From the birthplace of Bass to its spiritual home.
Shamefully, this was our first trip to Burton since I started this blog in 2015, and it’s been prompted by a rather seismic, some would say heretical, event.
The new Beer Guide has lost the Coopers* (of which more later) and the Elms, and gained a couple of micro pubs, which had better be good.
It may be useful to you to know that Burton is virtually inaccessible from the east, due to bridge closures. Thanks for telling me, Burton.
The little stretch from the Art Deco clock at Woodville into town took well over an hour, and then I missed the entrance to our hotel. Sadly, the Three Queens is a drama-free motel with bargain rates and a splendid buffet breakfast, in stark contrast to a certain Stapenhill Bed & Breakfast from the ’90s.
Consequently I was rather “in need of a half of mild” by the time we eventually got across the A511 to the High Street.
We arranged to meet the Potteries legend 6TownsMart after work, and headed for the Dog. That was so good, it gets its own post too.
So our story starts, just past the giant shovel, in the Fuggle & Nugget.
Now I’m running out of ways to describe micro pubs, so it’s just as well I-phone cameras were invented.
5pm opening, tilted barrels, bar snacks, high tables, soft furnishings – all in place.
Table service from the cheeriest couple in Burton, and any beer menu that includes North Riding is beyond reasonable criticism. Nice to see only three cask ales, which meant we could drink them all (NBSS 4). Less really is more. Quite a take up for the Sam Smiths lager, you’ll be pleased to hear.
Mrs RM liked it a lot though her feet didn’t touch the floor. Micro pubs aren’t designed for micro people. Whether that entitled her to swing her legs around I doubt.
As so often when pubby folk meet, we had no idea what Stokie Martin looked like, and when he did he was greeted with a familiarity that was good to see. Martin is a bit photo-shy (like me), so I won’t say which of the two folk in the foreground of this picture he is.
Martin was great company, as indeed are all Stokies, and we stayed for more than we should have, given our schedule.
We even got a little guided tour from a man who clearly knows his Burton. (though drinking Draught Bass in halves is a crime, Martin).
On to the burning at the Heretic.
*Yes I know the Coopers has had a change of management which probably explains it, but it’s still The End of Times.
retiredmartin 
If only you had asked about the bridge…it’s open now you’ll be pleased to know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If only I had asked about the bridge. Local told me they were going to close the main one as well but changed their mind…
LikeLike
All Stokies are indded top quality! A top place
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loads of exiled Stokies round my way; lovely people, though they don’t seem to miss the Bass !
LikeLike
Fuggle & Nugget very similar to Chip & Pin but I think Last Heretic is a bit different…
LikeLike
Buffet? Our 3Qs did not have that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did you stay there ? It was very good. Hot breakfast items under metal lids, including organic sausages. And chocolate !
LikeLike
We did and pre buffet. We had to flush our toilet with a metal waste basket. The buffet sounds much better than what we had!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds much better than when we stayed at the 3Q. If I remember correctly, your B&B stay involved teeth.
LikeLike
I am on my phone in Nanaimo enjoying a lovely pint of Russian Imperial Stout so I’ll keep this brief.
That large shovel looks like something Newfies use; which explains why we didn’t allow them to become part of Canada until 1949.
“Whether that entitled her to swing her legs around I doubt.”
I was going to draw attention to Mrs RM’s swinging legs and the fact she’s given birth to two boys but, decorum and all that. 😉
Cheers
PS – loved the “won’t say” bit about Stokie Martin. 😋
LikeLike
Decorum ? Canadians ?
LikeLike
Looked up Nanaimo, looks interesting. Not the Crow & Gate, was it ?
LikeLike
Longwood Brew Pub.
http://www.longwoodbrewpub.com
I forgot it was Friday. They just just brought out a cask (cask! 😱) of locally hopped IPA (they do this every Friday).
I’m staying for a pint of the cask. 😎
Cheers! 🍺
LikeLike
Russ, have you taken a day/weekend trip to Bothell near Seattle to visit the Foggy Noggin Brewery?
LikeLike
I must confess Dick I’d never heard of it till now, but thanks for the tip!
Will put that on my list as a weekend trip with my better half for next summer.
Cheers!
LikeLike
When you do visit, I would love to hear your report.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here is Ronald Pattinson’s visit to Foggy Noggin.
http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/search?q=Foggy+noggin
LikeLike
Thanks for that Dick. Didn’t realize it’s done out of his house!
If I’m going to go that far I may as well head further south to Portland for a few days. 🙂
Cheers
LikeLike
I will have to go to the UK’s second brewing town (Tadcaster being in Yorkshire is undoubdetdly #1). It’s a bit like Stockport, in as far as you fly through, almost the middle of, Stockport so many times on the motorway en route to the airport, over the yeas you’ve whizzed repeatedly past Burton on the A38 and never called in.
LikeLike
Was it the pukker Pure Brew they had on? Probably one of the better/best medium-widely available UK premium pilsner type lagers to my mind but don’t believe them when they say it’s only 5% – it kicks like a mule! Expensive though at £3.50/pint.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looked like it. Only expensive for northerners.
LikeLike