Lymm on Saturday evening;

Hyde's Celsius 4.1% - Bulls Head
Young's Special 4.5% - Golden Fleece
JW Lees Premium Bitter 4.5% - Spread Eagle
Dunham Porter 5.2% & Lymm Dam 7.2% - Lymm Brewery Tap

Loved the Young's Special and the Dunham Porter and couldn't resist the Lymm Dam (Strong Dark Ale).

Came across the Mad Squirrel Milk Stout again on Sunday, this time in the Scarbrough Hotel in Leeds.

Also re-acquainted with the excellent Dark Star Espresso 4.2% in Tapped Brew Co. whilst the Griffin offered Daleside Bitter and the Head of Steam, Camerons Strongarm.

Highlights of a short break based in Newcastle;

Firebrand Belgian Red 4.5% in the Broad Chare, Newcastle Quayside
Cullercoats Jack the Devil 4.5% in the Old George, Newcastle
Cameron's Tontine 4.1% (a sweet milk stout) in the Head of Steam, Newcastle
Courage Directors 4.8% in the Cumberland Arms, Tynemouth
Hadrian Border Brewery Black Gate Bitter 4.0% in the Crown Posada, Newcastle Quayside
Fat Brewer Crimson 4.8% in Lady Greys, Newcastle
RedWillow Smokeless (a smoked porter) 5.7% in the Bodega Bar, Newcastle

If I had to choose one above all the others it would be the smoked porter but a number of very enjoyable ales sampled as part of a very enjoyable trip.

The 9 Gallon in Warrington had two beers from a brewery I hadn't previously heard of, Connoisseur (St Helens). One was a Bitter and the other a Mild. The latter, Bloody Mild 3.7% was selected and whilst I wouldn't rave about it, it was nice enough.

Theakston XB found in the White Hart and the Barley Mow had Wadworth 6X.

Wetherspoons seem to be keen on Honza Kocka Black Knight 5.0% brewed at Adnams by the Czech brewer. It's been available in the last 3 'Spoons I've visited.

The Yorkshire Grey had Cottage Dogfight 4.4% on Friday evening ... very nice.

Samuel Adams Octoberfest a deep coloured malty lager beer at 5.4% is the pick so far in Florida. Its all light this and light that, they are cold and thats about it.no taste at all. The craft seen is massively hopped to death but its all about being cold. It just kills any taste. The plus side is 12 bottles of Octoberfest are selling for $13.48 about £8.30.Cheers

Hope you enjoy the change of scenery, if not the change of beer.

Hopefully, we can have a pint or two together somewhere along the line before next season starts.

Its a deal. Perhaps its time for a posters tipple evening. Will PM you when I'm back.

Sonnet 43 Bourbon Milk Stout 4.3% in Cask Corner yesterday was very enjoyable.

Three nice ales sampled in Doncaster on Wednesday evening ...

Blue Bee Hillfoot Best Bitter 4.0% in the Salutation
Rudgate York Chocolate Stout 5.0% in Cask Corner
Doncaster Brewery Mucky Bucket 5.0% in the Doncaster Brewery Tap

York yesterday ... spoilt for choice as always ...

Highlights were ...

Glastonbury Black As Yer 'At 4.3% in Pivni
Brighton Bier Grand Havana (Smoked Porter) 5.0% in the Maltings
Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout 4.5% in the York Tap

also tried Broughton Elder Power 4.7% in the Cross Keys - An elderflower bitter, not really my tipple but an interesting change.

The highlight of an evening in Deansgate (Mcr) yesterday was Moorhouses Black Cat reserve 7% in the Rising Sun.

Wickwar Cotswold Way 4.2% was a very nice find in the Red Lion earlier in the week. The Gatehouse had Milestone Sup-Porter at 5.2% (I assume a topical / specialty brew) and the Tut had Brains SA 4.2% available.

Yesterday, before and after the football at Loftus Road ...

Redemption Rising Sun 5.0% in the Argyll, Oxford Circus
Rhymney Export 5.0% in the Tyburn, Marble Arch
Five AM Red Ale 5.0% in the Brew Dog, Shepherds Bush
Truman's Blindside 4.4% in the Mitre, Holland Park
Caledonian Autumn Red 4.4% in the Prince Albert, Notting Hill

Favourite on the day was the Rhymney Export.

The next Wetherspoons Real Ale Festival officially kicks off next Friday and runs until Sunday 1 November.
(although it's often the case that some of the fifty will be available before and after)

Pheasantry Smokin' 4.6% in the Red Lion yesterday. Very nice indeed ... described as a 'smoked rauchbier'.

First night of the 'Spoons real ale festival yesterday and six ales sampled;

Sixpoint Bengali 6.4% (USA, brewed at Adnams brewery) & Ishii Brewing Minagof Smoked Porter 5.5% (Guam, brewed at Wadworth brewery) in the Red Lion.
Flying Dutchman Spiced Ale 4.4% (Netherlands, brewed at Caledonian brewery) & Shepherd Neame Red Sails 4.0% in the Angel.
Titanic 7 C's 5.0% & Exmoor Gold Export 5.5% in the Gatehouse.

Three of the ten International brews tasted and couldn't split the Smoked Porter & the Spiced Ale (the latter having hints of lemongrass).

Of the 'home' brews, the Red Sails ticked most boxes (a lovely cherry and chocolate porter).

Four more festival ales tried yesterday;

Hook Norton Easy Weasel Ale 4.5%, Young Henrys Real Ale 4.0% (Australia, brewed at Batemans brewery) & Zululand Zulu Blonde 4.5% (South Africa, brewed at Marstons brewery) in the Red Lion.
Fork & Brewer Low Blow 4.7% (New Zealand, brewed at Shepherd Neame brewery) in the Angel.

Preference on the evening was the Australian ale.

More 'festival' ales in Sheffield today;

Butcombe Chinook APA 4.2% in the Rawson Spring.
Adnams Extra 4.3% & Purity M.O. 4.0% in the Swim Inn.
Oakham Owl & The Pussycat 4.5% in the Sheffield Waterworks Co.
Caledonian Rare Red Rye 3.9% in the Benjamin Huntsman.
Moorhouses Pendle Witches Brew 5.1% in the Bankers Draft.

Three more 'festival' ales ticked off yesterday;

Mordue Admiral 4.8% & Wadworth Coopers Vice 5.0% in the Red Lion ... both to my liking.
Fat Heads Yakima Sun 5.0% (USA, brewed at Hook Norton brewery) in the Gatehouse.

A couple of 'festival' ales en-route to the latest debacle at the Macron Stadium;

Central City Red Racer IPA 6.5% (Canada, brewed at Banks brewery) & Two Birds Sunset Ale 4.6% (Australia, brewed at Everards brewery) in the Robert Shaw at Westhoughton.

That's 9 of the 10 International brews sampled.

The second weekend of the 'festival' kicked off with the following last night;

Oakleaf 10 Little Acorns 4.4%, Greene King New Horizons IPA 6.0% & Liberation Sin Bin 3.7% in the Red Lion.
Wychwood King Goblin 6.0% & Nogne O Nordic Noir 4.5% (Norway, brewed at Wychwood brewery) in the Gatehouse.

All 10 International brews now ticked off.

The Oakleaf chestnut coloured mild was very nice and the King Goblin very enjoyable too.

Nice one Wanderer. Glad you enjoyed them.

Liverpool last night;

Woodforde's Tap & Go 5.0%, Maxim John Bull Stout 5.0% & JW Lees Drayman's Reward 4.1% in the Richard John Blackler
Wood's Ebony 4.5% & White Horse The Tight Five 4.5% in the North Western

Not a bad one among them!