A couple of short posts praising London (calm down !, calm down !), and then I’ll give you my review of GBG19, featuring bits nicked off BRAPA’s post last night. Amongst the GBG ticking fraternity*, we use the word “professional drinking” to indicate sensible quaffing that maximises ticks without busting the Government limits (the Spanish… Continue reading 6.5% BREAKFAST STOUT BY THE PINT
IN THE TEMPLE OF LOVE (FOR QPR ’67)
Part 3 of the Great Central London Wash-Up took me west (checks compass) from Shoreditch to Temple, via Barbican and Smithfield Market. The route through Farringdon is a lot less glossy than the walk along Fleet Street into Bank, and you bump into less suits. Smithfield is crumbling a bit, but trees growing out of… Continue reading IN THE TEMPLE OF LOVE (FOR QPR ’67)
SHABBY SPITALFIELDS CHIC
You need your wits about you when you’re walking past Liverpool Street Station at midday, or you’ll get bumped into by someone refreshing their blog stats or swiping right. My obstacles are the approximately 137 pubs on the way to the Commercial Tavern, and the frankly gorgeous views round every corner. I stopped for some… Continue reading SHABBY SPITALFIELDS CHIC
“AIN’T NO WARM BEER IN THE HEART OF THE CITY”*
Suddenly, the whole world has discovered London, a fast growing town 200 miles south of Manchester. First, BRAPA explores the so-called “hipster quarter” (well, the Tand, Quinno, Doris and I were there recently) King’s Arms, Bethnal Green. This is the most modern day London pub ever! Like a 2018 Chas n Dave with just… Continue reading “AIN’T NO WARM BEER IN THE HEART OF THE CITY”*
THE PEDIGREE’S PROGRESS
GBG19 had all been going so well. Seven pubs, seven pints, five of them in the “Mmm, try this” category. And Bedford, while not exactly a pub jewel, tends to give you competently kept BBB. But last year we had the Brewhouse & Kitchen debacle (that one’s gone from the Guide) Anyway, what’s new in… Continue reading THE PEDIGREE’S PROGRESS
STOTFOLD – STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
Sometimes I have to go to a plain pub with plain people in a plain village and give you nothing except the joy of knowing that I’m one tiny step closer to completing the Guide. But the real point of ticking is discovering or re-discovering the gems of the UK. Like Stotfold in beautiful Bedfordshire*.… Continue reading STOTFOLD – STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
GOOD BEER GUIDE ’19 – THE TICKING AND THE DAMAGE DONE
Sorry. In a Neil Young mood. Harvest time in England, and this Old Man is preparing to reap the Beer Guide for ticks. I’ve just completed my GBG cross-checking to establish which pubs in the 2019 Guide I’ve already done, and how many I’ll need to do to make progress in the next 12 months. … Continue reading GOOD BEER GUIDE ’19 – THE TICKING AND THE DAMAGE DONE
THE PAKENHAM 5 O’CLOCK CLUB
It’s rare that “Suffolk” and “deeply unexciting” are mentioned in the same sentence, of course, but a mere three new Guide entries in the county enables me to bring you this lovely sight four days into GBG19; So no two hour trips to “Times Supplements on Sea“, no micro pub opening hours frustration, no frisson… Continue reading THE PAKENHAM 5 O’CLOCK CLUB
MANGO LASSI SABOTAGES SHEFFIELD SESSION
You left me in the unmarked Cloudwater Tap, waiting for the Trans Pennine Express back to Sheffield. Another hour on a packed train full of football fans, including a seated Lincoln City fan who reminded me why I resent that county so much. He’d taken his son to see the Imps (Imps huh !) stay… Continue reading MANGO LASSI SABOTAGES SHEFFIELD SESSION
EMPTY SEATS AT THE ETIHAD, STANDING ROOM AT CLOUDWATER
His Highness Sheikh Mansour recently wrote to me to highlight the progress made under his stewardship of Manchester City over the last decade. 40 points in every season, half-and-half scarf sellers for every game, folk who turn up in Colin Bell Stand 15 minutes after kick off looking for Row R etc. etc. No mention… Continue reading EMPTY SEATS AT THE ETIHAD, STANDING ROOM AT CLOUDWATER
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