WARNING: Contains trip to Stockton-on-Tees without a visit here; No banked Bass, but another day to admire the ongoing revitalisation of Darlington’s hitherto scruffy sister. Goodness me, Stockton is scrubbing up well. The big project is the refurb of the Globe Theatre, which once played host to the Beatles in the days before Lennon switched… Continue reading CLOUDWATER COMES TO STOCKTON
Tag: NBSS 4.5
TAPS ON THE TYNE, THEY’RE ALL MINE, ALL MINE
From Masham, via Northallerton, to Darlington, retiredmartin on tour. Unlike BRAPA, no T-Shirts or Official Soundtracks on sale. Even Mrs RM wouldn’t buy a shirt. Darlo is my accommodation choice. A lovely town, great train services, two new GBG pubs. And cobbled streets like these where it’s completely safe to park my car for… Continue reading TAPS ON THE TYNE, THEY’RE ALL MINE, ALL MINE
SOUTH YORKSHIRE – A TOP FINISH
I’m skipping over my 3rd micro pub in a row, not because the beer wasn’t good (the Acorn Porter was spectacular, NBSS 4), or the atmosphere unfriendly (it was great), but because even less happened than in the two in north Barnsley. No sniggering at a failed entrance, no doggie stand-off, no animated discussion about… Continue reading SOUTH YORKSHIRE – A TOP FINISH
“A PINT’S A TASTER” – MICRO LIFE IN THORNE
Another day, another micro pub to subtly change my view on micro pubs. At least in the North*. Simon is best placed to tell us if micros deserve to be thought of as Proper Pubs (PP). The new BRAPA regime sees him spending a whole week living with the sole other customer to get… Continue reading “A PINT’S A TASTER” – MICRO LIFE IN THORNE
AN OFFICIAL BASS SHRINE – THE STAR INN, BATH
It was two weeks ago I sampled the Bass from the jug in the Star, during which time you’ve had 30 new posts (oh !), and I still can’t get the magical taste of flat Bass out of my head. I’m back in Bristol tomorrow and highly tempted to change travel plans (from Newport),… Continue reading AN OFFICIAL BASS SHRINE – THE STAR INN, BATH
CONFESSIONS OF A MIDDLE-AGED DOOM BAR NBSS 4.5 SCORER
The quality of cask beer is under the spotlight again, with Martyn Cornell and Pub Curmudgeon both hitting the nail on the head in recent posts. Beer served too early, kept on the bar for too long, with too many lines to guarantee fresh beer. Particularly this summer. Martyn finishes his article by reminding us… Continue reading CONFESSIONS OF A MIDDLE-AGED DOOM BAR NBSS 4.5 SCORER
“BLESSINGS ON YOUR TAP, YOU SERVE GOOD BASS”
Coming almost up to date with this weekend’s (26-27/1/18) trip to Stockport, surely the Vegas of Cheshire. No football, but Manchester Beer Fest, a crawl round Levenshulme and a Bass challenge on the “To Do” list. Trivelles Mayfair is the unlikely name of my regular hotel for trips into Manchester*, ideally placed for trains… Continue reading “BLESSINGS ON YOUR TAP, YOU SERVE GOOD BASS”
MORE BOLTON – FINDING BUNBURY’S
I left Great Ale at the Vaults last Saturday (20/1/18) greatly cheered by new Bolton. The Market Place shopping centre, helped by flashy cinema, seemed a lot more youthful than Bolton normally does. Stopfordians should visit and see what they could have had. Saying that, central Bolton is still definitely a “work-in-progress“. The indoor market… Continue reading MORE BOLTON – FINDING BUNBURY’S
STAMFORD – ANOTHER NBSS 4.5 !!!!!
Beer festivals aren’t killing pubs, Richard, it’s evil CAMRA members who do visit pubs but don’t put NBSS scores into What Pub (guilty), thereby devaluing the whole Beer Guide selection process and the promotion of quality over quantity. That and beer festivals. I’ve just submitted my score for the Tiny Rebel Beat Box at the King’s Head… Continue reading STAMFORD – ANOTHER NBSS 4.5 !!!!!
A HIGH FIVE FOR HENDON
You may need to be seated for this one. In fact, a stiff drink would help, except that drinking at home is a mortal sin that kills pub. In the immortal words of I, Ludicrous “I had a beer I rated NBSS 5 in North West London” (Response): Now then, now then ! “In an… Continue reading A HIGH FIVE FOR HENDON
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