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!