TWO TRAD PUBS IN TAMESIDE

Micropubs and craft beer bars haven’t infiltrated “Tameside” yet, but no doubt they will.  I’ve no idea if the folk of Ashton and Mossley feel any particular affiliation with “Tameside” akin to, say, a “Potteries”or a “Cambridge Boglands”. In 1995 the little CAMRA guide to the nine towns seemed to capture an area distinct from smart Manchester, with… Continue reading TWO TRAD PUBS IN TAMESIDE

LINCOLN’S UPHILL PATH TO CRAFT

Beer talk bores me, but I have been amused by the reaction to Richard Coldwell’s excellent series of posts on his Craft Beer box. Mrs RM clearly has impeccable judgement anyway, but her perception of “craft” as stuff not on hand-pump, often chilled and normally strong is pretty much mine. One of these days she’ll… Continue reading LINCOLN’S UPHILL PATH TO CRAFT

N19 – DODGING THE GOONERS

From Rotherhithe I took the Overground service to Highbury, hoping to do my last couple of GBG ticks in North London. You’d assume that the internet would work on the Overground service but it didn’t, so my planning reached BRAPA-esque depths. Usually my travel plans factor in football matches limiting entry to pubs near the… Continue reading N19 – DODGING THE GOONERS

BERMONDSEY RAILWAY ARCHES, ROTHERHITHE JETTY

It’s always awkward when the truth undermines your underlying narrative, and I have to admit that beer quality in London has been decent in recent months (the financial heart apart).  On the other hand, I’m always stressing my admiration for CAMRA branches and their ability to find the best beer for the Beer Guide, which… Continue reading BERMONDSEY RAILWAY ARCHES, ROTHERHITHE JETTY

THE BALD BUZZARD LIFTS LEIGHTON EVEN HIGHER

I doubt anyone took notice when I rated Leighton Buzzard my pub town of 2015. Nothing in Bedfordshire can be that good ? As BRAPA has discovered, the county has some gems, and any pub you fall asleep in is clearly worthy of merit. You’ll notice I visited a month after Simon but managed to hold my drink. Just… Continue reading THE BALD BUZZARD LIFTS LEIGHTON EVEN HIGHER

END OF THE ROAD CHRISTMAS SHOW – THE FAIRYTALE OF SHOREDITCH

Barely back from Burton an hour, we had to shoot off to Shoreditch for the End of the Road Christmas show.  This is typically a tiny show in a new east London club venue with decent sound; last year’s gig at Oslo had the best sound and most overpriced beer of the year. The last few… Continue reading END OF THE ROAD CHRISTMAS SHOW – THE FAIRYTALE OF SHOREDITCH