Not only does Luton have a one-pump pub in the Beer Guide, it has a pretty wonderful entry in the latest CAMRA book of Pub Heritage too. You have to pass through some challenging street art to get there via the station. On this occasion, the modern reality actually looks better than the paintings. The Painters… Continue reading THE PAINTERS ARMS, LUTON
THE BRIDGE TO ABERGAVENNY
The last leg of the Gwent trip took in Abergavenny, yet another Welsh town that seems to have escaped the Beeching savagery (correct me Mudge/Tom). Gwent/Monmouthshire is always an attractive county for me. 3 hours in the car and then decent train links from bargain motels. If only the Chinese takeaways were better. Obviously the only… Continue reading THE BRIDGE TO ABERGAVENNY
AUTUMN IN CWMBRAN
My newish Rough Guide to Wales is proving it’s usual middle-class self. Lots of nonsense about misericords and 13th Century battlements, nothing about where to see spitting in Ebbw Vale pubs or buy a Chinese takeaway at midnight, which is my definition of Rough. No mention at all of Cwmbran, an authentic Welsh New Town at… Continue reading AUTUMN IN CWMBRAN
THE CARDIFF 6 PUB HALF MARATHON
PARENTAL ADVISORY – CONTAINS BORIS The train from Newport to Cardiff takes 13 minutes, and matches the Potters Bar to Kings Cross journey for culture shock. Unlike Newport, Cardiff never sleeps. This was my first visit since City’s unfathomable capitulation at Ninian Park the City Stadium three years ago. The city centre was so much fun… Continue reading THE CARDIFF 6 PUB HALF MARATHON
NEWPORT REINTRODUCES SUNDAY CLOSING
I will get back to cheery posts very soon, but I’m trying to keep this blog roughly chronological, so sorry Newport. My relationship with the City (really ?) has always been up and down, despite the array of budget hotels that draw me back again and again. In 2010 I took my Dad to watch… Continue reading NEWPORT REINTRODUCES SUNDAY CLOSING
HO HO HO
I’ve been pretty complimentary about Greene King lately, and there is a faint possibility that my choice for best pub will be one of theirs, though the Dove oddly doesn’t serve any of their beers. So it’s time to redress the balance a bit and be Mr Grumpy. The Horse & Groom in Clapham (not… Continue reading HO HO HO
NORWICH – CITY OF BEER ?
Richard Coldwell posed an excellent question on his Ouhouse blog the other week. “Why are only Derby, Norwich and Sheffield vying for the world’s best beer city“, referring to the editorial in the new Beer Guide. The answer may be simply because Mansfield, Stockport and Nuneaton are towns not cities. It might also because there’s more interest in… Continue reading NORWICH – CITY OF BEER ?
JOHN SMITHS IN PETERBOROUGH ESTATE PUBS
Regular contributor Malcolm recently requested I do a penance (for questionable apostrophe usage) of three pints of John Smiths before 10am. I’m sure Malcolm meant JS Smooth, as I’d be quite happy to accept that challenge if the cask was available in any Spoons. Johns cask is still a pint I’d go for given the choice. Unlike Bass,… Continue reading JOHN SMITHS IN PETERBOROUGH ESTATE PUBS
ELGOODS – A HOME WIN
My last Beer Guide pub in Cambridgeshire turned out to be a small joy, just as completing your home county before September is out is a joy. Take note Simey BRAPA Man. 20 years into Beer Guide ticking, you reach a point where there aren’t quite so many return trips into darkest Fenland annually, each… Continue reading ELGOODS – A HOME WIN
SEPTEMBER STOCKTAKE
The month that began with wailing and gnashing of teeth over non-delivery of the new Beer Guide ended with some revelatory trips to Nuneaton, Luton and Stevenage. Decent walking weather in the main, and a couple of glorious days in Halifax and Manchester while it bucketed down in the South. The sun shines on… Continue reading SEPTEMBER STOCKTAKE
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