Nothing much to report recently as I've been struck by gastroenteritis.

Did manage a pint of Wadworth 6X and a pint of Elland Nettle Thrasher yesterday though. Both very enjoyable.

Glad you're feeling a bit better, sounds nasty. Pleased you're back, I was feeling a bit lonely on here

Had another *Spire brew yesterday, a headbanging 6.1% Winter Wonderland, a bit sweet and barley-winish for my taste. Also had a pint of Wentworth Strawberry Silk, which, despite the label, tasted mainly of citrus to me.

* Spire had a meet-the-brewer night last week at the Bluecoat. Hence the many references to them in recent missives

Pleased to see you're keeping up the good work.

On one of my...ahem...many "survey" trips to the Bluecoat, have today sampled Saltaire White Christmas Ale, Milestone Maid Marian and the ubiquitous Spire, with Twist and Stout. All of the above are very drinkable. For the porter/stout/mild lovers amongst you, I would heartily recommend the Twist and Stout. The Saltaire brew is light and surprisingly flavoursome, and I reckon the Milestone brew is the best one they've done to date. Must be Xmas

Sampled a pint of Hardy and Hansons Rocking Rudolph yesterday in the Tut and Shive.

I enjoy this time of year as many of the Seasonal Ales are of the darker, warmer (taste not temperature) variety.

... and a couple of pints of Jennings Redbreast in the Sun Inn this lunchtime.

This week.......I have been mostly sampling Aldi bottled ale.
Made by proper brewers.....not specially for Aldi.
Twisted Thistle by Belhaven
Batemans XXXB, Combined Harvest, Spring Breeze.
They have got some good ones by other brewers as well, all strong ales at £1.19 per 500ml bottle.
Makes a change from cans in the house.
But it fills the green box up faster.

... Is a fantastic drink (even in a bottle).

You'll be glad to know I've been busy on the real ale front this Xmas. Went to the Monsal Head Hotel in Derbyshire and sampled the Storm Brewing Company's Bosley Cloud, a nice light hoppy bitter, Alton's Black Hole, a peach of a porter and how Guinness should taste

plus Thornbridge Ashford, a very palatable bitter. Beware though, this hotel is expensive!

Returning to normal haunts, I have just tasted Mordue's Tinsel Toon, Black Hole's Stirry Night (?), Cotleigh's Rudolph the Red Nosed Reinbeer and Bradfield's Belgian Blue, all worth a moment of your time.

I have also received several bottled beers as Xmas presents, which I will no doubt be reporting on in due course.

Happy New Year to everyone.

What a dump and the view is e.

That's harsh, it's nice up there (on a summers

afternoon).

Have been on a little tour this afternoon;

Called at the Stockyard at Hellaby (pint of Timothy Taylors Landlord) en-route to the Red Lion at Braithwell where I too partook of a pint of Bradfield Belgian Blue (superb!

).

Later, a pint of Hardy & Hansons Rocking Rudolph (not the first time this Christmas) at the Cumberland and finally, another pint of Jennings Redbreast in the Sun Inn.

Hope you wasnt driving Gary !

Not while drinking - wouldn't want to spill any!

It must be S-O's irony ( I hope!) cos it's anything but. The view is wonderful,so I assume he's extracting it

It's one of my favourite places in Derbyshire to be and enjoy a drink.
Heavenly.........but you knew that.







I congratulate you on your good taste.

We had a walk to Cressbrook Mill and back via the railway line, followed by the aforementioned pints.

The only thing spoiling it was the murky weather.

It's been mainly bottles for the last couple of days ...

Business As Usual (Derby Brewing Company) and Bakewell Best Bitter (Peak Ales) were a couple of new ones - wouldn't put anyone off either but not quite 'my cup of tea'.

Additionally, for the first (but hopefully not last) time, Rudolph the Red Nosed Beer from the White Horse Brewery. A tasty winter warmer with citrus and candied peel flavours.

Plus a few old favourites ...

Hobgoblin (Wychwood Brewery)
1849 (Joseph Holt)
Lancaster Bomber (Thwaites)
Victory Ale (Batemans)
Old Trip (Hardy & Hanson)
XXXB (Batemans)

All very nice!

Sampled a couple of really nice pints today ...

Everards Sleigh Bell (in the Phoenix Sports and Social Club, Brinsworth)

and

Caledonian Ale Lang Syne (in the Golden Ball, Whiston).

Both recommended if you can catch them before the season ends.

Best beer of the holiday has been Barngates Tag Lag in the Punch Bowl, Crosthwaite in the South Lakes.

Guess who has given up drinking for a while?
So won't be posting on this thread for a few months.

Me too. As I'm now 4 and a half stones overweight, something has to give and ale is definitely out, unfortunately

Oz and James Drink to Britain (BBC2 8pm tonight) might be worth a watch.

Patronising Yorkshire accents but some good bits. Pity they missed the Head of Steam while on Huddersfield station.