As I come towards the end of this years new Beer Guide entries for “Greater” London, I’m starting to get full value out my Travelcard by crossing the dangerous border into Surrey when I can. On Tuesday that meant the train to the furthest extremity of Zone 6 at Hampton Court, crossing the road to… Continue reading CONTRASTS IN EAST MOLESEY
THE RESTING HARE, EUSTON
Not sure the strong beers in Waterloo Tap were a good way to warm up for the powerboat trip along the Thames, but our stomachs just about survived. Only (!) 35mph along the Thames, but incredibly bumpy and more fun than much of Thorpe Park. The hail and lightning added to the theatre. Tourist sights… Continue reading THE RESTING HARE, EUSTON
WATERLOO TAP
Mrs RM and I are in London for a powerboat trip down the Thames I kindly received as a retirement present. The trip to Cropton brewery later this year feels safer. Later we intend to do justice to Jeff Bell’s new venture in Euston, but for our pre-trip lunch we’re testing the cuisine at it’s… Continue reading WATERLOO TAP
SAM SMITHS IN SELBY
In contrast to St Helens, I can’t claim to have been looking forward to my necessary trip to Selby, despite my recent acclaim for small shipbuilding towns in the east. I doubt Selby sees Goole as competition for the tourist dollar though. Pub Curmudgeon did recently highlight the appeal of the Abbey and at least one… Continue reading SAM SMITHS IN SELBY
LEGENDS AT CASK, MANCHESTER
A fairly perfect Manchester weekender included a gig, a City win over Stokelona, Manc sunshine, some new architectural discoveries and a few new pub ticks in St Helens. That all paled into nothing, compared with a chance to meet a top pub blogger in one of Manchester’s finest pubs. I’d ticked Cask some years back, but on… Continue reading LEGENDS AT CASK, MANCHESTER
TOP 100 PUBS – TURK’S HEAD, ST HELENS
Before the Cricketers Arms came along, some folk might have thought the Turk’s Head was pretty much St Helen’s beer scene. That would be a bit unfair, but it was the only place for a variety of guest beers. I’d been a couple of times, firstly when it was a runner-up for National Pub of the Year… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – TURK’S HEAD, ST HELENS
CAMPAIGNING FOR ST HELENS
There’s a lively debate at the moment about the purpose of CAMRA. Pub Curmudgeon covers it well on his blog e.g. here. Most of the discussion leaves me cold. My own perspective is that local CAMRA branches do a vital job in promoting quality real ale by surveying and promoting pubs, resulting in the Good Beer Guide… Continue reading CAMPAIGNING FOR ST HELENS
KINGSDOWN – A RAW DEAL ?
Due to a lack of family accommodation and quick train travel, I’d managed to avoid Deal until a few years ago when we braved a night in a Walmer campsite. An evening in the Berry, Just Reproach and Ship, and a day exploring Middle Street later, and it was one of our favourite UK towns. The torrential rain put the… Continue reading KINGSDOWN – A RAW DEAL ?
WEST OF FOLKESTONE
Thanet is the one of the UK’s great places to visit pubs, unless you really detest micropubs or the seaside. No doubt I’ll be heading back that way despite having visited all the Beer Guide pubs now. Round the coast, I’ve also enjoyed Folkestone a lot. It’s not quite Hastings, but has a few steep… Continue reading WEST OF FOLKESTONE
TOP 100 PUBS – THE VINE, WEST BROMWICH
There’s a few pubs I always thought would be certs for my Top 100 when I’d revisited them to confirm their continuing brilliance. It was a mild disappointment that the Great Western‘s beer wasn’t quite at the level I’d expected, but I’m confident I’ll be back soon to review that decision. The Vine looked even… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE VINE, WEST BROMWICH
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