A relaxing evening at the Gateway, East Didsbury (W'spoons) breaking the journey between Shrewsbury (Bolton fixture) and Batley (Dons fixture).

Featured brewery seemed to be Peerless (they had 3 of their ales). Tried 2 in the shape of Uncle Sam Red Ale 4.5% & Oatmeal Stout 5.0%. Also had a couple of the very nice Red Willow Sleepless 5.4%

Visited Sadlers Brewery at the Windsor Castle, Lye (nr Stourbridge) last Wednesday. Excellent tour and their Red House (Mild) & Lion Hart (Blood Orange Ale) are both lovely drinks.

Highlights of 2 nights in Stourbridge were Lancaster Red in the Edward Rutland (one of 2 Wetherspoons) and Craddocks Lions Pride in the brewery tap, the Duke William.

Stumbled on the Knights’ Table at the Travellers Rest at Quarnford Flash Bar en-route home from Stourbridge. It can be found on the A53 close to the Staffordshire / Derbyshire border ... well worth a visit if out that way. Medieval themed, spectacular views and real ale ... wonderful!

Drinks in Newton-le-Willows last night post the CC Semi-Final at LSV. The highlight of which was the Pied Bull which had Doom Bar and a Tetley's-brewed 'house ale'.

Best pint of the evening though was the Morland Original in the Lymewood Farm near the TL at Haydock / St Helens.

Jennings Sneck Lifter (Spinning Mule) & Moorhouses Barristers Brief (Barristers Bar) the highlights of an evening in Bolton last Saturday.

Was in a new Wetherspoons called The Great Glen in Fort Will.I.Am (lol) yesterday.
Oh the insidious creep of Tim Martin's empire.
Apart from Guinness which is hard to cock up, they could not pull a pint of real ale with a creamy head on it.
Tim Martin please train your staff properly.
I have spoken!

Anyone any suggestions for a pre-game pint in Dews? I know about the WR Refreshment Rooms. Anywhere else that does good ale? Cheers.

Had a very enjoyable afternoon in Hull last week, took in the following:

Three John Scotts (a Weatherspoons) - English Garden 3.8%
Wold Top Yorkshire Tenner 4.1%

Ye Olde White Harte - Deutchers IPA
Brains (can't remember what type)

All very nice.

One of my favourite breweries.

RGB (Real Goosnargh Bitter) - Goosnargh Brewing Company

Had that in No39 in Darwen last night ... A new name to me in terms of real ale but decent enough.

The Crown is definitely the place to be in Darwen town centre though (Broadside one of 4 on offer).