(with apologies to Bono). My extensive spreadsheets show the Garibaldi was my sixth Guide tick in ravishing Redhill. Which is odd, as I can only remember stopping there once. In 1998, on the way to Gatwick for a work assignment in Zimbabwe memorable for jacaranda trees and bayonets rather than Harare pubs. Actually, I jumped… Continue reading REDHILL TICKING TOWN
Month: April 2019
SURELY NOT HORLEY ?
“What makes a Great Pub ?”, asks one of those interminable polls in Beer Twitter Land. Stuff your pub cat (not literally), your ten homebrewed ales, your Michelin star. I say any pub with a copy of the 1981 Royal Wedding Album on the shelf is a cast iron classic. But we’ll come to that… Continue reading SURELY NOT HORLEY ?
CAMRA PUBS IN CAMBRIDGE
Just back from taking Mrs RM and two hungry lads (when are they not ?) for Sunday lunch at the Salisbury Arms, just off Cambridge’s famous Mill Road. We’d also popped in on Mothers Day, a dry day for me. This is, oddly, one of the city’s historic pubs, run by CAMRA Investments in the… Continue reading CAMRA PUBS IN CAMBRIDGE
CLENT CLUBBING
Having decided to report on ALL the pubs I visit (except THAT one in Lincs), I’m faced with the reality that some places are a bit dull, particularly the Social Clubs that seem to be making the Guide with a vengeance this year. Unless there’s some admission drama e.g. “Oooh, we don’t let you CAMRAs… Continue reading CLENT CLUBBING
A HURRICANE THROUGH STOURPORT ?
Just for our US of A readers today, a spurious Dylan/boxing/Worcestershire canal town mash-up. If Mr Zimmerman lived in Brum he’d no doubt enjoy pensioners days out to Stourport-on-Severn, which looks increasingly like Felixstowe without the sea (and depressed Ipswich Town fans). A great place for wandering along the canal towpath contemplating how best… Continue reading A HURRICANE THROUGH STOURPORT ?
BREAKFAST IN BRUMINGHAM
Because this blog is my diary and doesn’t pretend to be about beer, I can write about what I like as long as I don’t upset Mrs RM. Even breakfasts, which come thick and fast at the moment. This is the Miners Benedict in Dudley, possibly the best thing Spoons have ever done. Paul Bailey… Continue reading BREAKFAST IN BRUMINGHAM
“WHAT’S BIRMINGHAM FAMOUS FOR ?” ASKS JULIA JACKLIN
Day 3 of my 4 day Midlands tickathon ended in east Birmingham, with a gig, a pub and a Chinese takeaway. I know how to live. Cheapest room was in the Ibis Budget, that probably wanted more to park than to stay, so I dumped my Aygo in industrial Balsall Heath and walked. Just… Continue reading “WHAT’S BIRMINGHAM FAMOUS FOR ?” ASKS JULIA JACKLIN
COUGH SWEETS BEFORE BEER
Yes, these little blighters. 60p a packet, and I’ve kept Jakemans of Boston in business these last few weeks. You’ll be pleased to know a morning in Edinburgh New Town with Stafford Paul finally cured my itchy throat (that I don’t like to talk about). I tell you this in advance, so you will understand… Continue reading COUGH SWEETS BEFORE BEER
GIN, PUDDLES & PITCHFORKS AT CRADLEY BROOK
This was a tough one to write. My personal Hippocratic oath is always to tell the truth about pubs and beer, even if it means that the local CAMRA branch don’t tell me the GBG2020 entries in advance. Your pubby health is my No.1 concern. But I’m bound to upset folk with this short report… Continue reading GIN, PUDDLES & PITCHFORKS AT CRADLEY BROOK
LEOMINSTER IS BACK
Of course, if this were BRAPA it would be “Cheese munching spinster, illuminates Leominster” (actually that’s Mark E. Smith) or something. But when you’ve made as many trips to Herefordshire and been disappointed by The Lem’ster as often I have, you’ll know a decent pub in the county’s second town is cause for raising a… Continue reading LEOMINSTER IS BACK
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