Not much on my Dad’s bucket list, apart from a trip to Maidenhead Conservative Club, of course. But he’d always wanted to go and see the Columbia Road Flower Market. A new Beer Guide tick in Bethnal Green and a clear blue sky made up my mind for me. Mrs RM came along on… Continue reading RETIREDMARTIN Snr GOES TO BETHNAL GREEN
Month: November 2017
LOUGHBOROUGH LACINGS
The blog-naming committee had a tough time on this one. Loughborough, famous for over-excitable athletes, bells and a steam train from Leicester. And lace, apparently. We stopped in Loughborough to complete the Leicestershire section of the Beer Guide for 2017. The welcoming committee was nowhere to be seen. But “New Loughborough” awaited, in all… Continue reading LOUGHBOROUGH LACINGS
BURTON’S DOG – BLACK COUNTRY REDEMPTION
I’ve been a bit critical of Black Country Ales pubs on here recently. Their pubs in Halesowen, Worcester, Leicester and even the Welly in Brum seemed to have far too many beers on for their trade. In fact, whenever I see someone defend them,they always start “It’s a great pub, they always have a… Continue reading BURTON’S DOG – BLACK COUNTRY REDEMPTION
TOP 100 PUBS – COOPERS TAVERN, BURTON UPON TRENT
Pyromania complete, we headed round the corner to the Coopers. It’s just possible you’ll have heard me mention this one. Historically the Bass Tap, but recently moving between Hardy & Hansons and Tynemill before ending up in Joule’s sympathetic hands Always in my Top 5 pubs for 3 reasons. Superb Draught Bass from the barrel… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – COOPERS TAVERN, BURTON UPON TRENT
BURNING ULLAGE – HERETICS IN BURTON UPON TRENT
As Newbury Tim will know, all publicity is good publicity. So here’s a plug for the ever-excellent Ullage, which I can confirm has equally excellent combustible qualities when read over a candle in a Burton micropub. As is traditional, a totally pointless route map for the next leg of our journey; I suppose I could… Continue reading BURNING ULLAGE – HERETICS IN BURTON UPON TRENT
MICRO PUBS & SWINGING LEGS IN BURTON UPON TRENT
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… Continue reading MICRO PUBS & SWINGING LEGS IN BURTON UPON TRENT
THE WILLIAM BASS TRAIL
You may be surprised to hear this, but I didn’t know William Bass came from Hinckley. I’d always assumed he was born in Milton Keynes General. So the local CAMRA branch had already increased my vital beer knowledge from a quick read of Half Pint in the Elbow Room. There seemed to be 15 pubs… Continue reading THE WILLIAM BASS TRAIL
HINCKLEY – MALLINSONS, MOHICANS & MOBILITY SCOOTERS
Hinckley only offers two new GBG ticks this year, trailing behind the four (4) in Southport, but you know they’re likely to be good ones. I say that because Hinckley & Bosworth CAMRA have a track record of putting proper Bass and Marston locals in the Guide over many years. Hinckley may be well… Continue reading HINCKLEY – MALLINSONS, MOHICANS & MOBILITY SCOOTERS
A RETURN TO THE SCENE OF THE ROYSTON SPOONS RIOTS
You left our hero (that’s Mrs RM) in the last episode at the Plough, asking why she couldn’t have the 9.0% Bexar, which as Pub Curmudgeon has just pointed out gives excellent “bang-per-buck“. And also an excellent hangover. But we had work to do. Not that there were any new GBG ticks, having fortuitously… Continue reading A RETURN TO THE SCENE OF THE ROYSTON SPOONS RIOTS
PLOUGHING A PATH TO CAMBRIDGE CRAFT
As winter approaches we’re taking the campervan on a series of minibreaks to ensure it doesn’t freeze up, or whatever campervans do. Not much scope for new Beer Guide ticks within a 90 minute radius now, so off to Shepreth for some craft. There’s actually more to see in this bit of dull South… Continue reading PLOUGHING A PATH TO CAMBRIDGE CRAFT
retiredmartin 