May 2025. Derby.
Pub No. 4 for most of our Magnificent Seven, or was it Eight ?,
but a 5th for Will and I as we tracked Stafford Paul down to the sprawling but still cosy Five Lamps.
Paul should know that social media disapproves of this new “trend” of solo drinking, so fortunately we were able to join him to disapprove of his choice of beer.
Why pick Bateman XXXB when there’s Bass on, Paul ?
Well, for a start, Bateman is quite a rare spot for Paul these days. Bass is virtually ubiquitous, largely due to Quinno (him again) continuing the work of The Great Wickingman.
Once again, not the freshest Bass (NBSS 3), once again far too many beers on in a Derby stalwart that had definitely seen busier Fridays.
But it hardly mattered. The absence of notes and Untappd check-ins confirmed this trip was all about the company,
and our esteemed leader, the mysterious Life After Football, was about to throw a curve ball into the mix.
retiredmartin 
IIRC the mighty bluenose had a dodgy pint of Bass in the Five Lamps a few years ago. A lot of pumps to compete against.
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Same in every pub. And this was a Friday afternoon. Nothing was bad, just leaving the sparkle you hope for.
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Can I use this ,if needed, as Leicestershire Drinker editor?
Sums up the too many pumps debate.
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Certainly. I wouldn’t say any of the beer was bad, just below the high quality (NBSS 3.5+) on previous visits in pubs that seemed a lot quieter. Nothing as good as the Bass in Leicester’s Cherry Tree !
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How do I change from anonymous to a user name?
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I’m afraid I don’t understand the technicalities, but adding your name at the end works for me !
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A remarkably good memory sir!!! This was my redemption pose as first time I’d been in since…very good pint it was too. If I was a NBSS man I’d have gone higher than Martin for this one.
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Congrats on the promotion. We’re starting well at Burton, 15 staff reportedly made redundant this week.
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Blimey!!!! I thought the corner had been turned???
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“Bateman is quite a rare spot for Paul these days”. Yes, it was two nights in Lincoln last autumn for my 2024 Batemans, and that was only my second pint this year alongside 49 of Bass.
Caramel Custard Doughnut Milk Stout is thankfully an ever rarer spot for me these days.
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XXXB at the Victoria. At the end of a very good beer day.
I admit that I, too, would have had the XXXB .
Dick
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Dick,
I had six pints of Batemans that weekend, staying in one of their pubs and getting in the other three including the Victoria. And four other pints of Batemans elsewhere last year.
Two months ago I even got in the Paignton Wetherspoons because it had XXXB on.
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Better make the most of the Caramel Custard Doughnut Milk Stout when you have the chance then Paul!
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I’m sure CAMRA was formed to destroy mainstream cask and introduce us to the joys of Caramel Custard Doughnut Milk Stout.
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Scott, if I were to make a list of a million things to do before I die trying Caramel Custard Doughnut Milk Stout wouldn’t be one of them.
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