In a Pear Tree and Vegan Board Games Night in Bristol

It’s the variety that appeals.  And not just the variety of pear.  One day the Good Beer Guide sends you to a rough old estate pub, the next to something akin to the idyllic notion of an English country inn.  You can guess which of these is closer to the Pear Tree, Whitley, in Wiltshire. ……

Brewhouse & Kitchen, Old Elm, Mr G Clark and The Lamplighters

  When I met Dr John to head south, the temperature in Scotland was 2 degrees.  By the time we ordered saisons at Brewhouse & Kitchen in Cheltenham it was 18 degrees.   I was going to call this blog Saisons in the Sun but this was such a modest attempt at the style, that idea……

A Tale of Three Micros*

The rapid expansion of micropubs hasn’t reached Scotland, where there is a grand total of one, albeit a good one – Rutherford’s in Kelso.  At a pinch, we can also lay historical claim to another good one- Curfew, in Berwick-upon-Tweed.   There may be a number of reasons for this, one of which, it is speculated,……

Behind Bars in the Home Counties

There seem to be different schools of thought as to why the counties bordering London are known as the Home Counties.  One of which probably isn’t because that is where wealthy Londoners have their second homes. Generalising horribly,  it is my least favoured area to go quaffing.  Not just because this is where – as……

Cross Foxes, Stonehouse Brewery and Bailey Head

The first month of the new Good Beer Guide season is usually frenetic. The data dashboard in my car tells me I have spent 85 hours driving this month. That’s before time spent walking and on public transport is taken into account.  Add 13 football matches watched and you can see how  well – or……

Pub Ticking and the Olympics- Going for Gold

This map is said to show every pub in the UK though some keen eyed quaffers responded to its publication by pointing out omissions along Scotland’s north coast. And residents on the Isle of Skye were mortified that their island was deemed to be dry- visitors will tell you it rarely is. Nonetheless the map……

Birmingham: City of 1000 Trades and 335 Pubs

After all the Rock and Roll excitement we headed to another new Good Beer Guide entry in Hockley. The 1000 Trades – a reference to Birmingham’s history of workshops and small businesses- is in Frederick Street. A popular split level bar, the beer quality here was superb. We only got a seat in the area……