I’m not normally a fan of beer festivals, as for me it’s the pub experience that counts. I don’t drink at home either. Our local festival in Cambridge has plenty of good beer but you have to drink it standing up or sitting on grass. IndyManBeerCon last year was a revelation with it’s gorgeous building, seating… Continue reading MANCHESTER BEER FESTIVAL – A TRIUMPH
Month: January 2016
GRAVITY DISPENSE IN WILLINGHAM
Last week I received the list of pubs nominated for the next Good Beer Guide (2017), and voted online for the ones I’d been to in the last six months (about a third). All but one would, I think, be worthy a place in the Beer Guide on quality grounds, but of course our branch… Continue reading GRAVITY DISPENSE IN WILLINGHAM
GILLINGHAM – A FEW POSITIVES
Last leg of the Kent trip, and a first visit to the poor relation of Medway since a memorable pint in the Conservative Club 4 years ago, which shows how static the town’s Beer Guide entries have been. Gillingham looks a bit like a scruffy South East London suburb, without the cultural diversity and Antic pubs.… Continue reading GILLINGHAM – A FEW POSITIVES
TOP 100 PUBS – THE BERRY, WALMER
I was tempted to call this Deal or no Deal, as on Sunday in Dover I contemplated making a short train trip and longer walk to this great pub. Deal won out, though the walk in the dark back up the hill from Dover station to my Premier Inn wasn’t the type of excitement I need at my… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE BERRY, WALMER
DOVER – WELCOME TO ENGLAND
Falmouth-Brightlingsea-Manchester-Dover-Manchester is feeling like an ambitious schedule at the moment, but I need to follow the trail of cheap Premier Inns. I’ve been visiting Dover regularly the last few years, as it gradually acquires a proper pub scene to accompany it’s underrated scenery. It’s still a mess, but it’s hard to ignore the beauty of the… Continue reading DOVER – WELCOME TO ENGLAND
SADDLEWORTH
I had the great pleasure of meeting Jeff Bell, one of our finest publicans, in the Piccadilly Tap, while enjoying an excellent Boggart Rum Porter. Jeff complained about the Manchester weather, which rather amused me, as I always seem to get glorious sunshine when I venture up from the grey, flat South. This is my… Continue reading SADDLEWORTH
DAUGHTER & THE WILD YOUTH IN CAMBRIDGE
Last night Mrs RM and I went to see a rare shared musical favourite at Cambridge Corn Exchange. Until this week Daughter have managed to avoid the mainstream, putting aside the 71 million* YouTube views of this early track; Yesterday they started a sold-out tour and released a remarkably moving 2nd LP which only Bowie… Continue reading DAUGHTER & THE WILD YOUTH IN CAMBRIDGE
BAMBERG IN BABERGH
My 3rd trip down to estuary Essex in as many months was to pick up a new electric guitar for my son, who has acquired musical proficiency faster than he’s acquired musical taste, judging by the stream of Sabbath coming through the wall. At least he has an interest. Brightlingsea is an attractive riverside town… Continue reading BAMBERG IN BABERGH
TOLLY FOLLIES – GREENE KING TRIUMPH ?
Back in Cambridge now, I was persuaded by a positive write-up in the local CAMRA newsletter to visit the Golden Hind for the first time in several years. This is one of the large roadside pubs built by Tolly Cobbold in the 1930s, and for many years known only for its size and architectural interest. In recent… Continue reading TOLLY FOLLIES – GREENE KING TRIUMPH ?
CAMBORNE – MERTHYR WITH PALM TREES
It’s a flying visit to my sister, and a first trip to Falmouth without a beer in that town’s wonderful pubs. It looked quiet; even the Harbour Lights chippy was shut for winter. You can’t really visit the ‘front without a takeaway from there. Same great views though. I did get the chance to explore Camborne… Continue reading CAMBORNE – MERTHYR WITH PALM TREES
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