23rd April 2010 - Coopers Beer Festival Burton

The Coopers in Burton always does a good job of offering a beer festival and this was no exception. arriving in good time for the train, I decided on a quick halfat my local where they were offering Morrells Oxford Blue.

From there up to the station (how that wheel trim stayed on that car is beyond me) finding my self whistling "3wheels on my wagon..."

Met up with RG on the train and thence various individuals from the Burton Beer Circle at the Coopers where beers sampled were :

Blue Monkey Amarillo
Castle Rock Black Gold Mild
Hill Island Cormorant Dark Ale
B&T Fruit Bat - Raspberry beer
Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby
Hill House Brewery Black Moss

14th April 2010 - Burton for Beer Circle

Arrived early in Burton for the latest beer circle meeting and after some excellent value fish and chips from near the town hall, noticed there was plenty of time to waste and so first port of call was the Old Cottage.

Brentwood brewing's Marvellous Maple Mild (3.7%) was consumed whilst browsing the various brewing history exhibits in what I suppose you would term the parlour room. The pump clip is featured here and you can certainly taste the maple syrup.

On to the Coopers and Thornbridge Lomford and Steamin' Billy Toga Tossa were the commercial offerings tasted.

9th April - Birmingham and Metro - Cheers DL

I like the metro from Birmingham to Wolverhampton but as its a Friday night must make a mental note not to be too late back in Birmingham or risk missing the last train home.

Will we or won't we do this trip was the main conversation in the run up to this Friday night outing given the train strike that had been threatened but which never materialised. DL had organised the route and as this was probably his last Friday night outing then I was glad I was able to make it.

Mid afternoon / early eavening therefore finds me alighting in Birmingham and en route to the meeting place. Slightly early so took the opportunity to pop into Edmunds for Wye Valley Golden Ale.

Onto the Old Contempables and met to others whilst sampling Whitehorse Saracen IPA.

Time for the tram and we alight at Dartmouth Street for the ten minute stroll to the Old Crown in Sandwell Road near West Bromwich. We could pop into the New Hop pole (or is it the Old Hop Pole?) en route was commented but alas no it was shut so onwards to the Old... "wait a minute, why are our speedier walkers heading back that way?..." Crown which was similarly boarded up.

So back round the corner and the Wheatsheaf at least is open. I like this pub and must visit again in the future as the food looks to be of very good value. Holden's Mild was available and sampled.

Further up the road towards Carters Green and we decide to pop into the Old Hop Pole (which was open) for Wye Valley HPA. Yam Yam Elvis was advertised as appearing shortly - hmmm was JF's comment but it prompted the evening topic of what makes one a yam yam? - actually he's not bad - see videos e.g. here from Youtube.

Onward to Bilston and the excellent Trumpet and Holden's Mild again but this time from a hand pull and some excellent Jazz.

We then decided to head back to the Black Eagle at Hockley but not before some of the party had been tempted by the Chippy (and I have to say they were pretty good examples of how spuds should be cooked.)

Back to Hockley road and the Black Eagle (another excellent pub - the garden's lovely and perhaps out of place.) Alas I didn;t note down the beer here. Time to go, so "cheers DL" for an excellent trip and "thanks for all the fish." Crikey - is that the time!!!!!!

Monday April 5th – To / From Forest Green

Normally, dear reader, this blog concentrates on adventures involving beer, and so will the case with this blog (eventually.)



Easter Monday 2010 sees Tamworth playing away against Forest Green Rovers atop what always seems to be a small mountain on the outskirts of Nailsworth in southern Gloucestershire. Officially it was a chance to see an away game and have a day away from DIY / Gardening type activities (well its a bank holiday so bound to rain.) Actually it also gives one an excuse to visit a nice part of the country.



An early start saw us ease our way down through the Cotswold towns of Moreton in the March and Stow on the Wold (note to self, investigate public transport options for the summer) and eventually our first stop at Bourton on the Water. A sign points us to the “nearest car park to the Village” which isn’t that difficult given there aren’t from what I could see any car parks for public use in the village, only street parking which in any case was fully utilised so it was a sensible choice anyway. Bourton an idyllic Cotswold village famous for its numerous little bridges.



Too early to take in any pubs but some were noted for a daytrip later in the year (along with Moreton and Stow (they’re on the same bus route.)



Time to leave and although it had been planned to visit Sheepscombe (“most photographed pub sign in the country” states the GBG it took longer to get to Stroud than anticipated and so straight up (literally) to the football ground. There, however the Green Man offered a real ale and so a pint of Jennings Stickle Pike was consumed.



Tamworth went on to win 4-3 in a closely fought game after which it waqs time to find a convenient stop about half way home. Two options jumped out, namely the Weatheroak (been there done that) or the small riverside town of Upton-on-Severn – never been there so off we go.



Upton offers an excellent range of pubs with 7 or 8 within 5 minutes walk of the centre. We spotted Ye Olde Anchor Inn (circa 1601) which offered a couple of Theakston’s ales from which I chose XB (which I’m sure used to be more common.) A quick stroll by the river followed and thence home after an excellent Bank Holiday.

1st April 2010 - No fooling around in Tamworth

Met up with RG for a Thursday evening out. We normally go out Friday’s but as tomorrow was Good Friday and neither of us were working then this seemed a sensible alternative.

Starting at the Globe I went for opposite ends of the hopping spectrum starting with Doctor J a dry hopped ale from the Shenstone brewing company. Also sampled there several pints of Holden’s Mild whilst we watched Liverpool getting beaten by Benfica. Out seats we comfortable until the Karaoke mod took over that part of the pub so we encamped to the Sir Robert Peel. Oakham Bishop’s Farewell was sampled.

Finally, off to the Bole Bridge for Shardlow Fools Gold.