Having ticked off the live and dead Spoons, I set off into Holborn heading for 2 more GBG newbies, and a forlorn attempt to buy the new Boak & Bailey book. Attempting to buy a book, from a bookshop, in 2017 is arguably more exciting than reading it. I spent an enjoyable half hour in the venerable Blackwells (now… Continue reading BUYING BOAK & BAILEY’S BOOK
LONDON’S ANGEL OF COOL, CRAFT BEER
Cool beer in London. Surely a parody account. My thoughts on London pubs are summed up in my suggested improvements to the GBG. Much too long, should just ask if we want London section scrapped and brewery section made with perforated edges @StymieSi @mackay_duncan https://t.co/XTAMfsrPaX — Martin Taylor (@NHS_Martin) September 16, 2017 That’s a… Continue reading LONDON’S ANGEL OF COOL, CRAFT BEER
HE’S LEAVING HOME – FOR SHEFFIELD
A break from strict chronology (that London, Bristol, and the Malverns to come) to bring you news of Mrs RM’s trauma as she lets eldest son James fly off to Sheffield University, fuelled by a gallon of Magnet. James seems unperturbed. Younger brother Matt came along for the skateboard comp in the Valley of Beer,… Continue reading HE’S LEAVING HOME – FOR SHEFFIELD
WOE-BURN
A reminder of my Bedfordshire Pinking Progress (a follow-up Bunyan never thought of, I’ll wager). Note how I score beer quality using my patented system, rather than pubs, which is why the Brewhouse & Kitchen gets 2 ticks (NBSS 3.5 in new money). How would Woburn score ? Part of me refuses to believe Woburn… Continue reading WOE-BURN
FLITWICK -PAD THAI, ZAPPA & THE HOLY GRAIL
It’s 1999. Flitwick has two Beer Guide entries in what will be forever known as the “comedy edition” of the Beer Guide*, before the venerable Mr Protz returned to rescue the Millennium edition. Since that high watermark, Flitwick’s GBG well has run dry. Until now. Flitwick is to Bedfordshire what, say, Winsford is to Cheshire. A… Continue reading FLITWICK -PAD THAI, ZAPPA & THE HOLY GRAIL
BASS BLOSSOMS IN BEDS
Early September traditionally sees a mad dash to clear Bedfordshire, often the first county to fall in the new GBG. A half of Doom Bar* to the first reader to guess what will be my first complete county this year. The extract above might be a clue. And to think that Simon actually completed Beds,… Continue reading BASS BLOSSOMS IN BEDS
LEARNING TO LOVE THE NEW GOOD BEER GUIDE
A big welcome to the new Good Beer Guide , shown here alongside an ideal companion publication in Foyles of Cambridge. The Praise First and foremost, the Guide is a tribute to Roger Protz’s expert editorial hand in his 24th and final year in the hallowed role. Mr Protz will be a tough act to follow.… Continue reading LEARNING TO LOVE THE NEW GOOD BEER GUIDE
EPIC JOURNEYS FROM ASDA TO CALVERLEY’S BREW TAP
Pint and Pubs, the definitive voice on Cambridge drinking, stuck his head above the parapet and did a Cambridge Top 10 the other week. Surprisingly uncontroversial, though perhaps the omission of The Ship would have been rectified if Mr Pubs had bothered to visit it earlier. Shamefully, there was one pub on the list I’d… Continue reading EPIC JOURNEYS FROM ASDA TO CALVERLEY’S BREW TAP
BEDFORD – BUNYAN, BREWHOUSE & KITCHEN
One of the big talking points about the new Beer Guide will no doubt be the growth in brand new pubs, and whether this points to a pub renaissance or a blip on the downward spiral. I’ve no doubt the continued expansion of the family dining estate (Marston’s particularly) will go unremarked, and it will be… Continue reading BEDFORD – BUNYAN, BREWHOUSE & KITCHEN
A CLASSIC STEVENAGE ESTATE PUB
I finally picked up a copy of Boak & Bailey’s 20th Century Pub in Heffers Cambridge on Sunday, displayed alongside another classic publication (which I can’t write about until the 14th). I’m a slow reader, so you may have to wait for anything approaching a review (see here and here for those). Already it’s… Continue reading A CLASSIC STEVENAGE ESTATE PUB
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