Today was to be my pub crawl in Derby

[hopwas]

Hmmm, Winter Ales are dangerous at the best of times, never mind in conjunction with a crawl of the town! I can see why you've opted for a two-night stopover ROB.
My list for Derby, still unvisited but high on list, is (in no particular order) Alexandra, Brunswick, Falstaff, Flowerpot, Smithfield, Station, Olde Dolphin, Old Silk Mill. No Babington Roger ('spoons rarely feature on our crawls) but with 18 HPs, it sounds like it should be added, as should that extra day to allow for 'jokers'.

Smithfield is bit hit and miss, on my last visit I was served rather flat hop ale and other ales was sold out and on better days, it can be really good.
Alex - Great pub shame about opening hours.
Flowerpot - One of true gem in Derby. I had pint of their famous Imperial Stout (10%) very dangerously drinkable. I had 3 pints and was already legless..
Olde Dolphin - Oldest pub in Derby. Lets hope you are not tall.. beware of low celling.
You should add Babbington Arms, I know it is JDW BUT they do serve excellent real ales, ciders and bottled real ales.

And..

My favourite pub of all.. Brunswick. Ohhh I was so hooked drinking its own brew that I wanted to move in! You can see brew being processed in one of room (Flowerpot also have one)

[aleandhearty]

Hi trainman...Nice to see you here...Hope you enjoy your stay.

Seconded. Hope you stick around.

[RogerB]

Olde Dolphin - Oldest pub in Derby. Lets hope you are not tall.. beware of low celling.

I am. I tried. It hurt.

[trainman]

Now there's a thing I never thought I'd see.

trainman
Teetotal

Indeed! It just seems to be assigned, presumably until I reach a certain number of posts & metamorphose into an equally misleading 'drinker of wine&soda'! I suppose there's nothing to be done about this temporary slur ... Conrad?

[RogerB]

Indeed! It just seems to be assigned, presumably until I reach a certain number of posts & metamorphose into an equally misleading 'drinker of wine&soda'! I suppose there's nothing to be done about this temporary slur ... Conrad?

I have also been labelled with such libellious claims but if I've had to go through the PG initiation ceremony, so have you. It only lasts for 5 postings - you could just do a few smileys until you hit the magic number.

[trainman]

I'd add The Derby Brewery Tap @ The Royal Standard to that list. It gets mixed reviews for the decor but there's no doubting the beer quality.

The 5 thirds and a bowl of local cheese make a good option for tasting and nibbles.

Aah, the Brewery Tap was not open when I first mapped Derby as a mission town ('07, I think!), duly added, & the 5(?) thirds plus bowl o' cheese sounds a novel offer.
A Notts pal working in Derby says we should also add Exeter Arms, where they often lunch.

[trainman]

you could just do a few smileys until you hit the magic number.

Oi! Don't tempt fate Roger...

[aleandhearty]

I have also been labelled with such libellious claims but if I've had to go through the PG initiation ceremony, so have you. It only lasts for 5 postings - you could just do a few smileys until you hit the magic number.

Yes, the teetotal badge is like being whacked across the face with a large frying pan isn't it? Regarding the smiley thing, please Roger let's not even go there!

[hopwas]

Aah, the Brewery Tap was not open when I first mapped Derby as a mission town ('07, I think!), duly added, & the 5(?) thirds plus bowl o' cheese sounds a novel offer.
A Notts pal working in Derby says we should also add Exeter Arms, where they often lunch.

Yep Brewery Tap was orginally known as Royal Standard and was boarded up in early 2007 and reopened in Summer of 2009 as Brewery Tap.

Exeter Arms.. Now thats name I havent heard for years. I think they sell 5 real ales on tap (if my memory serves me right!).. stones throw from Brewery Tap.

[ROBCamra]

Aah, the Brewery Tap was not open when I first mapped Derby as a mission town ('07, I think!), duly added, & the 5(?) thirds plus bowl o' cheese sounds a novel offer.
A Notts pal working in Derby says we should also add Exeter Arms, where they often lunch.

The Exeter is a nice enough pub, I've been in quite a few times.

The beer though is very hit & miss. I'm not sure they get through enough for so many handpumps.

They do serve the excellent Jennings Dark Mild though.