When I did that half-a-dozen from Staffs post last week the Boat & Horses in Newcastle (t’other one) was a name that popped as the 6th pub, notably from Pub Curmudgeon.
I’d actually fancied a revisit to the Hopinn for a guaranteed Bass, but my complete amnesia on the Boat & Horses from a visit 20 years ago swung it.
Nope, no recollection at all,
and it’s near that austere catholic church I like.
Inside (the Boat & Horses, not Trinity) is a long, long, room, reminiscent of a canal boat I thought.
“How are you my lovely ?” says the landlady. Wonderful, cheery service.
It’s packed early Saturday evening, folk of all ages, and not at all a “CAMRA pub” despite the pumps.
But despite that choice at those prices,
it’s Bass you want here.
The Charity Bass Challenge was a pint in every Staffordshire outlet on the Wickingman’s list, and two in the Vaults.
I find the last table in the raised table at the back with some folk yet to see the light.
If this Bass (cool, dry, getting better by the gulp) doesn’t convince you then there’s no hope.
I can see why Old Mudgie rates it, though we might disagree on the merits of the music.
retiredmartin 
Interesting and unusual mix of beers. Two dark beers and from the pours in the picture people are drinking them.
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That’s a good point, Dave, it felt like a proper free house. Chesterfield Arms or Alexandra Arms in Derby would be good comparisons.
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It’s many years since I’ve been to the Boat and Horses.
I quite liked Hopinn when I went several years ago.
I don’t often get to the Potteries.
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Would a Proper Day out in Newcastle be viable in terms of transport ?
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Probably, but it would involve an about twenty minute bus journey from Stoke on Trent railway station.
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Aerosmith aren’t one of my favourites, but I do recall them playing some class music on my visits.
Bass is obviously the house beer, as it is cheaper than the 3.4% Castle Rock one, despite the duty savings.
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Sitting in this pub as I write, which I discovered by the tried and tested method of always going for a pub with the word ‘Boat’ in its name (see also ’Navigation.’) Not infallible, but usually worth it. And was here. Decent Bass.
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Excellent logic there.
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Well, now that you mention it, the Ship Centurion and Smack in Whitstable, yes, the Steamboat at Trent Lock, certainly, some good memories, the Old White Beare (a ship) near Halifax does OK as well. However, I find “Navigation” less reliable.
On the other hand “Church” or “Cross Keys” – same thing – have usually been OK for me.
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Oh, and the Schooner, Gateshead.
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Etu, And there was a Ship Victory pub in Chester until 2014. And a recent Ship Aground in Stafford.
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…and the Rowbarge, Woolhampton…
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