Black Sheep Bitter on good form in the Barnsley Oak at South Elmsall earlier this week as was the Old Mill Traditional Bitter in the Bay Horse at Heck.

Night round Newcastle last night.
Blaydon Belle
Blaydon Races
Jackie Broon
and a couple of others,

All Crap.

If I go to the Bluecoat in Rotherham, I simply cannot resist Acorn Gorlovka if it's on and today was no exception. At 6.5% it is a deceptive, therefore dangerously drinkable porter.

Consumed a lot of great ales last night down Cottingham Road and Newland Ave in Hull.

One which stood out was called Doom, very nice.

Didn't get to keep a record of the ones I tried, but did the following places (which I recommend to anyone who comes to Hull at some point):

Gardeners Arms
Koo Bar
Xanders
Toffs
Larkin

More of the above yesterday.

Jennings Sneck Lifter and Acorn Barnsley Bitter both on good form in the Old Angel last night.

Tried the new Old Mill brew Red Goose 4.2% this lunchtime in the Bay Horse at Heck ... very enjoyable.

More Red Goose in the Bay Horse this evening.

Have been drinking Red Goose in the Punchbowl Thorne for a while now, agree, very enjoyable .

The Drum (Bentley) re-introduces a Cask Ale tomorrow. Black Sheep Bitter first up.

Courage Directors in top form in the Bull Inn, Olney (Bucks) yesterday as was Everards Tiger Best Bitter in the Barley Mow at Cosgrove (Northants).

Had a fantastic pint called Fox Brewery Red Poll 3.9% in Walters (Hull) last night, followed by a Pennine Brewery Co Amber Necker 3.5%, which wasn't as nice as the Red Poll in my opinion but perfectly fine.



There's a small, new real ale bar just opened a few doors down from Walters called Wm. Hawkes, didn't seem to have much selection yet so we opted for Walters, but hopefully with time it'll be another great real ale establishment.

Was introduced to the rather wonderful Wychwood Bountiful 4.0% in the Witch & The Wardrobe (Lincoln) on Monday. A chestnut ale with a rich mixture of malts and fruits.

North Yorkshire over the last 3 days ... highlights ...

Rudgate Ruby Mild at the Royal Oak, Dacre Banks
Theakston Old Peculier at the Cover Bridge Inn, East Witton
H&H Olde Trip at the Bay Horse, Masham
Ossett Big Red at the Cross Keys, Knareborough

... slight negative ...

Middleham (we were based there) ... four pubs in the town square all serving Black Sheep Bitter ... admittedly, a couple had a Theakston brew on too (one had Black Bull Bitter and another had Old Peculiar) ... my real complaint, why couldn't one of them serve Black Sheep Ale or Riggwelter?

York on Friday ...

Moor Brewery Merlins Magic 4.3% (Pivni)
Theakstons Black Bull Bitter 3.9% (Golden Fleece)
Kelham Island Firestarter 3.8% (Ye Olde Starre)
Bartrams Cherry Stout 4.8% (Maltings)
Thornbridge Black Harry 3.9% & Thornbridge Lord Marples 4.0% (York Tap)

A very enjoyable afternoon.

Info: The Maltings has had a facelift and been extended.

Worcester Beer and Cider Festival Friday 2.30pm till sometime o'clock, can't give you a report (obvious reasons are Cider Block

) Top Venue, Top day and evening and My God them Country Folk can drink. Gawd knows if there was owt left for the Saturday session.

Bridlington last weekend ... sampled a number of Wold Top brews (Bitter, Wold Liz & 52-12) the best of which, Wold Liz, was on special offer in the Prior John (W'spoons) at £1.09 per pint.



Also had a very nice Porter, Big River Brewery's Sailmaker Porter 5.2% in The Telegraph.

Oldham on Saturday afternoon / evening ... mainly JW Lees but had a very nice Three Bs brew called Knocker Up

Scarborough last night ...

Tap & Spile to kick off the evening ... a couple of pints of Strongarm Ruby Red Ale whilst a band called Snatch played a mixture of Green Day, Thin Lizzy and even Monty Python (all with a punk edge).

Finally got a pint of Wold Top Headland Red (missed out in Brid the previous weekend) in the Lord Rosebery (W'spoons).

Also spent time in the Angel ... York Terrier was the drink of choice.

Ventured to the Old Scalby Mills for the first time last Monday ... Wold Top North Bay 4.2% ... very appropriate.



The Goodmanham Arms (Goodmanham) had a Real Ale festival on ... only one pint as we were just passing through ... Wharfebank Tykes Tipple 3.7%.

Same story at the Barnes Wallis (North Howden) just time for one pint from their 'festival' selection .... Black Dog Rhatas 4.6%.

Dark Star Original 5.0% in Cask Corner last night ... very enjoyable

As is the norm with trips to the Skolars, it was a few beers in Wood Green before kick off.

Spouters Corner (W'spoons) had a dozen or so Dons supporters in and as usual a good choice of real ales including a couple of favourites of mine, Bath Ales Gem and Adnams Broadside both of which went down very well.

A pint of Wells Bombadier (in the Goose) and it was off to the stadium.

Afterwards, back to Spouters for a quick pint of Gem before heading back to Central London for a very decent pint of Fullers London Pride in the Euston Flyer.

Not always a fan of Thwaites beer but their Half Nelson I have been thoroughly enjoying recently, a 4.4% pale ale.

Tried a York Guzzler (3.6%) in the Wellington Inn, Hull last night, excellent pint.

Old Mill Traditional Bitter in good form this lunchtime in the Bay Horse at Heck.