Chris Griffiths

Thanks for the tip; we're heading to Manchester at the weekend. For breakfast we usually end up in Cafe 19 (Lever Street), Moose Coffee (Fountain Street), or Another Heart to Feed (Hilton Street). Good to have another option to add to the list.

I also had a free pint (On Point ESB) today at the Drapers. However, such a frequent event I didn't think to post about it.😀

Pump clips for Electric Bear's AI Generated Beer Name pale ale.

Amused by this one. Although not amused enough to try it with six excellent cask beers adjacent.

So, judging by the photo, it's very similar to Jarl.

Pump clips for Howling Hops Stand and Deliver dark mild

Off the usual beat. Drinking Howling Hops dark mild (very smoky) in the Southampton Arms, Kentish Town

The serifs are somewhat different from Profil (Bitstream Decorated 035 for digital availability) and you have neither the outline nor integral drop-shadow. Almost certainly a signmaker's bastardisation based on the overall shape of Profil.

Not unpleasant but its sweetness made it unlike any northern bitters I know. I had to overcome my prejudice against any beers described as "golden" to try this, so I'm fascinated as to what beer this was influenced by.

Damn. I did think of heading over there after the Lime Kiln, but got the bus to the Drapers Arms instead, which has failed to open at the appointed hour. So heading home to open the Siren Caribbean Chocolate Cake collection, which arrived as a Christmas present.

If we are heading into more folkie territory:

Planxty (first performance in England)
Ewan McColl & Peggy Seeger
Martin Carthy
Bach: St Matthew Passion (dir. Jonathan Miller, cond. Paul Goodwin) 1993
Albion Band: Lark Rise to Candleford, National Theatre (Cheating? theatre rather than concert)

Next door to my primary school! (circa 1965)

A pint of Boddingtons bitter in branded glass in front of a pump clip for the same.

One review for the revived Boddingtons bitter, made a prediction of elderly Mancunians posting that it wasn't the same as the original. Well... It perhaps lacks some of the bitterness on the initial taste, but it's a pretty good copy. (City Arms, Manchester.)

Yes, if it's something simple like that, your favourite graphics program (I use Affinity) will be much quicker and easier than any GIS software.

I've used QGIS (also free) for this sort of thing, but the learning curve is steep.

Definitely the Llandoger Trow.

It turned out just fine on the night!

Well known to us inland waterways types, many of whom are unaware of his "other" writing.

A visit has been on my list for ages. The buses and the Sally's opening times only really align on Saturdays.

As far as I'm aware, the 62 will get you to Berkeley from Thornbury: 4 journeys daily (except Sundays), currently operated by Eurocoaches. T1 to Thornbury from Bristol.

The cask stillage at LHG Brewpub

Cask in the Courtyard at LHG brewpub, Bristol was not to be missed. A well-chosen selection of 27 casks, all in excellent condition.

Maybe give Harbourside and King Street a swerve weekend evenings, but plenty of other choice in the centre. King's Head - great pub, great beer; Lime Kiln - grotty pub, great beer; Gryphon if you like heavy metal with your beer.

Noel at the Apollo stage with backdrop

Sitting in Hammersmith listening to Christmas music. It must be September!

Yes, I'm planning to be there for that, but was keen to try it in a standard cask, to compare with the version from wood. Having missed it in the King's Head, mission is now accomplished.

Finally managed to get a taste: the last 2/3 pint from the cask.

Having been kept from the Drapers this afternoon, I'm hoping that there may be a pint of the Baltic Porter left at 4pm tomorrow.

Hanging pub sign for The "Oxford" Bar, Edinburgh

...and a quick visit to the Oxford Bar (Stewart's 80/-).

Sign in the window of the Bow Bar, "Nae bairns, dogs welcome". Reflections of buildings opposite.

Annual pilgrimage to @thebowbar.bsky.social.
Loch Lomond Silkie Stout, since you asked.

Beer festivals: love them, or hate them? I've just published a blog post which may, or may not, come to a conclusion. ivydene.com/do-i-like-be...

Thanks also to @rogerprotz.bsky.social !

Interesting talk this afternoon (and some excellent beers). Beginning to get festival withdrawal symptoms now and could just manage a pint of Bathams.

The day at #GBBF in Birmingham is drawing to a close, so time for something a bit special from @greenduckbrew.bsky.social