The month that began with wailing and gnashing of teeth over non-delivery of the new Beer Guide ended with some revelatory trips to Nuneaton, Luton and Stevenage. Decent walking weather in the main, and a couple of glorious days in Halifax and Manchester while it bucketed down in the South.  The sun shines on… Continue reading SEPTEMBER STOCKTAKE

Or, Luton gets the basics right In February I gave (I hope) an affectionate account of Luton’s unchanging appeal, never better captured than in the attractive Irish pubs, real ale or not. Many of those along Hitchin Road are long gone, victims of repressive legislation in 2007 and the emergence of “home entertainment”. A few… Continue reading THE GREAT NORTHERN – A TRIBUTE TO LUTON

  I could have lumped this one in with Cropton, but I reckon the Sun deserves some attention of it’s own.  A definite Top 100 pub contender. It was certainly the highlight of a quick walk round Pickering,  a town that suffers from the A170 steaming through it.  The High Street was set back, but scarcely… Continue reading THE SUN, PICKERING

  When I retired I received one of those Red Letter vouchers with a choice of activities involving near brushes with death (go-carting, parachuting, prosecco tasting etc).   They should add some really scary things like “Taking your pint back in the Charlie Chaplin” Our power boating trip on the Thames was a highlight of the… Continue reading NEW INN, CROPTON BREWERY TOUR OVERNIGHTER

  Folk who just track down interesting beers and classic pubs miss out on a lot.  Simon goes to Hoyland, which even people in Barnsley have never visited.  I get a trip “home” to Stevenage to tick off a Greene King pub.  Retirement is underrated. Stevenage is, of course, best known as the stunt double for… Continue reading STEVENAGE NEW TOWN. AND GREENE KING.