TIM TAYLOR TAKEOVER AT THE SUN

January 2026. Waterbeach.

Thursday brought the threat of snow to Sheffield, so after one night shivering (broken boiler) I was pleased to catch the first train back to Waterbeach to see Dad (not at his best), and do my bit in the fight against Dryanuary.

I head right to the lounge.

“It’s warmer to the left, the fire’s on” says Gary, the new landlord, and I know better than to argue, though in truth I prefer the seating in the lounge.

But the public is chatty, and friendly, and we discuss the weather, cause that’s what we do. Someone sings along to “Fairground” by Simply Red (their only No. 1), which is something you don’t hear every day.

Oh, and we compare our abstinence during the cruellest month. “Oh, f**k it, it’s been nine (9) days“. It’s the spirit of the Blitz.

Gary has replaced the Pedigree with Tim Taylor, which I have mixed feeling about. But I’d never tell a landlord what to stock, and to be honest if he can keep beer as well as this Golden Best (top) and Landlord (below), both NBSS 4, I think I’ll have the Hobgoblin next time.

The new guy’s doing well, and it’s like a sauna in that ice box of an outside gents since he put the heater in, so that’s a bonus.

As night follows day, Chung Hwa follows the Sun.

Unknown's avatar

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

15 thoughts on “TIM TAYLOR TAKEOVER AT THE SUN”

  1. Never one for Dry January, although have had a bit of a break from December’s Festive heavy binging, with no alcohol since NYD. Broke my duck today with a meeting in London giving me the (post) opportunity to reduce my 50p ‘Martin Markdowns’ further, before the Camras send me the next batch in early Feb.

    If this year’s Dry January has giving us anything though, then at least it’s seen a return to form from Welsh rappers Goldie Lookin Chain, with their “Dry Jan” single, which has made me smile, for one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. I’ve been avoiding Tim Taylor beers in pubs outside Yorkshire. It’s working fine so far, but I’m not sure about Taylors v Hobgoblin. Taylors v Wainwright would be another interesting one. In a pub in Liverpool this week it was Wainwright v Hobgoblin, and the Wain was surprisingly good (NBSS 4).

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I think my comment about Hobgoblin might have confused Anonymous. I’d tend to pick the fastest selling beer, or the one dripping beer at the back anyway, as all beers (one Cotswold exception) are potentially enjoyable. Had a good Hobgoblin Gold last year, and certainly Wainwright was well regarded once.

        Like

  3. “so after one night shivering (broken boiler) ”

    Sounds like your boiler needs a block heater. 😊

    ” was pleased to catch the first train back to Waterbeach to see Dad (not at his best),”

    Sorry to hear that.

    “and do my bit in the fight against Dryanuary.”

    I knew I was missing something with your pint of Vocation Porter yesterday.
    (slow golf clap)

    ” and we discuss the weather, cause that’s what we do”

    Bit of a thing over here as well.

    “Oh, and we compare our abstinence during the cruellest month. “Oh, f**k it, it’s been nine (9) days“. It’s the spirit of the Blitz.”

    (slow golf clap) 😎

    “I thing I’ll have the Hobgoblin next time.”

    Now, now. The hobgoblin is still a person, in essence (although I do think you meant to type ‘think’). 😉

    “The new guy’s doing well, and it’s like a sauna in that ice box of an outside gents since he put the heater in, so that’s a bonus.”

    Good for him. And, unheated outhouses are a big no no!
    (mind you, it can get so cold over here up north, that some guys have been known to pee ice cubes)

    “As night follows day, Chung Hwa follows the Sun.”

    You nicked that from a poem. 😊

    Cheers

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  4. Landlord is back in a big way in my area of N London/Barnet; I could probably drink it in ten pubs in a three-mile radius. Quality seems much improved since its previous wave of ubiquity about 15 yrs ago; in one of my locals it’s always very good even though I never see anyone else drinking it. Maybe they’ve switched to tiny casks.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a reply to Lana Cancel reply