South-east London into Kent is now a journey via a sea of micropubs; three new ones in five miles along the A2 have entered the GBG this year, to join some impressive company. As always, the real joy of micros is in the exercise of self-control as you realise the published opening times are totally… Continue reading THE CRAYFORD TWINS
Tag: micropubs
ODD FELLOWS, SHIPLEY – HOW TO DO A MICRO-PUB
Last post from wonderful Bradford, ’till Monday at least, when I need to start making up some ground on BRAPA as he closes in on a full set of Yorkie ticks. I could have lumped Shipley in with Bradford, I suppose, but that sort of carelessness has no doubt started wars in CAMRA circles before.… Continue reading ODD FELLOWS, SHIPLEY – HOW TO DO A MICRO-PUB
IS HEBDEN BRIDGE THE NEW GLOSSOP ?
Taking the train from Bradford to Manchester gives you superb views of Iron Man art at Mytholmroyd, and peerless Calderdale views on the way past more pronounceable small towns. Only the Sheffield-Manchester line can match it. The train also gives me the chance to break my journey back at Hebden Bridge. 1.30pm kick-offs at the… Continue reading IS HEBDEN BRIDGE THE NEW GLOSSOP ?
EARLY DOORS IN DAVENTRY
You can’t begin to imagine how excited I was to be given a visit to Daventry by the new Beer Guide. It’s at least 15 years since the Dun Cow and Coach & Horses bounded hand-in-hand into the GBG and stayed there togetherfor ever, at least until they both dropped out a little while back. … Continue reading EARLY DOORS IN DAVENTRY
CADISHEAD CALLING
Enough of pub toilets. For a while. The Good Beer Guide giveth. The Good Beer Guide taketh. This is particularly true of the new GBG pubs in Greater Manchester. So after a rare trip to the hitherto unknown Dukinfield out east last month, an even rarer trip west of the M60 to Cadishead. Why this counts… Continue reading CADISHEAD CALLING
ESCAPING HENLOW HEALTH FARM
Bedfordshire isn’t a hotbed of craft, or cask beer. But it does have at least three classic drinkers pubs. The fact that two of them serve immaculate Draught Bass is totally coincidental. I’ll be revisiting Bedford’s Wellington, and Leighton Buzzard’s Black Lion in the near future. The Buzzard pub crawl may well rival Nuneaton and… Continue reading ESCAPING HENLOW HEALTH FARM
ANOTHER CHESTERFIELD CLASSIC
They may have a different view in Mansfield, of course, but Chesterfield really is one of the great small towns. Quirky, compact, cheap, great walks and (occasional) county cricket. Sadly, despite the sterling efforts of local CAMRA, it will never compete with Sheffield for pub tourists, but pound for pound it’s even better. And of course… Continue reading ANOTHER CHESTERFIELD CLASSIC
MUCH ADO ABOUT MICROS IN SOUTH WARWICKS
I’m getting a bit bored of micropubs. There’s a predictability about layout, clientele, breweries and even the price of a pint (no need to ask, it’s £3). I appreciate that I’m wrong though; micros are revitalising real ale, increasing the number of pubs and allowing tickers to tick lots of overhopped beers. But there you… Continue reading MUCH ADO ABOUT MICROS IN SOUTH WARWICKS
CHORLEY CHATTER
It’s not quite Proud Preston to be fair, but I always enjoy the annual trip to Chorley to tick off a new Guide pub or two. To me it’s an exemplar small market town, with an actual market that lacks the glamour of Bury but at least sells stuff people want. Not sure what Botany… Continue reading CHORLEY CHATTER
MIDDLESBROUGH – THANET WITH PARMOS
From nowhere, Middlesbrough is a major pub destination. It’s not just Mrs RM and I who can attest to this extraordinary transformation; read Simon’s report here first. The town has a challenging reputation nationally, although frankly I’ve never noticed the famous smog or the late night anti-social behaviour. This won’t be a popular view but… Continue reading MIDDLESBROUGH – THANET WITH PARMOS
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