stage.)

On to the auction arriving shortly before viewing was due to commence and a quick tour in exchange for the £2.50 catalogue was in order. A large range of lots was on offer but nothing that fitted the joint requirements of (1) being desirable and (2) easily transportable on the train.

Time to meet up and arriving shortly before opening at the Devonshire I was met by Mike and thence the others. Inside beers sampled were Burton Bridge Porter (makes a change for me in Burton!) followed by their Golden Delicious.

We also discussed various beer related matters (see to do section at end.)

We then moved on to the Coopers where I had time to sample Tatttnang Red from
Downton.

I off-loaded (sold) the auction catalogue to a colleague and time to go to start the process of watching some paint dry.

To do

1) Ernie - what's the name of the olde worlde pub near Ashbourne - Answer Yew Tree At Cauldon (ST10 3EJ)

2) Also for Ernie - list of pubs in Walking distance of Burton railway station.

3) Identify dates for similar event in February (Saturday) for Greg

14th October - Burton Beer Circle

The would turn out to be the first of four beer related trips to Burton in just over 1 week, and on this occasion was for the October get together of the Burton Beer Circle. Traditions went out of the window with the Devonshire not doing food so I found myself on a bench near the college eating some rather wonderful fish and chips.

Meeting up in the Coopers I went for Hopback Entire Stout. Other beers available that night included Bass, Oakham Bishops Farewell, Worthington E and Red Shield but the rest of the evening was taken up with samples of the member's attempts at cloning Thornbridge Jaipur most of which were wonderful beers but all so different.

SH who was chairing advised us that there was a talk the next week on the tastes of brewing so some of us decided we would attend (see later entry.)

On the way back to the station, there was time for a shift half of Burton Ale in the Roebuck (Burton Ale House.)

9th October - New Real Ale venues around Birmingham City Centre

"I'll save time" I thought on arrival at New Street Station and purchase a Centro Day ticket to enable me to join the rest on their trip to Tipton - should have (re-)read the e-mail as...

... on arrival at the Fox by Birmingham's Chinese Quarter GP informs me that they were staying around Birmingham (in line with the email) to sample beers in some pubs that have recently improved in the real ale stakes (but at least he was kind enough to buy the ticket off me.) In the Fox it was two halves of the guest beers (they also had St Austall Tribute which although an excellent beer isn't that uncommon.) This enabled a side by side comparison of Backyard Brewhouse's Hobs Hole at 4.2% against Churchyard Bob from Warwickshire which although stronger at 4.9% didn't taste like it.

Next onto the Victoria in John Bright Street. Although they had Hook Norton's Hooky Bitter, Ridley's Witch Finder and Purity's Mad Goose I spied and went for Butty Bach from Wye Valley.

Now for one of the most interesting pubs, Baccus Bar near New Street Station, the décor has to be seen to be belived (which is my way for saying I'm not sure how to describe it but think Castle in the Elizabethan style with a gothic twist and you won't be far wrong). One real ale available (although I nearly went for the Erdinger Wheat beer) so we opted for Timothy Taylor's Golden Best which is that rare offering these days of the Yorkshire Light Mild.

Further up the road to the Yard of Ale (one of the pubs that suffered in the 1974 pub bombings then known as the Tavern in the Town.) These days it’s a typical city centre pub that in keeping with other places in the area you have to descend a flight of stairs to get in. There were three real ales available with Jennings Little Gem being my choice (other options were Ringwood 49er , and Banks's Bitter.)

Onwards to the (in the style of Wetherspoon's) Crown near Aston University where the beer of choice was Morrisey Fox Spooky. The taste cause a lot of debate, just what was it it? Then JF hit the nail on the head describing it as American Cream Soda.

Round the corner to Jekyll and Hyde where Wye Valley HPA was on offer. The poster on the wall of a Haynes manual style drawing of an old VW Camper got me thinking back to a time when I was younger and wanted to be a draughtsman.

Into Edmunds in Edmund Street for a swift half of Wye Valley HPA and finally Church Street next for a pub previously known as the Cathedral Tavern , but now called Utopia where Enville's Honey Ale was selected and just before the homeward trek there was the posh appearing Pub du Vin also in Edmund Street. Purity Mad Goose was the choice (other options included Sharpes Doom Bar, Kinver Light Railway a pleasant touch (I suppose) was the freely available dry roast nuts nibbled whilst we gazed at the impressive drinks cabinet.

I'm too old for this many pubs!! but a great night all the same - nice one GP and more next time please!

Saturday 19th September - To and From Hayes - Low flying planes, and unlubricated sofas

Well, we've gone upmarket with this post. Gone are the boring but functional solely text postings, now we've got pictures!

Hayes and Yeading football club, which I suppose sounds a bit like a musical double act, was the destination for today's jaunt and brief look at the excellent map on their web site revealed they are very close to Heathrow and even better the same map revealed a pub, the White Horse in the village of Longford which if the airport ever expands even a few feet that way will probably need to be expunged from the records.

There was clear evidence of the pub selling real ale from their web site and knowing that t'other half likes a bit of plane spotting it seemed like a good stopping off point.

Off down the M40 we set, past 10, no 20, no 40 Smart cars of various models and after a brief stop at High Wycombe services with a wonderful example of a Sydney Armstrong parked up there, we arrived shortly after noon.

Its a Saturday so the on street parking was free and we settled down in the road side seats with Marston's Pedigree in Hand to watch the flying machines come in accompanied by the pub's dog.


Unfortunately whilst the pub is indeed close to the airport, surrounding buildings make it not well placed for photographic purposes and having spotted The Kings Arms a few hundred yards away we decided to head there and see what that could offer. From the outside it looked worst but on closer inspection we were rewarded in our efforts with an excellent view across the Terminal 5 and a close up view of the aircraft coming in to land. (The photo below was taken with a compact camera and not a super long telephoto lens). Alas the beer choice was not great - there was evidence of real ale being sold but not today so it was coke for me.

So that's the low flying bit of the title dealt with, but what I hear you cry, of the "unlubricated sofa" - don't fear - read on.

Thence off to the match, thence the homeward leg and the plan this time was to stop in a village in Oxfordshire hopefully to include food. My aging copy of the GBG revealed a likely candidate in the shape of the King's Head at Fritwell with its choice of ales and "traditional food served daily." Sure enough we soon found our way there and opted for a beer from Hook Norton (alas not noted) and asked about food. "We're not doing any today" came the reply, "but we do have a bbq on" so out we tramped and indeed there was a bbq that although had been going for some time they were still offering excellent burgers and indeed free sausages once we revealed we had come from Tamworth.

T'other half tends to pick up vibes about people and was soon quietly pointing out that the cook was a bit camp.

Whilst sitting there a trailor was dragged to the front of the pub containing a 3 piece suite which some friends of the familtyowners then needed to get up a steep narrow staircase at the side of the pub. After much grunting and groaning from those involved they managed to get the two chairs up and in. Then came the sofa. I didn't think you could carry a sofa that many ways. Eventually amidst the chorus of friendly if unhelpful but well intentioned comments, the cook piped up with "If you put some lubrication on it it will slip in easier" - success and thence we left as t'other half burst into fits of laughter.

Thursday 17th September - Burton Beer Festival

Burton's branch of CAMRA typically hosts two festivals every year and in the past, the plan was usually to attend on the Friday night. This plan however is often flawed due to the sheer number of people attending, and the more interesting beers having sold out priot to our arrival. Not so this year as we arrived shortly before opening for the initial Thursday night session. Whilst we waited we chatted to a nice chap who had come all the way from Aberdeen.

At 7 pm sharp (-ish) the door were flung open and in we went.

"Hmmm" was my intial reaction, somethings changed here, the beer range looks more interesting than in previous years. Our normal plan is to spend some time at the festival and thence a couple of pubs, - not this time as our stay till 10.15 soon passed.

Along the way the following beers were sampled:

1. Brewdog - Edge - the description of a mild drinking far above its strength was spot on - although only 2.8% - you'd have thought it was stronger. A good example of the "people's beer" that CAMRA has proposed.
2. Time for something unusual. I had spied Dark Star's Espresso, a 4.2% black beer made with freshly ground espresso. This should be a beer for the beer drinker who like a little coffee, alas it came across as a glass of cold coffee for the beer drinker. Not a beer I'd drink again on purpose and a half was a lifetime's supply for me (but then beer is so subjective.
3. Back to the Brewdog section. I've followed the development of the double and triple IPA styles from their early days (then known as Baltic IPAs in some parts) so the chance to sample a British brewery's attempt in the form on Hardcore IPA was one I jumped at (the note in the programme that this 9% was the most bitter of british beers added to the attraction (must be the beer drinker's equivilent of why to mountaineers climb mountains?)) Sure enough the nip that I sampled had an intense hoppiness that you either love or don't. I think in a blind tasting it would be difficult to divide this from a Shiraz style wine. What ever I could still feel the numbness some days later!
   I was almost tempted by the 13.4% Falstaff Supernova, but the knowledge of meetings the next morning put paid to that.
   
4. So, onward from a large hopping to a very small hopped Milk Stout (4.5%) from the Bristol Beer Factory. A revival of an old Bristol recipe, this is a good example of the style I felt. If I'd have had a flat cap and closed my eyes I could quite easily imagine sitting in a pub in Bristol (except for the slight problem that I've never been to Bristol let alone drunk in a pub there).
5. Sticking to the Bristolian Stout theme but wanting more body next came Arbor's Oyster Stout (4.6%). Not one for the vegatarians as this does contain oysters.
6. Further into Cornwall, for Crowlas Bitter from Penzance. A simple 3.8% offering which answered my call for beer flavoured beer.
   
7. Closer to home next, I'd been speaking to Robert Greenway from Blythe Brewery earlier in the evening so it was only fittin g to sample one of his. Three beers were on offer, all new to me, but I chose Hamstall Hop a 4.2% beer on the basis that he had ustilised Fuggle hops growing at the brewery and I have previously say under the said hop bine. Good beer sums this one up nicely.
8. time for one more, Swedish Nightingale from Malvern Hills seemed a good choice and indeed was my conclusion over this 4% offering.
   

15th August - Saturday Night out in Tamworth

Started at the Globe with Holdens Mild followed by Golden Glow.

Up the road the the Sir Robert Peel where Herefordshire's HPA was followed by Titanic Rule Britannia.

Finished at the Bolebridge where Ringwood Forty-Niner was available.

8th August - To / From Stevenage...

.. to watch Stevenage vs Tamworth (game ended 1-1 btw).

Whereas previously travel to away games has been via coach, this year its the car that will take the strain. This does have benefits - potentially its cheaper, you're not limited to taking breaks at soul-less service stations, flexibility, etc etc. Time to put this to the test - we're going to travel by car using good pubs as places to break the journey.

Borrowed sat nav in hand, and having researched GBG pubs in Hertfordshire, we opted to stop at the Red Lion in Great Offley which the sat nav tool us to via a range of quite eh interesting roads with plenty of passing places (you wouldn't believe how close t is to Luton.)

Anyway find it we did and around 4 hand pulls from which Buntingford Polar Star was selected (its 4.4% and uses Centennial hops. ) We also ordered food from the menu and some of the best fish and chips tasted turned up soon after.

The return home that evening lead us to Kilsby on the Northhamptonshire / Leicestershire brewery where we visited the George. This time it was Ringwood's Boondoggle.

7th August - Stafford

This months Friday night outing finds us in Stafford.

Having met GP and co at the station we headed off across the park over the river Sow and came across a new pub "The Yard". TH ventured manfully inside and noted there was a single real ale Charles Wells Bombidier so in we went for a pint.

From there a short walk to the Coach and Horses, a pub some noted was very much in the spit and sawdust tradition. Still they offer a good choice from which my selection was Timothy Taylor's Landlord.

Round the corner to the local Wetherspoon's - the Picture ouse which not surprisingly is a converted cinima where I was introduced to Nippin from the Backyard Brewery which comes all the way from Brownhills!

Onwards to the Swan Hotel where they had Old Speckled Hen available (or bottled beers from Slaters has an alternative. We commented how similar this felt to the Red Lion w had visited at Atherstone the previous week.

Next up we took the read entry (exit?) and ended up in the Bird in Hand where my choice was the new brew form Slaters - Owzat.

Final port of call was the Lamb for a swift pint of Blackboard Sheep before heading homeward.

31st July - Atherstone - 2nd Angel Pub Beer Festival

... and so the 4 of us and the "imposter" set sail for Atherstone - roughly translated that means that there were 5 of us on the train for the short trip to Atherstone with a group 4 ticket seeing as the "imposter" had made his own arrangements.

After a tedious 8 minute journey we set foot in the market town and headed for where I thought the Angel was (as I had told the "imposter" several times it was where we had sheltered from the rain on a previous typical summer trip out this way, except that it wasn't.

Fortunatly it was another pub near the market square and on arrival we were greeted by a large sign and an excellent selecction of some 20 plus beers on the outside bar. I noted some ciders and given the mid life crisis of an earlier posting was nearly tempted but wasn't.

The "imposter" selected first and to my surprise went for a Tunnel offering (Hop and Bothered) - I say surprise since on the aforementioned trip which had took in the Tunnel brewery itself he had noted , and repeated numerous times since, that Tunnel beers were not for him. "I'm going to give them another chance!" he remarked shortly followed by sip, sip, sip, sip "no don't like it much" but went on manfully to finish the half.

Old Cottage Pattische, Wirksworth Sunbeam, Milestone Rich Ruby and Idle Sod all followed as we sat outside listening to some pretty dreadful racket coming from inside the pub - some might have called it music.

Time to move on and acroess the square to the Market Tavern albeit several hours too early for their own festival also starting that day. Godiva and Bear Bitter, both from Warwickshire Brewery were sampled in the garden.

Onwards along the aptly named Long Street (home of the Atherstone Ball game) to the New Dolphin where Holts Golden Glow was to be had.

Back towards the startion for a choice of two Church End beers (alas not noted) before heading back to Tamworth and a rather long walk to the Bole Bridge (again beers not noted) before finishing at the Globe for one of their regulars Holdens Mild.

11th July - Joint Birthday bash in Burton

Burton (again) but this time with a couple of thoee I visit various places around Birmingham once a month or so for a joint birther day - mine and DPs.

Met by the station after I'd spent some time in a junk shop offering ex pub junk and pictures for sale and we proceded to the Alfred. for me it was Burton Bridge Bramble Stout (nice but a bit heavy to start a afternoon session on maybe).

Moving on it was the Cottage and this time chose Oak Ale from the Cottage Brewing Company.

The Oak and Ivy folowed. A new pub for me and worth a visit for the guest beer (Wychwood Wild One). DP's partner noted that the cider here was "splendid."

Taxi ride followed across to the Burton Bridge Brewery's tap when I had the Burton Porter.

We then strolled up to the Wetherspoon's Lord Burton for some Pedigree.

Finally to the Coopers for Vanilla Porter (didn't note the brewery) plus PG Sips from the Blue Monkey brewery.

9th July -Happy 274th Anniversary Mr and Mrs Johnson

Spent today in Derby mainly atttracted by the 32nd Derby beer festival. The theme this time was the 300th birthday of Doctor Samuel Johnson of dictionary fame and so many of the beer and festival specials were appropriately named. The day of our visit coincided with the day of his wedding toTetty Porter, hence the title of this posting.

Onto the drinking. First up was Leatherbritches Dr Johnson (a 4% bitter which tasted as though they had aimed to brew in the style of the Doctor's day). I've been to the pub where the brewery is housed a few years ago and details of it are here.

Next we headed out of the Great Hall and into the Darwin room for Earl Soham's Ganet Mild, followed by Ashford, a mild from the Thornbridge brewery (previously mention on here).

Time for lunch and sitting on the many free chairs between the two rooms made it easy to venture into the great hall for Amber brewery Chocolate Orange Stout - I'd have tapped and unwrapped but then I'd have spilt some so I didn't.

Porter's a style of beer I've come to enjoy so next up it was Derby brewery's Penny's Porter and thence Tetty Porter from the Full Mash brewery.

The afternoon session was drawing to a close so we ventured into the streets of Derby and a favoriate of mine, the Flower Pot (a festival in iteslf with something like 30 beers on offer and which lead me to decide not to record every beer in every pub). I spied Durham White Amerillo which brought back memories of the trip to Durham at the start of the year and is the first posting on this blog.

Next to one the Wetherspoon offerings, the Standing Order for Falstaff's A Fist Full of Hops (I think it could do with a few hops more maybe but who am I to criticise?).

Onward to the Brunswick for their Black Sabbeth Mild which we'ed thought about having back at the festival but didn't as we'ed end up here anyway.

Approaching the station we dived into the Victoria for a quick half of Bass and then bak to Tamworth for the Curry special in the Bole Bridge accompanied by Pedigree.

Oh no - is this a mid life crisis approaching...

I've starting researching CIDER festivals...

Friday 12th June - Warwick

Friday night outing with GP and co (for co read DL this time as the rest were otherwise engaged.) Oriiganally there had been talk of going to Solihull but DL thought better of it and so after a bit of research have declared a change for Warwick and an excellent choice it was as well.

Anyway, we met at the Joint Stock (here) by Birmingham Cathedral. I used to like this place but the £3.10 a pint, combnined with the slightly heath robinson serving arrangments whilst their cellar was being seen to makes me wonder if that's still sound judgement. There was a reduced choice this time as a result and it was either London Pride or my choice Seafarers Ale which although having George Gale on the pump clip is actually produced by Fullers'. GP pointed out the cost for a 3.6% beer and made me wonder as above but later research (see here) made me feel a little better as I had in a small way been charitable (I reckon 4.03p headed the charity's way as a result of my purchase.)

Off to Snow Hill for the train, well I headed over there as I had to buy my ticket, GP and DL had already got their's and so headed for a swift half to the Old Contemptables.

I hung around the concourse for a while then DL showed and we waited and waited and assumed that GP had been for a quick jimmy riddle (see previous posting as to why this isn't actually possible in the Old Comtemps) and eventually he appeared via the lift - several seconds leg pulling about use of the lift followed by which time we found ourselves spread out on the nearly full Londion service.

Eventually we arrived at Warwick and set off for The Bowling Green (here) a rather pleasant Charles Well pub which whilst in the town centre had a cosy village pub feel to it. We could have had Eagle, or Bombidier but I chose Waggledance. A pleasant conversation on book shops, beer festival trips and the like followed in the garden which featured a Boules area.

Next we stode out in the approaching but not quite there yet dusk, past a council workman trying to get a paving slab flat with the biggest rubber mallet I've seen for some time and eventaully ended up on the far side of town at the one pub I've previous experience of in Warwick, The Old Four Penny Shop (here). A reasonable choice with RCH Pitchfork, Deuchers IPA, Warwickshire Market Beer, Archers Special and Brains SA was to be had whilst we continued the conservation in the garden (see picture on above web site), As you'll see, its not actually a garden it tables and chairs around the car park and what appears to be recently added accommodation area which makes it feel more of a motel than a hotel, still a pleasant evening so can't complain.

Onwards to The Zetland Arms. As seen on TV, whoops Youtube, here they offer Black Shep, Pedigree or my choice Adnams Broadside.

Final stop was atthe Great Western (see here). Enroute past the council workmen just packing up. As can be seen on the photos on that web site, it looks as though as some stage the surrounding ground was higher than today. Limited choice but its close to the station and whilst I could have had Curage Directors, I opted for some San Miguel (well you sometimes have to remind yourself how poor the world would be without real ale.)

Back on the station in good time for the return journey, getting off at Moor Street for several in the Anchor in Digbeth (web site here). As always a good choice and mine were Rudgate Ruby Mild and Kelham Island Park Life. Other choices that night were Acher's Golden, Everards Old Original, O'Hanlons Storm Stay, Westerham Summer Perle, Holts Mild, Dent Golden Fleece, Everards Sunchaser, Acorn Quantum, Newmans Mount Snowden PA andMilestones Coach and Horses.

Time to go, don't worry, we'll take the rear entrance to new street said GP, no we won't its shut so up the next rear entrance (don't come this way at night alone warns GP) but anyway back in good time for the train homeward.

Wednesday 10th June - Burton Beer Circle - Strange things happen on the way to...

... Heaven - well no - There is mention of Stairway to Heaven below but anyway it was a bit of a strange evening so this is the best link I could come up with.

Ok, so as you'll have gathered from a previous post, I don't only enjoy drinking the stuff, I like making it as well. To this end I've been with the Burton Beer Circle since its conception 3 or so years ago now and every eight weeks or so we meet at the Coopers Tavern in Burton and discuss / sample our latest brews.

Tonight started off with the traditional pre-meeting eat / drink in the Devonshire with GP and JF and as tends to be the case it was Burton Bridge Porter for me (other beers available from Burton Bridge being Golden Delicious, Burton Bridge Bitter and Stairway to Heaven). They also had a guest which I briefly samply in the shape of Barleymole from Moles Brewery. One of these days I'll try a different beer here.

Over the Coopers and we have a problem. Our meeting room has been taken over for a book launch of all things. We were there just in time to hear Pete Brown tell us about his new book "Hops and Glory" which descibes "one man's search for the beer that built the British Empire."

Amongst the gathered crowd we noted Steve Wellington from the Museum brewery (see Day in a Brewery posting earlier). As part of the research Pete has been brewing a special Calcutta IPA type beer at the Museum brewery and which would be available from the bar later.

We "slummed" it in the lounge instead of the back room we usually use and sampled various beers. I supplied a bottle of White Shield and perhaps surprisingly the group weren't overly impressed (mind you they do make some exceedingly good beer this lot.)

In between times there was the regular Castle Rock Harvest Pale, Bass, Amber Ales Scary Dark Mild, Bewdley Brewery's Senior School Bitter, Titanic Lookout and Tower's Forti-Fived to sample in addition to the Hop and Glory as above.

Anyway the theme for the night's beers was Jaipur IPA (so I suppose my offering sort of fits in) and there were four samples to try, all from the same recipe but produced by different members and what a difference between them! Still we agreed in a blind tasting on the winner. So what is so strange? Well half way through we get introduced to Lynsey, the brewer from Thornbridge who produces Jaipur (and who was also impressed by the winner). Thanks to GP for this pointer to the brewery's web site and this one for their blog including a photo from the book launch (see their entry called "H Also I found the author Pete Brown's blog here.

16th May 2009 - Midlands Craft Brewers Meeting

For the first time for a few years, attended the CBA meeting which this time took place at the Bartons Arms in Newtown, Birmingham.

Ahead of, and after, the meeting took chance to sample several of the Oakham beers available there. During the meeting several craft brewed beers including my own Taking a Liberty beer were sampled (its a clone supposedly of Oakham JHB but with different hops). Well received and GP tells me it tasted better now that when breqwed about a year ago (been stored in a shed through the winter so must have lagered).

An interesting part of the meeting was a blind tasting of 7 beers made to same recipe but with hops added at different times. Amazing the different tastes that resulted! One thing it showed was what the difference between bitterness and flavour when it comes to beer.

After the meeting, back into town for a quick one in the Wellington (on this occasion went for Banbks and Taylor's Mild.

13th May - Day at a brewery

Thanks to Luke of the Burton Beer circle, today finds myself and GP helping at Mulson Coors brewery in Burton where we helped their German student brewing a batch of White Shield.

Lunch was spent at the Coopers where we sampled Castle Rock Harvest Pale.

En route to the station for the train home it was into the Burton Ale House (AKA the Roe Buck) where my chice was Burton Ale (Bass, Pedigree and Abbot Ale were the other possibilities).

24th April 2009 - Two festivals including a wotsit in a thingy

Tonight it was my choice of venue for the monthly outing with GP and chums. Original plans to inlude a visit to Shenstone had gone by the wayside mainly due to the discovery that there was a beer festival taking place near Lichfield. We met at the Wellington in Birmingham as they were holding their 18th Beer Festival offering the following in addidition to the 15 hand pills on the bar many of which had a St Georges theme.

Morrisey Fox - Blonde
W.J. King - Red River
Celt (Newman) - Native Storm, Red Castle Cream
Dunham Massey - Brown Ale
Saltaire - Bavarian Black, Sub-Lime Blonde
Loweswater - Gold
Mallinsons - Marina Mild, Spring Centurian
Boggart - Inkerman
Keystone - Solar Brew
Art Brew - Mild Peril
Brew Co. - Bock
Falstaff - Draco
Kirkby Lonsdale - Stout
Greenfield - Hopped & Stoned
A.B.C. - Witton PA
Moorview - Smokin Moor
Backyard - Heanua, George
Stringer - Dark Country Mild
Sheffield - St Georges Steel
Old Spot - Jack Spratt
Wheal Maiden - Grandma's Weapon Grade Ginger Beer

Onwards via train the Lichfield and taxi out to the Heart of the Country craft centre for the 2nd Beer Festival of the evening and indeed the 2nd one that Quartz had offered. One of the quiestest beer festivals I'd been to, there were us 5, 2 or theree staff and a few other people still a good effort given the lack of public transport. Anyway, a pleasant late spring evening was spent in their garden supping beers from CoachHouse (Gunpowder Strong Mild and St George's Heritage Ale), Mauldon's Black Adder and George's Best, Phoenix St George's Flag and Wobbly Bob as well as their own Quartz Blond and Quartz Rose.

The notes from here got a bit patchy alas, but we ended up next at the Queen's Head in Lichfield, followed by the King's Head and finally the Acorn (Wetherspoons).

Friday 20th March - Burton (just for a change)

Off to Burton again tonight to join up with GP et al for our monthly trip, JF organising this time.

Due to time frame available for cheap train tickets on the Brimingham to Burton line, GP and co would be arriving later - for me however there are only trains every two hours so it was either get there early or arrive late and that would only lead to confusion.

So a quick call to JF en route and we agree to start first at the Coopers Tavern (one of my favourate pubs - I'm not alone in thinking that it appears - see here.)

We'ed ventured this way several times before and noticed the beer list which took us both back - "Wot, no Jaipur!!" we exclamed i unison - "GP will be disappointed!" Still they were doing a good selection of Oakham Beers (see below.) - Whether the news (see Urgent News link) this week explains why I can't comment.

Anyway, the beers available at the Coopers whilst patting Drummer (a friendly little terrier who some complete strangers had brought with them) were

Castle Rock Harvest Pale
Oakham - JHB
- Inferno
- Asylum
- Oblivion
- Bishop's Farewell
- Atilla - of which more later

plus Bass and additnally the promise of Quarcus from Oak Leaf and Fulsum Stout from Stokers in the future.

GP and co off Birmingham were due to arrive sood, so meeting them at the station leads us (past the Town Hall - "Isn't that where the [beer] festival is?" DP enquires
"Yep" responds JF "I work there - there's a bar there all year?"
"There's a bar where you work?" exclaims TH
"there's a student one at my place" I insert...

... by which time we're at the Old Cottage Tavern and that kills that conversation.

As always we've a good range of Old Cottage brews to try and this time there

• Oak Ale
• Stout - note to self - next time I come here I must try and have a change from the stout - problem is I do like it.
  
• Halcyon Daze
• Shradlow Reverend Eaton
• Titanic White Star
• Brunswick Valor

Next up, its off to the Alfred - no guests this week, just the Burton Bridge Range as listed on the posting from 6th February and this time (again) I chose the Porter (again a beer I like - see if I can go for another option next time).

Next it the long stagger (which via way of a some negotiation) became a short if expensive (some felt) taxi ride to The Wetmore Whistle (every time we come here JF informs us "its Tynemill pub you know").

Time for two here, so I chose Batemans XXXB (but could have had Castle Rock Harvest Pale, or Old Trent, Marstons Pedigree or Brewdog Trasy Blond. ) Someone noted they also sold an Oyster Stout (and wondered what was in that) and that got me and GP to reminissing about the Isle of Wight and Ventor brewery. Time for the next round - "I'll have a half of the Marstons Oyster Stout" I said - "A half?" came a raised eyebrow - "Oh and same of Bacchus Kriek - which apparantly can be sourced in Tescos and Sainbury's with the bottled form looking set to replace the now sadly defunct Liefmans (see here). NOTE - different glasses!!

Time to stroll onward and the next port of call being the Bridge Inn, home for the Burton Bridge Brewery. Available tonight were

• Golden Delicious
• Soverign Gold
  
• (Dark) Porter - aren't they all? "Nope - can't resist it" (see above)
• Gold Medal Ale
• Festival Ale

Time was pressing so quickly back to the Coopers for what I think was a swift half of Attila and homeward.


STOP PRESS -No kebab this week!!!

Friday 13th March - brief outing in Tamworth

Seeing as t'other half had appointments in Tamworth with the last one finishing around 5.30 we decided to eat in town.

We called first at the Sir Robert Peel where I enjoyed a pint of Morgans Inn the Drink followed by Church End's What the Fox's Hat.

Next it was off to the Bole Bridge (Wetherspoon's if not mentioned previously) for food accompanied by Burton Bridge's Stairway to Heaven. Also available were Pedigree, Ruddles Best, and abbott Ale with the priomise of White Horse Sarsen stones and Springhead Roaring Meg coming soon (alas not soon enough). However I fancied something new (for me) so a bottle of Tyskie (pronounced Tis-Kee) was sampled (not a great fan of lager but this was quite enjoyable.

In between we risked £1 on the next day's soccer, but Swansea's loss at Home and West Ham's inability to beat West Brom scuppered the promised fortunes of £7.10.

Friday 6th March 2009 - Off for a beer to Burton

Following the failure as described in a previous posting , hopped on the train for the short trip to Burton accompanied by RG.

The plan this time was to visit four well known pubs either side of the station and so off to the first port of call at The Alfred. We both opted for Burton Bridge Porter but could have chosen the others as well.

Golden Delicious
Bridge Bitter
Bramble Stout
Festival
Stairway to Heaven

or the guest beer - Granny Wouldn't Like It (Wolf Brewery).

RG mentioned it was the first time in some 9 years he had sampled a porter - for me it is becoming the style of choice (but that's another story). As we sampled it we got to talking about what else we had missed during the last decade or so, specifically that you don't see many Yugos, FSOs, Austin Montegos these days and what ever happen to Simca? They don't make cars like they used to (thank goodness some would say!).

Moving on and we find ourselves in the Old Cottage. My involvement with Tamworth Beer Festival means I have occasonally been called on to judge beers and some stand out as good memories. Well the Stout from Old Cottage is one of those and so is always my choice at this venue (but is it a stout or is it really a porter - there's a debate that could run and run). Other options that could have been sampled were

• Oak Ale (which RG supped)
• Halcyon Daze
• Elsie Mo (from Castle Rock)
• Brunswick Triple Hop
• Top Cat ale from Fat Cat.

The TV was showing teletext , specifically the test cricket between England and West Indies which we predicted looked like England were scoring so many runs they would no doubt draw the game (the final session a few days later must be one of the classic encounters).


Onwards and to the Coopers for Falstaff Aquarius for me (and Castle Rock Harvest Pale for RG) with the alternatives being Howard Town Brewery's Dark Peak, Bass and Thornbridge Jaipur (almost a regular guest this one).

Time weas pressing so back toward the station for a quick pint of Burton Bridge Golden Delicious in the Devonshire (or we could have had Bridge Bitter, Porter, Stairway to Heaven or the guest (Hope and Glory from Brentwood Brewing Co.

Time for the train back but we extended the journey the short distance to Wilnecote for a visit to the Bulls Head for a pint of Marstons Pedigree only later noticing their Sweet Chariot brew.

Finally visit to the chippie for some more Donner kebab research - amazingly similar to last time!

Tuesday 24th February 2009 - Gainsborough Trinity

Spent the evening at Gainsborough Trinity. Arrived too late to consider suggested venues in Town so visited the clubhouse where there was Daleside Old Leg Over available which went down a treat and followed the excellent food they also serve there.

Add to that a 1-0 win for Tamworth and not a bad night all round - shame about the trip home!

Friday February 13th - Birmingham pub beer fests

The easiest way to summarise this session was that it had potential for a sing song and some ping pong but ended with shuttlecock deplomacy ahead of possible ding dong.

Anyway GP offered the chance to eat first at the Big Wok and that invitaiton was taken up especially given their early day all you can eat rate. I took up the challenge and did indeed eat all I could but didn't leave space for beer (lesson for next time) meaning I took the healthy half pint option for the first hour or so.

On to the beer.

First port of call was the Anchor in Digbeth. They were holding one of their beer festivals and not surprisinging the theme this time was Valentines Weekend. Some 14 specials were on offer namely

Archers Cupid's Arrow
Bartram's Love Hearts
Beowulf Love Juice
Birmingham Brewery's Lovers Pale Ale
Coastal Brewery Wild at Heart
Dark Star Big Gary's Birthday rew
Dow Bridge Pucker Up
Holden's Passionate Monk
Kinver The Beautiful Mrs Doyle and Kiss me Honey
Ludluw Hearty Stout
Penzance Potion No 9
Rowton Cupids Comet
Weatheroak Golden Valentine

In additon there had several other non-festival beers available including

Thornbridge Halcyon
Penpoint Nonnas and Roughter
Old Cannon Black Pig
Salopian Gurka
Cathedral Golden Imp
Red Rock Rusy Mere Organic
Holden Golden Glow
Ellard Silver Lining
Empire Golden Mist


Moving on we headed of foot to Lamp where I sampled Stanway Bitter (only place in Birmingham you can get it I am told which means I usually drink this here but always wonder why) Church End Gravediggers Ale, Pictish Brewers Gold, Bazan's Jogon and Everards Tiger.

Stroll to bus stop but we appear to have broke with some unwritten rule as we ended up in a taxi on route to the British Oak in Stirchley for the second beer fest of the evening. The specials here included

Oakleaf Hole Hearted
RCH Pitchfork
Roosters White Rose
Iveralmond Trippledouser
Hanby Old Wemian
Ossett Silver King
Thwaites Nutty Black
Batemans Jester

Also avaulable form the bar were offerings including Hooky Gold, Black Sheep and Reverend James. Along with DP some success was had on the quiz mahine whilst GP re-aquainted ghimself with an old friend. DP also continued the previous outing's food debate mentioning the problems he was having getting a pork derived Domino's pizza (a story which made the national press here, here and here for example - mind its not a first for this chain see here. )

Back into a taxi that happened to be passing and into the Jewerally Quarter for two stops, the first being the Lord Clifton - come outside said GP so we did and were met by an unusual site, outdoor (in February!!) table tennis and table football in full swing (don't spin the players, its illegal!) All this eh sporting activity lead to teh DP badminton challenge of which no doubt more in due course.

Beers on offer here were Brains SA, Bathams Best Bitter and Sadlers Golder Gem.

Down the road to the Church Inn where there an unpatrionised karaoke, and Brains SA and Youngs Bitter available.

Into another taxi and back into the centre of B'ham to the Joint Stock who were offering as always the full range of Fullers Beers including London Porter before heading off homeward via a savelloy and chips.

Friday January 30th - Night out in Burton...

... goes for a Burton.

Had night out planned with Richard with a view to visit Burton upon Trent.

Well, all was going to plan albeit I feared I'd be late for the train.

The reality turned out to be the complete opposite due to trains being cancelled due to "fatality on the line".

So what to do (Derby and Birmingham both non starters due to the above, Lichfield was feasable but only a couple of hours till last train back so not really worth it, so back into town we trudged for a crawl round Tamworth.

En route we passed our normal meeting point, The Albert, but this appears to have been permanently closed, so onwards to our first stop, The Sir Robert Peel. I have "fond" recollections of this place from the time it used to be Hamletts wine bar but that was some 20 years ago. Anyway, two ales on taps Atlas Latitude (see http://www.atlasbrewery.com/latitude.htm) a cask pilsner of scottish origin. Whilst not being a great lager fan (but see comment later), I must say this was a nice beer and only 3.6%. Staying for another, Richard opted for a can of Red Stripe whilst for me it was Nethergate Suffolk County. Whether it was the pilsner's taste or not I don't know but this beer tasted slightly sweeter than one might expect from a best bitter.

Over and up the road to The Globe. Their guest beer this time was Black Sheep which joined their normal range of Bass, Worthington Bitter and the beer I opted for, Holden's Mild.

Onward to the White Lion. Church End Willie Brew'd sampled (as opposed to their standard offering Banks's Bitter) whilst beeting Richard 2-0 at pool.

Final port of call was The Bole Bridge (a Wetherspoons). I'd heard roumours that Green King beers were now the norm in these places but not here where we could have opted for Pedigree, Abbott, plus a range of beers from smaller breweries which alas I can't recall other than one had something to do with Titus Salt and another that was due on soon was Palm , a Belgium amber ale). We however opted to put the world to rights over a couple of bottles of 99p San Miguel before venturing our separate ways and for me a further chance or research the project from a few weeks ago around what difference beer does make to the taste of a donner kebab.

Saturday 24th Jan - Hyde, Tameside

On Saturday 24th January I travelled to the Hyde vs Tamworth footbal match (that's soccer for any Americans who happen to venture into this part of the blogosphere) which meant that there was the chance to revisit The Sportsman situation on Mottram Road. Links - http://www.myspace.com/sportsmanhyde and "The Bevvy Almanac" Blog

Faced with an excellent select of ales including the full range of Rossendale beers from the Pennine brewing company (see Beermad's page). Given the lack of time and faced with six ticks (help, I'll be train spotting next), my decision was initially to acquire pairs of halves but once I'd tasted the Pitch Porter (excellent value at £2 a pint), that plan went out of the window. Their beers which were available were...

Railway Sleeper
Pennine Sunshine
Pitch Porter
Rossendale Ale
White Owl
Hameldon Bitter

NB - the above from memory and needs to be checked.
Other real ales available include Black Cat Mild, ?? from Plessey, etc.

Also worth visiting is the Chinese take away just up the road for their excellent fish and chips!

Four Oakes / Sutton Coldfield - Friday 16th January

The monthly Friday night trip with a group I first met up via a mutual aquaitance some 3 or so years ago now - as always an excellent opportunity to try new pubs.

Tim chose this time and suggested the area near the Cross City line north of Sutton Coldfield.

As a change from custom and practice this time we met at the Wellington in Birmingham. Beer choice on the TV screen / menu was :

• Wye Valley HPA
• Oldershaw's Alchamy
• Blackboard Country BFG and Pig on the Wall
  
• Purity Mad Goose, Pure Gold and UBU
• Derby Pale Design and Cool Yule (these were the ones I sampled)
• Burton Bridge Top Dog Stout
• York Centaurion's Ghost
• Morgan's Christmas Cracker
• Stumpy's Drunken Dog
  
• Warwickshire Golden Bear

Being warm inside, we decided to drink in the garden and the conversation was whether kebabs were edible when sober or not. Before moving onto the station (it was too early to get the cheap evening ticket we ventured into Bennett's and whilst marvelling at the internal wall art sampled a choice from Pedigree, Banks's and Jennings Cocker Hoop - the menu / coming beck board indicated they also ofered other beers from Jennings in the shape of Sneck Lifter and Cumberland Ale (although these weren't available this time).

At the station we managed to convince the ticket seller that we weren't going to dash to the platform but would wait for the 6.35 when our cheap ticket became valid. So,e stayed on the platform, others secumbed to thirst and went for a swift half in the Skakespear on the concourse.

The train journey passed with conversdation around converting vinyl to CD (don't know why 've added this bit but it happened so I am including it until we got to Butler's Lane, waklked up the ramp and decided we didn't know where next. We chose to head left the correct choice but what some thougth was a pub, others a tyre sales place turned out to eb a hospital but at least we were definitely heading on the right road up the hill and eventually arrived at the White Lion.

A Thwaites's pub, the choice was Original and Bomber (both in good form). Note to self, the food looks good here so may return.

Next we strolled, then walked then thrudged then yomped till we got to Mere Green and due to it pouring we called in at Barley's - no real ale so it was lager or keg or shandy interspeared with conversations on podcasts, etc. Some thought there were other pubs in the aera but alas none immediately apparant so onward to the Half Way House whixch was busy but a good choice of beers (Deuchers IPA, Brew XI and Wyre Piddle's Piddle in the Hole) made the wait to be served worthwile (good value - 6 pints for £15.10.)

From there it was back to the train and onto the next stop at Sutton Coldfield where we visited another Thwaites's pub (the Three Tuns with choice as above nb karaoke on Fridays) and then to the excellent Station where the choice was TT Landlord, Blacksheep, Fullers Chiswick and Dr Okells IPA.

Back into Birmingham for the end of trip pub (the Shakespear - not the one on the station) where my choice was a swift half of Batemans Santa's Tipple before heading off for the train home and research which showed that a kebab is indeed best served after beer.

Wear to go in Durham

Recently back from trip to Durham.

Went to Woodman - but found it was shut (later enquiries revealed it may be no more).

Dun Cow - traditional haunt for this trip. Interesting blurb on wall in passageway as to why it is so called and where the name Durham derives from.

Victoria - interesting tradition back street local - real fires (a blessing on the night) added to olde worlde feel. Good range of beers from the NE e.g Hexhamshire

Half Moon - last time in here they had just found Sadam - excellent White Friar? from Durham brewery

Wetherspoons (need to digout name) - another Durham beer sampled

Other pubs to be added....