May 2025. Derby.
Well, disappointment for my readers hoping for dumplings, feminist pop and stained glass, but joy for those who like short posts focusing only on pubs.
In dystopian 2025 there are two distinct types of permitted activity involving the visiting of a number of public houses for the purpose of consuming beer and taking notes about the locals.
A CAMRA approved “curated survey” will have an approved leader with at least 20 years of membership and evidence of both taking a beer back and staging a “no cask, walk out”. These surveys must follow a set route, stick strictly to time, and produce a minimum of 80% of beer being scored. A photo MUST be taken of all participants holding half pints to the camera and saying “Cheers”.
Any other activity is a mere “pub crawl“, potentially bringing CAMRA into disrepute by its suggestion of riotous behaviour and alcohol consumption over approved levels (1 glass of wine a year, apparently).
Luckily, Life After Football isn’t a CAMRA (I think) so he’s allowed to organise a **** up, which is what we glorious had last Friday in that fine city of Derby.
Will and I caught the morning train, just like Sheena Easton, and arrived at the Brunswick at 11:05, beaten by folk who had obviously set off the night before. I swear Paul Mudge sleeps in the first pub overnight.
11am is a fine time for a first pint, the Brunswick’s The Usual (NBSS 3) in the absence of Tiger,
and as you saw above we had the best seats in the house.
What we didn’t have was much company, but I guess this is a pub that fills up with lunchtime trade and afterwork trade. But we had each other. And a rough plan that we could ignore;
Perhaps I’ll introduce you to the “dramatis personae” next. Or perhaps not.
retiredmartin 
Any piece with “curated” in the headline or intro is automatically deleted.
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Is there a bad seat in that house? What a great place to start.
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It’s a great all-rounder, good place to eat, too . Too many beers, mind.
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“I swear Paul Mudge sleeps in the first pub overnight” – no, although I had hoped to book a room in our last pub of the day.
A “glorious” day it was though.
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“Too many beers, mind” although the very local Railway Porter was drinking well.
Did you overlook the duel dispense handpumps, although I don’t think any of us were offered a choice between nice lacings or a pint retaining its condition ?
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You mean a choice between flat and sparkler ? I think Will bought my pint (nice man) so I wasn’t clogging the bar and missed that.
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Yes, a choice between looking but not flat or through a sparkler.
As divisive as cash or card.
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It would be a big issue on Discourse but they’ve the suitability of plastic magazine holders to worry about.
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No Woodlark?!
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You surely know how this works by now….
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Missing out the Woodlark is like missing out the Sun on a Stockton crawl.
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A splendid opening gambit to a very amusing day…..I’ve spoken to my image rights consultant and I believe you owe me a pint of John Smith’s per picture!
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Once you track down a pint of John Smiths Cask I will happily buy you it, mate.
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I’ll speak to my mate at The Maypole!! The Artful Dodger at the bar (who was also pulling at something in your back pocket after aforementioned phone was returned) can join us for a swift one 🍺
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I enjoyed a pint of Brunswick’s Black Sabbath today in about the only Atherstone pub that doesn’t yet have Bass. That was on the way to an eightieth Birthday Party in Nuneaton.
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We must organise this Atherstone meet-up, Paul.
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Yes, whenever suits you Martin.
Only three hours for my third visit of the year yesterday but it was as good as ever.
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