I’m getting quite addicted to my little hotel in Weaste, the rough bit of Elegant Eccles. Four stays in 3 months, AND they give me a 5% loyalty discount, so I only paid £27 the other Sunday. H & C in all rooms. As you can see, I took the lesser-known tourist trail from… Continue reading SUFFERING IN SALFORD QUAYS
WHERE THE HECK IS WIMBOLDSLEY ?
Yes, almost a Crewe post ! After the joys of finishing craft bar Stafford, it’s back to the slog of twee gastro Cheshire, which is even less satisfying in lots of ways. Not that the Verdin Arms is twee. But it’s very hard to find Wimboldsley on my Philip Navigator, which tends to go down… Continue reading WHERE THE HECK IS WIMBOLDSLEY ?
WELLER, WELLER, WELLER
Yes, I know that’s not Weller. That’s not how this blog works. My last Staffordshire tick should always be in Newcastle-u-Lyme, one-time home to legends. A great county for pubs, but sadly this year’s crop is a bit micro/craft bar heavy. I guess it’s hard to build an original Victorian three room boozer from scratch… Continue reading WELLER, WELLER, WELLER
NO SANCTUARY IN THE POTTERIES
On the home run in Staffs now, and still with one great pub to come (where great is a term loosely applied). It’s not this one, though. Yes, spot the GBG pub. Sanctuary Ale House is the one with the smoker outside, of course. In the absence of signs with King’s Heads on them, or… Continue reading NO SANCTUARY IN THE POTTERIES
LEAVING UTTOXETER CLEAR FOR A DAY OF BASS
Back to the hard slog of pub ticking earlier this month, and a first trip in many years to Uttoxeter, or Greater Alton Towers as the TIC has probably rebranded it. The hardened members of the Beer & Pubs Forum will be visiting the town’s famous Bass & Pedi pubs on June 14th. Unlike Burton,… Continue reading LEAVING UTTOXETER CLEAR FOR A DAY OF BASS
THE RITES OF SPRING – CAMBRIDGE BEER FESTIVAL 2019
Leaving strict chronology for a moment, I bring you my annual trip to the Cambridge Beer Festival, the UK’s most pashmina-friendly fest. It’s a compulsory trip, whatever I say about fests. No Mrs RM (she’s in Pasmina Peckham), and no Simon or Kevin, workmates I’ve been bumping into since this was at the old Cambridge… Continue reading THE RITES OF SPRING – CAMBRIDGE BEER FESTIVAL 2019
COME AND GET ‘EM, SOUTHWORTHS
Yes, it’s the highlight of Mrs RM’s housecleaning year as the the Southworth clan set off from Chicago and Minneapolis, preparing mentally to take back duff pints in Pembroke and be told “It’s real ale. Its supposed to taste like that.” I’m sure they’ll find good pubs in West Wales, which I believe may have… Continue reading COME AND GET ‘EM, SOUTHWORTHS
PARMA VIOLETS
Two more pubs for Taylor’s Toping Taxis (don’t bother nicking it, it’s trademarked), then I can bring you some of my own ticks. If I get to West Wales before midnight. Two gems that in 90% of the GBG counties would be your Pub of the Year. We were staggered to hear that Mark, who… Continue reading PARMA VIOLETS
TOP 100 PUBS – THE HOLLY BUSH, MAKENEY
Bit of a cheat, putting a pub in my Top 100 (373) when I only had a pint of water and Si’s dregs (which would make a great name for a beer). But Makeney’s Holly Bush could just serve Peroni and you’d still want to drink there. In case you’re paying attention, I did drop… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE HOLLY BUSH, MAKENEY
BRAPA DOES IT HIS WAY
Part 2 of BRAPA in the Amber Valley, and my chance to impress me with your musical knowledge. Stop C (where A was the quiche place in Belper) is the award-winning White Hart in Bargate, star of my own blog a mere 14 months ago. It would have been walkable from the Black Bull’s Head,… Continue reading BRAPA DOES IT HIS WAY
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