In no particular order, ten of my favourite pub photos from ten of my favourite blogs of the year.  Less effort went into this than you can possibly imagine. The top image is Simon approaching the Fat Cat by Richard Coldwell of BeerLeeds A classic image of a man who knows how to wear… Continue reading TOP PUB PHOTOS OF 2017

More ramblings from the West Coast onto a mobile phone, as my son hogs the only laptop. The boys enjoyed Universal Studios without us standing behind them complaining about queues.  Interesting to see the only other folk getting there by public transport were the Japanese, who share our fear of hire cars and taxis. Good… Continue reading A UNION JACK AND HUMMUS

  More irony, I’m afraid, though if I do find Draught Bass in Hollywood you’ll be the first to know. Don’t phone up, this is a a pre-prepared post. A few random* highlights from the second half of 2017. July – Everyday Sexism and IPA in Burwell.  What a metaphor for the year.   August… Continue reading BOXING DAY BONANZA

First post of the Great Again U S of A, and those old micro pub problems again. We arrived at our boutique hotel in Hollywood last night, a mere 3hrs 45 and four arguments after touchdown in LAX. Rather like in “Shawshank Redemption”, the letters TT are carved in our ceiling. Yes, it’s the same… Continue reading THOSE SANTA MONICA DRAUGHT BASS BLUES AGAIN

That’s ironic, by the way.  I hate all celebrations equally.  Every day you wake up alive is a gift.  Unless you wake up in Maidenhead, as I did once. I’ll probably be in a queue for the Star Wars ride at Universal Studios (not by my choice, oh no) on Christmas Day, so this is… Continue reading HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Yes, we got to Gatwick South Terminal 3 hours early like we were supposed to, after the inevitable argument about parking. So I’ve got 2 hours in the airside Spoons (Flying Horse), contemplating the merits of a pre-flight beer from this collection. Actually not bad at all, and the Spoons itself is an airy delight… Continue reading CREEPY CRAWLEY

Off to Gatwick for an 11 hour flight to LA shortly. Who knows what the Gatwick South terminal Spoons will offer. I’d wish you a happy Christmas but you’d know I didn’t mean it. Make sure you get to a pub on Christmas Day, perhaps the Bull Baiters in Worcester (open 12-3) and rejoice that… Continue reading MERRY MICRO

  “Always own up to your mistakes” said someone, once.  Someone you’ve never heard of since.  But in the spirit of GBG Completist solidarity, I’m admitting to my own so others don’t make the same mistake. Study the extract from the master spreadsheet closely; Not obvious ?  Well, when I started pinking in the new… Continue reading retiredmartin mucks up in Ryarsh

  If you’re feeling a sense of deja vu all over again, it’s because the Pubmeister beat me to this one ((here).  But if a story’s worth telling… The last month has seen good progress on visiting all the Beer Guide entries within an hour or so i.e. the ones you can do by train… Continue reading PRIVATE PUBLIC HOUSES – THE WRATH OF WROTHAM