Three old favourites (well two old and a more recent one) last night ...

Thorne Best Bitter in the Old Angel
Batemans XXXB and Brains Rev James in the Salutation.

The Salutation, Doncaster - Beer Festival
Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October 2009.
12 noon 'til 12 midnight.

Sneaked out for a pint or two of Saltaire Hazelnut Coffee Porter. I'm in heaven! Also had a very nice pint of Nick Hambleton's Stallion. Superb.

Ventured up to the Salutation last night for their Beer Festival ...

Had a couple of nice Bateman brews Autumn Fall (which I've only previously had in bottles) and Salem Porter.

Also this years Champion Beer Rudgate Ruby Mild, Acorn Barnsley Bitter, Marstons Old Empire and one that I certain hadn't tried before Blue Monkey Evolution.

All of the above in 1/2 pints as per Festival rules.

En-route dropped into the Old Angel and tried a pint of Daleside Monkey Wrench (very rich in taste).

After the Fest, Bombadier in the Yorkshire Grey and Cairngorm Black Gold in the Gatehouse.

A very enjoyable evening indeed.

Carvery lunch at the Angel, Ackworth today (definitely worth a go if you're in the area) washed down with a pint of Black Sheep.

Couldn't resist dropping in at The Shoulder of Mutton, Kirk Smeaton for a pint of Dark Horse Shoulder of Mutton Ale on the way back.

Cutting Edge programme just starting on C4 called The Red Lion.

No much to report on the real ale front this weekend ...

The Sal had Courage Directors on last night as well as Adnams Explorer. The Gatehouse had Dalesides very nice Old Leg Over.

Today, a pint of Brakspear Bitter (the best of their brews that I have sampled) at Hatfields.

A few new ones sampled last night ...

Burton Bridge Stairway to Heaven and Milestone Little John (both 5.0%) in the Gatehouse.

Oldershaw Byard's Leap (4.3%) in the Old Angel.

All three very good, but the best of the night was the Morrissey Fox Spooky (4.6%) in the Tut n Shive. A light brown beer with a hint of Chocolate.

The tipple before last nights International was Robinsons Wags to Witches 4.0% in the Tut.

Wetherspoons Real Ale Festival - 28 Oct to 15 Nov 2009. Festival Ales

Wetherspoons Real Ale Festival - 28 Oct to 15 Nov 2009. Festival Ales