Pub Of The Month - May 2021

[ROBCamra]

:cheers:

[Mobyduck]

This month has to go to The Southampton Arms (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23788/), great ambiance , a good range of well kept cask beer (8) and a cracking (including crackling) hot Pork and Apple sauce Roll.

[Bucking Fastard]

The Organ Grinder (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/31061/)

Managed to visit both the Loughborough and Nottingham branches during May ,the Nottingham one gets the nod because we could sit inside,there was stronger ale available and like in Loughboro. the staff are charming and other punters friendly.A top boozer.

[Tris39]

This month has to go to The Southampton Arms (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23788/), great ambiance , a good range of well kept cask beer (8) and a cracking (including crackling) hot Pork and Apple sauce Roll.

Yes. One of the best pubs I've walked past around once a week for the last 14 months. And the pork baps are good!

[Tris39]

Three pubs this year and all new.

Best pint - Hackney Tap (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/89180/)
Best overall pub - Dove Free House (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25056/)

[Wittenden]

What with one thing and another,not necessarily COVID related, we haven't really got back to pub going.Also,it's too easy to order cans online. Since the first reopening, I've made 7 visits to 2 pubs. Interestingly, the strike rate for new to me beers has been encouraging, as has cask beer quality on the whole. My pub of the month:Larkins' Alehouse (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/85780/)

[hondo]

The Slip Inn (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/58608/)

[sheffield hatter]

As you know, we are blessed with many very good pubs in Sheffield, and among those I have been drinking in since 17 May are The Blake Hotel (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/43068/), The Wellington (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/43091/), The Crow Inn (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/63374/), The Fat Cat (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/43149/) and the Sheffield Tap (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/68140/); throw in the Cutlers Arms (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/34048/) in Rotherham and they would account for 14 pub visits out of 19 from 17th to 29th (I gave the pubs a miss Sunday and Monday as I thought the weather might fuel some bad behaviour and wanted to stay clear).

Taking into account beer quality, service, Covid safety and atmosphere I would happily give any of these a 9 or a 10, but for overall excellence I make the Blake Hotel my pub of the month. Since reopening inside, every visit has found not just five beers on the bar in tremendous condition, but there have also been at least two and more often three of those that I either knew already that I liked them or was interested in trying them out - and I don't mean just a half! Those days are gone.

[Mobyduck]

As you know, we are blessed with many very good pubs in Sheffield, and among those I have been drinking in since 17 May are The Blake Hotel (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/43068/), The Wellington (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/43091/), The Crow Inn (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/63374/), The Fat Cat (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/43149/) and the Sheffield Tap (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/68140/); throw in the Cutlers Arms (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/34048/) in Rotherham and they would account for 14 pub visits out of 19 from 17th to 29th (I gave the pubs a miss Sunday and Monday as I thought the weather might fuel some bad behaviour and wanted to stay clear).

Taking into account beer quality, service, Covid safety and atmosphere I would happily give any of these a 9 or a 10, but for overall excellence I make the Blake Hotel my pub of the month. Since reopening inside, every visit has found not just five beers on the bar in tremendous condition, but there have also been at least two and more often three of those that I either knew already that I liked them or was interested in trying them out - and I don't mean just a half! Those days are gone.

Desperate to get myself up there to check things out, I have a week off in early July, I can find accommodation at a fair price , travel less so ( haven't explored all options yet) a train ticket up is £ 24 something or other, no problem, getting back a couple of days later, comes up (at the moment ) at the 70 quid mark, more of a problem especially as I believe British rail is not so keen on a refund policy should covid kick off again, the hotel I can cancel 3 days before depature, think I may wait till the autumn and see how the land lies.

[sheffield hatter]

Desperate to get myself up there to check things out, I have a week off in early July, I can find accommodation at a fair price , travel less so ( haven't explored all options yet) a train ticket up is £ 24 something or other, no problem, getting back a couple of days later, comes up (at the moment ) at the 70 quid mark, more of a problem especially as I believe British rail is not so keen on a refund policy should covid kick off again, the hotel I can cancel 3 days before depature, think I may wait till the autumn and see how the land lies.

That's a huge differential! Is it to do with days of the week?

Have you looked at different routes? Or splitting at unexpected places? Sometimes there are cheaper fares between Burton on Trent and Banbury; you can use the Derbyshire Wayfarer concession £6.70 (https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transport-roads/public-transport/fares-tickets-passes/rover-tickets/derbyshire-wayfarer/the-derbyshire-wayfarer-day-rover-ticket.aspx) to get to the former (you can buy it at Sheffield station), and I don't need to tell you how to get home from the latter!

[Mobyduck]

That's a huge differential! Is it to do with days of the week?

Have you looked at different routes? Or splitting at unexpected places? Sometimes there are cheaper fares between Burton on Trent and Banbury; you can use the Derbyshire Wayfarer concession £6.70 (https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/transport-roads/public-transport/fares-tickets-passes/rover-tickets/derbyshire-wayfarer/the-derbyshire-wayfarer-day-rover-ticket.aspx) to get to the former (you can buy it at Sheffield station), and I don't need to tell you how to get home from the latter!

Thanks for the link Will, that looks very useful, and no I haven't investigaterd all travel avenues yet, that was just a straight National Rail enquiry, my bigger concern is booking up then finding out nearer the date we're still lumbered with table service and masks etc, when I do Sheffield I want to do it properly, so may hang on another few months to see how things are panning out.

[sheffield hatter]

T... my bigger concern is booking up then finding out nearer the date we're still lumbered with table service and masks etc, when I do Sheffield I want to do it properly, so may hang on another few months to see how things are panning out.

Good call!