Spoons festival ...

The Looking Glass, Warrington - Barbourne Cherry Bakewell 4.0%, a pink cider with cherry, almond and apple flavours.

Spoons festival ...

The Rawson Spring, Hillsborough - Conwy Kodiak 5.0%, an American-style brown ale, brown in colour. Some malt but more rye, a hoppy and citrus finish. Not what I'd call a brown ale.

5 left to find.

Spoons festival ...

Sheffield Waterworks - Boxing Cat Contender 4.9%, brewed by Michael Jordan from Boxing Cat in China at Banks's Brewery. Pale yellow in colour, this pales ale's flavours emerge the more you progress. Pine, citrus and a hint of caramel are what I detected.

4 more required.

Spoons festival ...

The Benjamin Huntsman, Sheffield - Adnams Topaz Gold 4.0%, a golden ale which pours clear golden. Some citrus fruit and an almost grassy hop taste. Not really my thing.

Spoons festival ...

The Benjamin Huntsman, Sheffield - Harviestoun Bitter & Even More Twisted 5.0%, a golden yet malty and sweet ale. A bitter start with a zesty finish. Not bad at all.

2 to find.

Spoons festival ...

The Church House, Wath - JW Lees Moonraker 6.5%, an ebony coloured strong ale. Flavours include caramel, molasses, orange and toffee. Expectedly rich and potent. Very enjoyable.

1 to find now ...

Spoons festival ...

The Crossed Shuttle, Pudsey - Otter OPA 4.9%, a clear golden pale ale. Some malt, marmalade and biscuit in the mix. A dry finish. One of the better pale ales I've had.

Full House

The Lower Angel, Warrington last night. This is a traditional boozer in a pedestrianised part of the town centre. There are generally 6 real ales available, one of which is the house regular Weetwood Best Bitter 3.8%. The lounge has a jukebox and the staff are friendly and welcoming. Think Warrington's version of Doncaster's Corner Pin.

A couple of noteworthy ales sampled ...

Cross Bay Hop To It 3.9%, described as a Hot Cross Bun beer, it actually comes across as a malt and toffee flavoured bitter. Quite nice.

Wishbone Wood Aged Black Porter 6.5%, an updated version, aged in whisky barrels, of the brewery's Black Porter 6.0%. Roasted malts, coffee, chocolate and fruit. Excellent.

Ever tried beer from springhead brewery near rampton Gaz?

Yes, I like their Drop O' The Black Stuff (Porter) and am hoping to spot Chocolate Orange Odyssey on my travels.

Taking over at the 'Little' Plough from 24 May 2019.

Celebrated St Georges Day (before its banned) with Batesmans Victory ale, the bogs dollox of bottled beer IMO.

Just seen this mate, that is excellent news.

Paid a visit to the Don Valley Tap, Wool Market, Doncaster recently, sampling a couple of their beers ...

Bit O' That 4.0%, a best bitter, smooth, dark and malty.

Gongoozler 4.5%, described as a 5 Malt Stout, it does indeed have plenty of malt, some sweetness (honey, toffee and vanilla) and fruit (citrus and berries).

Both very enjoyable.

Ripon races last Thursday ... they had Theakston Best Bitter 3.8% cask (same set up as Thirsk when I was there).

The Corner Pin, Doncaster had a couple of Pheasantry ales this weekend ...

Best Bitter 3.8%, an excellent best bitter, malty with a slightly nutty flavour.

Black Pheasant Dark Ale 4.2%, a very enjoyable dark ale, some coffee and plenty of malt.

Jolly Boys Brewery Jolly Collier Porter 4.3%, in the Leopard, Doncaster yesterday.

A very nice dark brown porter from the Wakefield brewers. Bitter, rich and smooth with malt, chocolate, coffee and dark fruit flavours.

On your recommend. The Bit O That was excellent, and the best bit now about the Wool Market is that you can get Indian food at lunch time. Compliments this first class beer outlet somewhat.Top job.

Going again on Sunday for a couple of pre-match swallows.

May see you there

Brew York Tonkoko 4.3%, in the Queens, Doncaster at the weekend ...

A dark brown stout. Described as Bounty in a glass, it's hard to disagree. Chocolate, coconut, lactose and vanilla. Sweet and delicious.

Dunham Massey Chocolate Cherry 3.8%, in the Lower Angel, Warrington last night ...

A red / brown mild with a cherry aroma. Flavours are cherry, milk chocolate plus hints of caramel and liquorice. Very pleasant.

Just returned from a couple of very enjoyable days in Anglesey, based in Beaumaris.

The places which serve real ale in Beaumaris are mainly hotel bars such as the Castle Court (our base), the Bulkeley Hotel, the Liverpool Arms Hotel & Ye Olde Hull's Head. There was however a Robinsons pub, the George & Dragon.

Most enjoyable drinks of the week were ...

Hancocks HB 3.6%, a best bitter, in Ye Olde Bull's Head.
JW Lees Tan Y Ddraig 4.0%, a variation on their best bitter, in the Bulkeley Hotel.
Robinsons Stout 4.2%, in the George & Dragon.

Whilst in Anglesey, a visit had been arranged to the Druid Brewery in Penysarn, a village overlooked by Parys Mountain.

This cottage brewery was born out of the proprietors love of home brewing and the local demand for their ales and ciders.

Ales sampled were ...

The Raven 4.9%, a very nice Oatmeal Stout with chocolate and coffee flavours evident along with the oatmeal.

Renaissance Porter 6.5%, a chocolate influenced porter who's flavour and potency become more apparent as you progress. Also very nice.