retiredmartin

It’s that time of year again, when I drag myself away from Proper Pubs and to a big tent on a big field to drink big beers. But first, Cambridge. Resplendent in a heatwave that’s gone already. And a new Antony Gormley exhibition at Kettle’s Yard. Yes, I’ve seen that one somewhere before, too. And… Continue reading CAMBRIDGE BEER FEST – KEVIN, WAYNE & DAVE

It’s a mystery (like Toyah) pub tonight.  A mystery how I retained grace under pressure (little Rush reference there) having made a five hour round trip on Saturday for a half I didn’t get. Plot spoiler – it’s a micro pub.  So you pay a Private Investigator (like the Dire Straits song) to compare evidence… Continue reading HOW CAN YOU BE CLOSED ?

The last leg of Northampton 2018 now, with two pubs and a chicken dhansak to finish. On to the Malt Shovel, or “the pub by Morrisons” as I know it. I’d guess this is the Magnet or Cambridge Blue of Northampton, the “CAMRA” pub if you like. It was certainly full of people who looked… Continue reading NORTHAMPTON – FARM FESTS & WEDDING RECEPTIONS

  I’ll really feel a sense of loss when (if) I finish these Northampton posts. Onto the Albion, a.k.a. the Phipps Brewery Tap. Minus at least three of our number who had decided to stick to the Fosters in the Drum (possibly). First, the bad news from the five minute stroll from the Drum. Shipmans… Continue reading MEETING THE MAYOR OF NORTHAMPTON

As we approach “Beery long read” day (I haven’t started yet), I give you yet another “Pubby short post“.  Nothing to match our favourite pubcrawler LadySinksTheBooze though. Kirsty’s tour of duty amongst the keg joys of Runcorn came to mind as we approached the Rifle Drum, the high point of our Northampton crawl. Back in… Continue reading A PINT OF FOSTERS AT THE RIFLE DRUM

Coming towards the highpoint of the Northampton trip now, the Fosters flagship that is the Rifle Drum. But first, we had to do one of those obligatory micro pubs, with only the slight redemption that it was bound to be in the next Beer Guide and would save me a return trip. I include St… Continue reading ST GILES ALE HOUSE

Next up in Cobblers land is the obligatory craft bar. Jon, of Bass braces fame, suggested the Princess Alexandra, so blame him. It was over the road from the Black Prince, too, so hard to make our excuses. But if we’d dodged it we’d have missed a wonderful welcome from the barman. I assume he’d… Continue reading A CRAFT DIVERSION FOR MESSRS MUDGIE & MUDGE