3rd January 2010 - Leicester

JF had announced he was going to arrange a post Xmas crawl for the Friday night group and partners. This turned out to be Leicester and a good sized party turned up.

After meeting up at the station, a short stroll took us to an Everard's pub (the Barley Mow) for a pint of Original.

This was followed by a walk round the block to the Ale House which must come close to being the pub with the widest Xmas tree of the season. Hoskin's beers available here so sampled EXS and Old Navigation.

Further on into the centre for a fairly new venue, The Pub on a pedestrianised street near the station. A good selection of beers was available but but me it was the Liefman's Fruit Beer that was available on draught.

Next, one of the best known Leicester pubs, the Swan and Rushes where I opted for the Christmas Ale from Berrow.
Onward to the Sir Robert Peel where Everard's Mild was consumed accompanied by various round of mixed pool.

Final port of call was the Criterion where I supped 1823 Rugby Mild whilst watching Big Mog's House Band.

Wed 30th December 2009 - Stone and Stoke

London Midlands trains were offering a special deal over Christmas - go anywhere on their trains for the day for £10. Original plan was Bedford - possible but difficult. Next choice Crewe - GP mentions he's going there some time soon to look at trains so could we try somewhere else. He's been on about Stone for some time as the Swan always get good beer related reviews so we'll go there and thence Stoke taking in the various Titanic pubs..

Various people including GP cry off so its just me and t'other half for Stone and JF joins us for Stoke.

Stone is a quaint market town in the middle of Staffordshire. A steady 10 to 15 minutes stroll finds us in the town centre and after a quick tour of the retail sector, end up in the Crown and Anchor. Jennings Cocker Hoop was consumed (alternatives being Pwedigree and Deuchers IPA).

Across the road to local Wetherspoons , the Post of Stone. Had lunch here (Steak and Kidney pudding and chips) washed down by a couple of seasonal specials, Wem's Nutcracker Ale and Fallen Angel from Springhead.

On the way back to the station, noted another Titanic house - one for the future.

No time for the Swan (alas - looks like a future trip taking shape here) so off to catch the train for the short trip to Stoke-on-Trent and thence stroll over to The White Star. The full range of titanic beers are sold here along with some guests but it was the former we were after and so tasted Captain Smith, Black Ice and Steerage.

Round the the Wheatsheaf (Wetherspoons) for Nethergate Frank Incensed.

Taxi then ordered out to the Burslem for the Bull's Head. Although another Titanic pub this time we went for the specials initially (my choice being White Horse's Rudolph the Red Hosed White Horse. JF then spotted the bar billiards table and proved a worthy opponent drawing 1 game all with me (albeit with some unique rule interpretation.)

We then selected from the foreign beer menu and for me La Trappe Blond was the choice.

We then left for home stopping in Tamworth at the Albert but alas they had sold out of real ale.