retiredmartin

February 2024. Leeds Pub Crawl.

11:47 – Brew Society

12:43 – Cardigan Arms

13:37 – Dave’s Pies & Ale

14:39 – The Templar

Good, solid, almost sensible progress. Be a shame to go awry now.

But it sort of did, as Will and I scooted off towards the Kirkgate markets,

arriving at the Duck and Drake bang on 15:18.

Six years ago I’d just missed the AC/DC covers band in this renowned music pub,

and we entered to Nirvana being played at the right volume, for a change.

I hadn’t been that impressed with the Brains Bitter in 2018, but the cask range seemed, if anything, bigger than ever.

But bigger isn’t always better, as they say in a certain South Lanarkshire town.

Pleasing to report a fifth straight cask win for Leeds as Vocation’s Heart & Soul was cool and rich (3.5+). And if you think I’m getting soft on beer scores, it pains, really pains me to admit Leeds beer quality was on a par with Manchester.

Lovely trad pub too, lone blokes on bench seating round the walls, nearly all on cask.

What is this dreadful affectation for having two halves in front of you the young have ?

Proper loos, too. Even if it is a Lancastrian invasion right there.