February 2024. Uttoxeter. Thursday night in Uttoxeter. Got the tick, done the pre-emptive Marston diner, one question remained; What a silly question. Incredibly, only my third visit to The Vaults, perhaps the most famous Bass pub, alongside the bankers of Stockton and the flat nectar of Bath. But then, I haven’t been to the Coopers… Continue reading HARRY BELAFONTE NIGHT IN THE VAULTS
“No mobile phones, please”. QUIZ NIGHT IN UTTOXETER
February 2024. Uttoxeter. No offence at all to local CAMRA, but if ever a town was ill-represented by its GBG entries it’s Uttoxeter. A population of 14,014, occasionally doubled at race meetings, with 20 entries on What Pub but just a couple of micros in the Guide most years. Nothing wrong with the Horse &… Continue reading “No mobile phones, please”. QUIZ NIGHT IN UTTOXETER
PEDIGREE IN DOVERIDGE
February 2024. Doveridge, Uttoxeter. You left your ticking hero in the dark, on the muddy approach to Doveridge Grave Yard. You may remember Kentish Paul (gently) chiding me for the act of walking public roads from Uttoxeter last year, and although this was a marked path it seemed scarcely less foolhardy, though a man who… Continue reading PEDIGREE IN DOVERIDGE
A WALK ALONG THE HARD SHOULDER OF THE A50, OR A NIGHT IN THE VAULTS ?
February 2024. Uttoxeter. It’s all well and good revisiting great pubs in Manchester and Sheffield, but that doesn’t tick a Beer Guide, and nothing gives a ticker as much pleasure as applying pink marker to a small map. I’m never going to actually finish a GBG in-year again while spending 5 days a week in… Continue reading A WALK ALONG THE HARD SHOULDER OF THE A50, OR A NIGHT IN THE VAULTS ?
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 47 – WILTSHIRE
Ah, Wiltshire; get shot of that big pile of stones off the A303 and you’d have a fine county. For heritage sites, I point you to Avebury and Swindon magic roundabout instead. And Cranborne Chase for the hills. Not a county for the heritage Pub Man or Woman, though Swindon’s Hop Kettle is where I… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 47 – WILTSHIRE
ALBION REVISITED
February 2024. Sheffield. One more report from a quiet Wednesday afternoon with Sheffield Hatter, where he forces me at gunpoint to join him in a third pub of the day that I didn’t need to go in, but am glad he did. Some of you have asked what my photos look like before they’re cleaned… Continue reading ALBION REVISITED
ALL THE PUBS IN SHEFFIELD ON FOOT No. 173 – BEER ENGINE
February 2023. Sheffield. Since moving to Sheffield 3 years ago I’ve managed to revisit all the current GBG entries. All except the Beer Engine, an in-out sort of entry, the Norwich of the Guide, and one easy to mix up with your Beer School and Ale Shop and Craft House up the road. The closest… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN SHEFFIELD ON FOOT No. 173 – BEER ENGINE
IN SPRING, A MAN’S THOUGHTS TURN TO PLANNING A PUB CRAWL IN LEEDS
February 2024. Sheffield. Spring has sprung, and the Sheffield Hatter is planning a day out in That Leeds. I’d been invited to discuss the merits of pubs with Bass, pubs with average NBSS scores above 3.31, and pubs that are somehow doable by public transport. Foolishly, I used public transport to make my way to… Continue reading IN SPRING, A MAN’S THOUGHTS TURN TO PLANNING A PUB CRAWL IN LEEDS
NON-ALCOHOLIC SHEFFIELD. ALMOST.
February 2024. Pub tickers really are the nicest bunch, always positive even after the Bard of Prescot is found unexpectedly shut a third time, always offering to drive you to remote pubs in grim southern towns like Maidenhead. They’re on the road so much it’s hard not to bump into them, as I did Ian… Continue reading NON-ALCOHOLIC SHEFFIELD. ALMOST.
ALL THE PUBS IN MANCHESTER’S BEER BOOK No. 5 – THE MOLLY HOUSE
February 2024. Manchester. A Monday lunchtime pub session with Paul Mudge is never a quiet affair. 11:20 The Millstone 11:45 The Hare & Hounds 12:35 Mr. Thomas’s Chop House 13:15 Briton’s Protection 13:50 Paul was off to check-in at his Youth Hostel; I was heading home.. “Unless you fancy a nightcap, Paul ?“. Well, you… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN MANCHESTER’S BEER BOOK No. 5 – THE MOLLY HOUSE
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