GONNA LIVE, ALUM ROCK

Today’s blog title comes to you (indirectly) courtesy of Dire Straits, a cult band from the early ’80s now ripe for re-evaluation, I feel*. One of the joys of Britainbeermat’s new blog lifeafterfootball839 is the way he delves into corners of east Brum most of us would rather not go. I have a suspicion that 839… Continue reading GONNA LIVE, ALUM ROCK

LONDON’S ANGEL OF COOL, CRAFT BEER

  Cool beer in London. Surely a parody account. My thoughts on London pubs are summed up in my suggested improvements to the GBG. Much too long, should just ask if we want London section scrapped and brewery section made with perforated edges @StymieSi @mackay_duncan https://t.co/XTAMfsrPaX — Martin Taylor (@NHS_Martin) September 16, 2017 That’s a… Continue reading LONDON’S ANGEL OF COOL, CRAFT BEER

COME TO MILTON KEYNES

I need a break from writing about keg Scandi-pubs, so here’s a quick immediate report from the Cask Mecca that is Milton Keynes. I’m always keen to do justice to our underrated towns, as long as they’re not Maidenhead.  MK has the benefit of open spaces, canalside pubs and iconic sculpture, but the central shopping/business districts… Continue reading COME TO MILTON KEYNES

LYMINGTON – ALL KILLER, NO TILLER

I hope you appreciate the effort that goes into these blog titles*, if not the content.  Ten points for the best interpretation.  Wiki is your friend, Dave. Despite a couple of trips into the southern half of the New Forest, mainly for Beaulieu, it remains a bit undiscovered for me. So much so that all… Continue reading LYMINGTON – ALL KILLER, NO TILLER

HAND PULLED IN MUSSELBURGH

Taking a look at the local CAMRA Guide to Edinburgh (3rd edition, 2008) is instructive. Just the two real ale pubs in Musselburgh, the venerable Volunteer’s Arms ( Staggs) and the somewhat lesser known Leavenhall Arms.  Nine years on, the only addition (Rugby Club aside) is the inevitable Spoons, the derided chain that provide the only decent cask… Continue reading HAND PULLED IN MUSSELBURGH

DALKEITH – BUD LIGHT THRU’ A STRAW

More repressed retiredmartin childhood memories today. These posts don’t write themselves, and a week on the road gives you little time to catch up, as Simon is no doubt finding out after his Bucks/Southampton epic crawl. A week on the road with a fellow traveller also gives you rather more material, as well as photos,… Continue reading DALKEITH – BUD LIGHT THRU’ A STRAW

ILKESTON PUBS – ONE STEP BACKWARDS, TWO STEPS FORWARD

And a nice Shipstones mirror for Alan Winfield today, as I get even closer to the Stapleford home of the great man. I’m sure Alan has done virtually all of Ilkeston‘s 30 odd pubs. Quite a few closures of late, including the Brewery Tap, a pleasant but quiet micro. Last year I wrote; “The new… Continue reading ILKESTON PUBS – ONE STEP BACKWARDS, TWO STEPS FORWARD