Hinckley only offers two new GBG ticks this year, trailing behind the four (4) in Southport, but you know they’re likely to be good ones. I say that because Hinckley & Bosworth CAMRA have a track record of putting proper Bass and Marston locals in the Guide over many years. Hinckley may be well… Continue reading HINCKLEY – MALLINSONS, MOHICANS & MOBILITY SCOOTERS
A RETURN TO THE SCENE OF THE ROYSTON SPOONS RIOTS
You left our hero (that’s Mrs RM) in the last episode at the Plough, asking why she couldn’t have the 9.0% Bexar, which as Pub Curmudgeon has just pointed out gives excellent “bang-per-buck“. And also an excellent hangover. But we had work to do. Not that there were any new GBG ticks, having fortuitously… Continue reading A RETURN TO THE SCENE OF THE ROYSTON SPOONS RIOTS
PLOUGHING A PATH TO CAMBRIDGE CRAFT
As winter approaches we’re taking the campervan on a series of minibreaks to ensure it doesn’t freeze up, or whatever campervans do. Not much scope for new Beer Guide ticks within a 90 minute radius now, so off to Shepreth for some craft. There’s actually more to see in this bit of dull South… Continue reading PLOUGHING A PATH TO CAMBRIDGE CRAFT
WALTHAMSTOW – MIRTH, MARVEL & MIDLAND ROAD
Well, that’s the Midlands posts done, at least till I find the strength of character to revisit that closed pub in Aston. I now need to find a town with a clean B&B, new GBG ticks and good curry that would suit a professional gentleman from East Dereham. Skegness, possibly. But first on to… Continue reading WALTHAMSTOW – MIRTH, MARVEL & MIDLAND ROAD
“I’M SPARTACUS”
Alongside CAMRA Pub of the Year (must be the Weavers, surely), and Cider of the Festival, there must surely be space for Industrial Estate Brew Pub of the Year in the crowded awards calendar. Being strictly partisan, I’d have to vote for the one 200 yards from my Fenland home (Milton), but Fixed Wheel… Continue reading “I’M SPARTACUS”
WHERE’S CRADLEY HEATH ?
“Where’s Cradley Heath ?” asked Charles, one of the more difficult questions to answer, along with; “Why is that pub shut when it should be open ?” “What do you think of these shoes ?” and “Why ?” Possible acceptable correct answers included; The Black Country North of Cradley (not the Worcestershire one)… Continue reading WHERE’S CRADLEY HEATH ?
HALLOWEEN PARTIES AT STOURBRIDGE’S GREEN DUCK
I never forget how lucky I am to be able to go round the country, finding pubs closed, motorways jammed and Starbucks running out of Pike Place (or worse, replaced with Christmas Blend). Richard Coldwell was quizzing Simon and I last week about the downside of GBG ticking; how’d we feel about having to… Continue reading HALLOWEEN PARTIES AT STOURBRIDGE’S GREEN DUCK
WORD(SLEY) UP
We left the last post with my drinking buddy already two pints of 6%+ beer up, before the 6pm witching hour, and with two ticks left. Not a good place to start the a walk up the A491 to Wordsley. This is where geography gets complicated. I put Wordsley in the box marked “Greater Stourbridge”,… Continue reading WORD(SLEY) UP
HOORAY ! HOORAY ! IT’S A STOURBRIDGE HOLIDAY
Some people use pub cats to attract your attention; I’m sticking to weird Boney M references. And of course, the lure of Stourbridge. This was a Friday night beer and curry with Dereham’s top toper Charles. I think Mrs RM was “smashing the system” or something that night. We missed her. We chose a Friday… Continue reading HOORAY ! HOORAY ! IT’S A STOURBRIDGE HOLIDAY
IN-LAW DRAMA AT TOAD ROCK
I occasionally get odd requests from readers of the blog. You know, write about the worst pub in the UK, tell us about hopping rates, show us what your in-laws look like*. Well here you go, this is the Father-in-Law from Tunbridge Wells, England’s most unlikely capital of craft. There’s a Beavertown amongst those… Continue reading IN-LAW DRAMA AT TOAD ROCK
