Disappointment of the week

[Mobyduck]

My disappointment this week was arriving as planned to visit the Craft 100 (http://www.craft100.co.uk/) beer festival at their Clapham outfit (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24513/) today at about 5.30, something I had been looking forward too all week, to be confronted by a 100 metre queue just to get in,decided to abort and go to plan B and make an overdue visit to the Priory Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24553/) which as it turned out was another disappointment, (Review to follow soon).
Anyone else had plans go wrong recently?

[Rex_Rattus]

On the subject of the Craft Beer Co, I was in their Islington outlet (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54009/)last week and of the eight pumps in use six were showcasing Tiny Rebel ales, and another two had on their house ale and a stout. Of the eight pumps not one had on a medium strength brown bitter (not everyone's cup of tea but I like them). Obviously only a minor disappointment compared to mobyduck's dispiriting Clapham experiences, but a bit niggling nonetheless.

[Aqualung]

A big disappointment for me any day of any week is to go to a Spoons to find them selling Doom Bore and /or London Pride, always at inflated prices compared to the standard guests. If either or both are doubled up then it just makes me feel like head-butting the bar counter.

Outside the Spoons bubble it would be visiting a "free" house to find them only selling the above or other boring national dross like St Austell Tribute, Bombardier (plus any other Wells beers), Black Sheep Bitter or anything at all from the Cottage Brewery.

[Quinno]

Outside the Spoons bubble it would be visiting a "free" house to find them only selling the above or other boring national dross like St Austell Tribute, Bombardier (plus any other Wells beers), Black Sheep Bitter or anything at all from the Cottage Brewery.

To be fair, a few years ago finding a Tribute on pump was still a pleasing experience and for a while it was on my fantasy bar line-up as I thought it was a lovely beer. Admittedly it's perhaps now too widespread and suffers as a result (as well as increased competition) but it still hits the spot when good in a way Bombardier never can.

Completely agree about Cottage though. And Archers, back in the day...

[trainman]

My disappointment this week was arriving as planned to visit the Craft 100 (http://www.craft100.co.uk/) beer festival at their Clapham outfit (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24513/) today at about 5.30,
Well that's disappointment vote number two for this festival as it was advertised in (Feb-Mar) London Drinker as 06-09April, so I've missed it too!
Thought it strange not to incorporate a weekend (or rather a Saturday)...

1049

[Mobyduck]

On the subject of the Craft Beer Co, I was in their Islington outlet (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54009/)last week and of the eight pumps in use six were showcasing Tiny Rebel ales, and another two had on their house ale and a stout. Of the eight pumps not one had on a medium strength brown bitter (not everyone's cup of tea but I like them). Obviously only a minor disappointment compared to mobyduck's dispiriting Clapham experiences, but a bit niggling nonetheless.
It is horses for courses but if your on the wrong end of it , it is very disappointing.

[Mobyduck]

Well that's disappointment vote number two for this festival as it was advertised in (Feb-Mar) London Drinker as 06-09April, so I've missed it too!
Thought it strange not to incorporate a weekend (or rather a Saturday)...

1049
I feel your pain.

[Aqualung]

Completely agree about Cottage though. And Archers, back in the day...

Did Archers really go so far downhill? I remember going to the Swindon Gluepot and another of their pubs back in the nineties. Cottage seem to be producing cheap and nasty beers for the pubcos. The whole point of their Norman Conquest beer was that it had an OG of 1066 and I enjoyed it then. Wychwood beers went the same way, Hobgoblin is another beer on my "hate" list!!!

[london calling]

Well that's disappointment vote number two for this festival as it was advertised in (Feb-Mar) London Drinker as 06-09April, so I've missed it too!
Thought it strange not to incorporate a weekend (or rather a Saturday)...

1049
What a misprint(I cannot believe it).It is in the new London drinker with the right date.

[london calling]

My disappointment this week was arriving as planned to visit the Craft 100 (http://www.craft100.co.uk/) beer festival at their Clapham outfit (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24513/) today at about 5.30, something I had been looking forward too all week, to be confronted by a 100 metre queue just to get in,decided to abort and go to plan B and make an overdue visit to the Priory Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24553/) which as it turned out was another disappointment, (Review to follow soon).
Anyone else had plans go wrong recently?
I went Thursday night and it was rammed. They sold 1/3 of the beer of the opening day.Bad luck as you would really have enjoyed it .I mean that -it was brilliant..(smiley face)
cheers john

[london calling]

On the subject of the Craft Beer Co, I was in their Islington outlet (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54009/)last week and of the eight pumps in use six were showcasing Tiny Rebel ales, and another two had on their house ale and a stout. Of the eight pumps not one had on a medium strength brown bitter (not everyone's cup of tea but I like them). Obviously only a minor disappointment compared to mobyduck's dispiriting Clapham experiences, but a bit niggling nonetheless.

Craft beer co fest had Weird Beard -boring brown beer 7.2 (maybe not quite what you were looking for) cheers john

[london calling]

To be fair, a few years ago finding a Tribute on pump was still a pleasing experience and for a while it was on my fantasy bar line-up as I thought it was a lovely beer. Admittedly it's perhaps now too widespread and suffers as a result (as well as increased competition) but it still hits the spot when good in a way Bombardier never can.

Completely agree about Cottage though. And Archers, back in the day...
I started boycotting Cottage beers about 4 years ago and boycotted Archers about 3 years before they closed. Absolute dross. I still rate a pub a bit lower if it has a Cottage beer on as personally think they must know little about beer or care little for the customers.

[Farway]

Just back from long weekend, which included a visit to Canterbury. My disappointment was The Foundry (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/74191/) Lunchtime Sunday, just soulless, may be fine for CAMRA note takers but as a pub it just fails for me. Review & photos will follow in due course

[Brewguru]

I started boycotting Cottage beers about 4 years ago and boycotted Archers about 3 years before they closed. Absolute dross. I still rate a pub a bit lower if it has a Cottage beer on as personally think they must know little about beer or care little for the customers.

Can't stand Cottage myself. Always brewing "new recipes" which seem little different to ones gone previously. Good landlords locally in Somerset generally can't stand them either. They sell at very low prices and deliver nationally themselves as a lot of the local market won't use them.

"puts blunt axe down, finish grinding later"

[PaulOfHorsham]

My disappointment this week was arriving as planned to visit the Craft 100 (http://www.craft100.co.uk/) beer festival at their Clapham outfit (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24513/) today at about 5.30, something I had been looking forward too all week, to be confronted by a 100 metre queue just to get in,decided to abort and go to plan B and make an overdue visit to the Priory Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24553/) which as it turned out was another disappointment, (Review to follow soon).
Anyone else had plans go wrong recently?

I liked the look of the Craft 100, too, but decided it might be a little busy. I didn't count on it being that full, though! A good job that a bit of random internet browsing turned up the Over the Hop Festival (http://www.whitehorsesw6.com/news-events.php?month=4&year=2014) at the White Horse (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23234/), Parsons Green - there's more of the same next month and it was well worth the visit.

[london calling]

Can't stand Cottage myself. Always brewing "new recipes" which seem little different to ones gone previously. Good landlords locally in Somerset generally can't stand them either. They sell at very low prices and deliver nationally themselves as a lot of the local market won't use them.

"puts blunt axe down, finish grinding later"

I am amazed that they get into so many london pubs considering their reputation. Cheapness is the main selling point.

[PaulOfHorsham]

My local beer shop has an inexplicable attachment to their beers. Or, rather, beer - it is all just the one that they muck around with a bit, then put a different steam loco on the clip, isn't it?

[hondo]

My disappointment this week was arriving as planned to visit the Craft 100 (http://www.craft100.co.uk/) beer festival at their Clapham outfit (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24513/) today at about 5.30, something I had been looking forward too all week, to be confronted by a 100 metre queue just to get in,decided to abort and go to plan B and make an overdue visit to the Priory Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24553/) which as it turned out was another disappointment, (Review to follow soon).


http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Venues/Craft-Beer-Co-partners-with-Punch-for-flagship-London-pub

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/General-News/Craft-Beer-Co-s-first-festival-a-huge-success

[london calling]

My disappointment this week was arriving as planned to visit the Craft 100 (http://www.craft100.co.uk/) beer festival at their Clapham outfit (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24513/) today at about 5.30, something I had been looking forward too all week, to be confronted by a 100 metre queue just to get in,decided to abort and go to plan B and make an overdue visit to the Priory Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24553/) which as it turned out was another disappointment, (Review to follow soon).
Anyone else had plans go wrong recently?
Another thing is they charged £3 for a glass and no refunds.Rip off imo.

[Mobyduck]

Another thing is they charged £3 for a glass and no refunds.Rip off imo.
Ouch.

[oldboots]

In one of my local pubs I ordered a Kirkstall Three Swords and the barmaid scuttled off round the corner and came back with a pint. On tasting it I knew it wasn't Kirkstall and a quick look at the pumps showed Rudgate Jorvik Blonde on the pump next to the 3 Swords and that's what I'd got....in a Rudgate glass .....and I got charged for Kirkstall at three bob more.

[gillhalfpint]

If a barmaid scuttles round the corner for a beer I like to scuttle round too to see what I am getting. Especially in a Wetherspoon's bar as I was told once "Sorry but it's alright, it's the same colour isn't it!!" Got it changed to what I wanted.

[Mobyduck]

My disappointment this week so far was waking up this morning only to realise it was no longer the weekend . :mad:

[Farway]

My disappointment this week so far was waking up this morning only to realise it was no longer the weekend . :mad:

Ahh, but when you wake up Friday it will be the long Easter weekend ahoy

[Mobyduck]

Ahh, but when you wake up Friday it will be the long Easter weekend ahoy
Unfortunately working Friday, Saturday and Sunday, :moremad: may get Monday off.:pray:

[Farway]

Unfortunately working Friday, Saturday and Sunday, :moremad: may get Monday off.:pray:

It's a cross some have to bear :D

Spot what I did there?

[Wittenden]

Not getting to the pub this week.

[aleandhearty]

Not getting to the pub this week.

I sympathise, I really do! That hollow, slightly lost feeling is dreadful. Hopefully, you raided your stash of Clutterbucks Old Horizontal, under the stairs, or had a few glasses of Chateau Wittenden, to make up for it. :D

[Wittenden]

I sympathise, I really do! That hollow, slightly lost feeling is dreadful. Hopefully, you raided your stash of Clutterbucks Old Horizontal, under the stairs, or had a few glasses of Chateau Wittenden, to make up for it. :D
Yes, plenty of red, chez f in law!

[Mobyduck]

My disappointment this week is The Fox (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25060/) . After almost making my pub of the month in February a return visit was demanded, upon entering at about 2 0 clock Saturday with my three drinking companions I orderd a pint of Kent Cascade which the barman struggled to pull efficiently and no surprise as the barrel went as he was half way through pulling the second pint, I tasted mine and it was decent enough so stuck with it. Companion 1 chose something else which was poured and placed on the bar with a near 2 inch head, a top up was requested and to our collective amazement the young barman proceeded to top up the deficient pint from the half glass of the recently expired Cascade, a totally different beer ,a new pint was demanded and was poured and at that point ,that barrel went. In the meantime companion 2 had obtained for himself a pint of mild which he said was quite nice so companion 1 said I'll have that then, you guessed it the barrel went ,so three down two left to choose from ,both by Tiny Rebel so they should be decent, so companions 1 and three still without a beer just chose from one of the two beers left which were poured successfully we went to sit at table at which point it was discoverd both the latter beers were sour and undrinkable they were left undrunk and we all left with two who had not been there vowing to never return and leaving myself and Steve who had an enjoyable visit a couple of months ago wondering what the hell had happened to this pub.During our short stay we learnt it was only the young barmans second day in the job and he obviously hadn't been trained in any proper way, there was a young female also behind the bar but she seemed equally clueless. There also did not seem much urgency to replace the missing beers, I too will have to think hard about making another visit here in the near future.

[Bucking Fastard]

Good grief Moby ,I can feel your pain.I had that pub on my "to do" list having missed out on it during london calling's crawl around the area.Might well have to reconsider.Thanks for the heads up.

[Mobyduck]

Good grief Moby ,I can feel your pain.I had that pub on my "to do" list having missed out on it during london calling's crawl around the area.Might well have to reconsider.Thanks for the heads up.
I wonder if there has been a disastrous change of management, it was excellent on my first visit on the crawl.

[Aqualung]

My disappointment was the Sussex (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/27848/) in Twickenham, not because there was anything wrong with the pub but my first pint was hazy and the second cloudy. I drank them as they tasted OK but a GBG listed pub should be better than this as it was in the other two listed pubs visited.

[trainman]

My disappointment was the Sussex (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/27848/) in Twickenham, not because there was anything wrong with the pub but my first pint was hazy and the second cloudy. I drank them as they tasted OK but a GBG listed pub should be better than this as it was in the other two listed pubs visited.
My pal had to reject two pints last month at the Sussex, one cloudy, one pure mud.
My disappointment of the week is that Otis could ever be described as 'crap'!

[london calling]

My disappointment this week is The Fox (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25060/) . After almost making my pub of the month in February a return visit was demanded, upon entering at about 2 0 clock Saturday with my three drinking companions I orderd a pint of Kent Cascade which the barman struggled to pull efficiently and no surprise as the barrel went as he was half way through pulling the second pint, I tasted mine and it was decent enough so stuck with it. Companion 1 chose something else which was poured and placed on the bar with a near 2 inch head, a top up was requested and to our collective amazement the young barman proceeded to top up the deficient pint from the half glass of the recently expired Cascade, a totally different beer ,a new pint was demanded and was poured and at that point ,that barrel went. In the meantime companion 2 had obtained for himself a pint of mild which he said was quite nice so companion 1 said I'll have that then, you guessed it the barrel went ,so three down two left to choose from ,both by Tiny Rebel so they should be decent, so companions 1 and three still without a beer just chose from one of the two beers left which were poured successfully we went to sit at table at which point it was discoverd both the latter beers were sour and undrinkable they were left undrunk and we all left with two who had not been there vowing to never return and leaving myself and Steve who had an enjoyable visit a couple of months ago wondering what the hell had happened to this pub.During our short stay we learnt it was only the young barmans second day in the job and he obviously hadn't been trained in any proper way, there was a young female also behind the bar but she seemed equally clueless. There also did not seem much urgency to replace the missing beers, I too will have to think hard about making another visit here in the near future.
I was in there a week last Friday and had a pint of Hopcraft -reign of terriore and it was spot on.Luck of the draw maybe.You should have tried the self service bottle beer machine that they have installed.The first in the county apparently and could not be any worse than that barman.

[aleandhearty]

My disappointment was the Sussex (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/27848/) in Twickenham, not because there was anything wrong with the pub but my first pint was hazy and the second cloudy. I drank them as they tasted OK but a GBG listed pub should be better than this as it was in the other two listed pubs visited.


My pal had to reject two pints last month at the Sussex, one cloudy, one pure mud.

Last time I was in the Sussex Arms, I thought the beer quality was excellent. Admittedly, that was a while ago. From what I can recall there was a much publicised change of management in the summer of 2013, with reviews being rather mixed ever since.

[Mobyduck]

I was in there a week last Friday and had a pint of Hopcraft -reign of terriore and it was spot on.Luck of the draw maybe.You should have tried the self service bottle beer machine that they have installed.The first in the county apparently and could not be any worse than that barman.
I hope your right about the luck of the draw as I really liked this pub first time round, but given the turn of events that day, you really couldn't make it up. I will try again as it was excellent in Feb. Didn't even notice the bottle machine, to many distractions at the bar.

[london calling]

Last time I was in the Sussex Arms, I thought the beer quality was excellent. Admittedly, that was a while ago. From what I can recall there was a much publicised change of management in the summer of 2013, with reviews being rather mixed ever since.

Since it opened too many beers not enough customers although it gets busy.They use the scattergun approach to picking beers .They want new beers from new brewers but if a beer is in good condition but its a minger they still have to sell 70 pints of it. There was recent critisim of on here of a micro pub .Was it Just Beer who use the same approach and as a ticker I know this way of selecting your beer will get you more duds than good ones.

[london calling]

My disappointment was visiting the George and Dragon Acton home to the new Dragonfly brewery.They have ruined a really good pub and the beers as I suspected (knowing the brewer) were rubbish.

[Aqualung]

My disappointment of the week is Brakspear beers.
Back in the 70s Brakspear were a revered brewer along with Young's. Today I bumped into Brakspear bitter at the Station House in Chingford and although well kept it was pathetic. I just felt lucky that it was only £1.99 a pint but the Banks's Mild which I tried before and was only £1.70 was as good a pint of it as I can remember drinking.
Shortly afterwards I came across Oxford Gold in the King's Ford Spoons and again it was completely bland, maybe there should be a thread for boring pale beers. I was even more annoyed to later find that the Oxford Gold was an "uninvited guest". The GBG description of these two bears no resemblance to what I drank today.
Of course, Brakspear is really Wychwood now and I can't think of a single beer worth drinking from that brewery. Their Status Quo branded Piledriver was as boring as having to listen to a Quo record.

[Mobyduck]

Its a disappointment of a couple of weeks ago really,
My local failing to secure any of Darkstars Greenhopped IPA this year, :( , probably better for my health though.

[Farway]

Tried Fuller's Honeydew, on offer at £2 pint, nah, don't think so, will stick to HSB or Strongbow, also £2 pint, depending on mood

[Blackthorn]

Tried Fuller's Honeydew, on offer at £2 pint, nah, don't think so, will stick to HSB or Strongbow, also £2 pint, depending on mood

Strongbow? It must be bad.

[ETA]

Tried Fuller's Honeydew, on offer at £2 pint, nah, don't think so, will stick to HSB or Strongbow, also £2 pint, depending on mood

Interesting that Fuller's faux-HSB now ranks alongside Strongbow. The real, traditional Gales HSB, which Farway will undoubtedly remember, was a very different beer and would have been vastly superior. In fact, bearing in mind that the 'H' stood for Horndean (as in the Brewery), how can it carry the title now it's brewed elsewhere?

Harumpph.

[Farway]

Strongbow? It must be bad.

Hobson's choice really

[Farway]

Interesting that Fuller's faux-HSB now ranks alongside Strongbow. The real, traditional Gales HSB, which Farway will undoubtedly remember, was a very different beer and would have been vastly superior. In fact, bearing in mind that the 'H' stood for Horndean (as in the Brewery), how can it carry the title now it's brewed elsewhere?

Harumpph.

Not sure how it retains the H but possibly due to using initials and not full name?

I have a vague memory of whoever now owns Newcastle brewery wanted to move brewing else where, but found legal problems in still be able to call it Newcastle Brown Ale, so remained in Newcastle

[NickDavies]

Not sure how it retains the H but possibly due to using initials and not full name?

I have a vague memory of whoever now owns Newcastle brewery wanted to move brewing else where, but found legal problems in still be able to call it Newcastle Brown Ale, so remained in Newcastle

Not sure, you can get a substance called King and Barnes Sussex Ale in former K&B pubs but it's been made in Blandford for years now. I do wonder why they bother though, it wasn't much cop when K&B brewed it, since H&W got hold of it, it tastes like, well, something that came out of a badger.

[oldboots]

Not sure how it retains the H but possibly due to using initials and not full name?

I have a vague memory of whoever now owns Newcastle brewery wanted to move brewing else where, but found legal problems in still be able to call it Newcastle Brown Ale, so remained in Newcastle

Scottish & Newcastle, who owned Broon Ale at the time secured to fanfares and a great hooha, one of those location orders similar to Champagne and I believe Stilton and Melton Mowbray pork pies, Cheddar cheese was refused as it's made everywhere. When they shut the Newcastle brewery I think they just about got away with it by brewing at the Federation Brewery in Gateshead and conning the European Commission that's it the same place, then they or Heinekin (the present owner) shut the Fed' and moved production to Tadcaster and had to get the order revoked.

Gales never did that with HSB so the name stands, although I still think HSB went downhill in 1979 when they switched to pelleted hops.

[london calling]

London Pride is pretty questionable as well.

[NickDavies]

London Pride is pretty questionable as well.

It's made in London, I don't think you can question that

[london calling]

It's made in London, I don't think you can question that
But just how proud are we of it?

[Aqualung]

Fullers were using pelleted hops many years ago. I have no idea if the argument that uncompressed hops are better is true or not.
When I went to the old Gales brewery tap in Horndean some twenty odd years ago the HSB they were serving was rank.
My opinion of it today compared to the opposition is thet it is way too sweet.

The best two fingered salute I recall to S&N was when one of the SW England micros brewed a beer called Newquay Brown.

[london calling]

Disappointment of the week was going out of my way to visit the Albion at Goldsmith Row to find only mundane beers on and then a 15 minute walk to find the Birdcage Columbia rd doesn't open until next week.Must do better research In future

[Aqualung]

My disappointment this week was finding that nothing had really annoyed me that much. Normally I look forward to something irritating me into a cataclysmic rage where I will quite happily gouge my own eyes out. This week nothing. Quite frankly it makes my blood boil!

[sheffield hatter]

See my review of the Bridge Hotel (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/5506/) in Durham. I don't mind too much if a beer is not to my taste, and I don't normally give bad reviews because a beer is a bit off, but when a beer that I know can be pretty good, from a brewery that's normally reliable, turns out to be dross - well, it's pretty disappointing, is all I can say.

[oldboots]

See my review of the Bridge Hotel (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/5506/) in Durham. I don't mind too much if a beer is not to my taste, and I don't normally give bad reviews because a beer is a bit off, but when a beer that I know can be pretty good, from a brewery that's normally reliable, turns out to be dross - well, it's pretty disappointing, is all I can say.

The pub is not in the 2014 or 2015 GBG, which means CAMRA would have marked it down in at the latest Jan/Feb 2013.

[sheffield hatter]

The pub is not in the 2014 or 2015 GBG, which means CAMRA would have marked it down in at the latest Jan/Feb 2013.

Thanks. I've amended my review slightly to reflect this.

[Al 10000]

I had a great night out on Saturday at Nottingham Greyhound races,i almost broke even and had a nice dinner and good company with a large crowd of workmates.

But the beer was Worthington Cream Crap,i still managed about 9 pints of the stuff though :o

[rpadam]

Fuller's new 3.8% Oliver's Island golden ale - dull.

[Farway]

Fuller's new 3.8% Oliver's Island golden ale - dull.

I will expect it to appear in my local Fuller's pubs any week now :(

[Rex_Rattus]

Fuller's new 3.8% Oliver's Island golden ale - dull.
Not seen this one yet, but hope I might do so when I visit Fuller's new Brentford pub "One Over The Ait" on Friday. Presumably named after "Oliver's Eyot", an island in the river between Kew and Strand on the Green?

[london calling]

Fuller's new 3.8% Oliver's Island golden ale - dull.

Had it on Saturday at the Admiralty a new Fullers pub in central London.- superb

[rpadam]

Had it on Saturday at the Admiralty a new Fullers pub in central London.- superb
Had my pint at the same place - nice pub, shame about the beer...

[Mobyduck]

Had it on Saturday at the Admiralty a new Fullers pub in central London.- superb

The beer or pub?

[london calling]

The beer or pub?

The beer.Thought it was one of Fullers better beers but accept others may think different.

[Mobyduck]

The beer.Thought it was one of Fullers better beers but accept others may think different.
Not tried this one yet ,but thought their Wild River when it came out was very good.

[Aqualung]

I tried a pint of this over a year ago and I assumed that they had put on Broadside by mistake. I tried it again this week and once more it tasted like Broadside so I can only assume that it is now made by watering down the Broadside mash before fermenting. This certainly wasn't the case around thirty years ago.

[Wittenden]

I tried a pint of this over a year ago and I assumed that they had put on Broadside by mistake. I tried it again this week and once more it tasted like Broadside so I can only assume that it is now made by watering down the Broadside mash before fermenting. This certainly wasn't the case around thirty years ago.
Think I'd agree with you, though I haven't tried it this Autumn yet.On a positive note, Harveys Sussex XXX Old Ale seems as good as ever,albeit with keen competition from their upstart neighbours at Long Man.

[Aqualung]

Think I'd agree with you, though I haven't tried it this Autumn yet.On a positive note, Harveys Sussex XXX Old Ale seems as good as ever,albeit with keen competition from their upstart neighbours at Long Man.

I wouldn't dispute that at all. The Old Man from the Long Man brewery has an astonishing OG of 1048 for a 4.3% ABV beer.

The trouble is that Broadside is the only Adnam's beer that I don't really like, so now there are two!

[Farway]

Nothing wrong with beer, popped into The Bird In Hand (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/14086/)

But the Christmas Havant brewery special had run out, will attempt later in the week

New brew on today for winter. No name as yet, but is a dark brown 4.3 ish with a sous on of whisky & ginger. Thinking "welcome back Mac" ?

[oldboots]

Nothing wrong with beer, popped into The Bird In Hand (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/14086/)

But the Christmas Havant brewery special had run out, will attempt later in the week

New brew on today for winter. No name as yet, but is a dark brown 4.3 ish with a sous on of whisky & ginger. Thinking "welcome back Mac" ?


For the benefit of younger readers: a popular drink of the 1970s was the Whisky-Mac a concoction of whisky (usually the cheapest on the optics) and Stones Ginger Wine. A true pensioners delight of those days, Gold Label was another favoured drink of the "Grey Panthers".

[bcfczuluarmy]

On a lager note I had a 500 ml Belmont in Soulac sur mer France yesterday and it tasted like a snapped printed circuit board from a 1980's Binatone games console you played those tennis and squash games on the TV.

The disappointment being I bet the leffe would've tasted nicer.

[sheffield hatter]

New brew on today for winter. No name as yet, but is a dark brown 4.3 ish with a sous on of whisky & ginger. Thinking "welcome back Mac" ?


Soupçon?

[Aqualung]

For the benefit of younger readers: a popular drink of the 1970s was the Whisky-Mac a concoction of whisky (usually the cheapest on the optics) and Stones Ginger Wine.

How dare you denigrate the Whisky Mac! Most Scotch other than those from Wales or Ireland is blended rubbish and adding Ginger Wine (Crabbies rather than Stones) makes it drinkable. Next time I brew a batch of Ginger Wine I will add an extra litre of the cheapest supermarket Scotch I can find as a result of your slur!!

I used to pass the Stones place on the way to work and was intrigued one day to see that there was an industrilal alcohol tanker making a delivery there.

[gillhalfpint]

Thanks for the memories. In my drinking history, I had a time on whisky mac, and preferred Crabbies to Stones too. Remember Gold Label chasers along with a bitter as well.

[Farway]

Soupçon?

Off course, but I just copied and pasted

[Farway]

Thanks for the memories. In my drinking history, I had a time on whisky mac, and preferred Crabbies to Stones too. Remember Gold Label chasers along with a bitter as well.

The memories keep coming back

It has to be Stones, but the Crabbies alcoholic ginger beer is fine

Now who is on for home made egg nog?

I cannot recall the recipe / method, but my mother in law loved it

[MikeyBW]

I was going to sample the home brew Christmas ale today :cheers: but things came up...

[hondo]

For the benefit of younger readers: a popular drink of the 1970s was the Whisky-Mac a concoction of whisky (usually the cheapest on the optics) and Stones Ginger Wine. A true pensioners delight of those days, Gold Label was another favoured drink of the "Grey Panthers".

many years ago when struggling with man flu an old codger in the pub said have a few glasses of rum n green that's O.V.D. (Old. Vatted. Demerara. Rum) and Crabbie’s Green Ginger Wine certainly took my mind off the man flu

[trainman]

I just discovered that the transport direct website has been terminated.
I found it a very useful tool, especially for planning bus transport out in the boonies, and am disappointed that it has closed. Suggestion seems to be that other sites offer similar travel solutions. Hmm, let's see how traveline bears comparison...

[Bucking Fastard]

I just discovered that the transport direct website has been terminated.
I found it a very useful tool, especially for planning bus transport out in the boonies, and am disappointed that it has closed. Suggestion seems to be that other sites offer similar travel solutions. Hmm, let's see how traveline bears comparison...

I have been using Traveline on my obscure journies to get back to the car from whereever I have taken the boat and have found it much better recently.One word of warning,back in August it was unable to distinguish August Bank Holiday from any normal Monday:moremad:

[Aqualung]

I have been using Traveline on my obscure journies to get back to the car from whereever I have taken the boat and have found it much better recently.One word of warning,back in August it was unable to distinguish August Bank Holiday from any normal Monday:moremad:

I use Traveline and it is handy but like the TFL Journey planner it doesn't always give the best routes. When I went to Lower Gornal I got a 27A bus from Wolverhampton Bus Station which went all over the place and before I got there I found myself going through Sedgley past the Spoons. It would have been quicker to get the number 1 bus (every 10 minutes) from outside the Moon Under Water in Wolverhampton to Sedgley or Upper Gornal and then wait for another bus or just walk. It doesn't help that Google Maps don't have a scale.

[Mobyduck]

Celt Experience - Coco Orange Paganism 7.1%, I was expecting some strong flavours from this Porter by a Brewery whose beers I have enjoyed in the past,all I got was a wishy washy alcohol taste. Poor.

[ROBCamra]

Northern Monk Refectory (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/82506/)

No real ales on despite them claiming on their website that they always have cask on. Just overpriced fizzy, cold craft keg.

After we'd walked out here in the freezing cold as well. :moremad::muppet::muppet::muppet:

[Bucking Fastard]

Northern Monk Refectory (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/82506/)

No real ales on despite them claiming on their website that they always have cask on. Just overpriced fizzy, cold craft keg.

After we'd walked out here in the freezing cold as well. :moremad::muppet::muppet::muppet:

That's a shocker,it was on my "must visit" list on the back of a few exceptional ales when last up north.Now not so sure......

[oldboots]

Northern Monk Refectory (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/82506/)

No real ales on despite them claiming on their website that they always have cask on. Just overpriced fizzy, cold craft keg.

After we'd walked out here in the freezing cold as well. :moremad::muppet::muppet::muppet:


That's a shocker,it was on my "must visit" list on the back of a few exceptional ales when last up north.Now not so sure......


I understand the prices are a bit exclusive as well, at least it's near some good pubs :whistle:

[aleandhearty]

Northern Monk Refectory (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/82506/)

No real ales on despite them claiming on their website that they always have cask on. Just overpriced fizzy, cold craft keg.

After we'd walked out here in the freezing cold as well. :moremad::muppet::muppet::muppet:


That's a shocker,it was on my "must visit" list on the back of a few exceptional ales when last up north.Now not so sure......


I understand the prices are a bit exclusive as well, at least it's near some good pubs :whistle:

ROB, I think your splenetic review might have been a little unfair, as they had Northern Monk True North and Kirkstall Three Swords on cask today, both in decent nick. Probably still worth a punt BF. Forgot to make a note of the prices though, as by the time the barman had finished sorting out nine 1/3 measures for the party of three in front of me, I'd zoned out!

[ROBCamra]

ROB, I think your splenetic review might have been a little unfair

Say what you see as they say on Catchphrase.

No ale and the barman :muppet:didn't know what they would have ready by the following day, if anything
AND it was blowing a gale and f**king freezing and we'd walked out there especially.

I think I let them off quite lightly. :moremad::moremad:

[gillhalfpint]

I know where you are coming from on that one. I walked in the rain to a Good Beer Guide pub in Wolverhampton, and on asking where the real ale was, I was told they only put it on when there is a home football match on!! You have to say what you find - your review. I told the local CAMRA branch. Since then it has been out of the guide and back in again, but I haven't been back there.

[Thuck Phat]

Say what you see as they say on Catchphrase.

I couldn't agree more.

Aside, sotto voce: Some of their craft is really rather good.:eek:

[Thuck Phat]

Titanic are changing White Star.

http://www.titanicbrewery.co.uk/pages/news.html?article=107

[Bucking Fastard]

Titanic are changing White Star.

http://www.titanicbrewery.co.uk/pages/news.html?article=107

That's a great shame for such an excellent brewer,they really should change the name. :moremad:I do hope the reference that the new recipe will "fool all but the crustiest of sea dogs" isn't a personal dig ;)

[aleandhearty]

Titanic are changing White Star.

http://www.titanicbrewery.co.uk/pages/news.html?article=107

As long as they don't mess about with the Plum Porter.

[sheffield hatter]

http://www.titanicbrewery.co.uk/pages/news.html?article=107

I'm puzzled by the change to Steerage, which the press release says is prompted by the advent of "extra sumptuous hops" that have led to the "market for this style of beer diminish[ing]", so they now want "to pack even more flavour" into the beer. To achieve this end, they are sticking with "the same recipe" but adding "slightly more pale malt". Yeah, right, a little extra malt should bring those lovers of "extra sumptuous hops " back to Titanic Steerage, no problem.

[Aqualung]

I can't help thinking that some of these older micros like Titanic, Butcombe and most definitely Cottage are selling out. I don't hold Titanic with the same regard that others seem to and if I'm honest the same goes for Oakham. I'm not saying that Oakham or Titanic are rubbish like Cottage, but when I get to try their beers they are good but rarely outstanding.
Nearly twenty years ago I went to Stafford to try a Titanic tied house right by the station. It was a hot day and the beers were coming up luke warm and completely disappointing.
Given that East Midland cheap discounted singles have risen by nearly three quid this year maybe I should visit Stoke, a place I've never been to and know more about the pots from watching saddo daytime TV antique shows than the pubs!

[trainman]

Earlier this evening I requested a travelcard (with network card discount) for tmw.
A couple of weeks ago £5.90, now £7.90 (or undiscounted up from ~£8.50 to £12.00)!!!!!!
Either way, that's upwards of a 33% price increase!! WTF????????????????

How the heck was that not highlighted and lambasted on London News??

[gillhalfpint]

As long as they don't mess about with the Plum Porter.

Did a brewery tour of Titanic and got 3 free pints - Titanic Plum Porter a favourite of mine too, and went down well.

[Aqualung]

Earlier this evening I requested a travelcard (with network card discount) for tmw.
A couple of weeks ago £5.90, now £7.90 (or undiscounted up from ~£8.50 to £12.00)!!!!!!
Either way, that's upwards of a 33% price increase!! WTF????????????????

How the heck was that not highlighted and lambasted on London News??

Agreed that is outrageous. The East Midlands Trains increases are possibly steeper, last year's discounted advance single tickets to Derby, Loughborough abd Sheffield were £5.95. This year they are £9.25 which means I probably won't bother with the area at all. Cheap Virgin, Southern, Chiltern and East Coast advance tickets are unchanged. The Southern go anywhere ticket is now £17.90 (no discounts available) so I won't be using it again after next month, it was just £12.00 in 2013.
SW and SE trains seem to be the worst companies from London as they don't seem to do any cheap advance tickets on a regular basis at all. Farce Great Western cheap advance tickets are not really all that cheap.

[london calling]

No plums are used in the making of Titanic -plum porter.Not a lot of people know that.

[london calling]

I can't help thinking that some of these older micros like Titanic, Butcombe and most definitely Cottage are selling out. I don't hold Titanic with the same regard that others seem to and if I'm honest the same goes for Oakham. I'm not saying that Oakham or Titanic are rubbish like Cottage, but when I get to try their beers they are good but rarely outstanding.
Nearly twenty years ago I went to Stafford to try a Titanic tied house right by the station. It was a hot day and the beers were coming up luke warm and completely disappointing.
Given that East Midland cheap discounted singles have risen by nearly three quid this year maybe I should visit Stoke, a place I've never been to and know more about the pots from watching saddo daytime TV antique shows than the pubs!

I am glad you are not saying Titanic or Oakham are rubbish.

[Mobyduck]

I can't help thinking that some of these older micros like Titanic, Butcombe and most definitely Cottage are selling out. I don't hold Titanic with the same regard that others seem to and if I'm honest the same goes for Oakham. I'm not saying that Oakham or Titanic are rubbish like Cottage, but when I get to try their beers they are good but rarely outstanding.
Nearly twenty years ago I went to Stafford to try a Titanic tied house right by the station. It was a hot day and the beers were coming up luke warm and completely disappointing.
Given that East Midland cheap discounted singles have risen by nearly three quid this year maybe I should visit Stoke, a place I've never been to and know more about the pots from watching saddo daytime TV antique shows than the pubs!

Oakham can do no wrong for me and Titanics Chocolate and Vanilla Stout is outstanding, IMO.

[Aqualung]

I am glad you are not saying Titanic or Oakham are rubbish.
I'm certainly not but I would apply that tag to Cottage. What I'm really getting at is do these two brewers deserve the adulation they seem to get compared to some of the new kids on the block? Notice I haven't mentioned Dark Star until this point as for me they are ahead of Titanic and Oakham. I'm a big fan of Holden's and Batham's but it's as much to do with their tied houses as the actual beer.
If I was locked in a room with a full range of Oakham, Titanic and Blue Monkey beers but with the choice limited to just one of the breweries I would go for the Blue Monkey.

[Bucking Fastard]

If I was locked in a room with a full range of Oakham, Titanic and Blue Monkey beers but with the choice limited to just one of the breweries I would go for the Blue Monkey.

I think we all agree that opinions about beer are totally individualistic,but given that you spend a lot of time in Wetherspoons ,I was wondering if this has coloured your view of Titanic and Oakham given the very variable condition that ale can be served in 'spoons.Do you rate Blue Monkey so highly because you sampled it in one of their tied houses ? You might find a trip to a Titanic pub in Stoke on Trent would give a better experience of their beers.

[Aqualung]

I think we all agree that opinions about beer are totally individualistic,but given that you spend a lot of time in Wetherspoons ,I was wondering if this has coloured your view of Titanic and Oakham given the very variable condition that ale can be served in 'spoons.Do you rate Blue Monkey so highly because you sampled it in one of their tied houses ? You might find a trip to a Titanic pub in Stoke on Trent would give a better experience of their beers.

Yes, although I only used Blue Monkey as one of several possibilities, I was thinking of what I tried in the Loughborough Organ Grinder. The two Blue Monkey beers I tried in London pubs (not Spoons) were not that great even though both are GBG listed!
I don't believe it is entirely a Spoons quality issue as I've tried Oakham and Titanic beers in all sorts of condition over the years. On a good day they are superb but as in the George a few weeks ago the Bishop's Farewell was not that great.
I agree with you, it's high time I went for some beers in Stoke for the first time ever and a Titanic pub or two plus the Spoons will be at the top of my agenda. I've also got the Oakham brewery tap in my sights.
My point really is that quite a few of the new outfits are producing beers as good or better than the pioneers from twenty years ago.

[Thuck Phat]

The reason for posting the news of the change to White Star in Disappointment of the Week is that well kept, as it invariably is in Titanic's own houses, White Star is as good a beer as I've tried. Well worth trying in either the White Star (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/64903/), Stoke, the Bull's Head (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/32320/) in Burslem or the Royal Exchange (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/34611/) in Stone.


Notice I haven't mentioned Dark Star until this point as for me they are ahead of Titanic and Oakham.

Dark Star - Conference South. Titanic, Oakham - Top 5 Premiership. :evilgrin:

[london calling]

The reason for posting the news of the change to White Star in Disappointment of the Week is that well kept, as it invariably is in Titanic's own houses, White Star is as good a beer as I've tried. Well worth trying in either the White Star (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/64903/), Stoke, the Bull's Head (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/32320/) in Burslem or the Royal Exchange (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/34611/) in Stone.



Dark Star - Conference South. Titanic, Oakham - Top 5 Premiership. :evilgrin:

Dark Star + Oakham = champions league.Titanic -Europa league.

[trainman]

DOTW yesterday was a visit to Putney Bricklayers, only to find every one of the 9(?) pumps offering beer from Cottleigh Brewery. Shoddy cellar planning.
Could have been a double-joker, but left after one.

[Bucking Fastard]

DOTW yesterday was a visit to Putney Bricklayers, only to find every one of the 9(?) pumps offering beer from Cottleigh Brewery. Shoddy cellar planning.
Could have been a double-joker, but left after one.

Same thing (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24569/) happened on my trip at the end of last season.:sick:

[Mobyduck]

DOTW yesterday was a visit to Putney Bricklayers, only to find every one of the 9(?) pumps offering beer from Cottleigh Brewery. Shoddy cellar planning.
Could have been a double-joker, but left after one.
Unfortunately this pub (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24569/)appears to be on a downward spiral if my last two visits are anything to go by, a great shame.

[sheffield hatter]

Bucking Fastard left this review about The Bricklayers Arms
It's a small pub but the outside is adorned with signs showing off the various CAMRA awards that have been collected over the years,so my expectations were high on a visit before a Fulham v Palace match over the river.Few Fulham fans inside,but the modest interior was rammed with Palace fans,no doubt attracted by the 2014 GBG entry.The interior is unchanged from previous reviews and the beer garden is quite large and can accomodate a lot of overflow if the weather is good.The owners had decided to show case Cotleigh ales with Tawny Owl,25,Commando Hoofing,Barn Owl.Honey Buzzard,Old Buzzard and Long Eared Owl as the only real ale options.I found this policy somewhat strange,I have never rated Cotleigh beers and on sampling three of the choices my drinking companions and I came to the same decision that their beers are predominately malty,with little difference apart from strength.The very definition of booring brown beer.Maybe the owners are Fulham fans none too keen on away supporters,but their ale policy on my trip had the desired affect,we pushed off in search of better options.
It is quite possible we were unlucky,but I would be wary of a return if the team here feel that Cotleigh is a decent brewer.Now if they had been showcasing Marble..................................
On 12th May 2014 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1077 recommendations about 1077 pubs]

I'm not a big fan of Cottleigh, but if all the beers were from Marble I think it would be my turn to complain!

[Bucking Fastard]

Bucking Fastard left this review about The Bricklayers Arms
It's a small pub but the outside is adorned with signs showing off the various CAMRA awards that have been collected over the years,so my expectations were high on a visit before a Fulham v Palace match over the river.Few Fulham fans inside,but the modest interior was rammed with Palace fans,no doubt attracted by the 2014 GBG entry.The interior is unchanged from previous reviews and the beer garden is quite large and can accomodate a lot of overflow if the weather is good.The owners had decided to show case Cotleigh ales with Tawny Owl,25,Commando Hoofing,Barn Owl.Honey Buzzard,Old Buzzard and Long Eared Owl as the only real ale options.I found this policy somewhat strange,I have never rated Cotleigh beers and on sampling three of the choices my drinking companions and I came to the same decision that their beers are predominately malty,with little difference apart from strength.The very definition of booring brown beer.Maybe the owners are Fulham fans none too keen on away supporters,but their ale policy on my trip had the desired affect,we pushed off in search of better options.
It is quite possible we were unlucky,but I would be wary of a return if the team here feel that Cotleigh is a decent brewer.Now if they had been showcasing Marble..................................
On 12th May 2014 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1077 recommendations about 1077 pubs]

I'm not a big fan of Cottleigh, but if all the beers were from Marble I think it would be my turn to complain!

That's what make ale drinking so interesting,one man's meat is another man's poison;)

[Mobyduck]

Not being able to make a full session at the Antelope's (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/53206/) Ale And Cider Festival this weekend due to having to work. :moremad:
I did however manage two separate one hour forays and the beer list (http://www.theantelope.co.uk/news/) was excellent, a top pub as well.

[london calling]

Went to a local beer fest Friday in the Grosvenor w7
supposedly 30 beers on-7 on handpump were the same beers from during the week and 8 on stillage- disappointment 1
beers were £4.25-£4.50 a pint -disappointment 2
stillage was outside and the access was by going through the crowded dining room and weaving between the pissed off diners. disappointment 3
couple of keg beers I fancied trying one was £4.50 a half and the other £6.25 a half no chance -disappointment 4
the 3 beers I did try were very good but went elsewhere when I could have spent the night there

[oldboots]

due to having to work. :moremad:


Missed a trip to The Junction (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40287/) for the same damn reason.

[Aqualung]

I was in the Newark Organ Grinder yesterday and had got through four brilliant Blue Monkey beers but then the Ape Ale must have been at the end of the cask as it wasn't nearly as good.
The good news is that I was told by the friendly landlady that there should shortly be a fourth Organ Grinder in Arnold which is somewhere in the Nottingham area.
Newark is a new place for me and I thought it was a superb Northern town with a really good variety of pubs.

[ROBCamra]

Newark is a new place for me and I thought it was a superb Northern town.

Or as us Northerners call it, a Southern Town. :evilgrin:

It's actually in the Midlands. :p

[Aqualung]

It's actually in the Midlands. :p

There are two points here. It's North of Nottingham plus I thought it had Northern character rather than Midland. I know it's on the River Trent but I also regard Stoke as "The North" but Burton and Nottingham as "The Midlands". The North has got to start somewhere!
I wonder if there are any takers for the theories that anywhere North of Milton Keynes is up North or the Geordie one that Liverpool and Manchester are Southern cities.

[ROBCamra]

Look at the North Wales coast and draw a line parallel with this across England. Anything above that line is North. In other words Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield etc are North.

It's as good an idea as I've seen. :cheers:

[Mobyduck]

Look at the North Wales coast and draw a line parallel with this across England. Anything above that line is North. In other words Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield etc are North.

It's as good an idea as I've seen. :cheers:
Is that near Milton Keynes ?

[Strongers]

Anywhere north of London is North... North London may be considered as 'The Midlands'.

[Aqualung]

Look at the North Wales coast and draw a line parallel with this across England. Anything above that line is North. In other words Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield etc are North.

It's as good an idea as I've seen. :cheers:

If you include the North Anglesey Coast it means that Liverpool is in the South as well as the Southern half of Manchester!! Maybe the Geordies are on to something.

[Bucking Fastard]

Look at the North Wales coast and draw a line parallel with this across England. Anything above that line is North. In other words Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield etc are North.

It's as good an idea as I've seen. :cheers:

That's a good idea for the definition of "The North" when considering the (next) PuG craw after Derby
Now we just need a simple dividing line between the South and the Midlands :whistle:

[Aqualung]

Anywhere north of London is North... North London may be considered as 'The Midlands'.

I think extreme views like that are a significant threat to our future national security and to our economic security.:confused::confused::confused::confused:

[Al 10000]

Or as us Northerners call it, a Southern Town. :evilgrin:

It's actually in the Midlands. :p

Newark and Nottingham are in the East Midlands which is not anything like the West Midlands,they are two separate areas of the country,

Ask anyone if walking round Nottingham which part of the country you live in they will say the East Midlands.

[rpadam]

Anywhere north of London is North... North London may be considered as 'The Midlands'.
Down this way, there are those who think that the North starts at the Thames...

[Bucking Fastard]

Southampton Arms ,Gospel Oak. (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23788/)

Four of us visited to drown our sorrows on Saturday evening and had a series of hazy,shoddy pints from some well respected brewers.Really hope this was a one off although I do remember a visit a few years ago with a similar outcome.

[london calling]

Southampton Arms ,Gospel Oak. (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23788/)

Four of us visited to drown our sorrows on Saturday evening and had a series of hazy,shoddy pints from some well respected brewers.Really hope this was a one off although I do remember a visit a few years ago with a similar outcome.
No I think you are right about this pub.I visit often to get new beers but have also found the beer quality suspect.And hazy beers are the norm on my visits.

[Mobyduck]

Not making Derby tomorrow. :(

[Mobyduck]

Southampton Arms ,Gospel Oak. (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23788/)

Four of us visited to drown our sorrows on Saturday evening and had a series of hazy,shoddy pints from some well respected brewers.Really hope this was a one off although I do remember a visit a few years ago with a similar outcome.


No I think you are right about this pub.I visit often to get new beers but have also found the beer quality suspect.And hazy beers are the norm on my visits.
Was in today and all beers tried within my group were in good form.

[london calling]

Tried the new Resting Hare pub near Euston.Very impressed but I had a pint(I usually only drink halves) of Moor -So Hop.Sharp,acidic,harsh hopped,thin and as it was unfined completely murky.This is a well rated brewer but I just don't like most of their beer.So Hop-so disappointing.

[Wittenden]

Discovering Old Dairy's hithertofor excellent Cattle Shed is no longer bottle conditioned. It comes in those ridiculous 330ml bottles, so I'd opened two, only to experience 660ml of belch material.Hope the practice hasn't spread to the rest of the range.

[london calling]

Had a wander round London on Tuesday night and near the end thought would love a couple of good pints I could sink.Went to the Crosse Keys covent garden as they do Brodies.First pint mild thought the glass was a bit warm and as I supped the beer it was too warm for my liking.Then a pint of Jamiaca stout.The glass was hot ,I complained and the barmaid decanted it into another less hot glass.As before the beer warmed up as I drank and couldn't finish either pint.Hate this pub,hate the wanky barstaff and hate myself for putting up with this shit.

[Mobyduck]

Had a wander round London on Tuesday night and near the end thought would love a couple of good pints I could sink.Went to the Crosse Keys covent garden as they do Brodies.First pint mild thought the glass was a bit warm and as I supped the beer it was too warm for my liking.Then a pint of Jamiaca stout.The glass was hot ,I complained and the barmaid decanted it into another less hot glass.As before the beer warmed up as I drank and couldn't finish either pint.Hate this pub,hate the wanky barstaff and hate myself for putting up with this shit.
I have in the past really liked this pub (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/22084/), but on my last visit about 9 months ago the beer was bad and it seemed like a cellar contamination to me,not had any staff issues to date but will try again, if its not good then the game will be up.

[Aqualung]

I have in the past really liked this pub (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/22084/), but on my last visit about 9 months ago the beer was bad and it seemed like a cellar contamination to me,not had any staff issues to date but will try again, if its not good then the game will be up.

I haven't been there for a few years but I understand there are problems in the Brodie's empire. All I can say is that the Tap has upped it's game a lot but still can disappoint on occasion.

[trainman]

DOTW was the Garden Gate, Hunslet, Leeds. Not the pub, a splendidly tiled survivor and well worth the trip down, but just 3 beers on, one undrinkable and the other 2 poor - tasting of plastic.

[aleandhearty]

DOTW was the Garden Gate, Hunslet, Leeds. Not the pub, a splendidly tiled survivor and well worth the trip down, but just 3 beers on, one undrinkable and the other 2 poor - tasting of plastic.

...And having waited years to visit, I couldn't believe it, when we finally got there, it was largely taken over by a child's birthday party. What are the chances of that? :eek:

[london calling]

Hogsback have grown some Farnham white bine hops an old variety and brewed Farnham white 4.0.Nice quaffable beer ,bit sweet but where were the hops.Maybe there is a reason why hops die out.Or possibly they put too little in the beer. Cheapskate brewery?

[Wittenden]

Hogsback have grown some Farnham white bine hops an old variety and brewed Farnham white 4.0.Nice quaffable beer ,bit sweet but where were the hops.Maybe there is a reason why hops die out.Or possibly they put too little in the beer. Cheapskate brewery?
Probably didn't have many hops, as the plants are young, and it takes a while to get into heavy cropping.

[london calling]

Probably didn't have many hops, as the plants are young, and it takes a while to get into heavy cropping.
Not many hops but they are milking the publicity.

[Mobyduck]

A visit today to the Nags Head (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/1691/) found my keg beer of the year of last year , in cask form, Siren Craft Counting Vampires, unfortunately although a decent beer , it came nowhere near as good as I was expecting, a bit of a bummer.

[london calling]

Just when you are getting to like a brewer they throw a curve ball.
Wild Weather-the science of selling yourself short 3.0 .I rarely buy a pint of new to me beer but a 3.0 thirst quencher with sorachi ace hops seemed the ticket.Tastless bland beer.I could only stomach a half of it so it was a waste of money.The pub didn't sell itself short £4.50 for a pint.cheers

[trainman]

Very disappointing day in Liverpool. The Philharmonic was a particular let-down with just 3 beers across 8 pumps, and 2 of those were Doombar and Black Sheep gold! Three of the 4 drab offerings at the Globe all tasted of plastic and were left. The Grapes (Roscoe St) was closed for refurb. The Excelsior had lights on but doors still closed at gone noon. Ma Egerton's had one beer on, we didn't stop. Not sure how Ye Cracke is on a Camra inventory list(?) but was a new tick for me, not much of a beer range. Ship&Mitre was best beer choice and Dispensary probably potd, ahead of White Star whose selection was a little underwhelming, and Roscoe Head which was uncomfortably busy. Didn't make it to Baltic Fleet this time. Good to see some Mancs who travelled over though.

[Bucking Fastard]

The Jerusalem Tavern. (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23332/) Dont know what went wrong ,but very poor beer .We were forced to walk up to Craft Beer Co.,Leather Lane and were rewarded with some outstanding Marble ales.Every cloud has a silver lining......:nishelypished:

[Mobyduck]

The Jerusalem Tavern. (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23332/) Dont know what went wrong ,but very poor beer .We were forced to walk up to Craft Beer Co.,Leather Lane and were rewarded with some outstanding Marble ales.Every cloud has a silver lining......:nishelypished:

Thats a shame, the Jerusalem has always been good on my visits, hopefully a one off.

[london calling]

Out with the family tonight and was told last drink dad then home.Okay so I went for Goody -genesis winner of the 2014 and 2015 best Kent hopped beer.Good brewer that's why I picked it but sadly lacking in hop flavour.I know Kent hops are not exactly in your face but whats occurring.

[Spinko]

Preston Hero (train station). £4.35 for a Kron...

[Mobyduck]

Brewhouse & Kitchen (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/68487/) , fourth visit, previously all very good but only two ales available on Saturday afternoon, both ordinary bitter styles, didn't stay for a drink and moved swiftly along to The Charles Lamb (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23654/). Hopefully just a blip.

[trainman]

Brewhouse & Kitchen (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/68487/) , fourth visit, previously all very good but only two ales available on Saturday afternoon, both ordinary bitter styles, didn't stay for a drink and moved swiftly along to The Charles Lamb (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/68487/). Hopefully just a blip.

Tried your links Moby, looks like you were going round in circles! ;)

[Mobyduck]

Tried your links Moby, looks like you were going round in circles! ;)
Should now be straight. :rolleyes:

[Bucking Fastard]

I got this second hand from aem,but apparently the young barman at The Craven Arms ,Birmingham has left which is a crying shame as he was responsible for the outstanding ale range here.Apparently Black Country Ales want the pub to revert to a more mainstream ale policy.

None of this explains the ommission of The Craven Arms from the 2017 GBG,this apparently as a result of politics in the local CAMRA branch ,who must have felt that the ale in there was just too good.:eek:

All very depressing:moremad:

[Real Ale Ray]

I got this second hand from aem,but apparently the young barman at The Craven Arms ,Birmingham has left which is a crying shame as he was responsible for the outstanding ale range here.Apparently Black Country Ales want the pub to revert to a more mainstream ale policy.

None of this explains the ommission of The Craven Arms from the 2017 GBG,this apparently as a result of politics in the local CAMRA branch ,who must have felt that the ale in there was just too good.:eek:

All very depressing:moremad:

Here's an interesting article about it:

http://beer-writings.blogspot.ie/2016/11/craven-arms-birmingfham.html?spref=fb&m=1

[trainman]

Agreed BF. A reversal of beer policy will undoubtedly see this (currently) excellent little pub disappear without trace, whence it came...
Didn't make local GBG? That's a travesty!

[Aqualung]

Agreed BF. A reversal of beer policy will undoubtedly see this (currently) excellent little pub disappear without trace, whence it came...
Didn't make local GBG? That's a travesty!

It would have been pulled from the GBG as standard procedure if the branch knew about a change of manager before it went to print.
Although it's a good pub, I was underwhelmed by the place. Five quid for Magic Rock Dark Arts in the West Midlands is a joke. Magic Rock are a good brewery but I could name over six that are as good or better. If Magic Rock were charging them a price that meant they had to sell it at five quid they should have gone elsewhere for the beer. Black Country beers aren't rubbish, they are just old school West Midland beers. Getting a beer in at any cost seems a stupid thing for a pub to do.

[london calling]

I got this second hand from aem,but apparently the young barman at The Craven Arms ,Birmingham has left which is a crying shame as he was responsible for the outstanding ale range here.Apparently Black Country Ales want the pub to revert to a more mainstream ale policy.

None of this explains the ommission of The Craven Arms from the 2017 GBG,this apparently as a result of politics in the local CAMRA branch ,who must have felt that the ale in there was just too good.:eek:

All very depressing:moremad:

He has gone to work for Blue Monkey.

[Bucking Fastard]

He has gone to work for Blue Monkey.

That brewery will be a great match,always striving for beer excellence.

[Bucking Fastard]

It would have been pulled from the GBG as standard procedure if the branch knew about a change of manager before it went to print.


But he only left very recently,while the GBG was printed in August .I prefer the conspiracy theory anyway to explain why it wasn't included in the 2017 version.

[Aqualung]

But he only left very recently,while the GBG was printed in August .I prefer the conspiracy theory anyway to explain why it wasn't included in the 2017 version.

Fair enough, you know more about the background than I do. The selections for the guide would have to have been in by (I think) March. Of course this means it is always over six months out of date. At least the lad has what should be a good new employer, Blue Monkey is one I would have given as being as good or better than Magic Rock.

[Thuck Phat]

I got this second hand from aem,but apparently the young barman at The Craven Arms ,Birmingham has left which is a crying shame as he was responsible for the outstanding ale range here.Apparently Black Country Ales want the pub to revert to a more mainstream ale policy.

None of this explains the ommission of The Craven Arms from the 2017 GBG,this apparently as a result of politics in the local CAMRA branch ,who must have felt that the ale in there was just too good.:eek:

All very depressing:moremad:

Now that really is bad news.

The Craven Arms was, for me, the "go to pub" in Brum. The service was excellent and the beer choice always top notch. Worth making a special trip for and never felt moved to leave for anywhere else. I think that it's unlikely an offer of Black Country Ales will exert the same draw.

[london calling]

He used to be and maybe still is a beer ticker.He tried to bring a more varied range of beers but if the pub lost its Camra beer guide place its not unreasonable to think the brewery may be upset whatever the reason.

[london calling]

My disappointment of the week was another visit to the Sussex Arms Twickenham their beer range seems to be from the cheapest brewers they can source.Again poor tasting beers served ice cold.

[Aqualung]

I got this second hand from aem,but apparently the young barman at The Craven Arms ,Birmingham has left which is a crying shame as he was responsible for the outstanding ale range here.Apparently Black Country Ales want the pub to revert to a more mainstream ale policy.

None of this explains the ommission of The Craven Arms from the 2017 GBG,this apparently as a result of politics in the local CAMRA branch ,who must have felt that the ale in there was just too good.:eek:

All very depressing:moremad:

I was in the Coopers Arms in Burton yesterday and the landlady was due to leave the next day to run the Craven Arms. The Coopers is getting new, currently unknown people next month. I've no idea how good or bad this is for either pub. It gives me an excuse to revisit both although I'm not that keen on visiting Brum although I'm sure I could get over it!
The landlady of the Coopers is taking two very friendly dogs with her.

[Bucking Fastard]

I was in the Coopers Arms in Burton yesterday and the landlady was due to leave the next day to run the Craven Arms. The Coopers is getting new, currently unknown people next month. I've no idea how good or bad this is for either pub. It gives me an excuse to revisit both although I'm not that keen on visiting Brum although I'm sure I could get over it!
The landlady of the Coopers is taking two very friendly dogs with her.

I would certainly be interested in any update when you next visit these two.In the past,from my point of view, these were the "go to" pubs in Burton and Brum.

[Aqualung]

I would certainly be interested in any update when you next visit these two.In the past,from my point of view, these were the "go to" pubs in Burton and Brum.
I can't see them changing the Coopers and I can't see the new people being anything but Real Ale enthusiasts. From what I've heard the Craven may depend on BCA policy and I expect that someone will go there before I do.

[london calling]

Went to a new brewery tap in Penge.Southey brewery. Tried 2 cask and one keg but they were dreadful as was the taproom. Trains were a bit of a nightmare as well. A well onwards and upwards.

[Pubsignman]

Went to a new brewery tap in Penge.Southey brewery. Tried 2 cask and one keg but they were dreadful as was the taproom. Trains were a bit of a nightmare as well. A well onwards and upwards.

Is Southey Brewery just a new name for the old Late Knights Brewery?

[london calling]

Is Southey Brewery just a new name for the old Late Knights Brewery?
Not really Late Knights is gone and I think this is an ex brewer who has bought the kit. Hard to believe that he was brewing at Late Knights.The original owner is opening a brewery in East Sussex.Holler Boys brewery I think.

[trainman]

The paucity of pubs in SE London has lead to an unbelievable list for CAMRA poty. Perhaps they have a time-out before previous winners can be considered again, or maybe good places like the Blythe opt out, but the list includes Brockley Talbot and, wait for it, Brockley Barge! Yikes!

[london calling]

When in the new local micropub had an excellent beer from Kew brewery and decided to have a bottle of Weird Beards latest new beer at the reasonable price of £3.99.They have always done 500ml bottles but the barman produced a tiddly bottle.They have changed the size and reading their blog it seems a reasonable argument why but its about a 50% increase to me.I did not buy the bottle but went elsewhere where beer was £3.80 a pint.

[london calling]

The paucity of pubs in SE London has lead to an unbelievable list for CAMRA poty. Perhaps they have a time-out before previous winners can be considered again, or maybe good places like the Blythe opt out, but the list includes Brockley Talbot and, wait for it, Brockley Barge! Yikes!
They seem to have a good selection of Camra recommended pubs in that area imo but the 6 contenders do look a bit dull.Some of my favourites for good beer are East Dulwich Tavern,Westow House,Stormbird,Oaka,Old Nuns Head and the Rake. Stormbird always have 3 or 4 cask beers on and they are only £3.00 a pint.

[sheffield hatter]

I visited the Eagle Barge Inn (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/78367/) on the Caledonian Canal when I was cycling in the area back in 2012. Unfortunately the pub was closed at the time of my visit and I always had it in mind to get back there some time when it was open. A recent cycling trip found me staying once again at the Great Glen hostel, which is just a mile away along the canal, and this time on an opening day for the pub. (As well as being regularly shut on Mondays and Tuesdays, the pub has a list displayed outside of when the crew are off at other times. Apparently there are only two people working here and they live over 100 miles away.)

My route brought me to Laggan Locks a little earlier than intended - the pub was due to open at 4:30 and I had 45 minutes to kill, which I spent watching boats going through the lock gates and out onto Loch Lochy in the pleasant afternoon sunshine. When one of the staff turned up and changed the closed sign to one saying open, I was first through the door. There are four hand pumps on the bar, with a notice displayed next to them explaining about cask beer being served flat, which should have set alarm bells ringing.

Beers available were Orkney Red MacGregor and Dark Island, and River Leven Traditional IPA. I'd had the Red earlier in the day, so went for halves of the other two. Unfortunately they were both going off, with a sour, apple-y taste. Not so off that you could smell it, just bad enough to make it difficult to drink, with the initial beery taste and flavour replaced at the swallow by one more redolent of cider. Other drinkers were coming in and buying their beers to take away (on a departing boat) or out onto the deck, and I could see that the Red was just as cloudy as my two halves, so there didn't seem much point asking for my beer to be changed. Anyway the person serving had disappeared into the galley to help her colleague prepare food. (The only alternatives would have been bottled beers as there were no keg fonts.) In the end I just left the part-consumed beers on the bar counter and departed.

It seems to me that if you are running a pub that closes on Monday & Tuesday every week, you need to make sure that your beer is going to last from Sunday to Wednesday without going off. If your pub is a barge on a canal, it is not likely that the beer is going to be kept very cool, so its chances of making it through after the weekend are going to be slim if it's already been on for a couple of days. If your attitude towards cask ale is that it's supposed to be flat and should be consumed "with a smile on your face" (I'm regretting not having photographed that notice on the bar), it seems likely that no one will have trained you in how to keep it properly. Whatever, they should have been in the habit of checking the beer for quality when pulling it through. This had clearly not been done.

What is so disappointing about this is that real ale is so hard to find in the Highlands that it's a double let down when a pub that does serve it is unable to look after it properly. Fortunately, I had the memories of my visits earlier in the trip to the Kinlochewe Hotel (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/74630/), The Torridon Inn (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/74627/) and the Cluanie Inn (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/78370/) to look back on.

[Spinko]

The new reeking of malt smell of the Sheffield Tap. Previously the wooden furniture newish smell was quite reminiscent each time I visited.

[Spinko]

And the new layout to the Devonshire Cat in Sheffield is appalling. Now a pretentious central rectangular bar

[london calling]

There is a new London brewery called Nirvana who do low and no alcohol beers. Tried a bottle of Cosmic Stout 0.0 Smelt like Horlicks and tasted like Horlicks.Nasty stuff imo .Surprised as thought that they would be nearer the taste of beer than this stuff.Drank a small sample (enough for a tick )in the Wenlock.£4.50.Not cheap for a soft drink?

[Aqualung]

Yesterday was something of a disaster. The plan was to visit this (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/39093/) BCA outlet that they list as Willenhall but the reality is that it's in the middle of nowhere in suburbia. I'd printed off a map with the bus stops and got on the 69 bus from Wolverhampton Bus Station. I knew the route as far as New Cross Hospital and it was soon after there that I realised there may be a problem. It was raining and I could see an obstructed view through the bus windscreen but the steamed up side windows were covered in gunge from road salting and snow so I could see virtually nothing through them. It soon became clear that I was in Walsall where I got off the bus and went off piste into a rather dull pub called the Oak before getting the bus back. I should have asked the driver to let me know when the bus arrived at Woodlands school. "Get a smart phone" I hear someone cry. I won't be doing that any time soon.
On the plus side I had an extended stop in the Great Western! The Duke of Cambridge will have to wait another day when hopefully the bus windows will be clean.

[rpadam]

Yesterday was something of a disaster. The plan was to visit this (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/39093/) BCA outlet that they list as Willenhall but the reality is that it's in the middle of nowhere in suburbia. I'd printed off a map with the bus stops and got on the 69 bus from Wolverhampton Bus Station. I knew the route as far as New Cross Hospital and it was soon after there that I realised there may be a problem. It was raining and I could see an obstructed view through the bus windscreen but the steamed up side windows were covered in gunge from road salting and snow so I could see virtually nothing through them. It soon became clear that I was in Walsall where I got off the bus and went off piste into a rather dull pub called the Oak before getting the bus back. I should have asked the driver to let me know when the bus arrived at Woodlands school.
I am hoping to get there soon, but the location is really the splendidly named New Invention...


"Get a smart phone" I hear someone cry. I won't be doing that any time soon.
Why ever not - it helps you find pubs in strange places!

[sheffield hatter]

I should have asked the driver to let me know when the bus arrived at Woodlands school. "Get a smart phone" I hear someone cry. I won't be doing that any time soon.

Commiserations! In Derbyshire the buses have a display with the name of the next stop. Some of them have an automated announcement: "We are now approaching Woodlands School", they would have said (if only the Duke of Cambridge was in Derbyshire).

[sheffield hatter]

the splendidly named New Invention...

There's one of those (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/81039/) in Shropshire, too. No pub, unfortunately.

[Possible explanation for the name here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Invention,_Shropshire).]

[Aqualung]

I am hoping to get there soon, but the location is really the splendidly named New Invention...

I spotted that the bus was going via New Invention, the current area Short Heath seems to be just as valid (not that I want to start arguing about it!!).


Why ever not - it helps you find pubs in strange places!
People messing around with these things really annoys me so it would be hypocritical of me to join in. The best thing I ever saw was at Highbury & Islington Overground where a bloke had just missed the train and in disgust threw his phone quite hard on to the platform, hopefully smashing it to bits. I resisted the temptation to tell him he needed anger management classes. The other one that makes me want to clap and cheer is people who miss their bus at a request stop because they are too busy messing with their phone.

[Aqualung]

Commiserations! In Derbyshire the buses have a display with the name of the next stop. Some of them have an automated announcement: "We are now approaching Woodlands School", they would have said (if only the Duke of Cambridge was in Derbyshire).

The only West Midlands bus I can remember seeing this is the famous number 1 which is the key to getting to Sarah Hughes from Wolverhampton. It also has the announcements by a woman with a delightful Black Country accent rather than the toffee nosed voices used elsewhere.

[oldboots]

hopefully the bus windows will be clean.

Whatever would our dirty bus window photographers do then ? :eek:

[Komakino]

Euston's (sorry, I'm not going to argue over "areas") Somers Town Coffee House (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/22842/). I had high hopes, especially after seeing Tris' recent review, but my weeknight visit saw 9 of the 12 handpumps with reversed clips (the 12th was Rosie's Pig Cider). The sole bitters being Courage and Directors - the latter of which ran out as I was waiting to be served. I cut my losses and had a bottle of Anchor Steam. *sad face*

[trainman]

Day visit to Lille found most of the researched targets in 'Vieux Lille' closed until 15:00/16:00/17:00(!), well that's no effin use to day trippers, or even local shoppers, is it?
I should have made travelling (booze) arrangements before going 'airside' at Lille on return, but no option for wine or even coffee at the Eurostar lounge - seriously?
Back at St P the Betjeman offered an embarrassingly poor range of beers (eh Ubu, Youngs Gold) - is this what many visitors to the country/capital may first encounter? Absolutely pathetic!
Mine was ok, but RJ's beer at Scottish Stores was as flat as a pancake - they have previous on that score.

[Bucking Fastard]

There I was in Craft Beer Co. Islington (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54009/)enjoying a fine real ale session when I noticed a keg tap dispensing Marble Lagonda IPA,so I had to try it.

What a disappointment,it was bland with only the faintest hint of the complex hop character that bursts from the cask version.Once bitten,twice shy.

[Mobyduck]

There I was in Craft Beer Co. Islington (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54009/)enjoying a fine real ale session when I noticed a keg tap dispensing Marble Lagonda IPA,so I had to try it.

What a disappointment,it was bland with only the faintest hint of the complex hop character that bursts from the cask version.Once bitten,twice shy.
Oh dear, used to be excellent.

[Mobyduck]

Finding The Jackalope (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/22228/) closed after making the effort to get there after their Facebook page stated it would be open at 3 pm yesterday, they have decided to tweet today that they will reopen on the 2nd of Jan, I replied that , that was very helpful. :mad: I know this period between Christmas and New Year is a bit of a minefield with regards to what is and isn't open , but if some pubs gave a little thought , it needn't be, there wasn't even a note on the door or window.

[Real Ale Ray]

Finding The Jackalope (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/22228/) closed after making the effort to get there after their Facebook page stated it would be open at 3 pm yesterday, they have decided to tweet today that they will reopen on the 2nd of Jan, I replied that , that was very helpful. :mad: I know this period between Christmas and New Year is a bit of a minefield with regards to what is and isn't open , but if some pubs gave a little thought , it needn't be, there wasn't even a note on the door or window.

Drives me bloody mad that! Happened to us numerous times, most recently in Johnny's Alehouse, Burslem - no note on the door, nothing. Apparently the owner went away for a few days. Then in Stroud we walked up the steepest hill to a pub that was supposed to open at 2, of course this was wrong and it was 3. We couldn't face the trek back down the hill, only to come back up again, so sat on a bench in the village. An old lady came out of her house and asked were we hikers or lost, and would we like to come in for a cuppa. And after all that, the pub was quite a disappointment...

[Aqualung]

Finding The Jackalope (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/22228/) closed after making the effort to get there after their Facebook page stated it would be open at 3 pm yesterday, they have decided to tweet today that they will reopen on the 2nd of Jan, I replied that , that was very helpful. :mad: I know this period between Christmas and New Year is a bit of a minefield with regards to what is and isn't open , but if some pubs gave a little thought , it needn't be, there wasn't even a note on the door or window.
Of all the Spoons outlets I only found one closed and that was in Monmouth where an internal wall was liable to collapse. I've subsequently found one in Newport closed for a quick refurb. Micropubs are another matter and I would advise against special journeys to visit any for the fist couple of weeks in January. I'll be breaking that rule but I'm not really fussy about having to do revisits or holing up in a JDW and it's Kent from St Pancras.

[Tris39]

There I was in Craft Beer Co. Islington (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54009/)enjoying a fine real ale session when I noticed a keg tap dispensing Marble Lagonda IPA,so I had to try it.

What a disappointment,it was bland with only the faintest hint of the complex hop character that bursts from the cask version.Once bitten,twice shy.

Funnily enough, I was in there last night and saw this but wasn't tempted due to the availability of cask options - that and the £5.50 price tag. I had a pint (well three) of the Magic Rock's Ringmaster which has a flavour that belies its 3.9% ABV, making it an excellent session ale. I do wish though that this branch would make use of all ten pumps though, as the only other options were Clerkenwell Pale (bland) 3.9% then it's either a stout or two options at 5.5% or 6% which for me is not a session ale.

[Pubsignman]

Finding The Jackalope (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/22228/) closed after making the effort to get there after their Facebook page stated it would be open at 3 pm yesterday, they have decided to tweet today that they will reopen on the 2nd of Jan, I replied that , that was very helpful. :mad: I know this period between Christmas and New Year is a bit of a minefield with regards to what is and isn't open , but if some pubs gave a little thought , it needn't be, there wasn't even a note on the door or window.

If it makes you feel any better, I had exactry the same problem with the same pub back in November. Facebook stated they would be open until 10pm on Saturday evenings, so I turned up at 7pm only to find the pub in darkness with the chairs stacked on the tables and not a soul in sight. Annoying but at least I was in central London and not some village in the middle of nowhere - that's when it really hurts!

[Mobyduck]

If it makes you feel any better, I had exactry the same problem with the same pub back in November. Facebook stated they would be open until 10pm on Saturday evenings, so I turned up at 7pm only to find the pub in darkness with the chairs stacked on the tables and not a soul in sight. Annoying but at least I was in central London and not some village in the middle of nowhere - that's when it really hurts!

True, It's just that with the accessibility to social media nowadays its easy to put the word out, It seems they couldn't be bothered, I have no problem with pubs taking a week off at this time of year , just give the punters a clue.

[Mobyduck]

Technically Disappointment Of Last week, but having to pay £4.70 for a pint of drinkable but not mind blowing , Dark Star Hophead in a pub in Esher (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/35698/), It is of course a Fullers Pub.

[Tris39]

Euston's (sorry, I'm not going to argue over "areas") Somers Town Coffee House (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/22842/). I had high hopes, especially after seeing Tris' recent review, but my weeknight visit saw 9 of the 12 handpumps with reversed clips (the 12th was Rosie's Pig Cider). The sole bitters being Courage and Directors - the latter of which ran out as I was waiting to be served. I cut my losses and had a bottle of Anchor Steam. *sad face*

Euston isn't an area, it's a railway station in Somers Town.;)

[Tris39]

Technically Disappointment Of Last week, but having to pay £4.70 for a pint of drinkable but not mind blowing , Dark Star Hophead in a pub in Esher (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/35698/), It is of course a Fullers Pub.

I think that currently all Fuller's pubs sporadically have Hophead as a guest which saves me from London Shame (which on the last two samplings gave me a stomach ache) or their other bland low ABV brews.
My personal disappointment of the week was ordering a pint of Ilkley Brewing's Mary Jane a couple of nights ago. It tasted like a mouthful of autumnal leaves, partially burnt in a garden bonfire - not sure if it's meant to taste like this?

[Mobyduck]

My personal disappointment of the week was ordering a pint of Ilkley Brewing's Mary Jane a couple of nights ago. It tasted like a mouthful of autumnal leaves, partially burnt in a garden bonfire - not sure if it's meant to taste like this?
I don't think so.

[Aqualung]

Technically Disappointment Of Last week, but having to pay £4.70 for a pint of drinkable but not mind blowing , Dark Star Hophead in a pub in Esher (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/35698/), It is of course a Fullers Pub.

According to the JDW tasting notes Hophead is a single hop ale which is Cascade. I wonder if it's always been that way. I don't know enough about all the hops nor have I drunk it enough to form any definite opinion. Jaipur has six but Citra isn't included and it's been dropped by JDW as a permanent national guest. I feel this is a shame but I haven'r seen it in a JDW since I completed the tour.

[Mobyduck]

According to the JDW tasting notes Hophead is a single hop ale which is Cascade. I wonder if it's always been that way. I don't know enough about all the hops nor have I drunk it enough to form any definite opinion. Jaipur has six but Citra isn't included and it's been dropped by JDW as a permanent national guest. I feel this is a shame but I haven'r seen it in a JDW since I completed the tour.

According to Dark Star (https://www.darkstarbrewing.co.uk/beers/hophead)Amarillo hops are also involved, I am convinced the recipe has changed since the early days, the beer lost its "edge" a number of years ago, (pre - Fullers) In my view.
Jaipur is still a cracking pint despite some others insisting Thornbridge are on the slide, I don't agree but then I don't get to drink their beers as regularly as I would like.

[london calling]

I think that currently all Fuller's pubs sporadically have Hophead as a guest which saves me from London Shame (which on the last two samplings gave me a stomach ache) or their other bland low ABV brews.
My personal disappointment of the week was ordering a pint of Ilkley Brewing's Mary Jane a couple of nights ago. It tasted like a mouthful of autumnal leaves, partially burnt in a garden bonfire - not sure if it's meant to taste like this?
One of their flagship beers but has never impressed me.

[london calling]

According to Dark Star (https://www.darkstarbrewing.co.uk/beers/hophead)Amarillo hops are also involved, I am convinced the recipe has changed since the early days, the beer lost its "edge" a number of years ago, (pre - Fullers) In my view.
Jaipur is still a cracking pint despite some others insisting Thornbridge are on the slide, I don't agree but then I don't get to drink their beers as regularly as I would like.
You are both right Cascade and Amerillo
Thornbridge are one of my fav brewers and have drank at least 6 new beers from them in the last year that I though were superb.Nicolson pubs seem to have them on regularly.

[Tris39]

Drunk several days apart, thanfully. I don't think I could have survived them back-to-back.

Siren: Yu Lu (https://www.sirencraftbrew.com/item/11/SirenCraftBrew/Yu-Lu.html).

"Brewed with Earl Grey tea and lemon zest". Tastes to me of bubblegum and parma violets, with a nip of TCP. And all of 3.6%.

Laine: Mangolicious (https://laine.co.uk/beer/mangolicious).

Described as 'frivolous'. I couldn't finish it and felt a bit sick on the way to the next pub. Even after two pints of Proper Job, I could still taste it. It was like drinking a pint of Benylyn.

Are these beers actually brewed with fruit juice and so on or do, as I suspect, they just have essential oils added at the last minute and hence the 'chemical' tastes?

[london calling]

Drunk several days apart, thanfully. I don't think I could have survived them back-to-back.

Siren: Yu Lu (https://www.sirencraftbrew.com/item/11/SirenCraftBrew/Yu-Lu.html).

"Brewed with Earl Grey tea and lemon zest". Tastes to me of bubblegum and parma violets, with a nip of TCP. And all of 3.6%.

Laine: Mangolicious (https://laine.co.uk/beer/mangolicious).

Described as 'frivolous'. I couldn't finish it and felt a bit sick on the way to the next pub. Even after two pints of Proper Job, I could still taste it. It was like drinking a pint of Benylyn.

Are these beers actually brewed with fruit juice and so on or do, as I suspect, they just have essential oils added at the last minute and hence the 'chemical' tastes?
Yu LU is a great beer and would be brewed with real tea and lemon rind.Laines beers are pretty rubbish imo.Could have been bad beer you can never tell with cask.a Cask Marque tester who is often on twitter tested the temperature of a beer on sale today that was 27.5 degrees.

[Spinko]

Yu LU is a great beer and would be brewed with real tea and lemon rind.Laines beers are pretty rubbish imo.Could have been bad beer you can never tell with cask.a Cask Marque tester who is often on twitter tested the temperature of a beer on sale today that was 27.5 degrees.

Even up in Stockton it was 35c on leaving work yesterday, although a degree or two of that may have been due to a gas stack flaring all day... Therefore I worry on my travels today how many bad pints will be encountered. Might be worth sticking to the Shipyard in Wetherspoons.

[Mobyduck]

Yu LU is a great beer
Agree with John here.

[Tris39]

Yu LU is a great beer and would be brewed with real tea and lemon rind.Laines beers are pretty rubbish imo.Could have been bad beer you can never tell with cask.a Cask Marque tester who is often on twitter tested the temperature of a beer on sale today that was 27.5 degrees.

I was in The Three Kings (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23373/) the other night and a keg blew up (or something similar). This in turn caused the fire alarm to go off which was immediately followed by a power cut. Must have been a high ABV ale.

[london calling]

I was in The Three Kings (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23373/) the other night and a keg blew up (or something similar). This in turn caused the fire alarm to go off which was immediately followed by a power cut. Must have been a high ABV ale.
That will have been a plastic key keg.Have heard that they can sometimes explode.Quite dangerous if you are near one when it goes.The barman didn't say the beers on me and the walls and ceiling.

[Tris39]

That will have been a plastic key keg.Have heard that they can sometimes explode.Quite dangerous if you are near one when it goes.The barman didn't say the beers on me and the walls and ceiling.

The beer was indeed on him, the walls and ceiling but nevertheless at 10.40pm it was the most novel way of calling time that I'll ever experience, leaving the pub by the light of the mobile phone!

[london calling]

Got a pint of St Peters -plum porter for only £1.59 in Wetherspoons using a voucher.What could be disappointing about that.Sadly it tasted like medicine so left most of it .Flat as well.

[Aqualung]

I heard today that there has been a landslip on the Pennine line. I've 3 nights in Bradford booked for late October returning via Carlisle on this famous line. Luckily I don't have any rail tickets yet but have booked the Travelodge. Having to return via Leeds would make the whole break rather pointless.

[sheffield hatter]

I heard today that there has been a landslip on the Pennine line. I've 3 nights in Bradford booked for late October returning via Carlisle on this famous line. Luckily I don't have any rail tickets yet but have booked the Travelodge.

Presumably they're running a replacement bus service between Dent and Ribblehead? You get to see the viaduct better if you're not actually on the train. (This item (https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/traffic-and-travel/train-lines-to-leeds-blocked-due-to-landslide-caused-by-flooding-in-yorkshire-dales-1-9907351) by a seemingly barely literate journalist seems to suggest that the landslide is not very serious and the blockage only temporary. But then again, it could last for several weeks as it did last time this happened.)



Having to return via Leeds would make the whole break rather pointless.

The alternative route back from Carlisle would be via Preston and Manchester, wouldn't it? Or via Newcastle and York? The Settle-Carlisle trains go to Leeds anyway, and you would change at Shipley for Bradford.

[Pangolin]

I heard today that there has been a landslip on the Pennine line. I've 3 nights in Bradford booked for late October returning via Carlisle on this famous line. Luckily I don't have any rail tickets yet but have booked the Travelodge. Having to return via Leeds would make the whole break rather pointless.

Fear not - it has already re-opened.

[Aqualung]

The alternative route back from Carlisle would be via Preston and Manchester, wouldn't it? Or via Newcastle and York? The Settle-Carlisle trains go to Leeds anyway, and you would change at Shipley for Bradford.

The plan is to travel to Carlisle on the Saturday and return to London after refreshments.



Fear not - it has already re-opened.

Thanks, that's great news.

[oldboots]

Fear not - it has already re-opened.

I can confirm this as I was on the first train out of Leeds that could get to Carlisle yesterday morning.

[Mobyduck]

Disappointment of last week was a pint of Dark Star Hophead, not enjoyed in The Albion (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/10921/).It doesn't taste anything like the beer it was a few years ago when, for me, it was up there among the elite, it's taste seems to be progressively changing for the worse in my opinion, it is no longer bitter or citrusy. Not an isolated experience either unfortunately.

[Aqualung]

Disappointment of last week was a pint of Dark Star Hophead, not enjoyed in The Albion (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/10921/).It doesn't taste anything like the beer it was a few years ago when, for me, it was up there among the elite, it's taste seems to be progressively changing for the worse in my opinion, it is no longer bitter or citrusy. Not an isolated experience either unfortunately.

I haven't seen it for ages despite still being one of the permanent JDW guests.

[sheffield hatter]

Disappointment of last week was a pint of Dark Star Hophead. It doesn't taste anything like the beer it was a few years ago when, for me, it was up there among the elite, it's taste seems to be progressively changing for the worse in my opinion, it is no longer bitter or citrusy. Not an isolated experience either unfortunately.


...one of the permanent JDW guests.

Could there be any connection between these two apparently unconnected statements? Brewing in bulk with cheaper ingredients? Less attention to detail in a hurry to meet deadlines? Delivering to pubs "just in time" with consequent lack of settling time?

[Tris39]

Could there be any connection between these two apparently unconnected statements? Brewing in bulk with cheaper ingredients? Less attention to detail in a hurry to meet deadlines? Delivering to pubs "just in time" with consequent lack of settling time?

It's also - if you're lucky - a regular guest in Fuller's pubs. I had a pint of it in the Charles Lamb on Saturday and it seemed fine, but as it's their house staple, perhaps they take greater care of it.

[Mobyduck]

Could there be any connection between these two apparently unconnected statements? Brewing in bulk with cheaper ingredients? Less attention to detail in a hurry to meet deadlines? Delivering to pubs "just in time" with consequent lack of settling time?

I would say so, in fact I think I have posed those questions before somewhere or other.

[Mobyduck]

It's also - if you're lucky - a regular guest in Fuller's pubs. I had a pint of it in the Charles Lamb on Saturday and it seemed fine, but as it's their house staple, perhaps they take greater care of it.

It's not just the point about quality for me , the beer itself has totally changed in taste, Its a different beer altogether from five years ago IMO.

[Tris39]

It's not just the point about quality for me , the beer itself has totally changed in taste, Its a different beer altogether from five years ago IMO.

That may be it as I don't think I'd discovered it five years ago, in which case for me it hasn't changed.
My problem is Pride which is now undrinkable. To me it now tastes like it's synthesized at the same Porton Down facility as Doom.

[Bucking Fastard]

The George,Croydon (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/35541/).

Any pub that has Burning Sky Aurora (5.6%) and Thornbridge Jaipur (5.9%) as regular ales in the 2020 Good Beer Guide ,among a selection from 15 handpumps must be a winner,but a recent change of management has brought with it a complete changing in beer policy at The George.Gone are the two terrific regulars,no sign of any more output from Oakham,Saltaire or Salopian with all handpumps now devoted to the trio of Doom and 12 barrels from the Wetherspoons "clearing price " range featuring an array of poor brewers trying to shift unwanted beer,with on my last visit 10 ales between 3.8% and 4.3%.

More than a decade of regular use has now come to an end.Once a shining beacon in the Wetherspoons empire,now just another run of the mill 'spoons.I've written to Tim but will this do any good ?

The pub was noticeably quiet on Sunday before the Palace game.

It's back to The Green Dragon (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54143/)

[Aqualung]

The George,Croydon (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/35541/).

Any pub that has Burning Sky Aurora (5.6%) and Thornbridge Jaipur (5.9%) as regular ales in the 2020 Good Beer Guide ,among a selection from 15 handpumps must be a winner,but a recent change of management has brought with it a complete changing in beer policy at The George.Gone are the two terrific regulars,no sign of any more output from Oakham,Saltaire or Salopian with all handpumps now devoted to the trio of Doom and 12 barrels from the Wetherspoons "clearing price " range featuring an array of poor brewers trying to shift unwanted beer,with on my last visit 10 ales between 3.8% and 4.3%.

More than a decade of regular use has now come to an end.Once a shining beacon in the Wetherspoons empire,now just another run of the mill 'spoons.I've written to Tim but will this do any good ?

The pub was noticeably quiet on Sunday before the Palace game.

It's back to The Green Dragon (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54143/)

Jaipur seems to be a rarity nowadays in JDWs. The dumbing down of choice seems to have been going on for a few years now. Some idiot at the Wanstead George thinks that stocking beers from Marston's is a good idea. They've had a couple of beers in from a brewery called Signal that have been complete rubbish.

[rpadam]

Jaipur seems to be a rarity nowadays in JDWs.
… but £3/pint in my nearby village club. Result!

[Wittenden]

Researching our annual trip to the Dales I made the discovery that Kings Head (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/67662/) is once again closed and for sale. For various reasons we needed to rent a larger property-one was available in Gunnerside.The prospect of actually being able to walk to a pub sustained me since booking.Alas.

[aleandhearty]

Researching our annual trip to the Dales I made the discovery that Kings Head (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/67662/) is once again closed and for sale. For various reasons we needed to rent a larger property-one was available in Gunnerside.The prospect of actually being able to walk to a pub sustained me since booking.Alas.

I feel your pain. Was our adopted local, when we stayed in nearby Low Row. Makes all the difference when you can amble up the road from your holiday let. Oh, well. At least you'll be able to update your review of the Farmer's Arms, Muker. :evilgrin:

[Wittenden]

I feel your pain. Was our adopted local, when we stayed in nearby Low Row. Makes all the difference when you can amble up the road from your holiday let. Oh, well. At least you'll be able to update your review of the Farmer's Arms, Muker. :evilgrin:

Learnt two things last night:1)plans are afoot to reopen the King's Head as a Community pub, and 2) more immediately of interest is the opening of a pop up pub in the village hall in the all- important awaiting the arrival of Ramsey's Fish and Chip slot van of a Friday evening. Beer is forecast.

[aleandhearty]

...plans are afoot to reopen the King's Head as a Community pub...


Interesting. Makes perfect sense in ensuring the long term viability of the place.

[Tris39]

26 Furnival Street (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23517/)

Oh dear.:(

[london calling]

Went out of my way to try the recently opened Watermans Arms Barnes again.9 beers on cask 4 brown beers 4 stouts and 1 black ipa.Too many beers for the turnover and even as a dark beer fan too many dark beers. Had a stout from Black Jack which was vinegar and returned it to get a slightly diacetyl flavoured stout from Arbor ,coudnt finish it and then last weeks beer of the week Tripple fff -jaberwokky which was in poor condition and wasn't finished.Had a free pint due on my loyalty card but saved it for another day.

[Wittenden]

Interesting. Makes perfect sense in ensuring the long term viability of the place.

Whatpub says that the King's Head, Gunnerside has reopened.A long time until I'm able to see for myself.

[Wittenden]

Roger Protz has Tweeted that Greene King's new owners are discontinuing their XX Mild,about the only GK beer that I enjoy.

[aleandhearty]

Whatpub says that the King's Head, Gunnerside has reopened.A long time until I'm able to see for myself.

We usually try and manage a walk in the Dales between Xmas and New Year. Hopefully, we can make a short detour.



Roger Protz has Tweeted that Greene King's new owners are discontinuing their XX Mild,about the only GK beer that I enjoy.

Agree with you there. The first time I tried it I was very pleasantly surprised.

[Bucking Fastard]

Agree with you there. The first time I tried it I was very pleasantly surprised.

Seconded,I've always enjoyed their XX mild.Shame on the new owners but at least they are maintaining the GK ethos.;)

[Aqualung]

Roger Protz has Tweeted that Greene King's new owners are discontinuing their XX Mild,about the only GK beer that I enjoy.

The Grinch here, I'm not that bothered. I've always compared it to Midland or other milds and found it lacking in body and just about everything else.
When Young's were kings of London they did a sort of mild that I think was called Best Malt Ale or something similar. It was dreadful, at least XX wasn't as bad as that!
If the new GK owners are serious about their pubs they will allow any keen tenant or manager to stock a mild of their choice. Sarah Hughes Ruby at Wolverhampton's Sunbeam? There's a thought!
Adnams do a mild that is currently only available in March. I'm sure they could step in at least for the old East Anglia estate.

[Wittenden]

We usually try and manage a walk in the Dales between Xmas and New Year. Hopefully, we can make a short detour.






You lucky people!

[hondo]

Roger Protz has Tweeted that Greene King's new owners are discontinuing their XX Mild,about the only GK beer that I enjoy.

https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2019/11/20/Greene-King-XX-Mild-ale-availability

[Tris39]

Not necessarily Disappointment of the Week, rather Bizarre Experience of the Week after a half-hour spent in Flight Club (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23679/).

The video clip link on the website here (https://flightclubdarts.com/london/location-islington) isn't for this branch yet, but you'll get an idea of what to expect. If you dare...

[Bucking Fastard]

Not necessarily Disappointment of the Week, rather Bizarre Experience of the Week after a half-hour spent in Flight Club (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23679/).

The video clip link on the website here (https://flightclubdarts.com/london/location-islington) isn't for this branch yet, but you'll get an idea of what to expect. If you dare...

trainman enjoys a good game of darts,maybe one for him ;)

[hondo]

Not necessarily Disappointment of the Week, rather Bizarre Experience of the Week after a half-hour spent in Flight Club (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23679/).

The video clip link on the website here (https://flightclubdarts.com/london/location-islington) isn't for this branch yet, but you'll get an idea of what to expect. If you dare...

the music should be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCCB8N2chqM and the drink should be holsten pils https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0IQrXQjkg8 :bemerry:

[Tris39]

the music should be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCCB8N2chqM and the drink should be holsten pils https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0IQrXQjkg8 :bemerry:

Ah yes - Kevin Rowland and not in a dress. Apparently the large photo of Jocky Wilson was a mistake?

[Tris39]

trainman enjoys a good game of darts,maybe one for him ;)

Remember this game of alternative darts? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqxXNZcIdwM)

[Bucking Fastard]

Remember this game of alternative darts? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqxXNZcIdwM)

Classic.:nishelypished:

[Gann]

trainman enjoys a good game of darts,maybe one for him ;)

And me and we utilise the one in Victoria at regular intervals. And I can recommend them for a jolly hour or so of team arrow chucking fun.

You can rent an oche by the hour or half hour and the darts playing areas are well designed so that they are quite separate from each other and far away from the main bar serving area, so you don’t have to suffer the cocktail swilling city knob heads, sorry personalities, depicted in the video playing on the one next to you.

The computer systems are top notch with an extensive range of darts games to select from outside of the standard 301, 501 and killer, with all the scoring and team placing shown on a large screen above the board, also with the quirky feature of a camera system which provides replays of you throwing the winning arrow.

Six or eight of us usually go along for an hour and half and it works out a reasonably cheap session when there is that many of you. You have to factor in the beer prices on top though. Obviously no real ale in these establishments, but they do all have Beavertown on the taps and I can suffer a couple of pints of Neck Oil or Gamma Ray before moving on. And moving on you will because the negative is the price levels in the Flight club sting more than getting a dart in your foot.
And that’s the benefit of the One in Victoria as there are several strong ale pubs a short distance.

So I can confirm that you don’t go to a Flight club just for a beer assuming their normal pubs, but for a group game of darts they are actually quite a good set up.

[Tris39]

And me and we utilise the one in Victoria at regular intervals. And I can recommend them for a jolly hour or so of team arrow chucking fun.

You can rent an oche by the hour or half hour and the darts playing areas are well designed so that they are quite separate from each other and far away from the main bar serving area, so you don’t have to suffer the cocktail swilling city knob heads, sorry personalities, depicted in the video playing on the one next to you.

The computer systems are top notch with an extensive range of darts games to select from outside of the standard 301, 501 and killer, with all the scoring and team placing shown on a large screen above the board, also with the quirky feature of a camera system which provides replays of you throwing the winning arrow.

Six or eight of us usually go along for an hour and half and it works out a reasonably cheap session when there is that many of you. You have to factor in the beer prices on top though. Obviously no real ale in these establishments, but they do all have Beavertown on the taps and I can suffer a couple of pints of Neck Oil or Gamma Ray before moving on. And moving on you will because the negative is the price levels in the Flight club sting more than getting a dart in your foot.
And that’s the benefit of the One in Victoria as there are several strong ale pubs a short distance.

So I can confirm that you don’t go to a Flight club just for a beer assuming their normal pubs, but for a group game of darts they are actually quite a good set up.

Yes. I did catch sight of my reflection in the mirror at the N1 branch on leaving and noted that I was sporting a slight smile, so for an hour of fun I'd give it a go, but as a place to drink - especially with the music levels - I think I'll stick to the Crown round the back and N1 in general has some very good pubs if you avoid Upper Street.

[Spinko]

Stay Puft - Amplified Imperial Marshmallow Stout. I didn't like the normal one, never liked anything by them, but £4.50/half of this at 13%ish seemed a good companion to my parmo. It wasn't. God help the bar staff at Hope and Union when the punters latch on to it tonight

[Spinko]

Stay Puft - Amplified Imperial Marshmallow Stout. I didn't like the normal one, never liked anything by them, but £4.50/half of this at 13%ish seemed a good companion to my parmo. It wasn't. God help the bar staff at Hope and Union when the punters latch on to it tonight

Having done some research I realise Stay Puft is not the brewery but Tiny Rebel. Which I rate and visited in their first few weeks in Newport. What an amateur...

[sheffield hatter]

Having done some research I realise Stay Puft is not the brewery but Tiny Rebel. What an amateur...

It's easy to be fooled by some of these modern pump clips. I had an imperial stout on keg at the Devonshire Cat (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/55761/) this week, which was written up on their blackboard as Gift Boundary. Looking at the roundel on the font, it looked more like Boundary Gift (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Funtappd.com%2Fb%2Fboundary-brewing-gift%2F2019601&psig=AOvVaw26Ri6QdtIChNDvo3HU9iQH&ust=1575750407646000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCKCWu-ztoeYCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAF) to me, but it was incredibly dark so really it could have been almost anything. But indeed it is Gift imperial stout by Boundary (https://boundarybrewing.coop/) brewery of Northern Ireland (I wonder how many customs forms they'll have to fill in after Brexit?).

[RealAleRobUK]

Disappointment of the week for me was a drink of Conkers by Kelham Island, a brewery I consider to be quite well respected. Described as a hazelnut stout on the pump clip, the aroma was indeed a lovely hazelnut with perhaps caramel, almost like the flavoured coffees you can get. The taste, however, was something quite different, and actually tasted of mouldy conkers. It reminded me of when, as a kid, I had been out collecting conkers and stashed them in an old ice cream tub then forgot about them until February by which point they were covered in mould. If you can translate that into a taste, that's exactly what this beer was.

It almost makes you wonder if something went horribly wrong with it in the brewing process and instead of ditching it they decided to flog the lot dirt cheap to Wetherspoons just to get shut of it.

A mate of mine who I was with also had it, and said this was actually better than the previous drink of the same beer he had had elsewhere. Well, I use the term mate loosely for not warning me off that beer after his previous experience, but I am the forgiving type.

[sheffield hatter]

On a trip to the East Riding of Yorkshire this week. I stayed just outside Beverley and had been looking forward to doing some of their interesting pubs again after quite a gap. First off was the Tiger Inn, which I had only ever put my head around the door, never had a drink. This was on my list to do because it was in the Yorkshire edition of Camra's Real Heritage Pubs, which I've been ticking since 2017. The reason I didn't have a drink on my previous visit was because they had run out of beer! I can't remember if it was a Bank Holiday, or a race day, or a failed delivery or a combination of all three, but the outcome was a trip to the Monks Walk instead. Anyway, it's changed hands since then...

My first hint that something was wrong was seeing the hanging sign. No longer featuring, as you might expect, a picture of a Tiger (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubpictures/62486/), there was now a picture of the pub hanging outside the pub. The front door was open but a sign said that this was not the way in - this was over a week after the Covid restrictions were lifted, but they were still operating a one-way system. I went round the back, through the car park and the seating area at the back of the pub. This took me to the back door, which I could see led to a corridor leading directly to the front door (from which I remembered another door went into the front bar), so I thought, I won't go that way because they'll think I've come in through the front door despite the notice.

So I turned left and went past the semi-open snug, featuring old benches, and round the corner to approach the bar from the opposite end to the front door. (The pub was quite busy and there was a strong smell of fried fish.) There was no one behind the bar, which was protected by two big perspex screens that had the same picture of the building as the hanging sign outside. In a few moments the licensee appeared and immediately asked me if I had come in the front door. I told him, no, I came through the back door as instructed. So, had I come through to the door beside the front door? No, I said, I came round the other way. So, have you made a booking, was the next question. No, I just wanted a beer - well, take a seat over there while I fill these orders, he said. So, no service at the bar? Table service only, he said. Will it be all right if I take my beer round to the snug? No, it's booked out, I'm expecting a party of six any minute.

I was a hair's breadth away from just walking out at this point, but I remembered the tick I had been waiting four years for, and I settled on one of the small seats against the front wall. The Timothy Taylor Landlord, when it came, was in very good nick - so, a plus point at last. I asked the boss about ventilation, as the strong smell of fish indicated to me that it was not very effective, and good ventilation is the best way to avoid Covid-19 infection. (In fact about 100 times more effective than perspex screens, I could have told him; but I felt I'd already irritated him as much as he had irritated me, so I forbore.) The windows are all open already, I was informed.

This man's determination to continue to provide table service was a sight to see - he was literally pouring every drink himself in response to orders written by three waiting staff, entering everything in the till himself, and working at least twice as hard as he needed to. To be fair, he found the time to make me a non-apology - "We seem to have got off on the wrong foot" - and made an unaccustomed effort to make small talk. But he clearly wasn't used to beer drinkers. If I wasn't in a group of four to six people ordering loads of food and wine, he didn't know what to say to me. When I said something about how this used to be a nice pub, he came back with "this is what a food pub is like".

Don't worry, I'm not going to write all of this in a review. Maybe I should go back another time either in the afternoon or after 9:30pm. I might get a better reception.

[sheffield hatter]

After the disappointment of the Tiger Inn, I made my way through Beverley to the White Horse (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/60271/), also known as Nellie's, in memory of a long departed licensee. This is a Sam Smiths pub, a very old building with the distinction of still having gas lighting - in the old sense of the words, rather than "gaslighting". There is a maze of rooms as is often the case in Sam Smiths pubs that occupy old buildings - in the case of the Eagle in Leeds they even created a multi-roomed pub out of what had been just two large rooms before.

The bar is easy to find, and I approached the counter which had three or four signs saying "no standing at the bar". I assumed this meant "order your beer and take it to a table", and I at least got this one right; though the young barman told me there was no need to wear my mask. I said that's ok, I don't mind wearing it as I want to continue the habit and encourage people to protect each other by making it customary. He and his two even younger girl friends, who were standing at the bar in contravention of the only Covid-19 policy the pub possessed, looked at me agape. One of the lasses asked me if I wanted her to put hers on - which was sweet of her, or perhaps she had heard that placating lunatics is the safest way. I declined the offer (it would have smudged her make up, I reckon).

I took my overcooled pint of Old Brewery Bitter (cask, but keg temperature) to a nearby table. The beer was quite tasty, despite the coldness. The barman, who I would guess from his hairstyle was only just 18, because surely an older man would realise how stupid he looked with a short back and sides with a floppy, curly fringe hanging down to his eyebrows, alternated chatting with the two young girls and looking at his phone. Perhaps he was checking his emails for news of his impending sacking for breaking Humphrey Smith's rule number one. All the time, glasses were piling up on the tables, and two new customers actually cleared a table so that they could sit at it. They didn't get an acknowledgement, never mind a word of thanks.

Whoever is running this place needs to learn that you can't just give a kid a couple of days training and expect them to run a pub like this, even if it was a quiet Wednesday evening. It was quite disturbing to see an old pub, an old building, like this being insulted by being treated so disdainfully. But then, what do I know?

[sheffield hatter]

Also on Wednesday in Beverley I went to the Dog & Duck (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/62369/) for the first time in over a decade. I know some people decry the beer policy (the late lamented Aqualung, for one: "a very dull choice of beers") but I got chatting to the licensee and he clearly knows his stuff. I had Black Sheep Bitter to start with, meaning to move on elsewhere, but when he asked me what my plans were in Beverley I told him I was using it as a base to go to see a Leeds Rhinos game in Hull, and would be going to the Empress there for the best-kept John Smiths Cask you can get. He said he thought he kept a pretty good John Smiths himself, so I had a pint of that too. (The others were Landlord and a Great Newsome beer, plus two ciders on the six hand pumps. The Smiths was good, but coming after the Black Sheep it really would have had a job to seem outstanding.)

He said he liked John Smiths himself, and he had only recently started stocking Landlord because he's been told good things about it - I said, yes, if you don't mind paying extra and having to keep it longer before putting it on the bar, which some people don't get. I said Landlord (and probably Tetleys) were the best beers (I'm talking traditional English bitters, obviously) in the 1990s, but that Black Sheep was better than most now, while the other two were shadows of their former selves. Partly because of changes to the beer, partly because publicans weren't looking after it properly. He said he knew about how expensive it was, about 20p or more per pint above his other beers, but the bonus was that he'd acquired a new crowd of Landlord fans who'd heard that he's got it on and didn't like to drink anything else. (I'll bet they've drifted up from the Tiger Inn - see Disappointments of the week - part 1 above.)

Anyway, the next afternoon I made my way to Hull and walked confidently and with joyful anticipation up to the Empress (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54543/), where I had made an off-piste visit during the Pubs Galore pub crawl of the city in 2016. (You can see what's coming, can't you?) At the time there had been, I think, three or four hand pumps, all with John Smiths Cask on. (What would Aqualung have said?) And the beer had been fantastic. My review: "I have to say this was the best John Smiths I have ever had: it was in superb condition and tasted like a different beer altogether." This was also the case on subsequent visits later the same year by ROBCamra: "If all John Smiths tasted like this I'd be happy drinking it." And jaqptio: "Just John Smith's Cask available on handpump, but this was in notably good condition."

On this occasion, not so much.

I only saw one hand pump on the bar, but that wasn't a John Smith's pump clip adorning it. Theakstons Lightfoot. Theakstons Lightfoot? Theakstons (expletive deleted) Lightfoot! I asked the young man at the bar, what about John SMiths? He said oh, we've got rid of it. With a smile. Like it was mice or cockroaches. I said, for the last five years I've been telling anyone who'll listen that the best John Smiths you can get is at the Empress in Hull. And you've replaced it with Theakstons (expletive deleted) Lightfoot? And I went elsewhere. I told him as I left that I'd make up for the disappointment by watching the Rhinos beat Hull FC.

Which we did, 22-12!

[Pubsignman]

I'm heading up to Yorkshire tomorrow and hope to stop-off in Beverley for a pint or two, so thanks for the heads-up on those two pubs - think I'll save them for some other time!