An attractive county for the walker, and plenty of gardens and black and white timber, but classic pubs ? Well, the Fleece at Bretforton and Three Kings at Hanley Castle might be, but it’s 15 years since I visited so I’ll leave it to you to vouch for their enduring qualities. No doubting Worcester Cathedral’s… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 48 – WORCESTERSHIRE
ALL THE PUBS IN THE MANCHESTER BEER BOOK No. 6 – BUNDOBUST BREWERY
February 2024. Manchester. Another stressful Saturday afternoon at the Etihad, another catch-up with my lad, another pub tick in Matt Curtis’s excellent guide to the city’s pubs and bars. Arriving at Piccadilly feeling knackered I fancied something fresh and healthy, and the Marhaba curry place is closed weekends, which is a tragedy. But those Bundobust… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN THE MANCHESTER BEER BOOK No. 6 – BUNDOBUST BREWERY
PREEMPTIVE DERBY
February 2024. Derby. Almost back to the old days now, with a preemptive tick in one of our best but most stable of GBG cities. 11 minutes, less 3 minutes to leave and then re-enter the station, and the delayed train from Uttoxeter. That leaves about minus 5 minutes for a half in the Victoria.… Continue reading PREEMPTIVE DERBY
HARRY BELAFONTE NIGHT IN THE VAULTS
February 2024. Uttoxeter. Thursday night in Uttoxeter. Got the tick, done the pre-emptive Marston diner, one question remained; What a silly question. Incredibly, only my third visit to The Vaults, perhaps the most famous Bass pub, alongside the bankers of Stockton and the flat nectar of Bath. But then, I haven’t been to the Coopers… Continue reading HARRY BELAFONTE NIGHT IN THE VAULTS
“No mobile phones, please”. QUIZ NIGHT IN UTTOXETER
February 2024. Uttoxeter. No offence at all to local CAMRA, but if ever a town was ill-represented by its GBG entries it’s Uttoxeter. A population of 14,014, occasionally doubled at race meetings, with 20 entries on What Pub but just a couple of micros in the Guide most years. Nothing wrong with the Horse &… Continue reading “No mobile phones, please”. QUIZ NIGHT IN UTTOXETER
PEDIGREE IN DOVERIDGE
February 2024. Doveridge, Uttoxeter. You left your ticking hero in the dark, on the muddy approach to Doveridge Grave Yard. You may remember Kentish Paul (gently) chiding me for the act of walking public roads from Uttoxeter last year, and although this was a marked path it seemed scarcely less foolhardy, though a man who… Continue reading PEDIGREE IN DOVERIDGE
A WALK ALONG THE HARD SHOULDER OF THE A50, OR A NIGHT IN THE VAULTS ?
February 2024. Uttoxeter. It’s all well and good revisiting great pubs in Manchester and Sheffield, but that doesn’t tick a Beer Guide, and nothing gives a ticker as much pleasure as applying pink marker to a small map. I’m never going to actually finish a GBG in-year again while spending 5 days a week in… Continue reading A WALK ALONG THE HARD SHOULDER OF THE A50, OR A NIGHT IN THE VAULTS ?
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 47 – WILTSHIRE
Ah, Wiltshire; get shot of that big pile of stones off the A303 and you’d have a fine county. For heritage sites, I point you to Avebury and Swindon magic roundabout instead. And Cranborne Chase for the hills. Not a county for the heritage Pub Man or Woman, though Swindon’s Hop Kettle is where I… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 47 – WILTSHIRE
ALBION REVISITED
February 2024. Sheffield. One more report from a quiet Wednesday afternoon with Sheffield Hatter, where he forces me at gunpoint to join him in a third pub of the day that I didn’t need to go in, but am glad he did. Some of you have asked what my photos look like before they’re cleaned… Continue reading ALBION REVISITED
ALL THE PUBS IN SHEFFIELD ON FOOT No. 173 – BEER ENGINE
February 2023. Sheffield. Since moving to Sheffield 3 years ago I’ve managed to revisit all the current GBG entries. All except the Beer Engine, an in-out sort of entry, the Norwich of the Guide, and one easy to mix up with your Beer School and Ale Shop and Craft House up the road. The closest… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN SHEFFIELD ON FOOT No. 173 – BEER ENGINE
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