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.
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!).
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!).
Thursday, 3 December 2009
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)