A quick visit to Ilkley, to take in the newly opened Flying Duck, before a more sedate wander round Skipton's finest, was the basis for this week's bibbing.
Tring - Tea Kettle.
Okells - Manx Pale Ale.
Ilkley - Crescent Ale.
Nelson - Magnum.
Wharfedale - Blonde.
Dark Horse - Hetton Pale Ale.
Great Heck - Treasure IPA.
Holts - Two Hoots.
Theakstons - Old Peculier.
Thwaites - Yule love It.
Dent - Porter.
Thwaites - Benny and Hop. One for BABOTW.
Saltaire - Pride.
Moorhouses - Black Cat.
Timothy Taylor - Dark Mild.
Some old favourites in there, but was really taken with the MPA. A lovely hoppy session beer, brewed with Galaxy and Citra. Great flavour for 3.6%.
'And where he supped the past lived still. And where he sipped the glass brimmed full' John Barleycorn, Carol Ann Duffy.
Hi TP. I was actually very impressed with the pubs we visited in Skipton. Not all of them were great on the beer front, but at least there was something on hand pull in each of them. The seven we tried were The Red Lion, Albion, Castle, Royal Shepherd, Narrow Boat, Cock & Bottle and the Woolly Sheep. If I had to pick just one, it would be the Narrow Boat - owned by the same people as Veritas in Leeds. However, the Red Lion was surprisingly good for a Greedy King house, having four guest ales in good nick, plus the Cock had some decent choices. The Woolly Sheep had the full range of Timothy Taylors. As it was three Saturdays before Christmas and market day, most were absolutely rammed, so it's hard to be too objective. However, if you take a punt on those mentioned I think you'll find something you like.
'And where he supped the past lived still. And where he sipped the glass brimmed full' John Barleycorn, Carol Ann Duffy.
Thank you A&H, that's very useful especially as I am now definitely visiting the real ale haven that is Yorkshire.
One of the highlights is a visit to the TT brewery followed by an attempt to drink my own body weight in Landlord at The Boltmakers.
Thank you again, you've ensured that the festive season won't be marred by sub-standard pubs or ale.
All the best, TP.
Loch Lomond Silkie Stout tried in The Baum of course.
A beautifully smooth stout, which at 5% was dangerously drinkable.
A pub is for life not just for Christmas