September 2023. Doncaster.
A Top 100 pub ? ANOTHER one ! Why not ? Life is short.
And time was short in Doncaster, but time enough to see what’s changed since Mrs RM and I drove a teenage Matthew here from Waterbeach 5 years ago (and back the same night) for a hardcore gig just because we’re good (if pushover) parents.
That was on a Friday night before Christmas; this was a Friday afternoon in our glorious Indian summer, and I picked the Little Plough rather than next door’s ultra-rare Tut ‘n’ Shive survivor for a repeat visit.
Once you complete the Good Beer Guide you too will be allowed to revisit pubs you actually like and drink pints in them*.
Of course, some folk break the rules and visit pubs they actually like when they like;
and it was Simon’s visit that reminded me about the joys of the Plough, and the imperative to pub quotations marks on the “Little”.
Mind you, Google is convinced the pub is called “Hewitt’s Grimsby Ales”. And there’s worse names.
I think the Plough is the most regular GBG entry in town; there’s someone in Saddleworth who deserves a knighthood who keeps a big spreadsheet who could tell you.
I just looked at the stickers. Pleasingly no embargo-breaking GBG24 sticker on there yet.
Not sure they need that notice about using the loo;
my experience of Donny over many years is that folk of all sexes just wee in the alleys.
So long since I was last here I had no idea what beers were on, probably John Smiths Cask and something from Barnsley I’d guess.
Winner !
The 1982 Scotland World Cup pennant still in place, I see.
And the Bass clock.
Quite a sturdy bar, but there used to be a huge one in Donny, probably the White Swan.
Anyway, rambling now, bit like the Old Boys who dominate the Plough’s custom at 4pm. Feels a classic, like a Sam Smiths pub with mobile phones. Though in honesty, most folk were talking about horse racing to the next table, rather than on their device. Sir Humprey would approve.
“I’m sat in a pub, son, that’s why I dinnae call ya“.
The Barnsley (in chunky glass) was almost OBB price at £3.20, and a cool, dry, highly complex was close to 3.5.
I have no idea why so many tables had reserved signs for later that evening. Meat raffle ? Taylor Swift quiz night ?
And then, in the fug of smoke between the Gents and the Public, I had a revelatory moment.
“Blimey, this is a classic” I thought.
*Terms & Conditions apply
retiredmartin 
Correct call on the White Swan which previously had the huge bar. I remember it being particulary high too.
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“Blimey, this is a classic” I thought.
You certainly can call them, RM.
I’ve got in the habit of always going via Doncaster whenever I catch a train to London. Allow 40 minutes or so between trains and call in at the Little Plough for a pint of Barnsley Bitter.
Excellent!
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My notes actually say “what would Will say about the Barnsley ?” and now I know.
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Beers stronger than 3.9% aren’t session beers.
But if a brewer doesn’t know that a Proper Pump Clip – like that for Barnsley Bitter – cannot feature more than two colours, then why would they know much else?
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“Once you complete the Good Beer Guide you too will be allowed to revisit pubs you actually like and drink pints in them*”
Or better still, never bother trying to complete the guide. Read vicariously about others doing it, and always drink in pubs I like. 🙂
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A man must have a mission in life, Andy. Goodness knows what BRAPA will do when he completes, but I’ll be long dead by then.
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