Sampled a few nice ales in Newark yesterday ... the best ones being ...

Castle Rock Preservation 4.4% in the Fox and Crown
Stapleford Full Mash 4.4% at the Castle Barge
GK Rum Runner 5.2% in the Monty Python-themed Flying Circus
North Riding Brewery Oatmeal Stout 5.0% (twice in a few days) in the Just Beer micropub.

Did a little research on Newark on Tripadvisor (other sites are available)

. it read well for supping and eating. Does it get the roaming Wanderer recommend?

Yes, an enjoyable afternoon and early evening with a good variety of pubs.

The Castle Barge and the Flying Circus are definitely worth a visit.

A couple of highlights of a visit to Llandudno ...

Purple Moose Dark Side of the Moose 4.6% in the Palladium (W'spoons)
Courage Directors 4.8% in the Cottage Loaf.

Little Critters Brewery Sleepy Badger 4.5% in the Gatehouse last night. A very nice Oatmeal Stout from a brewery I hadn't heard of previously but which turns out to be at Wadsley Bridge near Sheffield.

The Rev. James sampled straight from the barrel in the Bree Louise, Euston on Saturday evening was stunning!

If you're in the area, the pub is a 'must visit'.

Also visited on Saturday and worth a recommendation, the Green Man outside Great Portland Street tube station, where a decent pint of Hogs Back T.E.A. was on offer.

Found a stunning Amber Ale in the Lower Angel, Warrington last night.

1066 4.2% from the Battlefield Brewery, Shrewsbury is rich and malty - marvellous!

The next Wetherspoons Real Ale Festival kicks off on Wednesday 12 October 2016. Running until Sunday 23 October the Festival will showcase 30 ales all brewed with British hops.

Hi guys on the Tuesday 20th September I'll be delivering our Belle Vue Blonde to the Flying Scotsman for the weekend beer festival, its our best seller, hope you enjoy

A second visit to Urmston on Saturday evening yielded two excellent ales;

Beer Nouveau Peterloo 4.0% from the Temperance Street Brewery in Manchester. A smooth dark porter with chocolate and roast flavours, found in the Prairie Schooner Taphouse.

Wishbone Brewery Abyss 4.3%, a rich dark stout, again with chocolate and roast flavours. The Keighley brewery's ale was sampled in the Steamhouse.

Both of these alehouses are well worth a visit if you find that you're in the area.

Welbeck Abbey Brewery Hannah's Admiral Chocolat 4.8% found in the Market Place Alehouse & Deli, Doncaster on Saturday evening was fabulous.

The ever- welcome Thornbridge Lord Marples was on good form in the Sheffield Tap yesterday.

Good to see that the Black Bull, Doncaster now regularly has Brains The Rev James.

Dropped into The Stag at Walton (outskirts of Warrington) on Saturday evening and sampled the very pleasant Bridgewater Ale 4.0%, brewed on the premises.

The excellent Fuggle Bunny Jammy Dodger 4.5% back on in the Tut n Shive recently.

Not sure when you are in Town next Wanderer but Cask Corner did have (last week) two or three Stouts on. Its my believe that they have upped their game in there and I have sampled a couple of excellent brews recently. The Stancill American Pale was a thing of beauty.

Certainly one evening this week (as a minimum). We generally have a pint or two in Cask Corner and I concur, after a spell where things could have been better they are now.

5 days to go and 5 of the ales, although brewed with British hops, will represent International brewers. Countries represented are South Africa, Australia, USA (twice) and Italy.

Sampled Acorn brewery's Red Oak in the Red Lion yesterday. At 4.5%, it is described as a Rich Red Rustic Ale and was malty with fruit and spice flavours - excellent!

The Gatehouse has made an early start with the Festival Ales. Two were partaken of last night ...

Terrapin Recreationale 4.7% - Brewed at Caledonian brewery by International brewer Brian Buckowski (USA). A golden ale yet malty with biscuit and caramel flavours. Pleasantly surprising.

Camerons Press Gang 4.0% - Another golden ale, this one flavoured with citrus fruits and berries.

Three further Festival Ales sampled in the Gatehouse last night ...

Maxim Northern Knight 4.2% - A blond-coloured golden ale, a little too flowery and fruity for my taste.

RCH Return From The Ashes 5.0% - Yet another ale golden in colour but brewed as a premium bitter.

Afro-Caribbean Hop Session 4.3% - Brewed at Everards brewery by International brewers Shawn Duthie and Greg Casey (South Africa). My preference of the three, but still a golden pale ale - Really looking forward to some mid to dark ales.

The Red Lion offered two to try last night ...

Cotleigh Hip Hop Hooray 3.9% - A copper coloured bitter, pleasant if unspectacular.

Morland Old Crafty Hen 6.5% - Malty with fruit flavours and deep amber in colour. A very nice strong ale.

Then onwards to the Gatehouse who seriously look like they are trying to get through all 30 Festival Ales. Three more available and sampled ...

Banks's Gold Ingot 4.3% - Golden coloured and brewed as an IPA. Very citrus-laden and not to my taste.

Shepherd Neame (No. 18 Yard) Kentish Saison 4.5% - Another golden ale but paler than the Banks's and slightly more to my taste with a malty flavour with a hint of pepper.

Birrificio Foglie D'Erba Hot Night at the Village 5.0% - Brewed at Shepherd Neame brewery by International brewer Gino Perissutti (Italy) in the style of an English porter. Coffee and chocolate very evident and my favourite of the festival so far.

Sheffield today to see what is on offer there.

Should be next weekend. Steel City real ale festival based at Kelham Island Museum cheap to get in (unlike some festivals) about £8 return on the train, whats not to like.