Perhaps the question I’m asked least is “Just why is Greene King IPA so good ?“. As the 13th anniversary of its success in the 2004 Best Bitter awards approaches, I bravely took a trip to Bury St Edmunds to test the nectar at source. Actually, I went there to get some brutal hardcore metal… Continue reading THE HOME OF GREENE KING IPA
SIPPING IN STRETFORD
I do love lunchtime kick-offs at the Etihad. Up at 5am, train across the High Peak from Sheffield (why isn’t their Tap open at 9am ?), too early for breakfast curry at This’n’That, freezing up in Colin Bell Level 3. At least I had perfect conditions for some early morning exploration along the Medlock Valley. Five… Continue reading SIPPING IN STRETFORD
LEARNING TO LOVE LEICESTER
In celebrating Simon’s birthday, a special post from the UK Capital of Crisps, a great favourite of his based on recent posts. I’ve declared a truce on Leicester as well, though I do get the hump with the big money “soccer” teams who look down on less successful, but proper football clubs like Manchester City. I know… Continue reading LEARNING TO LOVE LEICESTER
FRIDAY LUNCHTIME IN THE ELM TREE
I’m not as committed to the cause as Pints and Pubs, but I am attempting to visit all the Cambridge pubs over the year, so I can moan about their inclusion/exclusion from the Guide with a clear conscience*. Today I had a few options. Hoover the house, write more blog posts or walk Cambridge looking… Continue reading FRIDAY LUNCHTIME IN THE ELM TREE
NO OTTER AT THE OTTER IN OTTERBOURNE
Some titles write themselves, which is just as well as I’m running out of puns and a lot of these places have no famous residents to draw on for inspiration. Otterbourne, for example. The most famous person to come from here named Eastleigh “Eastleigh“, rather than “Trunge” or “Grod“, presumably. How can I resist the… Continue reading NO OTTER AT THE OTTER IN OTTERBOURNE
ROMSEY PASSES THE QUALITY v QUANTITY TEST
Having just moaned about a (rare) duff pint, I feel I need some balance today. The two new Beer Guide pubs in Romsey are a triumph of quality over quantity, joining a third that fits the bill too. You’ll be delighted to know that the pinked Navigator maps are back today, thanks to some technical… Continue reading ROMSEY PASSES THE QUALITY v QUANTITY TEST
FIVE MILES FROM ANYWHERE, NO HURRY !
A rare postcard from home to break up the Hampshire monopoly of May. We’ve yet to take our campervan to exciting places like Wythenshawe or Sheerness (the year is still young), and the Five Miles from Anywhere may be the dullest overnighter possible from a Waterbeach base. It’s at Upware, a mile west of Wicken Fen,… Continue reading FIVE MILES FROM ANYWHERE, NO HURRY !
AN INCONSISTENT OTTER
Mention of a marvellous Palmers 200 recently reminded me how much some of our family brewers beers get written off these days, when it’s really all about cellarmanship. Arkells and Wadworths fall into the same bracket; I’ve had very good 3B and 6X this year, and you know my views on Bass. It took me a while… Continue reading AN INCONSISTENT OTTER
TOP 100 PUBS – PLATFORM TAVERN, SOUTHAMPTON
“Never look back” is my motto, which means never going back to a pub, unless it was so bad it was funny, or so good it’s in my Top 100. Or its the Dancing Man Tap, for inexplicable reasons. I really needed Mrs RM’s guiding influence on Friday, but of course she was packing light… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – PLATFORM TAVERN, SOUTHAMPTON
SAINTS, PYRAMIDS & THE DANCING MAN
If I seem to be getting a lot of posts out of my Hampshire weekender, stick with it. The next post is largely about a failed trip to the loo. Bet you can’t wait for that one, Dave. At the risk of a starting an intra-Hampshire war, I’d say Southampton has trailed behind Portsmouth (and specifically… Continue reading SAINTS, PYRAMIDS & THE DANCING MAN
retiredmartin 