The Beer Guide takes you to places you’ve never heard of. Kicking and screaming in the case of Maidenhead, of course, but otherwise it sets you on a lifelong journey of discovery. That’s how I described our four nights in Pontins Southport back in 2003, before a recent refurbishment raised it from “Hellish” to merely… Continue reading 30 MINUTES BETWEEN TRAINS IN FRESHFIELD
Month: May 2018
SOUTHPORT : IT BEGINS
Last Sunday, after a week selling charity tat, I set off for Southport, home to the world’s biggest lawnmower museum and half the UK’s micro pubs. I waved goodbye to my favourite bar towel, and drove the 4hrs 20 past the great UK cities of Derby, Stoke and Manchester. Here, you get four (4) new… Continue reading SOUTHPORT : IT BEGINS
WHAT BEER SHOULD LOOK LIKE
I haven’t got a clue how beer is made (beyond the fish gut bit), but I know a well-kept pint when I taste one. And see one. So here’s some nice pictures of beer. Normally over early May Bank Holiday I’d be bringing you a report from our local’s annual Beer Festival, the high point… Continue reading WHAT BEER SHOULD LOOK LIKE
A POSH SAM SMITH’S
A bit of late night pub porn for those of you who will never know the joy of a pint of malty bitter for two pounds sterling. That’s you, Maidenhead. Rather surprisingly, that pint comes from the posh suburbs of Peterborough. The Botolph Arms is on the edge of the Ortons, the bit of Peterborough… Continue reading A POSH SAM SMITH’S
“ONE ALE’S PLENTY, NUMBER TWENTY”
On to my last Staffordshire GBG pub. The Hednesford Ex-Servicemens Club joins the similarly social Bridge which you might remember so delighted me last year. My preparatory reading tells me that; “The club plays host to many sports teams including darts, dominoes, bowls, snooker and pool. A pigeon flying club is also based at… Continue reading “ONE ALE’S PLENTY, NUMBER TWENTY”
MORE MERCIAN MICROS
I won’t lie. My heart sank when I came to the next tranche of photos and I realised I’d have to start writing about micro pubs again. Partly because there’s not an obvious “M” word you can bung in to your blog title. “Morose” ?, “Mediocre” ?, “Middle-aged” ?. All could be true but… Continue reading MORE MERCIAN MICROS
FREEING MY INNER PUNK (IPA)
Tomorrow City get to parade the League Championship trophy with children, sponsors and assorted hangers-on; sadly I’ll be missing that to visit an assortment of Old Man pubs (sorry, craft bars) in Northampton with the men who defeated SR6. If you see us, avoid us. So next Wednesday’s match against Brighton will be my last… Continue reading FREEING MY INNER PUNK (IPA)
PROPHYLACTIC PROBLEMS IN ASHTON-IN-MAKERFIELD
This blogging lark is a doddle. Visit a pub, take photos surreptitiously, keep a running gag about pashminas going, and hope against hope for a witty pun or an “Out of Order” condom machine. Ashton-in-Makerfield was always going to let me down on the pashminas, even in the Wetherspoons. Though the potholes give some opportunities… Continue reading PROPHYLACTIC PROBLEMS IN ASHTON-IN-MAKERFIELD
THE REVITALISATION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED
Next up, a bit of a minor classic. Though I suspect I’m alone in thinking this. Into “real” Preston, not far from the Wetherspoons wherein resides the nation’s most awesome beer blogger. Here seen in a Proper Pub. I’d have popped in one of Matthew’s favoured craft emporia to say hello, but I’d only decided… Continue reading THE REVITALISATION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED
POSH PRESTON
When Mrs RM and I started exploring the country in the early ’90s (pre-Beer Guide ticking), we spent a lot of time just off the A6 in farmhouse B&Bs, in those grim times before Premier Inns were invented. Back in the day, we became quite acquainted with the area between Preston and the majestic… Continue reading POSH PRESTON
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