The last few days have been particularly stressful, as BRAPA taunted us with the early arrival in York of the new Beer Guide, while I stared dolefully at the door. At least London didn’t get theirs first this year. 3 days after Simon’s copy, my GBG18 arrived this morning at 9.17a.m. Any longer, and GBG17 would have… Continue reading POST No. 1000 – A BEER GUIDE PROGRESS CHECK
BASS HAVENS IN SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Some of you may have noticed my predilection for Draught Bass, but it’s a complex relationship. If honest, I’d prefer it if only a landlord who cared about Bass served it, like the Black Lion in Leighton Buzzard so clearly does. Top beers like Youngs, Adnams and Landlord saw their reputation decline as their beers went into… Continue reading BASS HAVENS IN SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
NO BREAKFAST IN IRON ACTON
More places you’ve never heard of, unless you live in Iron Acton. I couldn’t have placed it on a map (sounds like a suburb of Telford), and my Navigator is so “pre-loved” that it’s hard to make it out on the map. Two points of interest. Proximity to Chipping Sodbury, the town immortalised by… Continue reading NO BREAKFAST IN IRON ACTON
TOP 100 PUBS – THE MURENGER, NEWPORT
Another trip west, another stay in the Budget Ibis on Malpas Road, Newport’s great accommodation bargain. As long as you don’t mind a chicken run across the M4 slip road and then a mile walk along the verge into town. I don’t. Pubmeister has just been to Newport (see here); he got a livelier reception… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE MURENGER, NEWPORT
A CHEPSTOW ANECDOTE
When I was here a year ago, my phone battery died, denying me the chance to bring you photos of Chepstow‘s historic Wetherspoons. This time, I was equipped with an emergency power pack. I didn’t need it. Chepstow is a solid enough place, but some way below Monmouth on the list of “essential border… Continue reading A CHEPSTOW ANECDOTE
BEERS OVER THE RIVER WYE
One of our great scenic areas, though we share it with the Welsh, is the Wye Valley. Beloved of Guardian readers and real people alike, it seems surprisingly down-to-earth, with amusement parks at Symonds Yat and relatively unpretentious pubs on both sides of the border (e.g. the Boat at Penallt, which I really ought to… Continue reading BEERS OVER THE RIVER WYE
CAERNARFON – BY REQUEST
P WordPress tells me my 1000th post is coming up soon; hopefully a review of a Brewhouse & Kitchen where I was asked if I’d be dining tonight. You know, a proper pub. If I can be bothered, I’ll do a piece on lessons learned from 2 years of blogging (East is to your left, how to… Continue reading CAERNARFON – BY REQUEST
BREATHLESS IN BETHESDA
Nearly all CAMRA branches have parts of the patch it’s difficult to get to. Even in Stockport, actually getting to Wythenshawe in one piece has its challenges. Bethesda* on the “historic” A5, seemingly built personally by Thomas Telford, isn’t hard to get to, but Y Sior is an awfully steep climb from the High Street. Mrs… Continue reading BREATHLESS IN BETHESDA
DAY TRIP TO BANGOR (SLIGHT RETURN)
This is a post about irrational lust for a pub tick, the sort of obsession that only completists like BRAPA and the Pubmeister will recognise. Perhaps not quite the euphoria of the visit to the Anchor, Anchor. But close. Patrick’s Bar wasn’t even my last tick in North-West Wales. But it’s a town I… Continue reading DAY TRIP TO BANGOR (SLIGHT RETURN)
BASS NECKED AT CAPEL CURIG
(Five points for the obscure song reference). One day into North Wales and already I’m getting my Llangollen mixed up with my Llandudno. That’s a bit like getting Wrexham confused with Wexham Park. Or Capel Curig with Chapel-en-le-Frith. Not many new GBG pubs in the interior of Abercolwyn CAMRA, but the Ty’n-y-Coed is a… Continue reading BASS NECKED AT CAPEL CURIG
