Just when it was believed that cask had been killed completely by the Great Heatwave (and Peroni), I bring further evidence that cask lives ! And again it’s Bass that provides the proof. Who’d a thought it ? Not R. Coldwell Esq. But first, how did I get here ? As the song goes. On… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE EXPRESS TAVERN, BRENTFORD
Author: 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.
WOEFUL TRIVIAL PURSUIT SPURS AT THE DODO
Hoorah ! Back into the capital for an afternoon of West London high jinks with That Tim for Newbury. But first, the Dodo, another already famous micro pub. One I’d been looking forward to, even if I’d missed the Cloudwater on cask. My first ever trip to Boston Manor Underground Station. I clearly hadn’t lived until… Continue reading WOEFUL TRIVIAL PURSUIT SPURS AT THE DODO
CHRISTMAS CURRY IN COV
The Taylor family spent Sunday at home, the first time we’ve all been together under our own roof all day for 3 years. It’s hellish being stuck in Cambridge, but Mrs RM and I had overdone it yesterday with BRAPA. Our longest family conversation today concerned Christmas meal plans. Due to Mrs RM’s frenetic work… Continue reading CHRISTMAS CURRY IN COV
MICROS ON THE BRUMMIE KNOWLE
First of all, this is what happens when your son comes back from Sheffield Uni and nicks your internet capacity to play his incomprehensible computer games (Not FIFA 94); I’m on best behaviour with this post, as Knowle in firmly in BeerMat territory, in posh Solihull in fact. It’s very east Cheshire, which you can… Continue reading MICROS ON THE BRUMMIE KNOWLE
HI-VIS BREAKFASTS IN WARWICK SPOONS
“Holidays are coming” and with it all those dreadful seasonal drinkers that CAMRA members on DISCOURSE are criticising for putting money in pub tills. If in doubt, follow the Spoons van as it drops off all your favourite festive drinks to a packed Wetherspoons near you. You’ll never get to the bar, of course, as… Continue reading HI-VIS BREAKFASTS IN WARWICK SPOONS
VANILLA ESPRESSO MARTINIS & MARSTON’S PEDIGREE IN A NORTHAMPTON ESTATE PUB
Mrs RM is on a long-term project in Northampton. She feels your pain. I joined her at the Campanile Hotel on the edge of nowhere. It has French pizza and (brewery unspecified) Boddingtons on keg, she tells me. Next door was a Harvester with a lone Doom Bar pump, which sounds appealing on a Monday… Continue reading VANILLA ESPRESSO MARTINIS & MARSTON’S PEDIGREE IN A NORTHAMPTON ESTATE PUB
FEARLESS IN FRINTON-ON-SEA
I thought I’d visit Frinton while I was down the Naze; not like anyone dies, there, is it ? Apart from everyone. What Pub tells us the Lock & Barrel is the only pub within “The Gates“. These were the gates until 2009, when the introduction of modern lifting barriers saw fighting in the streets.… Continue reading FEARLESS IN FRINTON-ON-SEA
A STEWARD’S ENQUIRY IN KIRBY-LE-SOKEN
Back on 2 December I proudly showed you my pinking prowess. Of course, ONE of you had to rain on my (pink) parade. Ed, how could you ? Of course I’ve done the Ship. It’s been in the Guide for centuries. Oh. Well, thanks a lot for pointing out my duff cross-checking, Ed. And… Continue reading A STEWARD’S ENQUIRY IN KIRBY-LE-SOKEN
“A PINT’S A TASTER” – MICRO LIFE IN THORNE
Another day, another micro pub to subtly change my view on micro pubs. At least in the North*. Simon is best placed to tell us if micros deserve to be thought of as Proper Pubs (PP). The new BRAPA regime sees him spending a whole week living with the sole other customer to get… Continue reading “A PINT’S A TASTER” – MICRO LIFE IN THORNE
SNAITH STOLEN BY NORTH YORKSHIRE
Next stop, North Yorkshire. Or at least that’s where the Good Beer Guide has stuck Yorkshire Ales, the first new GBG entry in Snaith since the Corn Laws were repealed and Herbert Nappy Askwith ran a craft beer bar here. Odd that, since Bing Maps is pretty sure Snaith is in the East Riding, and… Continue reading SNAITH STOLEN BY NORTH YORKSHIRE
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