Beer and Pub List From Recent trip

16 pints Young's Bitter, 2 pints each of Fullers London Pride and Butcombe Best bitter. One pint each of all the following: Fullers ESB, Dark Star Hophead and Golden Gate. Downton Quadhop and Rye Smile, Oakam JHB, Thronbbridge Ashford, Rudland Barristers Choice, Yeovil Dark Star, Prospect Silver Tally, Blue Monkey Sanctuary, Ufford Ales White Hart, Milestone Lions Pride, Boxsteam Chuffin, Cairngorm Trade Winds, Black Sheep Bitter, Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter, Liverpool Craft Beer Co. Icon, Abingdon Bridge, Loose Cannon, Phoenix Brewery, Arizona, Courage Best Bitter.Sharps Doom Bar. Pubs London: The Lamb, Ye Olde Mitre, Lord Moon of the Mall, Duke of Buckingham, Royal Oak, Edgar Wallace, Craft Beer Co. White Horse, Market Porter, Star Tavern. Newark on Trent: Just Beer Micropub, Prince Rupert, Castle. Salisbury: Anchor and Hope, Village Free House. St. Albans: Boot Inn, Goat Inn. Cheers!

 

Marquis, we loved Newark! Yes I had the Blue Monkey at the Just beer Micro pub. Loved that place too.

 

Ruds, not sure what to make about your comment. I guess I'm still jet lagged and pining for England. That said I love Young's beers and the ordinary is my favorite session bitter. It was in such fine form the whole time we were there I wish I had had more!

 

Mates, I understand Ruds. To each his own. I have always had a soft spot for Young's. The late Mr. young himself once wrote me after I had written the company to praise the then Brewery Tap on how well I was treated when we visited for my 50th b'day. We also used to get quite a full complement of their bottled beers here in the States a few years back. I too BTW loved Dark Star Hophead. Surf, the building that housed the brewery tap, offices, and most brewing equipment is still there. It took me 4 years to go back and see it and that was only we were in the area for the Battersea Beer Fest. RS, did I go to New Wave pubs? I guess Just Beer could be considered that though it is set up to be very no frills and traditional. yes I love you real ales and most everything else about going over to England.Talk to you guys later.

 

Hi Zimbo, before I answer thanks for posting about the Star Tavern, it inspired me to go. We were having trouble finding it and asked some police for directions. Two were on the sidewalk and two more were in a police van. The officer in the van pulled out his mobile which had a directions finder on it. He said we were very close and just as he started to give us directions, he said "Just hop in we'll take you" What a memory, that is something that would never happen here. They took us practically to the door! About the Young's, I have always had a soft spot for them and loved going to the Brewery when it was in operation. I can honestly say the quality of the beer was a bit lower for a time after the merger. This trip however it seemed to be pretty darn close to what it used to be. My main outlet for Young's is the Lamb out by Russell Square. The ordinary was in top shape there and the pub is back in the Good Beer Guide. We also as you saw tried the Buckingham Arms which has been in the Guide since it's inception. The Young's tasted identical to the ale in the Lamb. I wonder if the head brewer at Young's came out of retirement and made sure Wells had it right before they took over the brewing? Cheers, Mark

 

Z, yes the Lamb is our favorite traditional style pub and has always been our main outlet for Young's. I would have to agree with what you said. While the ordinary is better than the first couple of years post merger, it probably is not quite as good as it was in the heyday. It was top shelf at the Brewery but then it should be. I remember a bit more of a pronounced finish but this year that seemed to have returned a bit more. I really want to hit the Star more next time. It was a very nice pub.