Chişinău, Moldova

A quick bit of context, blundering uncomfortably through geo-political sensitivities. Moldova is a country of around 3 million people that was part of Romania until being annexed by Stalin in 1940. It declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. A year previously the Moldovan region of Transnistria declared its own independence, since recognised only……

Good Beer Guide 2020

Today sees the publication date of the Good Beer Guide 2020. Those of us who get it on prescription have had it for a week or two on the basis that the contents are embargoed. In addition to the embargo I was placed under an official CAMRA handicap system that prevented me from entering a……

South Wales Wanderings

‘Ow much? Pub ticking is a costly business. I am reliably informed that “Ow much?” are the first words spoken by an infant Yorkshireman. The cost of the beer is only the start. There’s the fleet of drivers, paramedics, administrators, researchers and photographers that don’t pay for themselves. It’s not just the Good Beer Guide……

Pub Ticker Frenzy in Largs

Picture the scene on the Ayrshire coast. Largs is bathed in rare August sunshine. The ferry from Cumbrae arrives bearing The Fens’ leading pub ticker. He tries, unsuccessfully, to avoid a throng of autograph hunters on the slipway, some of whom had travelled from as far afield as Paisley. They crowd round him excitedly, pleading……

Copenhagen still Wonderful

I am pretty sure that quote is from Series 2 of Star Trek. It stands outside the memorable Bootleggers bar that had the best beer I have ever had in Copenhagen. And that’s quite a claim. Very Danish Our group of seven tried the majority of these beers. My favourite was Christian Bale Ale, a……

Hull: Yorkshire’s new Capital Of Beer

It’s official. Step aside overcrowded York. Tanks off the lawn superior Leeds. You’re getting tired Sheffield. I can announce Hull as Yorkshire’s beer capital of 2019 and hope the city gives this award as much publicity as when it won the UK City of Culture 2017. Or should that be pub-licity. Even writing their PR……

Pine Martens and Pints: A Highland Wildlife Special

Last year’s sighting of an unexpected Southern Wainscot on National Moth Night won a free two night stay for two in the Highlands. You did know there was such a thing as National Moth Night, right? And they say the moth game doesn’t pay. The destination was about seven miles north of Fort William. Scotch……