Thursday, 19 January 2012

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.