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!!!