Don’t worry Paul, it’s not the Foresters in Tonbridge; I’m saving that visit up for a special occasion. But he’ll know the derivation of the Angels in the title, and he’ll know the Fleur de Lis in Leigh (almost poetic), having beat me to the blog last year. Shamefully, I’d never heard of it, despite… Continue reading (TONBRIDGE) ANGELS WITH DIRTY OVERALLS
BUMPING INTO HIGH TABLES IN WEST MALLING
I’d been bracing myself for Kent‘s fresh onslaught of micro madness in the new GBG, bringing with it high tables, horrific opening hours and pickled eggs. (And those are the fun bits). But I had been looking forward to re-exploring West Malling, a posh village on the edge of Maidstone noted for the fine… Continue reading BUMPING INTO HIGH TABLES IN WEST MALLING
CROCKENHILL’S GOOD CHEQUERS DEAL
I’ve had a complaint about my blog from regular correspondent Mr(s) Spam. Chastised for not updating my blog often enough, you can expect a flood of froth now. Starting with a trip to Proper Pub central; the hard-to-define area between the Dartford Tunnel and the posh Kent/London border towns of Sevenoaks and Bromley. There’s been… Continue reading CROCKENHILL’S GOOD CHEQUERS DEAL
NOVEMBER ’18 STOCKTAKE + DECEMBER PREVIEW
Legally I have to provide you with a summary of the previous month’s posts. Despite knocking out 62 of them, I’m still at least a dozen posts behind, including one from here; THE HEADLINES Forty-five (45) new GBG pubs in eighteen different counties, which may itself be a record. Russ will know. My little GBG… Continue reading NOVEMBER ’18 STOCKTAKE + DECEMBER PREVIEW
CLOUDWATER IN CAMBRIDGE’S MAYPOLE – IT’S A 5
“Oh no, he’s not going to write about beer is he ?” I hear Dick and Dave groan. Only a bit. But I did want to show this picture of a proper “scummy head” on a beer I scored 5 (only the eighth this decade, fact fans). One of those NBSS maximums was the original… Continue reading CLOUDWATER IN CAMBRIDGE’S MAYPOLE – IT’S A 5
GETTING TO THE HEART OF SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS
When I or Duncan or BeerMat post about some village that never makes the news, like Rochford or Kiev, I wonder if there’s anything else posted about the place on the interweb. Search for “South Woodham Ferrers pubs” and prepare to be disappointed. It’s a while since the pub at the station, mysteriously called “The… Continue reading GETTING TO THE HEART OF SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS
A ROCHFORD RUMBLE (AGAIN)
Back in Essex to finish off ticking our most consistent county for pubs. Mirroring the rest of the country, this year the last three ticks are a micro, a brewery tap and a very Proper Pub. The micro was so worthy but dull that I can’t bring myself to bore you with pictures of its… Continue reading A ROCHFORD RUMBLE (AGAIN)
MILTON, MINOTAURS AND MASTERMIND
One of my favourite reads is Paul Bailey’s Beer Blog, mainly because he gives us so much context to his pub visits we get a real insight into his family dynamics. I particularly enjoy the posts about his foreign trips with his son Matthew (a charming lad) and Paul’s determined (doomed ?) efforts to convert… Continue reading MILTON, MINOTAURS AND MASTERMIND
NOW, EVEN ROMANIA GETS A CEREAL CAFE
Some final reflections on Bucharest from our flying trip (a.k.a. I have photos I need to stick someone and this will do). First, more of that murk you love. Anyway, ten bullet points (bullet points are suddenly fashionable again). Hey, very stylish, if you like white. 2. It seems relatively clean and safe, if a… Continue reading NOW, EVEN ROMANIA GETS A CEREAL CAFE
PRIDE DRINKING WELL IN BUCHAREST
Pretty much zero interest in these foreign posts, of course. “When you going to report on the uncontacted peoples of east Goole ?” you ask. or “Go back to finding pubs closed. We like that.” or “But did you find any cask in Romania ?” Oh, yes. On the last night of our mammoth two… Continue reading PRIDE DRINKING WELL IN BUCHAREST
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