A few hours early for the contractually obligated monthly highlights post, let’s hope it’s not tempting fate and something really significant happens this afternoon.
September was a month of returns.
Biggest of all, Russ returned to the comments page after a traumatic period out, and how we’d missed him (and not just to correct the typos),
City returned to form against United,
the 2026 Good Beer Guide landed (ugh) amidst unfounded rumours that CAMRA’s financial troubles would see it scrapped just before Simon attempts a completion,
and Boddingtons returned, via Lees, to Manchester’s premier outlets (seemingly that doesn’t include Lees own pubs, which says a lot).
I’m two weeks (21 pubs) behind on the blog, so I’ve still got to write about Boddies, and a return to That Atherstone, and and and…
Mostly trips between Sheffield and Waterbeach last month, but fifty-nine pubs, not a bad return.
Some worthy contributions to unheralded UK tourism too, in Enfield,
and Carshalton, whose Hope was a Pub of the Month,
along with Stockport’s Crown.
I got a bit distracted by the Sheffield Half-Pint Marathon,
which I’d have completed if a) All 26 pubs had been open on Monday and b) I hadn’t lost my sticker card out of my back pocket.
You’ll be surprised by Beer of the Month.
Greene King IPA in GBG newbie the Masons Arms a soft and chewy NBSS 4, and confirmation if needed that the Guide gets it right most of the time.
Of course, pubs aren’t really about beer. And even if Atherstone’s backstreet boozers, typified by the Maid of the Mill,
aren’t quite GBG quality the pubs are as good as they get, as Pub Curmudgeon found out last week.
Gourmet wise, quite a lot of Chung Hwa this month, too much really, so let’s celebrate Wetherspoons and the Spice Bag, a bowl of salt and pepper bits and chips which contains your annual salt intake in a meal.
That was in Batley, before my only gig of the month, where I heard this for the very first time.
“Jump Rope Gazers” goes straight into my Top 20 Melancholy Tunes.
In October I shall mostly be celebrating every day I wake up alive, based on that MGM and salt overdose.
retiredmartin 
With the GBBF having crashed and burnt in Birmingham and membership continuing a slow slide downwards as more drinkers leave for the big bar in the sky every month, GBG sales must now represent a significant portion of CAMRA revenue, especially in the run up to Christmas when lots of people buy it as a gift for relatives, most of whom probably barely look at it before donating it to the local charity shop.
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Yes, it’s amazing how keen CAMRA folk seem to ditch the printed book
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I had the Spice Bag healthy option (coconut rice instead of chips) in Ruthin Spoons, accompanied by 3 pints in half an hour. A contemporary take on the old pub trick of freebie salt infused “snacks” on thebar.
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Only 3 pints? That’s very healthy.
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“Biggest of all, Russ returned to the comments page after a traumatic period out, and how we’d missed him (and not just to correct the typos),”
(shuffles feet whilst looking down)
Awww… shucks.
“the 2026 Good Beer Guide landed (ugh) amidst unfounded rumours that CAMRA’s financial troubles would see it scrapped just before Simon attempts a completion,”
True to form for Si, I would think. 😊
“and Boddingtons returned, via Lees, to Manchester’s premier outlets (seemingly that doesn’t include Lees own pubs, which says a lot).”
That’s a tad… odd?
“I’m two weeks (21 pubs) behind on the blog, so I’ve still got to write about Boddies, and a return to That Atherstone, and and and…”
Ok, breathe.
And take your time. My darling wife and I learned over the last year to take the time to stop and contemplate the good things that we have.
“Mostly trips between Sheffield and Waterbeach last month, but fifty-nine pubs, not a bad return.”
Sheesh! Thank goodness you could relax with a pint once in a while.
(you did relax, right? – and remember to breathe)
“I got a bit distracted by the Sheffield Half-Pint Marathon,”
Which is good; it took your mind off of things.
“and b) I hadn’t lost my sticker card out of my back pocket.”
Ok, it took your mind a bit too much off of things. 😉
“Greene King IPA in GBG newbie the Masons Arms a soft and chewy NBSS 4,”
What’s next; Doom Bar?
“as Pub Curmudgeon found out last week.”
Whoops! I’ll have to take a peek at Mudgie’s post, when time permits.
“which contains your annual salt intake in a meal.”
(slow golf clap)
““Jump Rope Gazers” goes straight into my Top 20 Melancholy Tunes.”
(sigh) An appropriate month to hear it one supposes.
“In October I shall mostly be celebrating every day I wake up alive, based on that MGM and salt overdose.”
I’m finding that waking up alive is big plus to the start of the day. 😁
Cheers
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Plenty of time to breathe when you’re dead.
Oh.
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And drinking too I hope!
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I don’t think Lees pubs not stocking cask Boddies is any surprise. They’re simply a contract brewer in the same way that Carlsberg brew Bass, and other than that I don’t think Budweiser UK supply them directly with of their portfolio . The only surprise to me is that Lees managed to get their name on the pumpclip.
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That song is excellent. (and the lead singer reminds me vaguely of a girl I used to go out with when I was 18)
Different subject: I’m off to Northumberland next week. Any suggestions for good pubs?
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The Free Trade in Berwick upon Tweed.
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Big county !
Newbiggin, Hexham or Berwick ?
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Olde Ship Hotel in Seahouses.
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Excellent choice !
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