Yes, new cover stars for our penultimate Preston post. Note the Two Mudgies (BBC 4, Thursdays, 1.30am) discussing the pronunciation of Thwaites.
Reaching the inevitable climax now, we headed back toward the market and, er, the Market.
Whether the Market Tavern or Tap, I care not.
Well, I’m going with what it says on the glass floor down to the cellar.
It’s at least a decade since I came here, finding it beery and irreverent and bustling.
A lot smarter, classy even, and a bit quieter. Where have the dirty overall brigade gone ?
Scared off by flowers on tables and real ales with Paddington bear style tags dangling from the pumps ?
And the Smooth version of Johns Smith’s replaced by the cask ?
Yes, folks, the biggest event in real ale history since Stockport voted a Sam Smiths their pub of the year (twice).
Sadly, I’d actually missed the John’s at the bar and gone with Plum Porter, which as you can imagine was a real hardship.
Cool, rich, chewy, superb, as Titanic’s flagship often is (NBSS 3.5+). If the Tavern/Tap can sell enough cask I think they’re a shoe-in for my Top 100.
“Oh, they’re using John Smith’s glasses for your achingly trendy DIPAs ?” I asked.
“No, it is John Smith’s”
Old Mudgie was dutifully writing down beer scores and joyfully noting the playing of “Jessie’s Girl” on Rick Springfield’s 70th birthday*. I bet Rick is a John Smith’s man.
I scuttled back for a half of the John’s, skilfully decamped into my Plum Porter glass.
I think I may just have invented heaven, you know.
*Rumours that we plan to celebrate John “Cougar” Mellancamp’s 70th birthday listening to Jack & Diane in Maidenhead Conservative Club on 7/10/21 are purely that. Rumours.
retiredmartin 
Legend has it that if the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it.
Nonsense,of course,but I’d start becoming seriously concerned if I saw Staffs Mudgie with anything other than rolled-up sleeves.Definitely a sign that no-deal Brexit was imminent.
PS: I’ve told you before young Martin about shoo-in.If it happens again you’ll be held back at school for extra homework.
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I’ll bastardize the language as I see fit, Prof. #FenlandAndProud
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I’m only trying to save you from a Russ mauling.
Anway,I thought people from the fens only conversed by semaphore …
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Using our six fingers…
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And by rights it should be bastardise.
But I’ll let you off your Americanism on account of spending those hours in the Ear Inn.
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💋
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“Note the Two Mudgies discussing the pronunciation of Thwaites” with me insisting that it’s got an “h”, an “I” and an “e”.
P P-T,
Do you agree that roll up cigarettes go with rolled-up sleeves ?.
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I’m partial to the occasional rollie myself.
And I do roll up the sleeves on any shirt I wear.
So yes would be the answer …
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How often do you see John Smiths Cask? I’m not sure I have ever seen it. I only see the keg version.
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I’m not surprised you’ve never seen it. Possibly find it in half a dozen West Yorkshire pubs, possibly the more upmarket ones.
Did I ever tell you about the day a heavily pregnant Mrs RM drove me to four pubs in rural Barnsley where I drank four pints of John Smiths and fell asleep on the way home.
She never lets me forget it.
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Nor should you forget it. Falling asleep after four pints is inexcusable.
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You’d want to fall asleep if Mrs RM was driving…
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I think that top photo is actually evidence of their plotting to form a Bangles tribute act.
I bet Rick is actually a Coopers Sparkling Ale man.
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The header photo is mercifully blurred…
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I’m in Brizzle this weekend visiting the fruits of my loins.
Any recommendations ?
I love me a good cider.
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Plenty of discussion about Bristol in this thread, although none of us are really cider buffs:
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/beerandpubs/bristol-30th-august-t296.html
The well-known cider pub that springs to mind is the Coronation Tap near the Clifton suspension bridge:
http://thecoronationtap.com/
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P P-T
I got round ten Bristol pubs twelve days ago and my favourites were the Kings Head, Bag of Nails and Nova Scotia.
Better planning and we could have met up for a pint or two.,
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The Orchard is a good cider pub https://www.orchardinn.co.uk/
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I see you’ve had some good advice on here. I’d try Seven Stars on Thomas Lane, between Temple Meads and the River. Have fun.
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