5th March 2014 - Tamworth **

Nb - been a bit lapse / busy so this, and some following posts will merely list venues and beers.  Normal service will be resumed...

Bolebridge - Wychwood Piledriver
Globe - Bass, Holdens Mild
Sir Robert Peel - Oakham Citra.

2nd January 2014 - Lichfield

Traditionally I like to do some form of pub crawl at certain times of the year, namely summer and a winter one around Christmas time.  For various reasons this year's Christmas outing couldn't happen till after new year but aho the principle's the same.

After consulting with RG we opted for an afternoon / evening in Lichfield, concentrating on the northern side / Beacon Street area.  A couple of bus rides therefore finds us at the first port of call, The Fountain.  Limited choice of beers - we opted for Timothy Taylor Landlord.

A short stroll next over and down the road to the Feathers.  A better choice, we had Wychwood Hobgoblin noting that there were regular gigs here and also an excellent food venue so may well revisit in due course.

George and Dragon next and an excellent choice of beers from which I had Brakspear Oxford Gold and thence Ringwood XXXX Porter.

Heading towards the centre next pub is the Kings Head - Banks's Sunbeam and final pub in Lichfield, the Acorn (Brains SA and Newcastle Brown Ale.)

We stopped at the Bell, Whittington en route back to Tamworth (Bass.)

Back in Tamworth its the Silk Kite for food and Carling Lager, thence Bonds (Stella Artois) over table football (going from 4-0 down to win 5-4 ands then 9-0 in the second game.)

Finally its the Sir Robert Peel and their house beer (Church End's Appeawling) and final Oakham Citra.

11th December 2013 - Tamworth

In Tamworth, specifically the Bolebridge, this evening for a meal with colleagues from the football club.

Beers sampled were :

• Titanic White Star
• Springhead Roaring Meg
• Moorhouse Elves Bells
• Erdinger

7th December 2013 - Burton upon Trent

At the Old Cottage tonight for a skittles evening.  Beers sampled were Goffs White Knight and Old Cottage Winter Warmer.

29th November 2013 - Tamworth

Friday night outing with RG in Tamworth tonight.

We opted to meet as usual at the Globe and decided to stay for several whilst watching the Gloucester v Leicester rugby match which provided some excellent entertainment to accompany the beers which included Wadworth The Bishops Tipple and Holdens Mild.

Round to the Silk Kite next where I had one the American clone beers they had on offer, specifically Stone Brewing San Diago Session IPA.

Finally to the other Wetherspoon, The Bolebridge where there was Greene King's Abbott Reserve (6.5%) to make a good end to a nice evening.

1st November 2013 - Burton upon Trent

Friday night outing with RG for which we decide that the short train ride to Burton would be the order of the day.

On arrival we head first to the Devonshire for some Burton Bridge beers which for me would be Golden Delicious and then Bridge Bitter.

Further into town next to the JD Wetherspoon The Lord Burton where we decided to have food.  Friday is now fish night so we opted for come excellent fish and chips accompanied by Tuborg Lager (one of the options available as part of the deal.)  After this I went for one of the beer from the festival that had recently finished namely Caledonian Poltergeist Porter.

Next port of call was the National Brewery Centre's bar for Worthington Red Shield. 

At this point I got a message from PD confirming he was in town if we wanted to join him at the Coopers.  Not a difficulty decision so shortly after we found our way there with time for a pint before the train home.  Joules Double Hop for me.

9th October 2013 - Burton upon Trent

Regular brewing meeting tonight at the Old Cottage with commercial beers sampled including (from the bar) Grafters Wobble Gob and Old Cottage Oak Ale.

Later a talk I gave on Scottish beers included Innis and Gunn's Rum finish and Williams Brothers Brewing Faroch Heather Ale.