BRAPA - 2016 Good Beer Guide Published, "Bookwork" completed!!!!!!

Good evening all,

The 2016 GBG is officially released today and CAMRA's enforced "secrecy laws" can be relaxed.

Thanks largely to Christine (and I suppose, through gritted teeth, the Good Beer Guide Privilege Club), I have spent the last ten days cross ticking the 2015 GBG to the new 2016 edition ... you will be honoured in the BRAPA end of year awards!

So I can exclusively reveal I have dropped from 742 pubs to 671, a drop of 71 pubs.  It was 75 last year so allowing for all the pubs "going back in" and the pre-emptive ticks coming good, I am a bit disappointed.  I was hoping for a 50 drop at most, but never mind.

Where did I lose out then?  North Yorkshire was a big culprit as I lost 18 out of 100.  Tyne and Wear and the West Midlands were also harsh, I lost 10 between these two.  All areas of London were quite mean too.

Devon was surprisingly the most successful county with a "plus 2" jump.  I haven't achieved a "BRAPA" tick in Devon since I was chatting to Plymouth fans in the Lounge 12:30pm on 9th December 2006 with a 'Dawn Red(?)' by Shepherd Neame.

It was the pre-emptive ticks coming good that most pleased me, especially the Bedfordshire ones in Wrestlingworth and Toddington as I put a lot of research into these days.  Donny's Brewery Tap was also satisfying because that came down to 'local knowledge' gained in the Corner Pin back in 2014.  However, I have to shake my head at how Selby's Giant Bellflower Wetherspoons has made it in, but it's good news for me.

Satisfying pubs to see removed?  Two really stand out.  Dog & Gun in Wolverhampton, and Station at Ribblehead.  Oh, and Blacksmith's Arms at Naburn.  Ha ha ha is all I have to say on that trio.

Most mystifying selections are from East Yorkshire.  Boot & Shoe at Ellerton is one of my pubs of 2015 so far so to see it removed when the likes of Larkin's & Hop & Vine (Hull) and Haven Arms (Hedon) remain, is very confusing to me.  And the Railway in Cottingham staying in but Bluebell removed, errrm I simply do not agree!  Sad too for Great Kelk who are trying really hard to make a name for themselves.  Still, no room for sentiment.

To help me, I'm relaxing the rule on "having to re-visit a pub if it has a name change".  This was decided when I saw Aberdeen's Moorings has become Krakatoa, which suits it's ambiance better to be fair.  It also means Reading's "Alehouse" (formerly Hobgoblin) can go back in.

So, in conclusion, one month reverse owl syndrome only took 2 weeks this year, and I can now focus on pub ticking again, starting in Lewes on Saturday morning.  Brighton & London will feature too that weekend, the report will be with you either Sunday or Monday evening.

But the "book work" goes on too, I've got 22 more West Yorkshire pubs (mostly in L**ds) to archive and then, we have 42 pubs that I visited pre-BRAPA but weren't in the 2015 GBG to archive in addition, from all over the UK.

See you soon, Si

BRAPA - Bedfordshire Part VII - Fuzzy in Leighton Buzzard

A disturbing amount of dogs - but which pub was I in?  Read on to find out ....

With the 2016 Good Beer Guide ticking still going on, I again couldn't allocate a number to any of yesterday's pubs - of course, I cannot even confirm which ones are in the new GBG - roll on 10th September but you can probably guess!

All of this has distracted me a bit from a thorough planning of my days out - last week I didn't make a very good job of working out how to do Raskelf, and this week I was 'surprised' to learn I had to change at London Euston for Leighton Buzzard.  This made my connection from Kings Cross tight so I strode down the main road in the rain (trusting my legs more than the tube!) and still had to eat a Choux pastry before the 09:24 departed.  Phew!

I was in LB for about 10am, which seems to be the current Bedfordshire hub of real ale housing a new brewery, a new micro pub and the Beds pub of the year.  Even better, the three pubs I did know about from the 2015 GBG were 10am or earlier opening.

Golden Bell, Leighton Buzzard

My concerns about whether this little old pub had stuck to it's 10am opening time where answered emphatically as I entered a fairly bustling morning scene.  There was much breakfast and coffee going around, but the friendly landlady was only too happy to serve me a Golden Hen - the beer range was typically Bedfordshire i.e. a bit lacking imagination.   The hunched over bar flies actually turned out not to be 80 year old men, but a group of kids with colouring books.  I assume they were exterminated before 12 noon.  I sat on a leather sofa and watched a rain delayed build up to the cricket on a huge plasma screen, with a faux-fire to the left of me.  The atmosphere was warm, relaxed and friendly, probably the best of the day.

10am and all is well, at the Golden Bell.

Swan Hotel, Leighton Buzzard

It was market day in LB, so after an interesting wander down the high street and look at busses for future reference, I found myself at this dramatic looking 17th century coaching inn, renovated by Wetherspoons but they didn't spoil it enough for it to lose it's Grade II listing.  Despite the vast and fairly dark interior, it was absolutely heaving and it was a challenge to just find one seat.  Most people were breakfasting, which after the last pub, made me wonder if there's an ancient Leighton Buzzard rule whereby you aren't allowed to eat in your own house on a Saturday.  I squashed in next to an old couple, who were relatively friendly, but where immediately replaced by a couple who looked identical in what appeared to be a geriatric version of speed dating (slow dating?)  I ordered a Bishop's Finger because it's an old classic bottle from my early ale days, but it is well over 5% and I felt it as the day went on!  In fact, for a 'Spoons, the beer range was poor with 5 on, all standards.

Grade 2 listed 'Spoons fun at the Swan Hotel

Now, it was spitting with rain again as I took the delayed 70 bus to the village of Stanbridge, just out east.  Although I can't reveal why I chose to came here, let's just say it was a late decision and hadn't originally been on my agenda for today (nudge nudge, wink wink).

Five Bells, Stanbridge

And the award for "most startled barmaid to see a customer in her pub wanting a pint" goes to the girl here.  This is a Fuller's pub, and quite a sensitive refurb with wooden floors and some old nooks and crannies, with a totally separate food area.  In some ways, it was very reminiscent of the Totternhoe Fullers pub I visited in May, but that had a bit more of a happy rural vibe, though Stanbridge did seem a very attractive little place.  I ordered a new Fuller's ale they are pushing called Oliver's Island, and it was easily my best so far with some nice citrus flavours, I'm not so anti this brewery since BRAPA began as they do tend to do things to a fairly high level of quality.  I was sat in a cubby hole, overlooking 2 parents, a pregnant daughter and a little dog, of which many boring anecdotes were told.  They were waiting for another daughter before going to the restaurant, but the Dad insisted on listing the entire menu which became a bit grating once he got to the desserts!  

Five Bells is so named because Stanbridge church as five bells! Fact of the day.

I got a bit too clever next as Google Maps indicated by bus was delayed, so only sauntered towards the stop a minute after it was due.  But it must have made up some time cos it came whizzing round the corner.  I ran and managed to flag it down a few yards in front of the stop.  Bus driver was NOT amused and said "you shouldn't leave it til the last minute mate!"  I apologised and didn't mention Google Maps lying to me.  At least he made me feel like a local.

Red Lion, Leighton Buzzard

I'd read a lot about this small old pub being an institution of the town, and it certainly had a real community feel.  If there was one pub today where I was going to stand at the bar and chat BRAPA with the locals, it was here but it didn't quite happen.  One man seemed to dominate proceedings and it was hard to know if he was trying to involve me or talk to the deaf guy next to me at the bar,  The friendly landlady served me a pint of Sharp's Atlantic, the only guest of any interest from three beers - again, typical Bedfordshire.  It was a nice ale, but the sheer volume of dog artwork and photos adorning the walls was so off putting, I had to temporarily focus on the football and pretend I was a die-hard Welling / Tranmere fan - delete as appropriate but why do Sky/BT insist on interviewing managers mid-game.  Poor Gary Brabin, wouldn't happen in the Premier.  Anyway, I digress.  Shoppers kept coming in, smokers kept coming and going, I think the landlady left the bar unattended for about 30 mins whilst she joined them outside.  Personally, I felt I'd missed a good opportunity here to spread the BRAPA love.

Proper community boozer at the Red Lion

As I was on the north side of town, now was the time to walk the 1.5 miles to Heath & Reach.  After all, I'd had such a productive day so far, I needed to slow down!

Axe & Compass, Heath and Reach

Just like Stillington last week, I passed a wedding procession down the street (who apologised for blocking my path) and then reached the pub to find they'd 'taken over!'  Well, I went in the room they'd booked by mistake but luckily the barmaid indicated I should go round the totally blissful other side with the line "I thought you were a bit under-dressed for a wedding!"  Surely not luv, you've not seen these red leather jacketed weddings??  This pub's recently become a freehouse and was my key pub of the day as it is on page 4 of the GBG, you know I like my alphabetical ordering with BRAPA!   Being close to MK, I got to sample a new ale brewed in Stonebridge called Bucks Star.  I didn't like the marketing "Artisan, Unfiltered, Vegan friendly,  solar powered, natural probiotic, organic malt" etc etc.  Is this a beer or a health drink?  Anyway, it tasted unusual but very refreshing so got the thumbs up from me.  This room was lighter, airier and more modern than the wedding one but it had a good community feel all the same, my only interaction was with drunk wedding guests in the loo! 

You wouldn't know from this picture, but wedding chaos reigns in the left hand side.

I took the bus into town because the timing worked out perfectly. But what is this sign I see, a beer festival!

Black Lion, Leighton Buzzard

I'd read so many great things about this pub, and seen it had won the Bedfordshire 'pub of the year' award, so to have a festival on too just seemed like cheating!  To be fair, the pub felt like a pub and the festival element was all out the back which I never explored.  That isn't to say I wasn't part of it, even though I explained to the bar chap (a really good lad) I was just here for one, he let me pick from any of the 54 beers on offer, making up for some of the beer ranges.  We got chatting about stouts and porters, and before I knew it, he was bringing me amazing samples of all these 7% plus beers like Glasney College Porter, Baltic Trader Export Stout, Smoked Chilli Porter and Keltek Beheaded.  And what a time for Mum and Dad to ring and bid me farewell before their Canadian Adventure.  I eventually got sat down and realised the festival was called "Leighton on Sea" and all the breweries were based on the coast, they even had one from Hull (well, Brough to be exact but I wasn't feeling up to being pedantic).  In fact, the next thing I knew was bar chap was waking me up - I'd dozed off.  Ooops, how embarrassing, but a nice pint of water with ice cubes brought me round.  It was kind of his fault anyway, for being so good as to give me all those samples.  A middle aged couple were now looking at me in a concerned way too, it was time to leave this wondrous place. 

I had a sixth sense that there's a beer festival on in here - not sure how I knew ....

Bald Buzzard, Leighton Buzzard

This was definitely my most pre-emptive tick of the day, having only opened in July and quiet enough to be apparently still a secret to most of the town, for like all micropubs, they had a great selection of ales on.  They also had the usual unisex loos and am sure if I'd asked for blackcurrant cordial, my luck would have been out!  The few people who were in were friendly and chatty, and seemed pleased I'd "made the effort" to come along.  It felt so new, I think it still needs a bit of time to bed in as it wasn't the comfiest, and leaving the windy back door open certainly didn't help matters.  Again, I nearly got into tasters category but after the Black Lion, I was happy to 'risk' a pint of Black Buzzard, a beautiful local stout from the new brewery.  

I drank Black Buzzard in the Bald Buzzard in Leighton Buzzard.

I think it's fair to say I'd overdone it, and standing on the wrong platform didn't help!  I missed by 7pm train from Kings Cross, and a swift half in Parcel Yard (which I drank like I was on death's row!) and was lucky not to be charged a fortune on the later train - to be fair, he checked my ticket but not the reservation even though I left it on the table for him.  Maybe the group of jolly Geordies in front had distracted him. Maybe he didn't care.  I was punching the air in delight and had a final York Tap pint to celebrate - in fact, I considered buying all the staff a pint til I came to my senses.

So, if yesterday had been a school report, it'd read "must do better".  

But hey ho, onwards and upwards to our next BRAPA mission.  The focus of course is on "book-work" but that shouldn't rule out Tuesday West Yorks midweek possibilities though am so far undecided what, if any, to do.    

Then, we have Brighton on Saturday and am staying in Lewes overnight so hoping to get some ticks in both places, plus some London ones on the Sunday as I head back North.  And then Cardiff on Tuesday, again staying over (obviously).  So all systems go go go!

Si

BRAPA - Hunslet and Holbeck revisited

I thought my days of walking to "new pub ticks" straight from work had ceased in April 2014 but it seems that, although I wouldn't be bold enough to call these BRAPA pubs, they are pre-emptive in the extreme, if you catch my drift!

Google Maps decided it knew a better route to Hunslet than me, and it was right.  1.9 miles later and I was there, as I strode past the rush hour traffic and the huge amount of pedestrians who smiled at me, almost as though they knew I was back on the pub trail ......

Garden Gate, Hunslet, Leeds

If ever a pub has fallen into the "oh my god Si, how have you never been here you idiot!" category, it is this one.  To be fair to me, it was closed when I walked here last April due to a burst heating pipe and peering in through the window, the pub looked in a serious state of disrepair.  No such problems today, I was gobsmacked as I walked into the long corridor with etched snob screens and rooms to each side.  So much so, I realised my gaping gob made me look like a total pub tourist, especially as all other locals either had a Krzb Britain style "air of the what of it" or were just plain miserable.  Shame on them, what a building!  There is currently some debate as to whether this pub is still owned by Leeds brewery or not, 2-3 in terms of beer to the opposition suggested not, as did the fact my Leeds Pale was uncharacteristically fizzy and a bit lame.  Having been served in the back bar, I sat in the front room as my heritage guide says this is the room that matters!  A couple near me didn't say a word to each other in half an hour and looked thoroughly depressed as "Innuendo" by Queen came out of the jukebox.  Judging by the pub I peered in at on April '14, I had to chuckle at the "most improved pub" award I saw on the bar.  A local 'character' came in and demanded that the other local Hunslet Hawks season ticket holder MUST know any other Hunslet fan who exists!  They soon got onto the subject of the 'Championship' and Hull City were about the only team they didn't mention.  I stayed for another half, a Rudgate Ruby Mild - delicious but too cold and despite the amazing interior, I'd have to say the jury is out beerwise on this famous, superb pub.  

It's been a long time coming ..... the Garden Gate in Hunslet!

I was soon in "urban" Holbeck (or Hipsterville as it should be known) and back on Water Lane where I visited Midnight Bell on my first ever West Yorks BRAPA night last year.  This next pub I was well aware of as a work drinks night was held there last Nov which I almost went to.

Cross Keys, Holbeck, Leeds

Luckily, I'd read about the unpromising frontage and front door errrm somewhwere(?!) so having taken my BRAPA pic, I was not discouraged and pushed it open.  And in a New Adelphi Club type way, the buzzing lively indoor atmos was unexpected.  I was greeted by a crazy friendly young brunette, who gave me a beer run down and a taster of the "Foggy Morning" ale, a weird taste but I went with it.  She was the kind of girl you could fall in love with on a first date, marry a day later, but her body would be found in the river on day three and you'd have to plead guilty, but citing provocation through irritation.  I got both her and blonde backgrounder to help me trace my ale for my Untappd check in, and they did a decent job.  It was quite a modern cafe bar feeling place, the average age older than I had first thought but everyone seemed friendly and the atmosphere was very good indeed, in fact it wasn't too different to Midnight Bell just down the road.  The ale wasn't quite to my taste, but all in all, a positive experience.

Unpromising frontage, but what's behind the white door? 

Latest News

So, two pubs done, no numbers of course as, even if they DO get in the 2016 GBG, I cannot number yet as I'm cross-ticking and we are "locked down" on 742.  Phew, one month reverse owl syndrome is hard!  Just finished Leics, Lincs and the London's and I have say, no major losses yet, only an average of 2 or 3 per county so will be interesting to see how things pan out.  Last year, it was West Yorks that really screwed me with a 30ish drop alone.  

The number will be announced on 10th September in a special blog outlining some of my thoughts, highlights, lowlights and surprises of the ticking exercise.  There will be more archives to come, I have identified about 20 pubs already that I've been to pre-BRAPA but weren't in the 2015 GBG.  And some pre-emptives are coming good for the first time, which helps immensely.  

For now, business as usual as we march on to Leighton Buzzard on Saturday.  Again, we won't be numbering any pubs visited or commenting on their GBG status!  

Si

BRAPA - North of York

Is this real ale, or have I gone soft?  Read on to find out.

Traumatic, frustrating, needlessly expensive .... it might sound like I'm describing a Hull City transfer deadline day, but in fact I refer to one of those traditional BRAPA rural crawls, the type I have missed for much of the summer.

The 11th hour drama hit late on Friday evening, with almost simultaneous texts received from Christine and John Watson II (two of my top occasional BRAPsters).  They told me they that the 'Good Beer Guide Privilege Club' had come good on their 2016 promise.  When I checked my account, my account details were missing.  My theory is that I was affected by joining when the big CAMRA website hacking occurred last year.  I have queried it.

Anyway, Christine kindly agreed to let me have her GBG until mine turns up whilst JW2 interestingly revealed that CAMRA don't want 2016 GBG details to go public until the official release date of 10th September.  So I probably shouldn't have written any of the above!

What I WILL say is that my late decision NOT to go to Coxwold or Shipton by Beningborough but to instead consider Wass and Raskelf is purely a whim on my part.  Do you believe me?

-----------------------------

Saturday morning dawned nice and sunny, I forgot the BRAPA snacks in the fridge (schoolboy error) and had to dash across Lendal bridge to get the number 40 bus from Exhibition Square because it didn't stop at Station Approach "LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO!"  Sweating before I started!

740.  White Bear, Stillington

As it closes mid afternoon (one of my chief BRAPA annoyances), I decided I'd better start here and arrived in the pretty village of Stillington at about 12:30pm, one of my latest starts ever on a Saturday!  As I walked up to the pub, the outside front was teeming with wedding goers and I had just walked past the village church and seen a nervous looking bride.  It was a two roomed pub so I went into the main bar where a helpful barmaid gave me a full run down of the ales, and I had a local Hemsley Honey and unlike some beers of the style, you could really smell and taste the honey.  Wonderful, and I'm not even a massive honey fan.  Anyway, in addition to the wedding goers, Leeds Utd fans were getting excited about their team on TV in the same bar.  This was worse than hell.  Seeing I looked traumatised, barmaid and other staff members (who I think had been discussing my plight!) let me sit in the dining room where just one old gent was eating.  It was calm and I could start to appreciate I was in a very good pub.  The old gent was very proud of Stillington, though he somehow tried to link today's wedding party, which had dispersed for 1pm kick off.  He said that a Land Girl came to live here in 1942, and events spiralled resulting in today's wedding!  He also claimed I might get drenched later on from imaginary showers forecast, but god often protects Stillington from the elements.  Interesting theories.

A pub place mat in the dining room, better than the pub photo I took!

In a nice post script to my visit, I left one of my BRAPA cards under a serviette.  It was found that evening by JW2's girlfriend Lucie, who had booked in for an evening meal to celebrate her Dad's (Mr Hankey the Christmas Poo) birthday and JW2 posted it on Untappd with his pint of Hemsley Honey.

Anyway, a 3 mile walk later along traumatic country roads lacking in pavements, I was at Huby.

741.  Mended Drum, Huby

The pub was quite dark and lounge-like, so probably not quite having the olde worlde charm of the White Bear, but wow what an amazing range of unusual beers.  I thought of my Dad's gripes against golden ales as the helpful barman ran me through the styles and breweries in offer. He may win BRAPA beard of the year (though it was a lot hipster in truth).  I looked unfavourably on the two keg ones even if a man from liverpool did come over specially to give one of them to this pub!  Still, the cask selection was great and a Shiny New Moon from Derby was wonderful, citrus bitter hops, incredibly drinkable, "are you watching Bernard Ev?"  A smoking woman with a terrible cough who was presumably the landlady and two regular chaps were outside, so I stayed in, though she kept giving me disapproving looks, maybe I was supposed to join in with the chat.  But I was too busy working out where the bus stopped to get back to York, difficult with no signal!

After an hour of walking, this pub needed to be good - and it was.

The bus back to York was on time and all went very smoothly and I had an hour to kill before my next bus manoeuvre, so went to The Maltings because it was handily positioned between the two bus stops I might need.  A nice brunette barmaid was raving about this amazing beer called 'Teacups' so I let her sell me it but (see top picture), it looked like no ale I had ever had before and was so gingery I wish I'd had a taster first, but my fault for trying to impress her!  It was quite busy but I sat in the "Bournemouth" seat and it actually cleared out a bit, though I did gave my spare chair to some elderly folk who tried to claim they weren't too elderly to not stand in a pub, but took it anyway!

The next bus leg went well too.  I had to get the 31 to Shipton-by-Beningborough with actually stopped right outside the pub I'd decided not to go to.  Right behind this bus came a number 29, where me and one other chap had to change to get to Newton on Ouse.  Phew.  It acually all worked out and credit to the 31 bus driver for being a top bloke! 

742.  Dawnay Arms, Newton on Ouse

So, this turned out to be quite the landmark pub and the best BRAPA experience today as well.  It was my 100th North Yorkshire tick, it was stamp number 12 for my York Ale Trail (meaning I am now in "prize" territory) and most importantly, probably the last time I will tick off a pub in the 2015 GBG.  Plus it was special,  When I walked in, a barman who was like York's answer to Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory was arguing whether Aqua-Man can be considered a superhero in the same league as Superman and Batman.  I had nothing to add to this, but stood at the bar chatting with him and a young Geordie lad who is the first person I've met who hates Brass Castle ales.  We were on the YPA by Roosters and it was a cracking pint.  A woman from Seaham came in next with a very moody husband, I tried to get some North East rivalry going but neither of them liked football or really understood the concept of Geordie v Mackem which seemed very unusual.  Great pub, and it was nice to here a bit of hatred for Shipton's Dawnay Arms 2 miles away.  I have to say, I may have broken a 2016 GBG confidentiality clause at this point, but I tried to be cryptic about it.  

The Dawnay Arms - superior in Newton on Ouse.

Following this great experience and the news of Hull City winning, what could possibly go wrong?  Well, BRAPA has taught me ying and yang is alive and kicking so missing the last bus of the day (to Raskelf) was probably always going to happen!  All my fault though, my excuse being that I rushed this last minute planning and didn't write down the times properly.  Or stand at the correct stop! I didn't even see it, so it was eye-watering taxi back to York, I had no option, and with hindsight, I could have got the other Dawnay Arms in after all.  Never mind.

I ended my day at first the Three Legged Mare where the nice taxi man dropped me, and then York Tap where I had a great mini session with a Geordie who was travelling back (very slowly) to Shrewsbury.  Two nice Geordies in one day, wow!   Then KFC and bed.

Other News

26 for the month wasn't bad, should easily have been more but a combination of bad luck and less motivation in the second half caught up with me.

Today at the Everitt Family BBQ,  I should get my first look at the new 2016 GBG and my appetite will be rekindled.  I'm also planning a return trip to Naburn's Blacksmith's Arms for another Ale Trail tick but as you may know from my archives, it isn't my favourite pub in the whole wide world.

Wednesday should see a return to midweek BRAPA and then it is back to Beds on Saturday, but of course plans will all be dependent of the new Guide. Exciting times.

Si

BRAPA : the archives (301-310)

We are pushing on well with the archives now, as I was in the late 300's when I officially started counting pubs as "BRAPA" ticks in early 2014.  Whether I will get the archives finished before the 2016 Good Beer Guide comes out, remains to be seen, but here's ten more anyway, mainly in West Yorks but starting with one I missed ......

301.  Castle Gardens, Poulton-le-Fylde

"P" was for Poulton-le-Fylde as me and occasional Brapster (my new term for someone who comes pub ticking with me) Jig Johnstone spent a sunny Saturday in West Lancs on 28th Sept 2013.  The decision to walk out of Poulton to Carleton was probably borne out of the realisation that one pub, the Grapevine, was closed, and I can now see it has limited opening hours.  Anyway, I remember nothing about the interior at all, we sat on some sturdy benches on the main road at the front drinking Adnams Lighthouse in the afternoon sunshine (not bad for the time of year), I rated the beer quite good but the range must have been quite unspectacular to choose this.  It wasn't one of the better A-Z days and we soon crossed the road to find an off license to buy some bottles for the train - the highlight being our lack of bottle opener meant a (probable) call-girl helped us open them on the tables!

Rare footage of me at Castle Gardens with my Adnams Lighthouse

302.  Big Six, Halifax

One of the earliest real ale pub ticks of all, it was drizzling in 'Fax as me and Dad took the opportunity to showcase Hull City's talents to the finest Mackem of all, John Watson II.  This may well also have been one of the first times we used a Good Beer Guide to locate a pub on a football day, the date of said game being 2nd Feb 2002 and I think there's a strong possibility I was still using my second hand 1999 GBG rather than the 2002 one I bought as in the 2002 edition, it is only an "Inn Brief" and this may have put us off.  Amazingly, all three of us remember vividly the experience.  It was hidden amongst normal houses (always the best pubs) next to a green area of land.  It was a proper old fashioned heritage pub, and Big Six was a local mineral water company of the 1930's rather than a reference to rude white reggae song by Judge Dread (much to mine and JW2's dismay!)  We had no food but Dad discovered that only "Ploughman's in a Bag" was on offer.  This was an incredibly novel idea to us, the pickled onion had shrivelled into a bit of skin, and being the perfect host (Dad had only met John once or twice before), he braved the rain to find a local Tesco to bring us sandwiches back which we felt comfortable eating in the pub.  Beer wise, I have no idea!  A wonderful pub which I have often thought of re-visiting on recent trips to the 'Fax.

303.  Three Pigeons, Halifax

I've narrowed it down to late 2004 when I first visited this wondrous pub, a rare example of Chris Irvin not causing Chris Irvin syndrome having raved about it for a few years previous.  I remember it clearly.  Hull City didn't have a game but Dad was bored so randomly decided (jointly with me) that we go to a non-league game, meeting me half way, Halifax Town v Burton Albion.   I'd been staying with my sister who was at Uni in Preston and I had the WORST hangover ever (drinking Aftershock til 3am).  The weather was appalling, gale force winds and driving rain.  As I took the train from Preston to Halifax, I felt like I could puke at any moment so opened the window and let the rain drizzle onto my face!  It felt good until a businesswoman snapped at me to close it.  It was blowing her documents around.  I told her about my hangover but it made no difference.  A student lad with long hair understood, he gave me the thumbs up,  I went and stood in the vestibule, went to loo about 3 times.  The train guard was relatively sympathetic when I convinced him I wasn't fare evading.  I found Dad on the platform and we legged it to the pub.  Dad bought me a Hambleton Nightmare and a warm pork pie from a heated snack shelf.  I felt very fragile but this delightful combo helped slightly rejuvenate me.  Some yellow shirted Brewers (Burton fans) were looking wide eyed and excited by this great pub on a bench opposite.  Just as I was settling down, a local Town fan came in and declared the game was postponed, high winds!  On the way back, a lorry overturned at Garforth and we got stuck in traffic.  We were listening to Radio Humberside and their newish chairman John Fenty climbed a ladder in the gale to fix the tannoy system.  He was branded a foolhardy hero.  A couple of years later, he complained to Ofcom because Blunderside called him a plonker.  Football is a fickle old game.   I've been in Three Pigeons twice since, on the "Poulton le Fylde" day mentioned above where me and Jig had a gloriously strong "Rat Against the Machine" and after a recent tough walk back from Southowram, I was pleased to see it still at it's best - an Ossett pub I believe which is never a bad thing.

Arriving at Three Pigeons on 21/7/15.

304.  Town Street Tavern, Horsforth

17th May 2013 and again, Jig was my designated BRAPster (though obviously that term didn't exist then) as we hopped aboard the York-Leeds Harrogate line to tick off some new Market Town Taverns on a random weekday.  What I most remember about my Horsforth debut was resenting the mile long walk from railway station to pub.  The pub itself was bare boarded, dark and spartan even by MTT standards.  The beer range that would normally have impressed us had been seen at all our previous MTT's, so seemed quite boring!  A large group of students were dominating almost all the indoor seating so we sat in the small outdoor garden.  Because we wanted to be in Knaresborough before rush hour, we rushed a bit and didn't have too much time to savour any 'qualities' this pub might have had.  Not the best pub experience ever!  

305.  Rat & Ratchet, Huddersfield

5th September 2004 and whilst I love a pub with a bustling atmosphere full of happy people, I did not enjoy the circumstances causing this as a throng of blue and white striped shirts were ecstatic, having beaten my embarrassing Hull City 4-0.  Dad and me needed post-match reprieve, and it's fair to say that this was a wonderful pub serving a great range of Ossett and local Rat beers (probably the first time I saw them) in their flagship pub.  We'd not really had chance for a pre-match drink being an early Sunday kick off, so this was the highlight of an otherwise terrible day!  I can't remember much apart from sheepishly having to force my way through the blue and white masses to get a round in, but they just looked at me in a sympathetic way and didn't even try and engage me in conversation!  I saw this pub on a recent trip to new Huddersfield classics, the Star and the Grove, but I was all pubbed out and working the next day so I walked straight passed it. 

306.  Bar T'at, Ilkley

15th December 2012 may not have been the most sensible time of year to go walking on Ilkley Moor (bar t'at), but looking back now, this was one of the best of my 25 A-Z Aleway adventures.  Jig and JW2 were with me, and after getting a bit lost around the whole Cow n Calf rocks, it was more than a blessed relief to be back in town in this warming pub, fittingly named.  We might have hit it at the wrong time as it was very foody, and it took the young, white shirted staff quite a lot of brain effort to comprehend that (a) we weren't eating and (b) we did want to sit at a proper table and not just prop up the bar.  We got there in the end and I was telling my friends a particularly expletive filled joke when I turned round to see one of the most feared work team leaders, Pam, sat at the table next to me.  Ooops.  This woman does live in Ilkley, and has been on Masterchef too, and it was clear she'd seen me.  The anxiety was killing me so when she went upstairs to the loo, I followed her so I could deliberately bump into her and break the ice.  It worked well!  The beer was great, plenty of Ilkley ones on like Mary Jane, this in fact was a Market Town Tavern so another bonus in my mini challenge to get all of them ticked off.

John and me on Ilkley Moor bar t'at, pre-pub.

307.  Boltmakers Arms, Keighley

My two visits here both coincided with returning from the Keighley-Oxenhope steam railway days out, the first being on a Welly gang day out in the summer of 2012, and then again, the following spring with Krzb, JW2 and Jig.  What was quite remarkable that the two experiences were almost identical in every way.  We walked into the pub, it was cramped with locals, quite starey locals, and getting a round of Tim Taylor Boltmakers was difficult with limited space available.  The conclusion was that the tiny outdoor drinking area with wall creepers and open toilet window was the only place to stand, to get out of the way as much as anything.  But having done that, the locals glowered at us even more!  On the first occasion, we were joined by some of these local smokers and from what I can remember, there was a bit of aggro in the atmosphere caused by them being argumentative.  It was slightly better second time round as no one followed us, though the looks we got were even harsher.  I'm not even going to go into the dodgy renaming of the Tim Taylor Best Bitter as Boltmaker, but despite chatting to many people who love this pub, I didn't see the attraction and would happily walk a bit further to Cricketers or Brown Cow.  

7 July 2012 - me and Mark at Oxenhope pre-first Boltmakers visit.

308.  Fox & Newt, Burley, Leeds

Today at work, Christina told me she walks past this pub on her way to work every day.  She sees a big sign outside saying "REAL ALE" and immediately thinks of me.  How sweet.  Anyway, I am at a total loss to remember my first time here.  Something tells me it is a lot longer ago than I think, though I do remember feeling ashamed just how long it did take me to realise it existed, considering how often I walked to gig's at Joseph's Well.  I only have two real recollections.  The first was with Jig (yes, that man again) as we needed refreshment half way to see a gig at the Brudenell Social Club, probably OFF! on 23rd June 2012 supported by some even more insane American kids.  The beers are superb being from the Burley Street Brewhouse, ales I first sampled at Leeds Beer festival several years ago but always taste better here, and have Formula One themed names.  The pub seems a strange shape, almost triangular up near the loos, but is bare boarded and joyfully basic.  There was a big screen showing some International football match, probably the Euros and Jig kept hitting his head and arm on it and having to apologise to those watching!  On Valentine's Day 2014, I treated myself to a romantic Friday lunchtime work escape pint, and made it here for a stunning pint of the old Laguna Seca.  I loved it but felt slightly uncomfy, as I sat alone at a table for six when a large group came in.  I tried to indicate I'd be happy to downsize, but they didn't quite get it!  Great pub.

309.  Arcadia, Headingley, Leeds

It was the summer of 2010, probably late June, and me and JW2 had taken the day off work to watch Yorkshire v Worcestershire at Headingley.  After a very enjoyable sunny morning and a fair bit of action, Yorkshire bored us to tears after lunch with some terribly slow batting my Brophy and Bairstow.  It was nearly tea and they'd scored 31 runs all session, it was ridiculous so we lost patience and found our nearest GBG pub, which was here!  Little did I know back then it was another Market Town Tavern off the list, but popping in again for a "swift half" after my second ever midweek BRAPA evening trip, it does have all the hallmarks.  Plenty of students were tapping away on laptops, a few student girls were showing off too much flesh (disgraceful!) and me and John went to an upstairs area overlooking the main street where students were sorting out rented accommodation from the building opposite, which basically seemed to involve running around like headless chickens!  I read this pub has a strict "no entry" policy on anyone wearing fancy dress.  Good.  

310.  Riverhead Brewery Tap, Marsden

As previously mentioned, my memories of my first ever Transpenine crawl (Welly Gang Summer day out, 2008) were a bit hazy after skipping breakfast at Dewsbury and having too much stout in Huddersfield.  So I think we came here as well as a not very good pub called the Tunnel End Inn.  Though I learnt lessons that day, I do not recall coming here with York friends in the summer '09 Transpenine crawl, but my first memorable visit was on the summer 2011 Welly gang day out where we sat outside along the glorious river, looking a ducks, eating takeaways/snacks from across the road, and trying desperately not to be associated with the Transpenine lager louts.  Marsden locals compained about such idiots throwing themselves in the river and generally being anti-social, thus giving a once excellent crawl a bad name, which incidentally James May and Oz Clarke must also take some of the blame for!  It was on this day when I really realised the whole thing was a busted flush, but could still appreciate the pub.  But my love of the place was only fully realised on 1st Feb 2014 when a group of us came to Marsden to "celebrate" the pagan Fire Festival I'd been recommended by someone at work.  Right up my sister's street, we started and ended here and as good as the fest was, this pub was mine and Jig's highlight despite being standing room only.  We declared the Riverhead brewery beers "the best brew pub ales ever!" which is quite a bold statement looking back, but they were gorgeous even if a pagan Michael Schumacher kept staring at us.  Post festival, we eventually got a seat though there was an element of "locals get served before visitors no matter who has been stood at bar longest" which always gets up my nose!

And that concludes a brilliant West Yorkshire ten (well 9 plus one Lancs), I really enjoyed that write up and will look forward to the ten as we venture to places like Otley, Pudsey  and even L**ds.  Although the 2016 GBG is almost upon us, I am going to finish archiving the 2015 entries before I start on the new book.  I can feel that one month reverse owl syndrome building up .....

It's gonna be a hoot, Si

BRAPA - History made in Hull

At 10:20pm on Tuesday August 25th, BRAPA history was made following a painful league cup win at home to Rochdale.  Dad drove us up a deserted De Grey Street.  There were only two small lights on, one circular illuminated sign showing A.C. (Adelphi Club) and a vague light coming from behind a door.  Dad's first instinct was that it was closed.  "Nooooooo!" I exclaimed, but we decided to get out of the car and explore......

Getting out of the car at the New Adelphi Club

739.  New Adelphi Club, Hull

And after Dad's ridiculously lame 'knock on the door', I pushed it and it creaked open, leading us into a typical gig venue entrance with unmanned table (it was a non gig night so we didn't have to pay) and loads of gig and band posters adorning the walls.  We entered an also deserted room where we found a bar serving three real ales and plenty more, and a friendly young woman (up there for 'staff of the year' contender) served us two fantastic pints of pure grapefruit juice masquerading as a Dr Morton's ale from Abbeydale, Sheffield.  We explored the 'venue' and we were both blown away by the simple, yet brilliant 'dive' style atmosphere and decor.  The beer was £2 a pint too, so that helped and the barmaid was soon chatting to us about the music playing which Dad loved despite the risque lyrics, "Hamel" or somebody?  We could see why punk poet legend Atilla the Stockbroker declares this his favourite gig venue in the land, and we heard how the owner is a passionate real ale man which really came through, as we sampled a local Atom beer called Schrodinger's Cat.  They had a Great Newsome ale on too, both we tried were perfectly kept.  We promised to come back here for a gig.  The Club has seen many bands starting out who've got onto big things, and even has it's own biography called "One Man & his Bog"!   Quite an institution.  

What a superb way to "tick off" my final East Yorkshire pub (for a week or two at least - the new GBG is out in September!) and fitting it should be with Dad who has made some of the more tricky places easy with the driving and country walks etc.  At the start of 2015, I rated East Yorkshire my most neglected county so a good achievement to complete it.  

Me and my grapefruity pint in the wonderful New Adelphi Club

I needed a boost like this, having heard a worrying BRAPA tale that Christine and her West Brom friend Aiden know a man called Duncan (now living in Glasgow) who is doing his own BRAPA combined with British football grounds called "OCD" and only has 29(?) pubs left to do!  I am a bit skeptical of the exact details and need to know more but can only assume he doesn't cross tick the Guide's or just focuses on football towns - I hope anyway, I want to be unique.

Anyway, onwards and upwards, North of York that is for Coxwold and the next batch of BRAPA ticks on Saturday and I'm really looking forward to it.  I have to go back to 18th July when I last had an official BRAPA Saturday and who knows, it could be my last day with the 2015 GBG?  In an ideal world.  I will, as always, keep you posted.

Si

  

BRAPA : the Archives (291-300)

Welcome back for Scotland part two, all of this archiving just makes me want to get back up there and improve on my poor pub return, though I suppose Aberdeen helped recently.   We'll also be venturing into West Yorkshire.

291.  Pot Still, Glasgow

10th October 2009 was the first I've two times I've been into this small but lovely dark, architectural gem which I'm surprised isn't heritage or listed or anything.  This was with Krzb when we first arrived off the train into Glasgow (it is an early opener), and it had a strange fake frontage as building work was going on outside, a kind of "don't worry, we are still open" style sign, but with a full huge photo of the pubs normal frontage.  The pub was lacking something on this occasion, maybe a very sterile showing of Japan v Scotland from halfway round the world didn't help, it certainly didn't have the masses coming up to support their "heroes".  A year or two later, I brought a group of about 5 work lads after we'd finished picking up an award and having a Scottish meal for some CYB course we were on - a very pointless but easy work day!  We had time to kill so I noticed this was the nearest real ale pub and it was on this occasion, I really noticed how nice it was and how much room their actually was - I guess the refurb had been a success.  We sat in a raised seat and looked out onto the pub, and I was on a later train (going to York, they were all Leeds) so had one on my own when they left and messaged JW2 about the Levellers - because I was drinking on Hope St as in the song.

292.  State Bar, Glasgow

1st March 2014 and on my walk back into Glasgow Centre after the A-Z challenge in Yoker and eXhibition Centre, I popped into this absolute cracker which I declared pub of the day.  It had all the hallmarks of a great Scottish pub - great unusual Scottish microbrewery ales, a grand interior with circular bar, and jocular Jocks and staff swarming around.  And unlike Bon Accord, they put Rangers v East Fife on rather than the White Shite so I settled down with a Duke IPA by Highland Brewery which was strong in a hoppy way, blew my socks off.  I enjoyed watching Rangers struggle, and was on my feet as they eventually got a 93rd minute penalty which they converted, I think to draw 1-1.  I felt defalted, but a ginger Celtic fan (possibly Neil Lennon) told me he was "devastated" though I think he'd only been here to see the last 20 minutes.  Wonderful pub, much recommended.

Arriving at the State Bar - my pick of Glasgow pubs to date.

293.  Lord of the Isles, Renfrew

Yoker seemed a bit of a non-place to try and find something cultural to do for the "Y" section of my A-Z - a point borne out by the fact that everyone Scottish I've ever told since has laughed hysterically at the idea.  So to find a "ferry crossing" to Renfrew, I decided this would do.  A metal tin bath with 4 rugged Scotch men was how the 'ferry' actually turned out, but on the otherwise, I walked up the main road to this Wetherspoons, part of the Xscape centre (an "X" in itself ironically) with dry ski slope, cinema and all that rubbish.  It's fair to say this was a modern, bright version of the 'Spoons chain, but it wasn't too large as to lack atmosphere altogether.  I ordered my first pint of the day, an Edinburgh Gold by Stewarts, which I reported had more "oomph" than an English Gold.  People were eating late breakfasts around me, so I tried to smuggle some of my scotch eggs on the sly but the staff were too efficient clearing plates etc.  A solid start to my A-Z day which was by now, glorified BRAPA (it probably always was.....)

294.  Benleva Hotel, Drumnadrochit 

Rewind the clock back to September 2013 and I went on a random two night stop to Inverness - it wasn't classed as the A-Z, and BRAPA hadn't been invented, but it had elements of each in that it involved pubs, culture and crazy walking!  On day two (25/9/13), I took a bus down to the western edge of Loch Ness and after a few fruitless hours failing to see Nessie and getting lost in Urquhart Wood, I emerged to this real ale gem, possibly the flagship for Loch Ness brewery.  It had all their ales on anyway including some experimental brews.  I was a bit unhappy with the reception I received from chubby miserable bar girl and the walkers.  I wasn't "one of them" from my attire, and I obviously wasn't a local.  But I was determined to push through all the negativity and before long, I was at a central table munching away on whisky soaked haggis with salad, a weird combo, washed down with ales like Caith Ness and Bonnie Monster (still one of my faves ever on Untappd).  Great things can happy when you exude positivity and before you know it, I was joking with an elderly couple of diners because their dog wanted some of my haggis, but all I could offer by that stage was a whisky covered leaf of lettuce!  Oh well.  It was also here that I made that monumental of all decisions - quitting Facebook.

My delightful lunch at the wonderful Benleva Hotel

295.  Blackfriars, Inverness

My team leader at work is a frequent visitor to Inverness and knowing I was off, she gave me a local CAMRA magazine.  On the front were landlord and landlady of this pub which had recently won some local CAMRA award - both had big cheesy grins on their face.  So imagine my surprise when landlord was looking glum as sin, he didn't even make eye contact at one point as he pulled my pint of Corncrake by Highland Brewery.  Him and three local men's eyes were all fixed to some German football league game - I think Schalke were one of the teams.  Not one of them said a word the entire time I was there!  Considering Inverness were at home that night, they should've gone there.  I was at a low ebb having had a big fall out with my sister, but a phone call home to Mum put me in a better frame of mind (this was my first Inverness pub and second ever Untappd check in - I wanted to enjoy my trip and not have a cloud hanging over me!) Cheered up, I saw barmaid crash through the door with a few bags of shopping looking a bit dishevelled.  She attempted a smile that didn't really work - it was a start I suppose!  Pub was airy, bare and spacious - beer being the only highlight.  Onwards & upwards to other Inverness pubs! 

296.  Castle Tavern, Inverness

After a bus back into town from the banks of Loch Ness on 25th Sept 2013, day two of my stay (my return ticket wasn't valid on the bus I stopped but he let me on anyway!), I walked down the busy Castle Street eventually crossing a scary road to this cosy little pub.  It was late afternoon and a few jolly locals were sat at the bar, but as I went to sit in the raised area, most tables were full of students wishing emotional farewell's to parents.  I didn't know there was an Inverness Uni but of course it was around fresher time, so it made sense.  It was a heartfelt yet positive atmosphere, quite unique in my pub ticking.  One American "Mom" in particular kept sympathetically smiling at me, thinking my parents had already ditched me, leaving me clutching a Cromarty Red Rocker.  Not a bad beer to be stuck with - it has since become a favourite and was like a cask Punk IPA here.

View of the bar in the Castle Tavern, Inverness

297.  King's Highway, Inverness

In these early days of solo pub exploration in a new town, it was somewhat reassuring to find a Wetherspoons at the heart of everything.  This was my first night in Inverness and only my second pub tick.  What was a shame was the lack of unique Scottish brews so I opted for a Great Newsome Pricky Back Otcham, all the way from errrm Hull (South Frodingham to be precise).  I asked for this a few miles away from the brewery in Hedon recently and the lass didn't have a clue what I was on about, so full marks to the efficient friendly barboy for knowing what I was after here.  There was a generally warmer and friendlier atmosphere than you get in a lot of 'Spoons.  I sat on a high stool along a wall and experimenting with my new Untappd App, messaged John to confirm both Hull City and Sunderland were currently winning in the League Cup, a rarity indeed.  The beer was working.  Next, a roly poly ruddy faced friendly drunken couple were waiting for their friend, another roly poly ruddy faced lassie, to emerge from the loo.  We got talking and they started arguing about what clubs I should go to to meet some young ladies!  This was nice of course, but it transpired most places had shut down or didn't open on a Tuesday so I declared I was satisfied just to visit the real ale pubs.  They thought I was mad.

A pint of Humber Hedgehog - served in a handled glass in 'Spoons

298.  Number 27, Inverness

My visit here was shrouded in drama as shortly before the end of my time in the King's Highway (see above), I received a dramatic call from my friend Emily from work because her new boyfriend would not "commit" to saying he loved her.  Oh dear!  Well this wasn't in the BRAPA spirit, even if BRAPA didn't exist.  So I had to be counsellor for the next 15 minutes, walking to this next pub slowly, and what's more, being a modern cafe bar, they were shutting early so I had to pretty much beg for a last pint as long as I was quick.  It wasn't the comfiest of environments anyway despite a welcome return of Scottish microbrews.  But it was made worse by staff hoovering, cleaning, putting chairs on tables, rolling beer casks around, with me sat in the middle of it all smiling guiltily at the next member of staff who turned the corner and was surprised to see a drinker still in their pub.  With hindsight, I should have left it til the following day and done it after Loch Ness with the Castle Tavern.  Seemed more of a daytime type of place.  On the plus side, my Ossian by Inveralmond (a Scottish favourite) went down very nicely. 

Even the blackboard has had enough!  Last orders at Number 27.

299.  Fighting Cock, Bradford

Sunday 10th April 2005 was the unofficial promotion day from League One for Hull City, and retribution for that awful last day of season in 95/96.  This time it was our turn to be giving their home end (side)!  Before that great win though, it was annoyingly a Sunday so we had to hang round an industrial estate before this cracker opened just after 12 noon.  Well, all I remember was a proper bare boarded pub and the kind of range of real ales that I simply wasn't used to seeing, 3 years into my use of the GBG to find pubs.  Frequently on my many recent Bradford BRAPA nights, people have raved about this pub to me, so all I can do is yawn and say I went 10 years ago!  It did fill up quite quickly, mainly with home fans to be honest but it was a friendly if boisterous atmosphere and I think Dad might well have done his "I'm claustrophobic so I'm disappearing outside for a bit" routine, or even suggested we take our drinks out and perch in the sun.  Proper drinkers pub, wish I could remember more details.

300.  West Riding Refreshment Rooms, Dewsbury

Again it is fitting that a landmark archive tick coincides with an absolute belter, but this is the best of all station pubs I've been to and really hard to leave (especially when you are drunk and stand on the wrong platform for your train as I did in June 2015).  The first time I ever came here was on the first Welly transpenine day out, which I'm putting around July 2008 where my naivety in  not getting one of their amazing breakfasts meant I was very drunk very quickly.  I didn't make the same mistake when I returned with York friends in June 2009, or the second Welly crawl (2011 I think).  Between these came my favourite time in June 2010 when me and John Watson came to a "World Sup" beer festival (all the beer were football themed) where I kept bumping into work people (Bryan, Damian, a filing lady!) and we saw Mad Jack and the Hatters, easily the best band ever witnessed at a beer festival - JW2 was awestruck.  In fact, we may have been to two festivals here and I am amalgamating them into one super festival in my mind!  The decor, the beer range, the breakfasts, the quirky staff, just the building, and outside area make this a place anyone should enjoy.  No wonder the website is imissedthetrain.com  - simply stunning. It was the start point for both of my Heavy Woollen BRAPA crawls, and I always get confused when people tell me Dewsbury is a shithole of the highest order - I simply cannot get beyond this place.

--------------------------------------

So there you have it!  The 300 up, we'll delve further into West Yorks next, there'll be a L**ds special at some point, and then it will be a case if tweaking a few existing entries, putting them all on a new tab in my BRAPA spreadsheet with "date first visited" next to them, sorting them in chronological order, seeing if any more archives pubs appear in the 2016 GBG, and then start collating it all into book form as was always the plan.  I could do a volume for each county.  It is going well.

See you soon, Si