Work';s Christmas meal today which after our original plans were scuppered due to the previously selected venue being shut, we found ourselves on a traditional British winter day (mildish and wet) at the Pie and Ale House in Stafford.
three beers on so I decided to work though them. first up was Lymestone's Pounamu - a Pacific pale ale brewed to celebrate the Rugby world cup that has been flying out of the pumps according to their web site. Well its a whilse now since the Rugby World cup but even so the beer was excellent and its New Zealand hop character cut nicely through the cheese and mixed cured meat platter that was my starter.
Min course next (Turkey pie with mash and mushy peas - wot no eels?!) - something more traditional needed and so Concord from Cottage fitted the bill nicely.
To go with the deathly chocolate dessert, even more tradiitonal via Joules Pale ale (my least favourite beer of the day but its character fitted in with the weather.) Good value at £12.50 for the three courses!
the boss then suggested we head over to the Rose and Crown. This used to be a roughians' pub where "if you want a criminal you could usually find one here" but now has been transfromed.
Again Joules was the order of the day so this time it was their Slumbering Monk (to be a better beer than their pale ale.)
Friday, 23 December 2011
14th December - Burton
December meeting of the BBC. A large number of beers were brought by the members (including one at 32%+.)
My winter Warmer and Burton Bridge porter clone beers were well received as as for commercial stuff I had The Deep from Newby Wyke.
My winter Warmer and Burton Bridge porter clone beers were well received as as for commercial stuff I had The Deep from Newby Wyke.
4th December - Burton
Its the day of the Burton Beer Circle Christmas social - oh yes it is and indeed it was actually today.
Trains weren't brillient being a Sunday so I had to drive and so only had one, the B&T Fruit Bat again.
Good food, good company, skittles that got worse as the evening passed and an excellent time was had by all.
Trains weren't brillient being a Sunday so I had to drive and so only had one, the B&T Fruit Bat again.
Good food, good company, skittles that got worse as the evening passed and an excellent time was had by all.
3rd December - Burton
Its the day of the Burton Beer Circle social so we arrived early to the Cottage as they have a good range of beers on. After a while we started to wonder where everyone was and after a few phone calls including one to London we learned that it was the day before the social.
I still took the opportunity though to aquaint myself with the following:
I still took the opportunity though to aquaint myself with the following:
- B&T (Banks and Taylor) Fruit Bat (lovely stuff this)
- Milestone Dark Galleon (I've yet to find a Milestone beer that I really enjoy)
1st December - Atherstone
So soon i find myself in Atherstone again, this time passing through due to Christmas shopping.
We were passing at lunchtime so called in to a chippie at the Mancetter end of the town (the chips were excellent, homemade thick jobbies).
There are three pubs right by the chippie although only the Old Swan was open so food was washed down with Banks's Original.
We were passing at lunchtime so called in to a chippie at the Mancetter end of the town (the chips were excellent, homemade thick jobbies).
There are three pubs right by the chippie although only the Old Swan was open so food was washed down with Banks's Original.
26th November 2011 - Atherstone
Over to Atherstone today with RG whose work's football team (Loughborough University) were playing there (very quiet for a Saturday - turns out there the Xmas Fayre on later that day so most people were leaving it till later before venturing out.
This provided an opportunity to revisit some pubs not been to for a while starting with Market Tavern where I sampled a couple of the beers from its owners, the Warwickshire Brewing Company, specifically Churchyard Bob, and the stronger Kingmaker.
We adjourned to the local chippy and thence set out for the football stadium (true if loose description) via the Angel. I had great hopes for this as they often have a beer festival (reported on a previous posting) but today only Bass was available.
Thence to the Bear and Ragged Staff by the aforementioned pitch where the only decent beer available was Highgate Dark Mild.
The game itself was a dire affair and there were only cans of beer available in the clubhouse afterwards (still the left over sandwiches from the player's tea were welcome.)
We returned to the railway station via a much busier town centre and homewards past several drummer's drumming (no partridges, pear trees, leaping maidens or lords milking to be seen!)
This provided an opportunity to revisit some pubs not been to for a while starting with Market Tavern where I sampled a couple of the beers from its owners, the Warwickshire Brewing Company, specifically Churchyard Bob, and the stronger Kingmaker.
We adjourned to the local chippy and thence set out for the football stadium (true if loose description) via the Angel. I had great hopes for this as they often have a beer festival (reported on a previous posting) but today only Bass was available.
Thence to the Bear and Ragged Staff by the aforementioned pitch where the only decent beer available was Highgate Dark Mild.
The game itself was a dire affair and there were only cans of beer available in the clubhouse afterwards (still the left over sandwiches from the player's tea were welcome.)
We returned to the railway station via a much busier town centre and homewards past several drummer's drumming (no partridges, pear trees, leaping maidens or lords milking to be seen!)
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
15th November 2011 - Manchester
Manchester today for a work related day long meeting held on the 24th floor of the City Tower (with some impressive views of the city and beyond from the atrium stuck on the side of the building at least for those of us brave enough to venture out.)
Being close to Piccadilly I took in the chance of visiting a couple of the watering holes. Firstly the Port Street Beer House provides a wide ranging selection of beers (cask, draft and bottled) covering a broad spectrum of prices. Tucked away amongst the warren of streets in the area I guess this is the sort of place you would either stumble upon or will have previously learned about as I had via a Google search. You only really know you're there via the logos above the windows.
As i was driving later that day I only had a half and went for their American guest on draft - Victory Hop Devil.
"That'll be £3.50 a half?" checked the bar man - I'm only going to be here rarely I thought so what the heck? Actually good value as it lasted me a good while and the web site's description of "Menacingly delicious, with the powerful, aromatic punch of whole flower
American hops backed up by rich, German malts. HopDevil Ale offers a roller coaster ride of flavor, coasting to a smooth finish that satisfies fully." was spot on. Combined with reviewing their beer menu (which ran to several pages) this was a joy to behold.
Next over to the Manchester and County, a Wetherspoons by Piccadilly gardens. Easy to find but you wouldn't know the name from outside (I only noted it from a receipt someone had left on the bar.) Seemed quite a compact JDW. A good selection of beers available and I went for Hawkshead Brodies Prime described as a premium beer at 4.9% hopped with Fuggles, Bramling Cross, and Cascade hops. Another good choice. The lights on the trees in Piccadilly Gardens added to the charm.
After that it was back to the cafe by Piccadilly station for an all day breakfast and thence homeward. There are several other pubs in the area that more time would have enticed me to visit, still save them for next time.
After that it was back to the cafe by Piccadilly station for an all day breakfast and thence homeward. There are several other pubs in the area that more time would have enticed me to visit, still save them for next time.
12th November 2011 - Hinckley Football Club
A 1st round FA cup game again finds me at Hinckley.. Ruddles Best Bitter on Keg and the IPA Smooth (both from Greene King) as with last time provided the drinks.
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
1st November 2011- Hinckley United Football Club - more bland IPA
Went over to Hinckley tonight for their FA Cup replay against Darlington. (For completness, the latter were quite dire and so a 3-0 home win followed.)
We started in Barwell at Chris's Fish and Chip shop for some wonderful fish and chips and to wash it down I chose Greene King IPA Smooth (keg) - not much to write home about but at least this ticks it off.
We started in Barwell at Chris's Fish and Chip shop for some wonderful fish and chips and to wash it down I chose Greene King IPA Smooth (keg) - not much to write home about but at least this ticks it off.
28th October 2011 - Birmingham Beer Festival
Day off today with the prospect of Birmingham beer festival with GP and several others to look forward to.
After an excellent "Full monty" breakfast at a cafe on Birmingham market, I arrived at the Second City Suite to find some of the party already there and as I greeted them I noticed the cider and perry stand.
As with last year, the locale bar was downstairs with those from further afield on the first floor.
I'd previously researched the beer list and noted a specific perry I wanted to try but alas it wasn't there so instead my first drink was Merrylegs Pyder (6%) after which i joined the party.
250 beers means it can take time to decide what to go for so I opted to stick to thirds of the lower priced beers from there on.
Merry Miner is probably the most local brewery to me so I went next for two of their beers, Ghost Train (4.2% golden ale) and Going Underground (4.4% bitter.)
Time to go further afield (upstairs) from where Saltaire Blackberry Cascade was selected (4.8% with the cascade and Cenntennial hops well balanced by the fruit.) Me and JF spotted the posh chocolate stand and tried some samples - the xtra hot chilli was interesting but didn't mix with the beer.
"Right GP - give me a number and that will be my next beer" - 222 was the answer so it was Southport Dark Night - 3.9% mild and a good beer as well that also fitted the pricing plan above.
Can't recall why, but the next beer I went for was Newmans Autumn Valley Flower (4.4%) - this would turn out to be my favorite of the day and I voted it as my beer of the festival choice.
Enough of using the stairs, so next a new local brewery for me I believe - Angel Banafyre (a 5% dark chocolate stout with an intense chilli finish that sort of sneaks up on you and then make you go "kin eck!")
Time for GP to give me a number again and this time it was 26, so another local beer - Bird's Dark Matter (5% complex dark ruby bitter.)
Back upstairs next for Amber Almond Dark (4.4% stout with an almond flavour.)
Thinking next about the theme that emerged over the last few weeks of run of the mill stuff,. "give me a bland beer" was my next request for GP - "Davenports!" was his response - "anything from there will fit the bill!" Highgate Davenports IPA was thus selected - sure enough its a gentle 4% session beer with not much hopping that IPAs should have these days.
I've got enough left on the token for a final third and Hobsons Mild was close by so that fitted the bill perfectly.
The others still have money to spend so I went to the bottle beer stand and after much deliberation noticed an American pumpkin beer not in the programme so it was I sampled Saranac Pumpkin ale (really excellent - so much so I've since emailed the brewer tio say well done.)
At this point we left the festival and headed over to the Big Wok for some food - I had a Chinese Lager (Tsing Tao.)
After an excellent "Full monty" breakfast at a cafe on Birmingham market, I arrived at the Second City Suite to find some of the party already there and as I greeted them I noticed the cider and perry stand.
As with last year, the locale bar was downstairs with those from further afield on the first floor.
I'd previously researched the beer list and noted a specific perry I wanted to try but alas it wasn't there so instead my first drink was Merrylegs Pyder (6%) after which i joined the party.
250 beers means it can take time to decide what to go for so I opted to stick to thirds of the lower priced beers from there on.
Merry Miner is probably the most local brewery to me so I went next for two of their beers, Ghost Train (4.2% golden ale) and Going Underground (4.4% bitter.)
Time to go further afield (upstairs) from where Saltaire Blackberry Cascade was selected (4.8% with the cascade and Cenntennial hops well balanced by the fruit.) Me and JF spotted the posh chocolate stand and tried some samples - the xtra hot chilli was interesting but didn't mix with the beer.
"Right GP - give me a number and that will be my next beer" - 222 was the answer so it was Southport Dark Night - 3.9% mild and a good beer as well that also fitted the pricing plan above.
Can't recall why, but the next beer I went for was Newmans Autumn Valley Flower (4.4%) - this would turn out to be my favorite of the day and I voted it as my beer of the festival choice.
Enough of using the stairs, so next a new local brewery for me I believe - Angel Banafyre (a 5% dark chocolate stout with an intense chilli finish that sort of sneaks up on you and then make you go "kin eck!")
Time for GP to give me a number again and this time it was 26, so another local beer - Bird's Dark Matter (5% complex dark ruby bitter.)
Back upstairs next for Amber Almond Dark (4.4% stout with an almond flavour.)
Thinking next about the theme that emerged over the last few weeks of run of the mill stuff,. "give me a bland beer" was my next request for GP - "Davenports!" was his response - "anything from there will fit the bill!" Highgate Davenports IPA was thus selected - sure enough its a gentle 4% session beer with not much hopping that IPAs should have these days.
I've got enough left on the token for a final third and Hobsons Mild was close by so that fitted the bill perfectly.
The others still have money to spend so I went to the bottle beer stand and after much deliberation noticed an American pumpkin beer not in the programme so it was I sampled Saranac Pumpkin ale (really excellent - so much so I've since emailed the brewer tio say well done.)
At this point we left the festival and headed over to the Big Wok for some food - I had a Chinese Lager (Tsing Tao.)
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
21st October 2011 - Tamworth with RG
Last week's Wilnecote crawl appears to have had an affect! Most of this week I've been looking froward to this trip hoping to concentrate on more run of the mill beers (if only so they do at least get a mention in this blog.)
Arriving on time at the Globe I therefore quickly decide for Worthington Cask bitter (need to reconfirm details and whether it it is contract brewed by Everards?) - sure enough the traditional British character comes across. As I'm finishing, RG enters and offers to buy me a top up. This time I went for Black Sheep's Emmerdale, "Hmm ? is that an off taste or too sweet for me?" - must have been the latter as later research reveals (4.2% ABV - Distinctive balance between the
flavours of fruity Golding variety hops, Maris Otter malted barley and
demerara sugar. Strong and refreshingly long, dry and bitter finish.)
For out next port of call we head to the Three Tuns, so chance to compare their Bass to that sample last time. As with the Worthington beer above, again it's a pleasant enough run of the mill offering in good condition, what more can you say about it?
Next up the Silk Kite and the JDW beer festival. There were offering an American import from Bell's brewery - expect they aren't as in fact it turns out to have been produced in by someone from Bell's at Marston's Burton - still a new beer and one we probably won't see again? - (Kalamazoo Black Silk Oatmeal Porter - more here.)
At this point we decide to head over to the Bolebridge and see what they are offering as part of the festival. the Bell's "import" is also on but I opt for 3 thirds in the shape of:
- Box Steam Brewery - Piston Broke
- Wadworth - Octoberzest
- Vale - Long dark Nights
Friday, 21 October 2011
14th October - Wilnecote - If Monty Python did a beer song...
My turn to organize the monthly outing and not being sure of my plans till on the day I opted for the easy option of Wilnecote (or rather Win-cot to the locals.) Met the other at the station as planned and 25 minutes and one busy road crossing later we arrived at the Queens Head.
Most of the pubs are along the old A5 (now a B road.) We entered and eventually noted a single hand pull making a somewhat apologetic appearance in the corner. Bass was the unanimous choice. Bit of a beer desert this could be one commented, the evening can but improve!
On to the Red Lion. Previously in the GBG but has changed hands recently. Again Bass was the only real ale so some of us went for M&B Mild.
We walked passed the next closest pub saving that will the end and round the corner into what I guess is actually Hockley for the Prince of Wales. Another pub to have changed hands and another pub selling Bass ("Bass, Bass, Bass, Bass,,,,Bass,Bass" as the song might go.) I however opted for Abbot Ale. GP busied himself with a local who came from the other Hockley originally in Birmingham, whilst me and TH discussed options for Asda settees.
Time to move on to the last port of call, the Globe. Wot, no Bass! They do do a guest beer these days which I went for - Brakspear Oxford Gold whilst we tried and failed several times to get past the £1 mark on the quiz machine.
Left the others back at the station and homeward via the Chinese take-away.
Most of the pubs are along the old A5 (now a B road.) We entered and eventually noted a single hand pull making a somewhat apologetic appearance in the corner. Bass was the unanimous choice. Bit of a beer desert this could be one commented, the evening can but improve!
On to the Red Lion. Previously in the GBG but has changed hands recently. Again Bass was the only real ale so some of us went for M&B Mild.
We walked passed the next closest pub saving that will the end and round the corner into what I guess is actually Hockley for the Prince of Wales. Another pub to have changed hands and another pub selling Bass ("Bass, Bass, Bass, Bass,,,,Bass,Bass" as the song might go.) I however opted for Abbot Ale. GP busied himself with a local who came from the other Hockley originally in Birmingham, whilst me and TH discussed options for Asda settees.
Time to move on to the last port of call, the Globe. Wot, no Bass! They do do a guest beer these days which I went for - Brakspear Oxford Gold whilst we tried and failed several times to get past the £1 mark on the quiz machine.
Left the others back at the station and homeward via the Chinese take-away.
12th October 2011 - Burton
Latest meeting of the Burton Beer Circle.
Commercial beers I sampled tonight were
Titanic - Chocolate and Vanilla Stout
Oakham - Scarlett Macaw
Potbelly - Bellowhead
Newton Winnel's Longdon Perry
(For the record I took along a recently brewed wheat beer which was well received - details to appear on my brewing blog in due course.)
30th September 2011 - Wolverhampton and Bilston
A very, very warm last day of September finds me on the train heading into Birmingham for the latest Friday night outing. Several of the regulars were otherwise engaged this evening so only JF (who I was to meet in Birmingham) and BJ (meeting us later in Wolverhampton were out tonight.)
First port of call was the Shakespeare near
New Street. The pub was quite busy especially the small
outside drinking area due to the heatwave but I managed to get served quite
quickly selecting Nethergate Border. As
I was finishing this, in walked JF who manfully grasped my my empty glass and before so much as a "How do you do" I was in possession of the my second beer, Harviestoun Ptarmigan.
Off now to Wolverhampton
with just enough time on the train to eat my tea before alighting at the
station where BJ was waiting for us
We headed off to the Great Western via the
subway and footpath running by what used to be the other station serving the
now defunct railway from Snow Hill. I
well remember the first time I took this route some 12 years or so ago when it
was somewhat rougher.
I opted for some of the Holdens' beers
(Black Country Bitter and thence Mild.)
We took the chance to catch up on recent outings and a recap from BJ of
DP's birthday trek to Leeds (hint - always check which way a train is heading
before catching it as there's more than one way from Sheffield to Leeds!)
Heading off now - "we've lost BJ"
who re-appeared a few moments later having checked the remains of the old
platforms that apparently are still visible by the new hotel now forming part
of the old station mentioned above.
We arrived at the Posada (and Black Sheep
Bitter) which although close to the city centre had something of a back street
local to it. Being a warm evening we
ventured to garden where conversation was interrupted from time to time via the
singers of variable quality from the karaoke bar t'other side of the wall.
Next port of call was the Hogshead. Enville Cherry Blonde was my choice over
thoughts ahead to the world cup rugby that weekend ("Of course England will beat France" ce la vie as it turned
out!)
The evening was still young so we decided
to head via the metro over to Bilston.
BJ lead the way and we ended up at Banks's Robin 2 on Mount Pleasant. This place has a small front public bar with
what appears to be a much larger concert venue beyond which host a range of
real and better quality tribute acts.
Banks's Original for me.
Final port of call was to Trumpet with just
time for a swift Holden's Mild and thence off for the tram. Problems that evening including the need to
re-boot the vehicle but back in New
Street in plenty (ahem) of time for the train homewards.
23rd September 2011 - GCR Beer Festival, Loughborough
In what appears to be becoming an annual ritual, myself and RG take Friday off work and head over to the East Midlands town of Loughborough and on to the GCR steam railway station for their beer festival.
A larger marquee, and warmer weather
compared to last year greeted us with 41 beers from breweries within a few miles of the old LNER routes.
My selections (in order) were:
Ossett - Big Red
Raw - Annubis Porter
Belvoir - Oatmeal Stout
Ufford - White Hart
Funfair - Rollerghoster ("A bright
red, Halloween themed summer-fruit beer" - which resembled Cherryade - I
liked it, the woman on the next table didn't)
Partners - Spike's on't way
B&T - Dunstable Giant - which was my favorite of those tasted.
After this we headed into town. RG had said he wanted to find the Unicord and
as luck would have it, it appeared round the corner. Marston's EPA was what I chose.
Back to Tamworth
and time for food and the special house balti at ??? hit the spot nicely downed
with some Banglra lager.
(Note to self - take care - a smaller annual ritual is
almost getting run over!)
8th / 9th September 2011 - Tamworth Beer Festival
Although previously I served on the organizing committee, other activities in recent years that have clashed have
meant it been three years since my last visit.
A chance then to catch up with some old
acquaintances on t'other side of the bar and as always the beer choice was
excellent (Chris Fudge would have been hard pressed to improve on it! so a
worthy tribute in a way.)
Over the two days and in alphabetic rather
than drinking order the following were consumed...
Arbor - New Sierra and Kiwi IPA
Backyard - Autumn
Beowulf - Amber Knights
Blindmans - Hoppy Cock
Blue Ball - Smoker
Brodies - Whitechapel Weisen
Byatts - Phoenix Gold
Church End - Chunky Cubes (a pineapple
beer)
and
Brancoff Porter
Tunnel - Summit Else - the festival
festival that was brewed by the organisers with a lot of American hops (well
done chaps!)
Two Roses - Chinook Pale
Verulam - Half Nelson
Worsthorne - Foxstones
I also shared a couple of offerings from
the bottle stall (I used to manage this part and so would have been rude not to
sample the wares), specifically
Huyghe Florisgaarden Chocolat
Burton Bridge Tickle
Brain.
26th August 2011 - Tamworth
Started things off tonight at the Globe where RG was already in mid beer. I chose their guest, Hyde's Lawnmower (a pleasant enough bitter.)
We then headed over the Sir Robert Peel
where I went for Wye Valley HPA.
Market Vaults next and Marston's Pedigree
(to the sounds of the 70s music from the lounge.)
Mainly for old time's sake we opted next
for the Three Tuns (passing the White Lion en route - must be getting old as
the music volume sound loud!) Fullers London Pride
(and more 70's music.)
Finally over to the Bolebridge and Brains
SA Gold and finally a shared bottle of Newcastle Brown.
5th August 2011 - Tamworth
Friday night outing with RG meeting as always, it seems, at The Globe. I opted first for the Holden's Mild. Tonight we thought we'ed re-check the state of play at the Albert. Things are getting back to how they used to be and signs of real ale returning. I opted for Banks's Bitter.
Over the road next to the Tweedale. Bass is a beer that used to be common but is getting harder to finds these
days. I remember the days when it used
to be darker.
We decided to end the evening at the Sir
Robert Peel. Here I went first for York
Citra and thence Wye Valley HPA.
recollections of the old days when it was Hamletts and brown ale was the
order of the day prompted us to share a bottle of Newcastle Brown (what ever
happened to the fridge full of Newquay bottles?)
Thursday, 20 October 2011
30th July - Tamworth - Wetherspoon's Cider festival - part 3
8 days later finds me with a quiet Saturday afternoon so I take the chance to tick off some more of the offerings at the cider festival/ With hindsight, don't leave it to the end next time for those from the barrel as my first (Mr Whitehead's Festival Special Perry) was well past its best.
I then went for one of the bottled ciders in the shape of Mont St Michel Cider (from France).
I then went for one of the bottled ciders in the shape of Mont St Michel Cider (from France).
Thursday, 18 August 2011
22nd July 2011 - Tamworth - Wetherspoon's Cider Fest part 2 (and some soccer)
In Tamworth tonight with RG. We decided to meet up and eat at the Bolebridge ahead of moving onto see the pre-season game between Bolehall Swifts and Tamworth (quite a dire affair to be honest and I can't call it a friendly after one tackle / red card.)
I decided to continue sampling the ciders available as part of the cider festival and so had...
Thatcher's Traditional
Sandford Orchards Devon Scumpy (note to self this goes well with hot curries!)
After the dire affair as above we returned to the Bolebridge where I had Green Valley Cyder's Strawby Cyder.
We finsihed the evening with a sahed bottle of Tyskie.
I decided to continue sampling the ciders available as part of the cider festival and so had...
Thatcher's Traditional
Sandford Orchards Devon Scumpy (note to self this goes well with hot curries!)
After the dire affair as above we returned to the Bolebridge where I had Green Valley Cyder's Strawby Cyder.
We finsihed the evening with a sahed bottle of Tyskie.
18th July - Birmingham
A day-long meeting at UCB presents an oppotunity to try some Good Beer Listed pubs that I've not visited before. UCB is in Summer Row in birmingham virtually next door to the Shakespeare. I went for Rudgate Ruby Mild.
Next closest venue I had noted was the Prince of Wales in Cambridge st which I soon found. A proper old pub (some might call it down to earth or rough and ready but I quite liked it with its plenty of momentos of days gone by. A rare chance to sample Ansell's Mild from a hand pull did not dissappoint.
Heading back towards New Street I passed and so popped into the Wetherspoons by the Library. They had a guest cider from their forthcoming cider festival list and so an early chance to sample Westons Cider Raspberry Twist (bliss!)
Next closest venue I had noted was the Prince of Wales in Cambridge st which I soon found. A proper old pub (some might call it down to earth or rough and ready but I quite liked it with its plenty of momentos of days gone by. A rare chance to sample Ansell's Mild from a hand pull did not dissappoint.
Heading back towards New Street I passed and so popped into the Wetherspoons by the Library. They had a guest cider from their forthcoming cider festival list and so an early chance to sample Westons Cider Raspberry Twist (bliss!)
15th July - Derby - 2 Pub Fests
On my previous visit to derby I noticed there were a couple of pub festivals on this weekend and so with not much else planned for the last week day of my week off, decided to pop along. The wo pubs in question are The Old Silk Mill and Ye Olde Dolphin.
We arrived at the OSM and manged to find a vacent table. 24 beers were listed, and the vast mjority still available, from which Isampled:
We arrived at the OSM and manged to find a vacent table. 24 beers were listed, and the vast mjority still available, from which Isampled:
- Rudgate Niflheim IPA
- Skinners Ginger Tosser
- Strathhaven Clydesdale IPA
- Hopping Mad Fruit Case
- Wolf Wolf Ale
- Elland 1872 Porter
- Coastal Merry Maiden
- Saltaire Raspberry Blonde
- Buffys Norwegian Blue
- Hornbeam Summer IPA
- Hammerpot HPA
13th July - Penkridge
Visiting the market today and so after lunch popped into the Horse and Jockey for Banks's Mild
11th July 2011 - Gloucester
"Hmm, where to go for a birthday drink? Somewhere not too far, easy to get to / from by train preferably without the need to change, somewhere not been to before (or at least for a good while) and above all with a good choice of real ale pubs plus other things that would make a worthwhile day out."
Plenty of places came to mind but in the end, Gloucester was selected.
Our train arrived on time and after struggling to get off thanks to the shopper in front of us with the most awkward set of bags you could imagine, we exited the station, checked the map and headed for the town centre. (An early) lunch was the first requirement and we spied a small cafe after which we headed over to the Docks area and spent a good hour or so soaking in the sun and the industrial architecture paying especial interest to the various boats either moored up or working along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. In common with similar areas such as Liverpool this area would no doubt have been less touristy but the recent conversions on the warehouses to apartments and antique centres, etc have made it quite a pleasant place to spend some time. There is still evidence of the tracks of the horse drawn railway in homage to its past (you can see the rails by the crane in the upper right photo. We sat on benches, ventured a bit further (the gardens if that's what you can call them are a credit to the boat owners) and eventually ended up on the banks of the actual canal watching the ducks and fish.)
Time to find some beer. I'd wanted to try the Whitesmiths Arms but alas it was shut during the afternoon and perhaps too far out from the station to return later. We therefore headed to the Dick Whittington browsing as we did in a number of antique shops.
This was originally St Nicholas House, a 15th century town house once owned by the Whittington family. There were a couple of beers on and my option was Robinson's Crusoe.
Next scheduled stop was the Fountain Inn (another 16th Century pub with a most well kept garden. Cotswold Spring Brewery's Olde English Rose (a 4% pale ale) was my choice - so good I went back for a second helping.
We moved next to the New Inn. A strange place with rooms off a central courtyard and clearly evidence of it once being a coaching inn. I opted for a beer from Skinner's - didn't note actual brew at the time alas.
Time was moving on and we recalled passing a Wetherspoons and also a couple of other places near the railway station and so it was we ended up at The Regal where I went for Batemans XXXB.
All in all a good day out and I certainly want o visit again and perhaps take in some of the many other pubs we missed on this occasion.
Plenty of places came to mind but in the end, Gloucester was selected.
Our train arrived on time and after struggling to get off thanks to the shopper in front of us with the most awkward set of bags you could imagine, we exited the station, checked the map and headed for the town centre. (An early) lunch was the first requirement and we spied a small cafe after which we headed over to the Docks area and spent a good hour or so soaking in the sun and the industrial architecture paying especial interest to the various boats either moored up or working along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. In common with similar areas such as Liverpool this area would no doubt have been less touristy but the recent conversions on the warehouses to apartments and antique centres, etc have made it quite a pleasant place to spend some time. There is still evidence of the tracks of the horse drawn railway in homage to its past (you can see the rails by the crane in the upper right photo. We sat on benches, ventured a bit further (the gardens if that's what you can call them are a credit to the boat owners) and eventually ended up on the banks of the actual canal watching the ducks and fish.)
Time to find some beer. I'd wanted to try the Whitesmiths Arms but alas it was shut during the afternoon and perhaps too far out from the station to return later. We therefore headed to the Dick Whittington browsing as we did in a number of antique shops.
This was originally St Nicholas House, a 15th century town house once owned by the Whittington family. There were a couple of beers on and my option was Robinson's Crusoe.
Next scheduled stop was the Fountain Inn (another 16th Century pub with a most well kept garden. Cotswold Spring Brewery's Olde English Rose (a 4% pale ale) was my choice - so good I went back for a second helping.
We moved next to the New Inn. A strange place with rooms off a central courtyard and clearly evidence of it once being a coaching inn. I opted for a beer from Skinner's - didn't note actual brew at the time alas.
Time was moving on and we recalled passing a Wetherspoons and also a couple of other places near the railway station and so it was we ended up at The Regal where I went for Batemans XXXB.
All in all a good day out and I certainly want o visit again and perhaps take in some of the many other pubs we missed on this occasion.
2nd July 2011 - Derby - BBC Social
Saturday afternoon social outing to Derby finds us twiddling thumbs in the Brunswick in Derby wondering where the members from Burton are. Phone rings to reveal they'll be another 5 - 10 minutes and sure enough soon after in they troop. The Brunswick does do a good range of beers but I again decided to opt for local brews today where possible and so stuck to their range sampling Brunswick White Feather (which was an exxcellent summer supping ale!), Station Approach and finally Railway Porter.
Round the corner to the Alex where I had Oldershaws Caskade.
Moving further along we passed the weir and ended up at the Royal Standard (Local CAMRA pub of the year for 2009 it still proclaims.) JF spotted that they do a tray of 5 thirds from their own beer range so we opted for that sampling Royal Standard Business as Usual, Gold Mine, Roxanne Ruby, Dark Knight, and Hop till you Drop accompanied with some cheese.
Ist July 2011 - Tamworth
In Tamworth tonight with RG.
We met as usual at the Globe where I opted for the Toad Brewery's (from Doncaster) MIB (Malted in Black.)
For a change we (RG actually) thought about trying the Albert. This used to a good venue on the Tamworth real ale circuit but in recent years its been up and down, open and shut. Liitle choice tonight to accompany the lack of punters so we went for Banks's Original Smooth.
Enough og this, need proper ale so it the Sir Robert Peel next for Blue Monkey 99 Red Babboons followed by Sharp's Doombar.
Final port of call tonight was the Bole Bridge where I went for Burton Bridge Eternal Triangle and we finished a pleasant evening sharing a bottle of Tyskie.
25th June 2011 - Another Blackcountry Trip (Sedgley and Upper Gornal)
Eight days have passed since my last outing and yet again I was on route to a part of the Black Country. This time it was as part of the summer social with some of the Craft Brewing Association meaning that JF was again present (also GP joined us for part of the visit.)
After breakfast in Birmingham we joined the train to Wolverhampton and headed via the subway (note to any Americans out there, this is a footpath in a tunnel, not an underground train) and arrived at the the Great Western shortly before opening time.
Although there are some guest beers offered, I decided that as the Black Country has a number of brewers of local note that where possible I would sample their wares. The Great Western is a Holden's pub where I chose their Black Country Bitter, followed by Special.
The plan was then to head by bus to the town of Sedgley and so we soon found the relevant bus stop and boarded the 558 bus alighting just before the Bull Ring in the town centre. The Bull Ring references the fact that there was a bull pit here many years ago before it was outlawed. After a short walk we arrived at the Bull's Head which is also a Holden's pub but this time serving their June special - Jungle Jim. Although we didn't sample the menu, this pub offers breakfasts that look excellent (noted that it opens at 9am) and also a good selection of Thai food.
Further along the road brings us to the Beacon hotel, home of the Sarah Hughes brewery. A fascinating place this with a number of rooms served from a triangular arrangements of small central hatches. I initially kept to my plan of the local brews and with the Sarah Hughes brewery being out the back were very local in this case. From their range I started on the classic Dark Ruby followed by Sedgley Surprise and Amber finishing off with a guest from Thornbridge, Brother Rabbit. Being a group of brewers we soon tried toidentify the hops that have been used in the Thornbridge and later research revealed these to be Cascade, Chinook and Centennial.)
Time to move on for the Jolly Crispin. Our party spy-ed a bus stop opposite and decided to assemble there - I spy-ed the timetable and decided it was better to take the 15 minutes walk to the main road than the hour wait for the next bus. We therefore found our way back to Sedgely Bull Ring and after a few minutes along came the bus to take us to the Jolly Crispin in Upper Gornal.. Titanic Brewery from the Potteries have an interest in this place as witnessed by the house beer, Titanic Crispy Nail. They also feature a wide range of guests with beers mats adorning the beams on the ceiling (a sample of which can be seen above.)
The other classic pub in this part of the world is the Britannia which I could have sworn was only over the road whereas reality is that it's over, and another half mile or so along the road. Batham's beers are served and with only time for one drink it had to be the excellent Mild accompanied by one of their tasty (large - I was sharing!) pork pies.
Time to catch the bus back towards Wolverhampton and having previously proposed the Mount Pleasant which the bus stops opposite. "Great beer choice" I recalled from a previous visit. "It looks a bit dark" said one - "Not surprising as its shut" came another and so we tramped back to the bus stop (at least they're not only once an hour!)
Back in Wolverhampton we went our separate ways with some of the party heading for the station and back to Birmingham finishing at the Shakespheare near New Street where I ended an excellent day on White Horse Saracen IPA.
Back in Wolverhampton we went our separate ways with some of the party heading for the station and back to Birmingham finishing at the Shakespheare near New Street where I ended an excellent day on White Horse Saracen IPA.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
17th June 2011 - "Its gone all keg and karaoke..." and that's no Lye
This evening finds me attending the monthly Friday night outing with GP and the boys (except GP wasn't there.) His plan, when he was going to be there was to sample the delights of the Black Country towns of Lye (somewhere I've never been before) and Halesowen (where I have.)
Wikipedia tells me that Lye is actually a corrosive alkaline substance used for curing food, but then disambiguates to inform us that its famous for very little except being the birthplace of the actor Cedric Hardwicke and today has several balti houses. Halesowen on the other hand, once bigger than Birmingham, is most notable for some of its former residents (including Rex Williams, Robert Plant, Frank Skinner and Bill Oddie.)
Knowing that GP wasn't going to be with us I made a note of his proposed route for the evening and said I'd meet every one at the Joint Stock in Birmingham. By Friday this had changed and so I arrived at the Old Contemptables just in time to receive BJ's txt to say meet there. Only time for a quick half on Titanic Centenary.
Over to Snow Hill for the train out to Lye and thence the short walk to the Windsor Castle. This is a Sadler's brewery tap so I concentrated on some of their beers (with free samples of some very chilli crisps), including:
Time to move on and the number 9 bus towards Halesowen which soon deposited us at the Whitley. Recently acquired by Black Country Ales this features the order by number system that they also have at their other places like the Wellington in Birmingham. Two ales here, Blue Monkey Ape Ale and Traditional Scottish Ales Ginger Explosion.
A short stroll next to the Hawne Tavern for Ossett Excellsior.
Next port of call was due to be the Wagon and Horses but I remember there used to be the King Edward VIII which used to sell Enfield and other ales and which was half way. The hand pulls are still on the bar bur enquiries revealed that they had abdicated from serving real ale so we had to sample the keg Brew XI and suffer the karaoke ("Come on boys, free shots...")
Onward to the Wagon and Horses. An excellent, famous pub in ber circles, I went for Ellend Born to be Mild watched over by a friendly Jack Russell. JF had become wound up by the beer choice at the last place, so I tamed the savage beast via the purchase of a copy of the New Imbiber.
Back into Birmingham, so off to the bus stop, "We've lost DP..." but ending up at the final port of call at the Wetherspoons by the library for Butcome Gold finds the said DP waiting for us on arrival. After that it was back to New Street for me just in time for the train home.
Wikipedia tells me that Lye is actually a corrosive alkaline substance used for curing food, but then disambiguates to inform us that its famous for very little except being the birthplace of the actor Cedric Hardwicke and today has several balti houses. Halesowen on the other hand, once bigger than Birmingham, is most notable for some of its former residents (including Rex Williams, Robert Plant, Frank Skinner and Bill Oddie.)
Knowing that GP wasn't going to be with us I made a note of his proposed route for the evening and said I'd meet every one at the Joint Stock in Birmingham. By Friday this had changed and so I arrived at the Old Contemptables just in time to receive BJ's txt to say meet there. Only time for a quick half on Titanic Centenary.
Over to Snow Hill for the train out to Lye and thence the short walk to the Windsor Castle. This is a Sadler's brewery tap so I concentrated on some of their beers (with free samples of some very chilli crisps), including:
- JPA (a low strength pale ale)
- Red House (advertised as a Black Country mild bu getting past its best)
- Hop Bomb
- Samurai (their monthly special)
Time to move on and the number 9 bus towards Halesowen which soon deposited us at the Whitley. Recently acquired by Black Country Ales this features the order by number system that they also have at their other places like the Wellington in Birmingham. Two ales here, Blue Monkey Ape Ale and Traditional Scottish Ales Ginger Explosion.
A short stroll next to the Hawne Tavern for Ossett Excellsior.
Next port of call was due to be the Wagon and Horses but I remember there used to be the King Edward VIII which used to sell Enfield and other ales and which was half way. The hand pulls are still on the bar bur enquiries revealed that they had abdicated from serving real ale so we had to sample the keg Brew XI and suffer the karaoke ("Come on boys, free shots...")
Onward to the Wagon and Horses. An excellent, famous pub in ber circles, I went for Ellend Born to be Mild watched over by a friendly Jack Russell. JF had become wound up by the beer choice at the last place, so I tamed the savage beast via the purchase of a copy of the New Imbiber.
Back into Birmingham, so off to the bus stop, "We've lost DP..." but ending up at the final port of call at the Wetherspoons by the library for Butcome Gold finds the said DP waiting for us on arrival. After that it was back to New Street for me just in time for the train home.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
8th June 2011 - Burton Beer Circle
16 beers were brought along for sampling this evening. These included a range of 8 from JF that only differed in having a different hop used in each case. We hadto guess the hop - somehow I managed 4 correct.
Only one commercial beer tasted this evening - Thornbridge Sequoia (Amarillo, Centennial and Chinook hops.)
Only one commercial beer tasted this evening - Thornbridge Sequoia (Amarillo, Centennial and Chinook hops.)
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Friday 27th May - Monthly Chaps Outing - Birmingham and Penkridge
I know Penkridge quite well for non beer reasons so the chance to visit some of its pubs was eagerly anticipated.
Met up with the gang (at least those who were on time) at the Shakespheare for Brain's Milkwood before getting the train to Penkridge.
We started at the Littleton Arms where there was due to be a Japenese themed food night meaning it would apparantly get busy later on. For me the beer choice was Backyard's The Hoard (brewed after the Saxon Discovery near the brewery.)
Next to the Star where we sat outside (in the shade!) sampling Ringwood Forty-Niner and then Jennings Cockerhoop.
Boat next (my suggestion) but little choice so for me it was Blacksheep.
Last pub in Penridge was the Horse and Jockey where I went for Banks's Mild.
At this point train timing meant I had to depart earlier than the others so left with GP back to Birmingham. We tried to get into the Brier rose but it was too busy so I ventured up to the wellington for Keltek 4K Mild and then Merry Miner Going Underground.
Back at New Street station I spotted a poster for a forthcoming musi festival and amonst the various acts in the smaller type face I noted one band that were new to me - must have been the inclusion of food in their name, so without further ado this blog's new must listen to group - Bowling for Soup.
Met up with the gang (at least those who were on time) at the Shakespheare for Brain's Milkwood before getting the train to Penkridge.
We started at the Littleton Arms where there was due to be a Japenese themed food night meaning it would apparantly get busy later on. For me the beer choice was Backyard's The Hoard (brewed after the Saxon Discovery near the brewery.)
Next to the Star where we sat outside (in the shade!) sampling Ringwood Forty-Niner and then Jennings Cockerhoop.
Boat next (my suggestion) but little choice so for me it was Blacksheep.
Last pub in Penridge was the Horse and Jockey where I went for Banks's Mild.
At this point train timing meant I had to depart earlier than the others so left with GP back to Birmingham. We tried to get into the Brier rose but it was too busy so I ventured up to the wellington for Keltek 4K Mild and then Merry Miner Going Underground.
Back at New Street station I spotted a poster for a forthcoming musi festival and amonst the various acts in the smaller type face I noted one band that were new to me - must have been the inclusion of food in their name, so without further ado this blog's new must listen to group - Bowling for Soup.
Saturday 21st May Burton - Beer Circle Social
The emails definitely said 4pm at The Cottage so where is everyone? Eventually our party forms up! Three beers tasted here included:
Finally the Coopers where there were a number of Oakham beers from which I selected and then AttillaBlack Hole Porter before finishing on Broadoak's Perry (<-- OK its not a beer so for completeness.)
- Northern Brewing One-Der-Ful Wheat
- Darkstar Golden Gate
- Cottage's Stout
Finally the Coopers where there were a number of Oakham beers from which I selected and then AttillaBlack Hole Porter before finishing on Broadoak's Perry (<-- OK its not a beer so for completeness.)
20th May 2011 - Hopwas Beer Festival
On our recent trip round Tamworth, RG noted an advery for the forthcoming Hopwas Beer Festival (their second) and remembering what an excellent event it was last time then who was I to refuse!.
We met at the Globe for a swift Holden's Mild before wandering round to the bus station. "We've got 20 minutes" I ventured and so we quickened along to the White Lion for a swifter Blythe Palmer's Poison.
Out to the Scoial Club at Hopwas for the following:
Back to Tamworth and the Sir Robery Peel for Tirrel's Academy Ale and finally Sharps' Doombar.
We met at the Globe for a swift Holden's Mild before wandering round to the bus station. "We've got 20 minutes" I ventured and so we quickened along to the White Lion for a swifter Blythe Palmer's Poison.
Out to the Scoial Club at Hopwas for the following:
- Oakham Citra
- Two Towers Jewellery Porter
- Black Country Ales Essington Supreme
- Church end Howas Ale (a house beer it appears)
- Wye Valley Butty Bach
Back to Tamworth and the Sir Robery Peel for Tirrel's Academy Ale and finally Sharps' Doombar.
28th April 2011 - Round Tamworth
RG wanted to thank me for pointing him at a new job he'ed just gained so offered to treat me to a Wetherspoon's curry. Gratefully accepted I went for their Madras accompanied by Ruddles Bitter and also Pheonix Wobbley Bob.
We thence to the Sir Robert Peel firstly for Blonde Bombshell from Old Mill Brewery followed by Cat Nap from Barngates whilst watching a tribute to Bobby Charlton which even without the sound was worth watching.
Finally to the Globe where I went for Bass.
We thence to the Sir Robert Peel firstly for Blonde Bombshell from Old Mill Brewery followed by Cat Nap from Barngates whilst watching a tribute to Bobby Charlton which even without the sound was worth watching.
Finally to the Globe where I went for Bass.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
13th April 2011 - Burton
April meeting for the Burton Beer Circle finds us at the usual venue.
Commercial beers from the bar sampled tonight were
In addition to the various brews from the members, LL has also promised to bring samples of some very old beers he had recently been party to the discovery of. These 33 year beers had apparantly been stored away at some local brewery / warehouse and lonmg since forgotten till someone came accross them (many hundreds of bottles by all accounts.) These beers were Skol Lager, Silver Jubilee and Easter ales from Ind Coope. There were is suprisingly good condition but had changed over the years so were now quite dark (even the lager) and had taken on an old ale type character. Tests have shown that beer doesn't get stronger over time and these were still known to be around the 5.5% mark they were oginally brewed at.
Commercial beers from the bar sampled tonight were
- Rudyard Ruby Mild
- Joules Slimbering Monk
- Bass
In addition to the various brews from the members, LL has also promised to bring samples of some very old beers he had recently been party to the discovery of. These 33 year beers had apparantly been stored away at some local brewery / warehouse and lonmg since forgotten till someone came accross them (many hundreds of bottles by all accounts.) These beers were Skol Lager, Silver Jubilee and Easter ales from Ind Coope. There were is suprisingly good condition but had changed over the years so were now quite dark (even the lager) and had taken on an old ale type character. Tests have shown that beer doesn't get stronger over time and these were still known to be around the 5.5% mark they were oginally brewed at.
1st April 2011 - Burton
Quick trip over to Burton and a visit to the Old Cottage (Stout and Oak Ale) and thence the Devonshire (Burton Bridge Porter)
25th March 2011 - Stafford
Out with RG this evening and for a change we opted for Stafford. This is a place we used to come out to quite a lot 20 or so years ago so it was a sort of trip down memory lave.
The evening commenced with food courtesy of the Windmill Chippy after which we headed to the Sun. Quite different these days to how we used to remember it. Owned by Titanic Brewery now so a good selection of their beers and some guests available. For me it was Last Porter Call.
Across to thePicture House next as there was the JDW Beer Festival taking place. This was a cinema last time we visited here but these days its an excellent pub conversion. Wolf Pairie Gold was first followed by Budweisser Budvar.
Swan Hotel next where the only real choice was Freedom Lager.
Final port of call in Stafford was the Bird in Hand. We sat in the empty front room drinking Deuchers IPA with the mixed sounds from a reggie disco and some heavy / thrash metal outfit in theback room.
On arrival back in Tamworth we headed up to the Aspen Bar in the Snowdome drinking Tetley Bitter.
The evening commenced with food courtesy of the Windmill Chippy after which we headed to the Sun. Quite different these days to how we used to remember it. Owned by Titanic Brewery now so a good selection of their beers and some guests available. For me it was Last Porter Call.
Across to thePicture House next as there was the JDW Beer Festival taking place. This was a cinema last time we visited here but these days its an excellent pub conversion. Wolf Pairie Gold was first followed by Budweisser Budvar.
Swan Hotel next where the only real choice was Freedom Lager.
Final port of call in Stafford was the Bird in Hand. We sat in the empty front room drinking Deuchers IPA with the mixed sounds from a reggie disco and some heavy / thrash metal outfit in theback room.
On arrival back in Tamworth we headed up to the Aspen Bar in the Snowdome drinking Tetley Bitter.
11th March 2011 - Aston
The friday night boys outing finds DP at the helm. We (only 3 tonight) met at the Joint Stock (Fuller s Chiswick.)
DP mentioned he'd found there was a beer festival taking place over towards the Uni at Aston so we agreed to give it a go and soon found ourselves in the Sack of Potatoes. A nice selection of 12 or so beers greeted us some on a temporary stillage and some from the bar. we agreed to take it in turns selecting the beers and this lead to the following:
Tiem to leave and so over the road to the Gosta Green. A large venue with an obvious student bias. I went for the Becks Vier (no real ale available). We noticed what we assumed were a student party with tee shirts specially printed for their crawl that evening.
We moved on to the Bull close to the Dentists Hospital and the old fire station. A large collection of jugs adorned the ceiling, etc and a good choice of stews was on the menu. My choice was Hook Norton's Hooky Bitter.
Next was the Jeckyl and Hyde and Purity Mad Goose.
The Crown suggested next till we saw the queue, not helped by the sight that our 12 student friends from earlier would be ahead of us to get served so we moved onto the Square Peg where I opted for a short (Jim Beam) and finally the Shakesphere where alas I forgot to note which beer I sampled (might have been Land Lord from Timothy Taylor?)
DP mentioned he'd found there was a beer festival taking place over towards the Uni at Aston so we agreed to give it a go and soon found ourselves in the Sack of Potatoes. A nice selection of 12 or so beers greeted us some on a temporary stillage and some from the bar. we agreed to take it in turns selecting the beers and this lead to the following:
- Rudgates Spring Elixir
- Meantime IPA
- Springhead Drop o the Blackboard stuff
- York's First Light
- Slater's Chocolate Orange
- Brains Reverend James (the only beer from the bar and merely chosen as it wouldn't be a Friday without James!)
Tiem to leave and so over the road to the Gosta Green. A large venue with an obvious student bias. I went for the Becks Vier (no real ale available). We noticed what we assumed were a student party with tee shirts specially printed for their crawl that evening.
We moved on to the Bull close to the Dentists Hospital and the old fire station. A large collection of jugs adorned the ceiling, etc and a good choice of stews was on the menu. My choice was Hook Norton's Hooky Bitter.
Next was the Jeckyl and Hyde and Purity Mad Goose.
The Crown suggested next till we saw the queue, not helped by the sight that our 12 student friends from earlier would be ahead of us to get served so we moved onto the Square Peg where I opted for a short (Jim Beam) and finally the Shakesphere where alas I forgot to note which beer I sampled (might have been Land Lord from Timothy Taylor?)
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Wednesday 23rd February 2011- Lunch in Stoke
One of my colleagues is getting married at the weekend so we've arranged a get together at lunch time.
The Glebe in the centre of Stoke had been chosen so a good chance to try out this recently refurbished (and saved?) pub now owned by Joules.
On entry noted theit list of other places including a couple that have featured on here in the pass (Duke of York, Lichfield, and the Coopers in Burton.)
A couple of Joules beers were available, my choice being Joules Pale Ale (that's what beer used to taste like!) as well as one other from their stable and a guest from Harvestoun.
The Glebe in the centre of Stoke had been chosen so a good chance to try out this recently refurbished (and saved?) pub now owned by Joules.
On entry noted theit list of other places including a couple that have featured on here in the pass (Duke of York, Lichfield, and the Coopers in Burton.)
A couple of Joules beers were available, my choice being Joules Pale Ale (that's what beer used to taste like!) as well as one other from their stable and a guest from Harvestoun.
Waiting for the bus in Birmingham - 22nd February 2011
Travelling to / from central Birmingham today by bus for work reasons and with plenty of time to spare before the homeward journey decided to wait in the Square Peg with Thatcher's Old Rascal cider.
Tamworth - Feb 18th 2011
Monthly outing with GP and co (except no GP this time, rumour had it he's off to the ballet.) My choice this time and so I opted for Tamworth eventually meeting up with the guys in the Tweedale. Limited choice here, for me it was Bass but it is conveninet for the station.
Next on to the Sir Robert Peel where we bumped into RO giving me a chnace to catch up with him whilst the others were entertained by some local. Cuthberts from Church End here.
Silk Kite next but only a limited choice sees me drinking Marston's Old Empire. Also JF had a sample of Brewdog's Tactical Nuclear Penguin which ewas different.
Market Vaults next for a Hobgoblin beer (which one alas I forgot to note.)
Finally the Globe for Holden's Mild and thence homeward.
Next on to the Sir Robert Peel where we bumped into RO giving me a chnace to catch up with him whilst the others were entertained by some local. Cuthberts from Church End here.
Silk Kite next but only a limited choice sees me drinking Marston's Old Empire. Also JF had a sample of Brewdog's Tactical Nuclear Penguin which ewas different.
Market Vaults next for a Hobgoblin beer (which one alas I forgot to note.)
Finally the Globe for Holden's Mild and thence homeward.
Tamworth 28th Jan 2011
Out with RG tonight starting as normal at the Globe where there was Coal Face Porter from Merry Miner (quiter a good example of the style - I like it!)
Silk Kite next for a couple of beers from Acorn (Challenger IPA) and thence Calidonian 80/-
Final port of call was the Market Vaults for Jennings Soggy Bottom and thence Marston's Pedigree, supped whilst the pub's Grayhound was curled up at my feet.
Silk Kite next for a couple of beers from Acorn (Challenger IPA) and thence Calidonian 80/-
Final port of call was the Market Vaults for Jennings Soggy Bottom and thence Marston's Pedigree, supped whilst the pub's Grayhound was curled up at my feet.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
16th and 20th January 2011 - Two Gates WMC
A couple of visits to the WMC to renew my membership. There was a Jennings beer on on each occasion namely
16th Jan - Soggy Bottom
20th Jan - Bitter.
16th Jan - Soggy Bottom
20th Jan - Bitter.
5th - 8th Janaury 2011 - Durham
5th January 2011 - Off to Durham
Note to self - previous entries about trips to the ancient city of Durham have always lacked most , if not all details (but have come very close to it) so note to self to be more careful this time around.
Anyway, its 14.32 and I've just joined the train heading NE for the annual trip to the work related event I attend up there at this time of year. As the old saying goes, all work makes Jack a dull boy so the focus for the evenings of the visit is also towards beer sampling although as the above indicates, recollection of these visits often gets lost in the mist of time. Therefore I'm starting this entry whilst listening to one of several beer related podcasts I’ve gathered enroute - whether such care will remain come Friday who can say?
Arriving early at the departure point it either sit by a cold, damp platforms (which may be slippery a tannoy announcement informs me) or go and sit in a nice warm pub. Difficult decision especially having tested how slippery the pIatform actually was(n’t) so its over to the Tweedale and a pint of Bass.
15.46 – we’ve got to Wakefield on approach to which I noted Clarke’s Brewery – one to research…
Anyway, having checked in to the Three Tuns Hotel and unpacked it’s time to hit Durham (steadily!)
Passing the Council workers taking down the Xmas decorations, food called first and as is tradition for the first night up here then its off to the Indian, but wait, what’s this, I’m walking past the Rajpooth and instead end up at the Capital a little further up Claypath. This is an Inidian I’ve looked at going to in previous years but have always pulled up short at the aforementioned Rajpooth.
Fueled up with a large Chef’s special kebab (it’s a combination of all the other starters that are either a kebab or a barge), followed up with Chicken Tikka Dhansak and finally a well presented kulfi (pistachio as they don’t have mango) and washed down with a Cobra after which it out into the night – let’s hope for some local brews!
First port of call was the Bishop Mill, a Lloyds offering from Wetherspoon where the most local beer was Ringwood’s Fortyniner (also on was Exmoor’s Exmass (although a Big Lamp beer was promised so perhaps a possibility later in the week.)
Next a new pub. I’d see an advert for the Head of Steam bar (part of the North Eastern chain of bars and thank goodness, they have a couple of north eastern beers from Wylam including their porter so it has to be Wylam’s Haugh Porter, a brew I found to be quite distinct chewy bite and with a fruity finish. Whilst there I hear a local (going by their accent) recommending a carvery in the Stoke-on-Trent area and therefore time to duck. The Head of Steam is difficult to describe. Tucked away in a yard (as opposed to down an alley) it offers a range of real ales and a good selection of Belgium ales so may well get visited again. Emphahsis is on music and there is a range of Liveaid memorability (albeit copies of the programmes and ticket.) Then again there is the Victoria and the Dun Cow planned for Friday.
Time is pressing so its back towards the hotel noting the council workers still taking down the Christmas decorations at something well past 10pm.
Final port of call (I thought) would be the Half Moon. The local Camra branch’s web site had proclaimed recently that an additional hand pull had been installed so eager I was to sample some durham beers which I recall this place always has. Indeed they have a new one for me in the shape of Durham’s Ravelation which I sipped whilst reviewing the collection of bell shaped whisky decanters. Should I stop to try the others? Given that the choice was Fuller’s London Pride, Tim Taylor’s Landlord and Marston’s EPA, I decided against it and the staff were tidying up anyway so its back to the Hotel, and a shift half of Stella watching Match of Day before retiring for the night.
6th January
Although a quiet night, I was able to visit the Court Inn where the beer is good albeit at £3.40 a pint. This time I opted for Daelside’s Cloggin Betty. They also have Mordue’s Gaol Ale although I have sampled this beer here last year. There is a good choice of food so this is a potential starting point tomorrow night.
7th January
Friday night arrives and so a final chance to sample some north eastern brews. Earlier today I’d agree to join up with a couple of other s for tea (Julian and Ester from University of Lincoln) who were also staying through to Saturday morning and so having started with a half of Boddingtons in the Hotel we headed over the road and the short distance to an Italian situated on the Elvet bridge. This always has a slippery surface when icey so we quickly abandoned plans to venture further. After eating I suggested the Dun Cow which met with agreement as they wanted a traditional local and so it was there we headed next for Castle Eden.
Next we headed to the Half Moon and as with Wednesday night it wa the Durham Relevation for me.
Finally we I suggested the Victoria Hotel and so we headed out to this wonderful Victorian pub. Not noted earlier was the fact that along with proper fires there are also bell pushes in the sitting rooms and the indicator board in the bar. Here I had a final beer in the shape of Big Lamp Bitter.
So although I didn’t make the Court Inn tonight, all was not last and as always cheers Durham for a wonderful couple of days (and also Julian and Ester) and hopefully see all three of you next year.
Note to self - previous entries about trips to the ancient city of Durham have always lacked most , if not all details (but have come very close to it) so note to self to be more careful this time around.
Anyway, its 14.32 and I've just joined the train heading NE for the annual trip to the work related event I attend up there at this time of year. As the old saying goes, all work makes Jack a dull boy so the focus for the evenings of the visit is also towards beer sampling although as the above indicates, recollection of these visits often gets lost in the mist of time. Therefore I'm starting this entry whilst listening to one of several beer related podcasts I’ve gathered enroute - whether such care will remain come Friday who can say?
Arriving early at the departure point it either sit by a cold, damp platforms (which may be slippery a tannoy announcement informs me) or go and sit in a nice warm pub. Difficult decision especially having tested how slippery the pIatform actually was(n’t) so its over to the Tweedale and a pint of Bass.
15.46 – we’ve got to Wakefield on approach to which I noted Clarke’s Brewery – one to research…
Anyway, having checked in to the Three Tuns Hotel and unpacked it’s time to hit Durham (steadily!)
Passing the Council workers taking down the Xmas decorations, food called first and as is tradition for the first night up here then its off to the Indian, but wait, what’s this, I’m walking past the Rajpooth and instead end up at the Capital a little further up Claypath. This is an Inidian I’ve looked at going to in previous years but have always pulled up short at the aforementioned Rajpooth.
Fueled up with a large Chef’s special kebab (it’s a combination of all the other starters that are either a kebab or a barge), followed up with Chicken Tikka Dhansak and finally a well presented kulfi (pistachio as they don’t have mango) and washed down with a Cobra after which it out into the night – let’s hope for some local brews!
First port of call was the Bishop Mill, a Lloyds offering from Wetherspoon where the most local beer was Ringwood’s Fortyniner (also on was Exmoor’s Exmass (although a Big Lamp beer was promised so perhaps a possibility later in the week.)
Next a new pub. I’d see an advert for the Head of Steam bar (part of the North Eastern chain of bars and thank goodness, they have a couple of north eastern beers from Wylam including their porter so it has to be Wylam’s Haugh Porter, a brew I found to be quite distinct chewy bite and with a fruity finish. Whilst there I hear a local (going by their accent) recommending a carvery in the Stoke-on-Trent area and therefore time to duck. The Head of Steam is difficult to describe. Tucked away in a yard (as opposed to down an alley) it offers a range of real ales and a good selection of Belgium ales so may well get visited again. Emphahsis is on music and there is a range of Liveaid memorability (albeit copies of the programmes and ticket.) Then again there is the Victoria and the Dun Cow planned for Friday.
Time is pressing so its back towards the hotel noting the council workers still taking down the Christmas decorations at something well past 10pm.
Final port of call (I thought) would be the Half Moon. The local Camra branch’s web site had proclaimed recently that an additional hand pull had been installed so eager I was to sample some durham beers which I recall this place always has. Indeed they have a new one for me in the shape of Durham’s Ravelation which I sipped whilst reviewing the collection of bell shaped whisky decanters. Should I stop to try the others? Given that the choice was Fuller’s London Pride, Tim Taylor’s Landlord and Marston’s EPA, I decided against it and the staff were tidying up anyway so its back to the Hotel, and a shift half of Stella watching Match of Day before retiring for the night.
6th January
Although a quiet night, I was able to visit the Court Inn where the beer is good albeit at £3.40 a pint. This time I opted for Daelside’s Cloggin Betty. They also have Mordue’s Gaol Ale although I have sampled this beer here last year. There is a good choice of food so this is a potential starting point tomorrow night.
7th January
Friday night arrives and so a final chance to sample some north eastern brews. Earlier today I’d agree to join up with a couple of other s for tea (Julian and Ester from University of Lincoln) who were also staying through to Saturday morning and so having started with a half of Boddingtons in the Hotel we headed over the road and the short distance to an Italian situated on the Elvet bridge. This always has a slippery surface when icey so we quickly abandoned plans to venture further. After eating I suggested the Dun Cow which met with agreement as they wanted a traditional local and so it was there we headed next for Castle Eden.
Next we headed to the Half Moon and as with Wednesday night it wa the Durham Relevation for me.
Finally we I suggested the Victoria Hotel and so we headed out to this wonderful Victorian pub. Not noted earlier was the fact that along with proper fires there are also bell pushes in the sitting rooms and the indicator board in the bar. Here I had a final beer in the shape of Big Lamp Bitter.
So although I didn’t make the Court Inn tonight, all was not last and as always cheers Durham for a wonderful couple of days (and also Julian and Ester) and hopefully see all three of you next year.
30th December - Atherstone
Beer weasn't the focus for today, rather thanks to the internet I'd manage to make contact with someone I, and RG, were at collage with many years ago and who it turned out was still living near Atherstone. We headed to the Red Lion Hotel over there, passing a zombie kid in the entrance and on the dot in wonders MT (little changed in 20 years.)
The beer choice wasn't great - Tetley (and not on cask.)
Afterwards, its back to Tamworth for me and RG and up to the Bolebridge for a bite to eat (curry) and beers - (Holden's Blaster and Carlsburg which came as part of the meal deal.)
The beer choice wasn't great - Tetley (and not on cask.)
Afterwards, its back to Tamworth for me and RG and up to the Bolebridge for a bite to eat (curry) and beers - (Holden's Blaster and Carlsburg which came as part of the meal deal.)
15th December - Birmingham
Work related business finds me in Birmingham today and with a bit of fore thought chance for a few beers with my good friend RG. For the record it was also the day that the Harrier was retired and funding for British ski-ing was cut. An interesting combination as they used to launch Harriers from a ski-jump off the front of ships to save fuel I believe.
The original idea was to spend some time sampling the delights of the beer stands on the German Market but the very low temperature (what did we expect with it being winter?!) soon put paid to that. However we did commence with the Wood's beer stall and for me it was Shropshore Lad (thererby completing the set of their beers that was started around 12 months prior.)
Next port of call was the Wetherspoons by the library where they appeared to have a good range of Christmas themed ales. Alas, attempts to order Thaiwtes Santa's Sack and Burton Bridge Santi freeze were unsuccessful but we finally sampled Shepherd Neame's Rudolph's Reward (what the spice was they had used for this we couldn't tell - assuming of course it has some sort of spice in it!)
Up the road next to Edmunds for HPA from Wye Valley (I sometimes think it wouldn't be a trip to birmingham without this beer these days.)
Next a new pub for me in the shape of The Old Royal (mainly as RG thought this was a pub he used to frequent when working in Birmingham.) They had another xmas special on, this time from Young's with their Christmas Ale.
Although we lost our way at this point a friendly stranger soon pointed us back towards the library and so we headed to the Wellington and weren't surprised to find it was busy. However we decided to stay there and therefore were able to sample a beer from a new brewery - Blue Bell (from Runcorn) and their Black Hawk Blackberry Porter.
Time for one more so we headed to Baccus Bar (but it was extremely busy) so ended up at the Windsor and M&B Mild.
The original idea was to spend some time sampling the delights of the beer stands on the German Market but the very low temperature (what did we expect with it being winter?!) soon put paid to that. However we did commence with the Wood's beer stall and for me it was Shropshore Lad (thererby completing the set of their beers that was started around 12 months prior.)
Next port of call was the Wetherspoons by the library where they appeared to have a good range of Christmas themed ales. Alas, attempts to order Thaiwtes Santa's Sack and Burton Bridge Santi freeze were unsuccessful but we finally sampled Shepherd Neame's Rudolph's Reward (what the spice was they had used for this we couldn't tell - assuming of course it has some sort of spice in it!)
Up the road next to Edmunds for HPA from Wye Valley (I sometimes think it wouldn't be a trip to birmingham without this beer these days.)
Next a new pub for me in the shape of The Old Royal (mainly as RG thought this was a pub he used to frequent when working in Birmingham.) They had another xmas special on, this time from Young's with their Christmas Ale.
Although we lost our way at this point a friendly stranger soon pointed us back towards the library and so we headed to the Wellington and weren't surprised to find it was busy. However we decided to stay there and therefore were able to sample a beer from a new brewery - Blue Bell (from Runcorn) and their Black Hawk Blackberry Porter.
Time for one more so we headed to Baccus Bar (but it was extremely busy) so ended up at the Windsor and M&B Mild.
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