Burton upon Trent - 29th November 2012

In Burton tonight primarily to attend the England v Scotland u16 Victory Shield match which saw England win 1-0 (and with it the competition.) Have to say the quality of the football was excellent.  Also have to say that the walk back to the railway station was extremely cold.  However we had time to call into the Alfred and found that they were selling some additional beers from a stillage in the back room.

I went first for Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby and then Burton Bridge Old Expensive.  It didn't seem as cold after them!

16th November 2012 - Harbourne

My turn this month to organize the monthly boys outing and so I took the opportunity to visit Harbourne, a place that had certainly been attracting my attention in recent months via its mentions in various local real ale leaflets.  With the German Christmas market having opened the day before I took the opportunity to pop over early and ended up for my first beer in the Wellington in the shape of RCH Hewish Mild (most enjoyable.)

Time to move o to our meeting point, the Old Contemptables where there was something of a festival on wit several new beers for me.  I opted for Sambrooks Junction.  Most of the others soon joined me and it was off to catch the 22 bus to take us to Harbourne. We alighted in War Lane and headed over to the Bell, a nice olde worlde pub close to the golf course. Wye Valley Butty Bach was my selection and shortly after our final member appeared in the pub.

Our route took us next the the New Inns via an under lit pathway and although for of a food type pub maybe, the bar was a pleasant enough place to sip Bath Ales SPA.

Up to the White horse next and some 1779 Porter from Greene King.

The Harbourne Stores had seemed promising so that was out next port of call but we found it to be disappointing.  Marston's EPA drunk here.

Time was pressing so time for one more before heading back to Birmingham so we went to the Junction and some Timothy Taylor Landlord.

As we left it was raining heavily but fortunately the bus shelter was only a few minutes away and only a few minutes.

We ended up at the Wellington (having tried the Joint Stock but it was quite busy) and I again went for RCH Hewish Mild which this time was not quite as good (probably due to the other beers we had been drinking.)

We had time for one more and so over to the post Office Vaults and being short on time I went for the first thing I saw - Freedom Stout.

2nd November 2012 - Sutton Coldfield with RG

Avid readers of this blog (as if!) will recall mention of The Undercocks appearing in a pub in Sutton Coldfield some time ago and I decided back then to watch them for longer at some future time.  Tonight presented an opportunity so we headed over by bus starting at the Bottle of Sack. 

Wetherspoons beer festival was on and and they had one of the beers I'd made a note I wanted to sample - Titanic Golden Porter ("This special brew, for the Wetherspoon real ale festival, is something a little different:m a beer using the ingredient designed to create the characteristics of a traditional porter, yet lighter in colour.  The result is a golden beer with a robust sweetness balanced by swathes of American hops giving a  smooth and powerful flavour, with a crisp finish - Cascade, Northdown and Yakima Galena.")  I guess that experiments like this are how new styles of beer come to be but to me the lack of darker malts meant something was missing.

We headed next to the Station, busy as usual, for Holdens Golden Glow and finally round to the Gate where the band were just completing their warm up.  Beer choice was a bit limited so it was John Smiths Bitter and Carling Black Label.

19th October 2012 - Black Country

Monthly Friday night outing with GP and co tonight finds us around the Black Country.

Arriving slightly later, I joined the other at New Street station for our train over to Wolverhampton where we headed to the Moon Under Water and I sampled Roosters Yankie.

We then caught the number 1 bus fro right outside which took us out to Sedgley dropping us outside the Mount Pleasant (aka The Stump.  Salopian Lemon Dream went down well here.)

GP then lead via an estate / back way to the Beacon Hotel - Sarah Hughes Sedgley Surprise drunk here.

We then headed into the town centre and rejoined the bus route for a few minutes ending up at the Jolly Crispin (Fownes Brewing Co - based round the back of the pub.)  With Halloween approaching, their Goatrider Pumpkin Ale was the natural choice (and an excellent choice it was.)

A short stroll down the road to the Britannia lead me to some Bathams Mild (and one of their excellent port pies.)

Back into Wolverhampton and the Moon Under Water and this time Wychwood Hobgoblin.

Time prevented me any further beers so that was the end of the evening.

10th October 2012 - Burton upon Trent

In Burton tonight for a meeting at the Old Cottage.  Beer sampled was Old Cottage Stout.

13th July 2012 - Stoke-upon-Trent - Sam's leaving do

Attended the Glebe in Stoke-upon-Trent this evening to bid farewell top a colleague, Sam Rowley, who was leaving for pastures new.

Beers sampled were all from Joules namely Blonde, Pale Ale and Slumbering Monk, which to me looks and tastes like Bass as it used to be.

Friday 21st September 2012 - GCR Beer Festival, Loughborough

The (now annual it seems) trip to the Great Central Railway at Loughborough with RG for their annual beer festival.  This year they were operating from a second site near Leicester but time prevented us from partaking of that part of the festival.

This time I wanted to sampled lower strength beers (with a colour theme as it turns out, meaning I went for the following :

• Welbeck Red Feather (3.9%)
• Milestone Will Scarlett (3.8%)
• B&T Golden Fox (4.1%)
• Leather Britches Goldings (3.8%)
• Tydd Steam Golden Kiwi (4.1%)
• Bartrams Green Man (4%)
• White Horse Wayland Smithy (4.4%) - described as "Red like the fire at it's heart...")

We then decided to move on and I'd previously noted that the Blue Monkey Brewery had recently oipened their latest Organ Grinder pub in the town and it was only a few minutes walk from the festival.  There I went for their Guerrilla Stout and then (returning to the above theme) 99 Reb Babboons.

RG mentioned that he wanted to visit The Three Nuns and has it happens we soon found it.  This is an Everards pub and we both went for their Beacon.

Back to Tamworth and a meal at an Indian.

Friday 14th September -Coventry

Latest monthly outing finds us en route to Coventry but, like me, with most of the group starting at the Windsor in Birmingham.  There I went for Wadworth Horizon.

Off then to Coventry and we decided to opt for the Virgion Trains cheaper ticket.  Once there we headed to part of the city that had survived the second world way, and future developments, very well as exemplified by the Windmill.  Timothy Taylor Landlord was available straight from the cask as an aded bonus.  We moved to one of the many small drinking areas where DP remarked thgat some of the building reminded him of Better Builder toy bricks and enlightened us with a rather cryptic quiz around what the local sewers were famous for - see here for the answer.  WE stayed for a second beer here and for me it was Morland Old Golden Hen.

Next port of call was the Town Wall Tavern.  This time I went for Church End What's The Fox's Hat.  The pub features a large collection of sheet music from the 50s / 60s as wall paper as well as 78s on a shelf.  Amongst the selection were some from Cliff Richards and this got us onto the Young Ones and a chance for me to get my own back on DP by asking him what the name of the pet hamster was (see here.) The helpful locals pointed us in the direction of our next port of call...

... The Gatehouse Tavern where I went for a local brewery from Rugby - Wood Farm Brewing Company and their offering Union.

Finally, it was time for the last pub, The Establishment, a large modern pub that was well frequented by all ages.  We sat in the large garden where I enjoyed the Byatts Coventry Bitter.

Realising (collectively) that we didn't know hich way the station was we found a taxi and headed back to the station and to Birmingham for a last drink in the Brier Rose which for me was Backyard Brewery Bitter.

Friday 7th September 2012 - Being a RAT

I took the opportunity offered by a few days off work which coincided with RAT 2012 (the Rail Ale Trail) to see what this festival offered.  For those who don't know it is hosted at a number of venue that can be visited easily by train, in the case The Station at Codshill, Odfeelows in Shifnal and The Old Fighting Cocks at Oakengates.

Given there was time to kill in Birmingham, en route however, our first port of call was the Windsor where I sampled Thornbridge Lord Marples and then Archers Old Glory.

Onto the RAT and first stop at Codsall where we found the festival in a tent by the car park  I'd chosed this as the start as it appeared to offer the best beer selection of the venues and true enough I wasn't dissappointed.The only downside was that the fezstival Special wasn't on at that venue but hoefully it wopuld be at opne of the others so instead I went for :

• Allgates Apollo
• Birds Thunderbird
• Griffin Golden Flame
• Lymestone Stonecutter
• Wanstsum IPA

Moving onto the Shifnal and the Odfellows, the festival beer was on but in the main bar rather than the tent so I might have missed it if I hadn't popped in.  Beers samples here were :

• Ironbridge RAT Festival Ale
• Shires Dabley Gold

Finally it was time for the  train out to Oakengates where the festival beers were in the main bar.  I chose

• Ironbridge IPA
• Buxton Axe Edge (which wasn't on the festival programme) - a double IPA at 6.8%

8th August, 2012 - Burton on Trent

In Burton for a meeting tonight and a few drinks at the Old Cottage, firstly Pennine Sun Stone and secondly Old Cottage Stout.

20th July 2012 - Lichfield with RG

We fancied a change from Tamworth this time so its on the bus over to Lichfield.  I, however, being earlier popped first into the Silk Kite and opted for Fuller's London Pride.

We alighted from the bus two stops earlier than the station after some debate about the first venue, and in fact ended up in the Greyhound to sample their latest guest, McMullen's Country Bitter whilst watching the early sdtages of Team GB's Men's Football team in their warm up match against Brazil.  We declined the chance to take art in the pop quiz but did note the curry menu which may well see me return at some stage.

We then headed up to the Gatehouse for some Wychwood Hobgobblin, and thence round the corner to the Queen's Head where we eyed the Cocky Blonde, a strawberry beer from Jennings that we weren't too keen on but couldn't decide if it was either on of off due to the fruit flavour.

Onward the the Earl of Lichfield, which was again very quiet (7 people including the bar tender.)  Marston's Pedigree here.

Time for one more before our return journey so we headed across to the George IV and for a change went for the more expensive Pironi (apologies for choosing that one RG!)

Finally back in Tamworth, the most convenient final port of call for many reasons was the Three Tuns where we both opted for Bass.

13th June, 2012 - Burton

Meeting of the BurtonBeer circle finds me in the Old Cottage in  Burton.  Commercial beer sampled this evening was Wincle Wincle Waller.

8th June, 2012 - Lichfield

Out with GP and co tonight for which I'd opted to show them round the SW part of the city.  Our party converged on Lichfield City station from various points of the compass and once assesmbled we headed off to the Greyhound.  The beer choice was different to last night in one respect as the guest had been changed to become Cairngorm Sheepshaggers Gold (Tetley Bitter still being the other choice.)  GP peaking to landlord learned that a scret beer might be available if we asked the right question / people at the Horse and Jockey, which was indeed planned for later that evening.

I then led them up the garden path via a back route to the Duke of Wellington, the further point out of the city centre, and although Googling it results in a newpaper article from a while back on the possible closure it is good to report that this place appears to be doing well.  There I chose Wye Valley HPA (Holden's Golden Glow, Marston's Pedigree and Fuller's London Pride also being available.)

Our next stop was The Bowling Green, an Ember Inns pub based on the middle of a large roundablout and thereby not the best place to reach on foot. A good range of beers were available with my choice being Timothy Taylor Landlord.  Also available were Purity Mad Goose, Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted, Marston's Pedigree, Wentworth HPA, sharps doombar and the intriging Thai-Bo from Otley brewery, Pontypridd (a spiced clear what beer with lemongrass, lime leaf and galangal - JF had this and offered me sip - interesting!)

Hose and Jockey next and GP did ask for and did get the secret beer, Bathams Bitter. I however opted for Oakham JHB noting that Holden's Golden low, Blue Monkey PG sips , T.T. Landlord, Wye Valley HPA and Burton Bridge Golden Delicious were also available.

Final pub was the Earl of Lichfield, partly at the wish of BJ who used to frequent the place when he used to work in Lichfield.  I went for Marston's EPA (but could have also chosed Pedigree or Jennings Cocker Hoop.

We then headed off back to the station.  En route JF stuck his head into Malt, and reported that the range of beer was somewhat dissappointing, and certainly not as it wqas when last reported on by this blog - glad we didn't choose to meet there, which had been one idea.

7th June 2012, Lichfield

Stopped off en route home to check a possible venue for tomorrow night's crawl - The Greyhound.

This has previously been in the Good Beer Guide, but recent internet research has only revealed sparse amounts of information, and then nothing spectacular.

Turned out better than expected with Tetley Bitter which I guess is their regular and what appears to be a guest, Holden's Golden Glow which I opted for.

June 1st 2012 - 3rd Hopwas Beer Festival

This looks like its becoming a tradition!  For a change however, I met up with RG at the Moat House.  This old building used tobe an excellent pub but the beer choice is somewhat depressing and basically deserted apart from a wedding upsairs - such a shame  but I guess there is more to attract the drinker on the other side of town. John Smiths keg available to entertain us before heading out to catch the bus.

Arriving in Hopwas Social Club we found some 12 local beers on the stillage plus a further selection behind the bar. Beers sampled in the short time before returning for the bus were :

Wye Valley - Pint Bearer
Church End - Lovely Jubbly
Slaters - Original
Church End - Gravediggers Mild (this from behind the bar as opposed to the festival selection)

Back into Tamworth and time at the Three Tuns for a Bass.

19th May 2012 - Yorkshire for BJ's 60th

Weekend early starts are always going to provide for stress and sure enough getting up at before 6am proved to be the case as a last minute panic ensued realizing my watch wasn't where it should be.  "Borrow mine" suggested my other half and I was grateful to only noticing later that actually it was mine all along.

Anyway, managed to make the station and the train and found the others on board for the trip upto Leeds.  Arriving there we had time for a first drink, me and BJ going for coffee, the others beers and one who abstained either at the White rose on Leeds Station.

Time for the next train out along the Settle - Carlisle line to our first stop at Horton-in-Ribblesdale (see http://www.horton-in-ribblesdale.com/) , a charming village frequented by walkers. After a short five minutes walk past fields with sheep and / or chickens and / or cars parked in them we arrived at the Crown.  I went for a local brew that whilst easy enough to get back home would allow me to compare it nearer to its home, Black Sheep's Black Sheep Bitter (and excellent it was.)  A local asked us if we'ed been up Pen-y-Gent (which we hadn't but it appeared that it was his ice-breaker as he asked it of several others including a woman who had and had since lost her other half who had suggested they met in the pub - which one is another matter.) Our new friend helpfully informed us of the other pub further up the road so we headed off to the Golden Lion (admiring, if that's the word, the extent of the quarrying en-route.)  There we found a pub just opening bedecked with Burnley football memorabilia, and sum black and white Macbeth film on telly (note to self, even my typing takin' on a Yorkshire feel pet with a bit of Geordie slipping in.)  Black Sheep again here before we headed back to the Crown where this time I went for Naylor's Magnum P(ale) A(le).

Back to the station, crossing the rail tracks and the train to the next stop by Ribblehead viaduct.(here and here) where there is but one building, the Station Inn.  Some of us opted first to take the brisk walk to the viaduct (an impressive piece of building) paying homage at the memorial to those killed in its construction.  Its quite bleak there and getting parky so back to the pub first for Copper Dragon's Best Bitter and later Thwaites Original Best Bitter (by which time the sun was out so we went into the garden with a great view across the valley to to the viaduct (ed's note - the view from the Gents is pretty good as well "The loo with the view".)  If you've ever wondered what they do with those large wooden circular things they keep cable on, well up 'ere they turn them on their sides and thence into garden tables.

Anyway, its time to start the return leg of our journey with the plan of stopping off en route back to Leeds.  Keighley seemed a good plan and so we alighted there and soon found a lively community type pub in the shape of the Boltmakers Arms which had the full range of Timothy Taylor beers available.  I opted for their Dark Mild as its not one you see often in my neck of the woods.

After there JF lead us round the the Crickerters Arms which had a reasonable selection of craft / imported beers both in bottle and on tap.  I went for the bottled Brooklyn Brown Ale.

Back to the station and to Leeds where we had an hour before our homeards journey, so firstly we went to the Ship (Kirkstall Dissolution IPA) and finally to the Angel Inn which surprised DP due to the sheapness of the round (being a Sam Smith's pub it didn't surprise me! see here for proof its not only Leeds where they do cheap beer.)  I had their Old Brewery Bitter.

All in all a good day!  - Cheers Brian for organizing and many happy returns!

4th May 2012 - Tamworth

Out with RG tonight but arrived later to find him in mid-Holden's Mild at the Globe.  I went for their guest ale, Dowbridge Morgans ale Inn the Dark (3.8%) before we settled back to watch the play-off semi-final between Blackpool and Birmingham.

there are people who go to football matches and pop out at half time for a quick beer, so we followed suit and headed over to the Sir Robert Peel where I went for March Heigh from Riverhead.

We decided to catch the end of the match so back to the Globe where I had Holden's Mild and finally a shared bottle of Newcastle Brown.

21st April 2012 - Stockport

Last away game of the soccer season so off to Edgeley Park, Stockport.

After an excellent lunch of fish and chips at the Edgeley Priory we headed up the road to The Royal Oak where I had Joseph Holts Bitter, and thence over to a small Labour / CIU club right by the football ground's entrance (beer not noted.)

The match itself wasn't much to write home about, so other tha mentioning the cold. damp weather, I qwon't!

6th April 2012 - Tamworth

I'd promised to check in on RO after the funeral a few days previous so popped into the Sir Robert Peel and whilst there had Wye Valley HPA.

4th April 2012 - Tamworth

Funeral wake for the wife (Steph) of my friend Ray Owen today means I'm in the Sir Robert Peel.  Driving meant I limited my self to two halves firstly of Oakham Inferno and thence Sharp's Doombar.

29th March 2012 - Tamworth

In tamworth tonight with RG.  Met as usual at the Globe where I opted this time for the Worthington Cask Bitter.

We then opted to move onto the Silk Kite as Wetherspoon's were holding one of their beer festival and there I went for Moorhouse's APA Special.

Next over to the Sir Robert Peel, wheree they had some beer from the College Green Brewery in Belfast.  I went for Molly's Chocolate Stout, although they also had the Headless Dog.

Finally out to the Bolebridge for some more from the Wetherspoon festival, this time Acorn Old Moor Porter.

23rd March 2012 - Fazeley

RG's daughter's 18th being celebrated at a local Chinese.  En route we stopped off at the Plough and Harrow in Fazeley where Charles Wells Bombardier was sampled.

16th March 2012 - Birmingham - Jewerally Quarter

GP's turn to organise the monthly outing this time and he opted for a walking tour of pubs in or near the Jewerally Quarter.

Along with JF and BJ, I started however at New Street station to organise tickets for the latter's 60th birthday outing up to Yorkshire (which I'll hopefully blog in due course.)  We were therefore late starting and so met the others en route to their second venue, Vertu Bar where there was Purity UBU available.  The financial committee was hastily formed here to work out the share of the costs of the train tickets that were purchased above but it was a case of bad light stops play.

Next pub was the very traditional Red Lion (note to self, menu looked good)  where I chose Wye Valley Betty Bach.  The financial committee made progress as well, with the sub-committee that took charge taking his glasses off and scratching his head somewhat.

The Drop Forge next where I went for a lager style beer from Malvern Hills Brewery (Priessnitz Plzen.)

We next called at the Brown Lion, a Two Towers tavern which offers the full range of beers from the Two Towers brewery (as well as something like 10 ciders and perries the night we were there.)  I went first for the Mott St Mild and thence a bottle of Boon Framboise (labelled 2009 vintage.)

The Rectory Bar next and time for the second Purity beer of the evening - Mad Goose.

Queens Arms next, and a pattern is starting to appear as I went for Wye Valley's HPA.

The evening ended at the Shakespheare (the one in Summer Row) where I actually opted for a glass of Talisker Whisky.

15th March 2012 - Burton Beer Festival

Opted to go to the Thursday evening session of the 33rd Burton Beer Festival.

Whilst catching up with some friends and also listening to Roger Protz opening speech where he went on about a new brewery in Italy.

Beers tasted in no paerticular order were :

Atomic - Planet Mild
Dow Bridge - Praetorian Porter
Dancing Duck - Abduction IPA
Great Western - Ruby Porter
Fulstow - Sledge Hammer Stout
Spitting Feathers - Old Wavertonian
Penzance - Potion No 9

2nd March 2012 - Burton

In Burton tonight to attend, along with 30 or 40 others, a presentation for Steve Wellington for his years of service to the brewing industry during which he revived Worthington White Shield and is well known for other work around lost beers (best exemplified via http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1536396/Beautiful-beer-lost-in-the-vaults-since-1869.html.) See also http://www.aletalking.aletalk.co.uk/2011/05/master-brewer-steve-wellington-to-retire/ and http://real-ale-reviews.com/desert-island-beers-16-steve-wellington/2011/11/.

Arriving in Burton early I called in the Devonshire for a swift half of Burton Bridge Damson Porter.

On to the National Brewery Centre where they had the full Shield range they brew for Molson Coors and during the evening I sampled pints of Winter Shield, Red Shield and of course White Shield.  Steve also brought samples of Bass P1 round.  Jo White was also on hand and gave a tour of the new William Worthington White Shield Brewery which is obviously far more shiny and new compared to the "old girl" that I have previously brewed on, now relegated to a hop store.

27th February 2012 -Stoke upon Trent

One of my colleagues reached the ripe old age of 50 today so arranged a lunchtime outing to the Glebe in Stoke.  Returning to work afterwards mean I restricted myself to a single pint of Joule's Stumberling Monk.

17th February 2012 - Worcester

A warm February evening finds me heading to Birmingham to join the others at the Windsor.  As the beer choice wasn't really that inspiring I started on Weston's Scrumpy.  After that we headed off to New street and thecne the train down to Worcester Foregate St. and thence the short stroll into Lowesmoor to find the Firefly - a venue I'd suggested as it had come runner up in a recent pub of the year for the local branch of CAMRA.

We got to the end of the street and after scratching our heads wondering where the pub was someone looked upwards and noticed it was just over the road albeit not well signed.  There is a good range of bottled ales including (for future reference some from America)  but I went for Sadler's Jack's Pale Ale.

Next port of call was the Swan with 2 Nicks where is was happy hour.  I sampled Hobsons Town Crier.

We then looked for another good venue and ended up outside the Cardinals Hat which I had noted previously.  This sells Austrian beers in 1/3, 1/2 and 1l sized glasses.  I went for the Heinfelder Export.

On the Plough (which won the pub of the year mentioned above. a good choice of beers here and I went for Pardoe's Rowley Rag.

Farrier's Arms next where the choice wasn't as good but the Fuller's London Pride was in good form.

Final post of call was a Wetherspoon (the Crown Passage) and Titanic Full Steam Ahead.

8th February 2012 - Burton

In Burton for a meeting tonight and ended up at the Old Cottage near the Town Hall.  They had a couple of derby based guests on and so I sampled Mr Grundy's 1914 and Black Iris brewery's Black Iris.

4th / 5th January 2012 - Durham

Back then to where this blog first started, Durham where I am attending the annual Blackboard User's Conference..  Only staying there for 2 nights this time restricted my pub research (ahem) but nevertheless, Wednesday night finds me on Claypath.  I wanted to see if the Woodman was now open and sure enough it was albeit with a restricted range of beers compared to previous.  I therefore went for Theakstons' Best.

Time for some food so into the Rajpooth Indian (Cobra Lager and a free whisky - thanks!)

Down the road to a new pub in Durham for me, the Big Jug.  Caledonian Flying Scotsman was enjoyed along with some Newcastle fans watching their team beating Manchester United (I stayed till half time) before heading to the Bishop's Mill for Nethergate Red Santa.

Thursday evening i restricted myself to the conference bar in the 11th century Undercroft bar at Durham Castle.
There was only a limited choice so I had Golsch and thence Carling lager.

30th December 2011 - Burton

Christam / New Year outing with RG finds us in Burton upon Trent (or is it Burton-on-Trent?)

For me however drinking start at the Sir Robert Peel in Tamworth where there was just time for a quick half of Inferno from Oakham.

first port of call at Burton was the chippie thence to the Cottage where my choice was their excellent Stout.

Round the corner next to the Alfred where I had Burton Bridge Porter and also Festival.

We then went over to the Devonshire for some more Burton Bridge beer (Damson Porter).  RG noticed there was Sarah Hughes on (he likes this beer so we thought if time we'll call back later.)

Next to the Coopers where there was Dancing Duck Dark Drake (I thought this might be a smoked beer but their web site describes it as "Delicious malty, caramel and liquorice flavours combine wonderfully in a velvety smooth drinking stout with a freshly roasted coffee and toffee finish (4.5%.  I also had Woods Christmas Cracker.

We returned to the Devonshire and had the last two halves of Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby ("bottom of the barrel so only 75p each!") and i finished with the Damson Porter again which to me was the beer of the evening.

26th December 2011 - Alfreton

Boxing day finds me in the Victoria in Alfreton in Derbyshire prior to Tamworth's game there (a 5 -2 defeat is all you need to know.)

Beers tasted were Rocking Rudolph from Greene King (under the Hardy and Hanson brand) and Sleigh Rider from Salopian.