March 2026. Burton on Trent.
Last week seemed like mental torture, another weekend without making it to that Guisborough brewery tap that only opens 3:30 to 4 on Saturdays.
But in fact I did manage East Grinstead (whoopy doo) and Burton on Trent (whoop), the latter scratching a major itch.
Despite living a mere 42 minute rail journey away, I’d only visited Brew Town once since moving North, in 2021, and Coopers was closed then.
Let’s start correcting that omission, and ask the Bass fanclub what to do;
Also, let’s see if the town is useful for any more than a pub crawl and an eternal 3rd division relegation struggle.
Fans of red brick and shiny steel will love it.
Oh, good curry, too.
And a lot of pubs, according to the excellent CAMRA magazine. More branches should put a map in the middle.
Not all Bass pubs, mind, and as a dozen recommendations flooded in the old favourites seemed to dominate.
So let’s start with a really old favourite, just down this alley;
retiredmartin 
Oi, we’re so high in League One we’re getting nose bleeds. I’m hoping the Oak and Ivy and Stretton Social Club were next in your visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just looked at the table, you should be OK. Shame about the goal difference though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Points win prizes, or at least safety.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you got a new camera? Some of the buildings look like scale models and the skies look like CGI. 🤔
Bring back the glare! 😛
LikeLike
Martin goes around on stilts now, Will.
You’ll get used to it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well at least you didn’t become a Scientologist in East Grinstead.
Just saw a lunch menu for the House of Commons from 1950, drinks options included draught Bass at 1/9 a pint. Or a half of cider for sixpence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apparently the leader L Ron Hubbard (sci fi writer) had a bet he could start a religion. A friend in a vulnerable time almost got swept away with this cult.
LikeLike
Bare-faced Messiah is a cracking book.
LikeLike
Back now. Las Palmas is lovely. Currently in a Marston’s dining pub on the outskirts of Dumbarton. Grim. Brooklyn IPA £7.75 a pint!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You should have gone to Cleverarton instead, Bill.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Las Palmas is indeed lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s certainly a wonderful smell of hops that hits you on entering Burton. Something I recall from this town which I have not heard in any other towns is the automated voice announcement “Please do not drop litter.” I was impressed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I grew up in Wrexham, a brewery town, and I well remember the wonderful smell of brewing. Also, the smell of pubs, stale beer, old dogs and fag smoke. Exquisite, never to be experienced again
LikeLike
Doesn’t the increase in dog whiff more than counterbalance the absence of cigarette smoke, Bill?
LikeLike
No, but the increase in flatulence, body odour and halitosis makes up for it. Regrettably.
LikeLike
Surely “that Guisborough brewery tap that only opens 3:30 to 4 on Saturdays” might claim the GBG’s shortest opening hours, 26 hours totalling just over one day per year.
LikeLike