DECEMBER ’21 STOCKTAKE + JANUARY ’22 PREVIEW

It seems I don’t always do a separate December review, but as you know I like order, and it gives me a few more hours to think about the awards issue.

HIGHLIGHTS

A more exciting travel map than a year ago, anyway, even if it looks a bit squeezed into the middle. I did see the sea briefly, at Largs.

Just back from a 15 mile walk round Edinburgh which was great in the “heatwave”, but a birthday in Paisley and a night in Stoke are always going to be the highlights, aren’t they ?

OK, it was pretend Bass in the Coachmakers, but needs must in the month the Bass ran out.

No ? Oh, go on then, a return to publess Pymoor at the request of the pitchfork waving Fenlanders was the high point.

I also thought Paisley looked stunning as well. Book your summer holiday there before the hipster cotton on to its many charms.

I did get one gig in, and Hackney Wick looked rather gorgeous with the backdrop of the Olympics and East London’s revived industrial heart.

THE STATS

Blimey, ninety (90) different pubs in December, of which fifty-seven (57) were new Beer Guide ticks. That’s more the progress I need to complete the Beer Guide this year, of which more later.

PUB OF THE MONTH – SUTTON ARMS, FINSBURY, LONDON

Tricky one this month, as the best pub were the Coachmakers and the Roebuck on rare revisits, but London’s revival continues as the Sutton produced the best landlord of the year and a reminder of how well the capital does basic corner pubs when you let it.

BEER OF THE MONTH – TEMPEST “ALL THE LEAVES ARE BROWN” IMPERIAL BROWN ALE AT PAISLEY CRAFT BEER Co.

One for the BBB purists, really. Lush.

TAKEAWAY OF THE MONTH – MADRAS GRILL HOUSE, PAISLEY

South Indian Garlic Chilli Chicken and onion pakoras. At midnight.

JANUARY ’22 PREVIEW

Time to go south, I guess. Aldershot, anyone ?

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

15 thoughts on “DECEMBER ’21 STOCKTAKE + JANUARY ’22 PREVIEW”

  1. 90 pubs in a single month! You really are saving pubs single-handedly. But since you didn’t say anything about that being a record number, I’m guessing you’ve managed even more at some point, which staggers the mind!

    Thanks for another delightful year of reading, Martin. I’m not quite so reliable a commenter as once I was, but I promise you’ll never be rid of me entirely. You certainly brought a lot of joy and laughter to my 2021. I’ll be very much looking forward to seeing your continued adventures in the new year.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. Whether it’s 90 or 100, your monthly figure Martin, far exceeds anything I’ve accomplished in terms of pub visits, in any year since I started drinking.

        Congratulations, if that’s the right word, but reading between the lines, I obviously need to get out more!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. HAPPY NEW ticking YEAR Martin and please continue my daily intake of beer and geography knowledge.
    The southern hot bed of Aldershot I was there yesterday enjoying a Timothy Taylors Dark Mild and homemade cottage pie in the Running Stream.
    If you make it down give me a shout between Citra and myself I’m sure we can give you a helping hand on your mission.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. Wow yes a non CAMRA festival. I’m working there Friday night and a paying punter on Saturday lunchtime. Be good to see you a bit different from a Manchester January Festival.

        Like

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