Chris Fudge - RIP

It was with sadness that I learned earlier this week of the death of a close friend who had a passion for real ale - Chris Fudge who passed away on 22nd June.

Its difficult to know exactly what to write other than to say that it was Chris's enthusiasm that really got me interested in seeking out new beers so I am eternally grateful to Chris who although was suffering from an illness passed away at an extremely young age.

I met Chris though the Tamworth and Sutton branch of Camra and spent many happy occasions in his company including at the Tamworth beeer festival (hence the above picture.)

Chriss - if you can see this wherever you are then cheers mate and I hope the beer festivals and nagis kebabs they have there will now improve.

Wednesday 9th June - Burton Beer Circle Meeting

Beers sampled this night were :

At the Old Cottage - Tollgate African Dream (what's that taste?)

Coopers - Newby Wyke Black Funnel and Hoskins Old Navigation (well I'm off the next day so its strength don't matter!)

Friday 28th May - Wheel tapping and shunting at Hopwas Beer Festival

Not sure if there's been a beer festival at Hopwas before, certainly I don't recall any. However meeting up with RG at the Globe lets me try Wooden Hand Brewery's Cornish Bucceneer followed by Mallinsons 44yrs of Hurt.

Thence off to catch the bus out to Hopwas and a short walk finds us at the local canal side social club and a chance to catch up with several aquaintences.

Yorkshire beers featured and those consumed were:

Great Heck White Rabbit
Ilkey Pale
Bridestones Brewery Yorkshire Bitter

In between we took the option to partake of the entertainment via the compilation DVD of Wheel Tappers and Shunters ("they's all got flat caps on" commented Ginger.)

Alas we didn't have much longer so back on the bus and to the Bolebridge for Burton Bridge Stairway to Heaven.

Tuesday 25th May - Lunchtime at Silk Kite, Tamworth

Working in Tamworth today gave me the chance to pop into the Silk Kite where Titanic Golden Age was available.

Friday 21st May - Old Hill / Rowley Regis

Having taken the day off work (not a bad decision given that it touched 105 in next door's green house I headed into Birmingham to join the others at the Brier Rose and opted for Beuwulf's Finns Halls Porter - not an especially summer drink I know but seeing as I know the brewer then felt best to support him.

We then headed for Snow Hill and the train out to Old Hill Station - "crikey - that's a long way down!" as we debated how best tro safely exit the train. A brief mountaineering expedition then followed till we got to our base camp at The Waterfall. An excellent choice of beers (and good value food! greeted us. I went for Pardoe's Broughs Pale Ale.

Onwards and UPWARDS (emphasis on the upwards bit there!) , past an incredibly well parked camper van and we finally found our way to the Hawthorns where there was Enville White offered.

The Malt Shovel next and Enville Ale this time on their impressively large patio. Someone from our party let out a loud burp at this point whilst conversation included the Zx-80 computer for some reason probably best forgotten.

The Britannia next - this Wetherspoons is unusually as it probably always was a pub. Wentworth WPA was drunk whilst we continued the 80s theme - who did play Mike in the Young Ones?

Final port of call out that way was the Beach Tree for Banks's Mild and a win at darts and of yes it was Christopher Ryan.

We fianlly found the way back to Rowley Regis station and time for a quick half in Birmingham at the Old Contempables for Fuller's Chiswick, thence a quick visit into Tescos to acquire support before heading home.