Notre Dame Lujan is the first and only pub to serve real ale and has hosted the Rand Festival since 2018. We have already done 7 editions of our festival (the first was only 2 casks and each year we add more, than the last one, which was 9).
In Argentina casks do not exist, so Alberto Eyherabide, owner of the pub and cellarman, had them made to suit him. Same as all the tools to serve cask ale. Every time a friend or family traveled outside of Argentina he bought them taps, and cask ale elements.
We also have natural ciders. 1 year ago we are the only pub in Latin America with cask marquee and we also serve real ale from wooden cask. We have the support of the SPBW. On Saturday the guys from Brampton brewery were here and they left me a Sheffield Unlted t-shirt! We must work to be sister cities! After a recent visit to Sheffield, Alberto explored Kelham/Neepsend to gather ideas, and sample the fine beers.
I was in England on several occasions and in the USA I won a cellarman scholarship at the Nerax in Boston 2019 and in 2023 I participated as a cask ale judge at the Atlanta Cask Ale Festival.
My dream is to be able to go to the GBBF one day. We have the support of CAMRA since 2018.
I recently returned from Belgium after a few days on a trip which involved Beer, Trains & Trams. We stayed in the home of Belgian rail, Mechelan: my visit including several visits to mostly volunteer-run, tram/train rides/museums.
Steam Train Maldegem-Eeklo is a heritage railway based at the former National Rail station of Maldegem. This houses the largest number of operational diesel and steam locomotives in Flanders. All enjoyed the trip on a narrow gauge line in old open wagons pulled by one of their diesel locomotives.
The Dendermonde-Puurs Steam Train heritage standard gauge railway took us on a 45 minute return journey from Puurs (Signal Box) to Baasrode-Noord Station. The track winds through the Scheldeland through the provinces of Antwerp and East Flanders. On board was waiter service: Dilewyns Vicaris Triple 8.5% and, the house train beer, Brouwer Stomerke 6% were sampled.
Rail Rebecq Rognon (RRR or Petit Train Du Bonheur – The Small Train of Happiness) explores the old SNCB Lines 115 and 123 on a 4 km line crossing the Rebecquoise countryside along the Senne and the Vallée des Oiseaux. The diesel loco took us on a return ride on the narrow gauge line between Rebecq and Rognon. Florence Triple 8% was available at the station café.
Our major tram ride was Tram 44 from Montgomery Metro Station (Brussels). This starts underground before emerging onto Avenue de Tervuren. It then rumbles past Stoclet House and the tram museum before plunging into the forest. The journey ends some 20 minutes later at the 19th-century tram station in Tervuren, a Royal suburb of Brussels within the once great ancient Sonian Forest. The Tram Museum (opened 1976) housed in the 1897 tram depot has a vast collection of 130 vehicles including a 1869 horse-drawn tram.
TramSite Schepdaal (Dilbeek) is the only remaining local (or vicinal) tramway depot in Belgium, the line closing in 1970. This depot served the first tramway in Flemish Brabant: Brussels to Ninove (1888). The oldest buildings at Schepdaal date from then. The station café provided local beer, Angerik Dilleke 5.1%.
Belgium June 2025
We also visited Duvel Depot in Breendonk, the tap of the family-controlled Duvel Moortgat brewery (1871), and the Batteliek Microbrewery on the outskirts of Mechelen. The latter is an old red brick church, now a brewery, bar and eatery under the auspices of Het Anker. The tasting flight was chosen: Baobab Triple 8,8%, Ipapotamus 7.7% and Derkal 8.3%. The Het Anchor Brouwerij tap (Mechelen) also provided a flight: Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor 8.0%, Gouden Carolus Whisky Infused 11.7% and a Batteliek Bieren.
Several other bars were visited – recommended in Mechelen are Beer Central, Hanekeef, Het Maanlicht, Kuub and Moemoe. Het Maanlicht provided one of the most interesting beers of the trip: De Blauwe Kuip Burton 5.2% – an (almost) British bitter served in a half-pint ‘jug.’ Other recommendations include: Cuytegemhoeve Beer Cafe (Puurs-Sint-Amands) and Eetcafe D’Akte (Lennik).
Strangest sight of the trip was undoubtably an open-air tango dancing class in the Veermarkt in Mechelen – only in Belgium … the next trip is planned for September.
Having been on the ’70s weekend at Butlins last year, we moved a decade on this time.
Gordon and I decided we’d chill on the train, with a few cans of course. So, after setting off at 07:23 from Sheffield, we got down to the task. The journey was nice and smooth, just a short 15 minute change at Grantham. Our friend drove, so arrived at camp earlier, where we had to queue, and only 2 staff later in the day.
On exiting the station in the town centre, you have a short crossing to The Lumley, it only had 2 ales, but they were OK. I had both, a Batemans – XB Bitter of 3.7%, and the Theakstons – Hairy Bikers Bitter at 4.2%. Across the road is the Red Lion, Skegness’s Wethersoons. A quick pint of standard cider, before our real goal of The Crafty Local Ale House 5 minutes walk away.
We ended up visiting this micropub 3 times, and what a gem. The building was originally a guest house in 1929, but then underwent changes of use as a college facility, blind institute and a dental practice, among others. There’s a nice outside, perfect for the weather we had. Inside is a small room with the bar, and a larger room to the right for entertainment.
There was 3 cask, 4-5 box ciders and a few keg. Talking to the owner, he said later this year onwards will see further improvements. My choices over the visits were Salopian’s – The Thirteenth Hat, NZ Pale, 3.9%. Milestone – Son of a Beach, IPA of 4.5% and Celtic Marches – Tutti Frutti Cider, only 3.4%, but plenty of flavour. My friends chose cider, as one likes it and the requires GF drinks.
Although we wanted to see the music at the camp, we were thwarted as it was far busier than last year and most arenas were bursting. We managed to get room to see Kim Wilde, Marty’s daughter, after 15 minutes of Black Lace (and no, I didn’t do the actions to Piano and Agadoo). She put on a fantastic show of around 70 minutes covering all the hits.
We covered Ingoldmells on Saturday, just drinking standard Keg as real ale only seems to be on in one pub, The Countryman, and we were informed their brewer has left to become head brewer at the recently revived Jennings. We then returned to Skegness on Sunday and visited The Three Monkeys on the front, just one ale in Batemans XB, a decent pint for £3.50. Then it was back to The Crafty, before Gordon and I went in the Red Lion for a drink. We sat in the outdoor area where I sampled a Little Valley – Tod’s Blonde, an IPA of 5%.
Back to camp and more keg. A quieter night just chatting before retiring at a reasonable 00:00 for bed. Showered, breakfast and out. We had a quick one before the train. 5 carriages to Grantham, then someone decided only 2 on to Nottingham and Sheffield, not the best logistics planner?
Next year we plan on either a ’60s, or Soul weekend. We’re pretty sure we’ll be there though, and hopefully more people will have followed The Crafty’s idea and opened a micropub.
The sun was out, and even at 10:30 it was hovering around 21°. I arrived at The Sheffield Tap with time to spare for a pint before the 11:37 train. The selection as ever was good, so I went for a new one to me Pentrich’s – Hollywood Forever, a nice APA of 4.5% to start the day. Nearing 11:25, I made my way to the departure board, and found it not working. On speaking to a member of staff, I found it was Platform 2.
Awaiting to board, I thought this may be a solo reconnaissance trip, but with 5 minutes to spare Graham and Paul turned up to join me. The 30 minute journey on a relatively quiet train passed quickly, and before we knew it we were alighting at Worksop. Through the main doors we went to pop in for a drink at The Mallard. This is a fantastic little bar has a legendary status with 4 cask ales from varying regions. My tipple of choice was Welbeck’s – Elder Maria, a pale of only 3.9% but packed with flavour, there was also Badger and The Great Divide on the bar. Graham and Paul opted for the darker bitter on offer.
A short hop through the car park and we were at the Station Hotel, a nice decorated pub with 2 wickets. One being Glamorgan’s Ffresh EPA, a beer I had never seen before, but throughly enjoyed in the nice beer garden outside. A short walk downhill saw us enter town and the very strangely named Wetherspoons – The Liquorice Gardens. The choice was the usual 4-6 cask, I went for the Titanic -Raspberry Pale, a weighty 4.7%.
On most of our trips, we have a little issue with Google Maps. This time is was finding the Millhouse. The sat nav took us in a circle again, before a lady told us it was way down the road the other way. Some 15 minutes later, we arrived at a smart outside and inside pub with 3 cask. You don’t see Everards much around Sheffield, so I gave the Tiger – Bitter, 4.2% a punt. I’m glad I did, as it was a nice biscuity, malty ale.
Worksop Rugby Club was indicated as being round the corner, and this time the map worked, which was handy as a deluge was threatening. Luckily we missed it both arriving and leaving, thus ensuring dry shirts and shorts for the trip home. This bar advertises 2 changing ales on Worksop’s CAMRA website, but needs changing. We arrived after the walk through a private housing estate, to find no real ale. There was an explanation on enquiring of “We had some yesterday,” but that was of little use for us. Graham and Paul had bottled ale, while I went for a reasonable pint of Belhaven – 80/-, not bad to say it was keg. If visiting, I would give them a ring to check on cask beer availability.
Hunger was creeping in and we’d spotted a chippy on the way, so we popped in. I had a fishcake, and again the contentious issue was that it was really a rissole, but we weren’t in Yorkshire, so I suppose you have to cut them some slack. So food consumed we took the lengthy road back to the station.
A walk to town again, and a slight uphill to the station saw us get a return train fairly promptly. We had intended to hop off at Kiveton Park for the Tap, but we’d had a long day and decided to finish in the Sheffield Tap and in no time we made our farewells.
Despite it only being the 3 of us, we had a nice tour, and a laugh. At least next time, we know the route, and could possibly add one or two more.
Salzburg is in Austria, situated in a mountainous area close to the German border. The city centre is a UNESCO world heritage site with a rich history. It was the birthplace and residence of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the river Salzach was used to export salt from the surrounding salt mines. More recently, the film The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews and Christpher Plummer was filmed at many locations in the salzburg area, and bus tours of these can be booked by enthusiasts.
I visited Salzburg for the third time with my husband James at the end of May 2025. We arrived in a drizzly city centre with one hour before checking into our apartment. We decided to head to nearby Zum Zirkelwirt. This is a lovely bar/restaurant serving traditional Austrian dishes and beers on Keg taps from the Hirter brewery. They have a Beer of the Month but this had sold out, so I opted for a Hirter weissbier (5.4%). This was very refreshing after travelling and had a soft taste. A great start to our trip.
On our first evening, I had booked Zwettler’s restaurant for dinner. Here, they serve beer from the Kaiser Karl brewery on draught. James had the Kaiser Karl dark beer (5%), which had a very malty taste and coffee aroma. My choice was the Zwickle unfiltered beer (5%), which had a refreshing and clean taste. Both beers went very well with our Austrian meal of beef soup with pancakes, Zwettler Schnitzel and mixed dumplings.
On day two, we visited Salzburg Zoo, which is a short bus ride from the city centre. Here, there is a bar serving meals, coffees and bottled beer from the Stiegl brewery. I chose the refreshing Stiegl-Hell lager (4.5%), which was very tasty and full bodied and great for a sunny day. James had the Steigl-Wiessbeer (5.1%) This tastes malty, and has a beautiful golden colour and a banana aftertaste. We had the Stiegl-Weiss beer again later on in our trip, when we visited Hofwerfen fortress, which is a filming location for the film Where Eagles Dare, and also includes a falconry display, guided castle tour and an exhibition on witchcraft. Stiegl-Weiss beer is commonly served at tourist attractions.
On our second evening, we visited the central Coffee and Booze micropub, which serves a range of international beers. I tried Starobrno (5%) on draught. This is a Czech beer with a deep golden colour and toffee notes, James drink of choice here was Weizenbergal Shwartzbier, served in a bottle (4.8%), which was a tasty dark beer. Accompanied by a 1980s soundtrack, this bar brings a fun and relaxed vibe. Later on in the same bar, i tasted the Edelweiss Hofbrau (4.5%). This is a rust coloured beer with banana notes.
Day three saw a visit to the Celtic Spirit Irish Bar. Here, I tasted the Obertrumer zwickl beer (4.8%). This was the hoppiest beer I had so far. It was a pale colour and slightly fizzy with toffee notes. James had bottled die weiss dunkel here (5.4%). This was a smooth, malty beer with a banana taste.
My favourite drinking establishment in Salzburg is Augustiner Bräustübl. This is a monastry situated at the foot of the Montsberg hill, and is close to thecity centre. Here, there is only one choice of beer, Märzen Bier (4.6%) that is brewed on site by the resident monks. It is served on cask by the litre and half litre. You begin by buying a beer token for the size of beer you would like, collect a stein from the shelf, rinse your stein in the water fountain, then hand your token and stein to the bartender who will fill it up for you. The beer can then be enjoyed either in one of their beer halls or in the 1000 seat beer garden. The beer is very easy drinking and refreshing authentic Austrian taste. Soft drinks and snacks are also available from various stalls. We visited here on multiple nights of our trip.
Me and James had a great time visiting salzburg. It is an excellent destination for a city break, with opportunities to visit the mountains too. The majority of draught beer served here is brewed on site or close by. This, along with the beer culture, has made it a good choice for us. Goodbye Salzburg, until next time.
As part of our socials, we decided to include Matlock, and nearby Wirksworth in Derbyshire as part of our itinerary.
Matlock is steeped in farming and mining history, before becoming a spa town, and a subsequent base for exploring the Peak District. The name is thought to translate to ” moot oak,” somewhat explaining the local Brewery’s name. In the late 17th century warm springs were discovered, leading to the construction of bathhouses, and its development as a spa town. Being situated on the River Derwent, textiles also became prominent with the water powering the Mills. Which also grew the economy locally.
Having purchased my Stagecoach Gold Dayrider, (£10.50) a ticket that allows unlimited day travel on their buses in Sheffield and Derbyshire (Even as far as Nottingham, although the train is a quicker option). I nipped in the Bankers for a swift half of Conwy – Rampart, a malty brown/English of 4.5%.
Glyn and I boarded the X17 at 11:05 in a warm, but dull Sheffield, being joined by Graham and Paul on Arundel Gate for the journey onwards. Fortunately, due to roadworks on Chesterfield Road Andrew was at his stop by the time it arrived at Meadowhead, otherwise he would have had to join half an hour later. The Journey then takes the Dronfield bypass to Chesterfield and beyond.
Red Lion Beer Festival in Matlock
Our first stop was the Red Lion at Matlock Green, overlooked in the distance by Riber Castle. A nice country pub with 3 ales on the bar, but boasting plenty more at the Bank Holiday Beer Festival in the back garden. First choice from the main bar was a nice Moot – Matlock Blonde of 4.1%, brewed behind the pub! Then on to the festival beers, which were well represented from the local area and beyond. Being a mild and stout fan I plumped for the Brampton – Mild, a hefty 4.9%, then a Blue Monkey – Cinder Toffee Stout at 5%. The X17 was 5 minutes away for our journey to Wirksworth, so we hastily departed.
Wirksworth has a rich history from the Romans to the present. Even influencing George Eliot, the female author of Adam Bede, The Mill on the Floss and Silas Marner. In the 12th century, it was a major centre for lead mining, before becoming prominent in quarrying. The town saw great growth and was the first cotton mill to use a steam engine at Arkwright’s Haarleem Mill. Another claim to fame is Dream Cave where wooly rhino bones were discovered.
Feather Star, Wirksworth
The purpose of this visit was a visit to the quirky The Feather Star, a pub that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Tolkien novels. A good range of beers saw me partake in a Big Trip – Soak Up the Sun, a hazy IPA of 4.2%. Next as we waited for the hourly bus was another Moot – Illumination, a tasty EPA of 4.2%. Also of note here was a collection of vinyl records racked up and available to buy.
After a democratic vote, we boarded the bus to return to Matlock itself and Titanic’s Bod bar, nicely designed as a bar and eaterie in a somewhat Scandinavian style. This had a pale I had not sampled before in Titanic – Steerage, an EPA of only 3.8. Having ordered a Chilli Sausage roll, the beer helped temper my burning mouth. Tasty, but somewhat spicy.
Newsroom, Matlock
The next sensible decision was the one to get the bus up to the The Newsroom and The Farmacy, the 2 micropubs overlooking the town. As expected from the name, The Newsroom was a former newsagents that simply had a decline trade and simply needed a change of direction. The bar itself was quite small, but had a nice choice of beers, of which Pentrich’s – Where’s My Elephent was my choice being a sweet milk of 5%.
Round the corner was The Farmacy, as run you may deduct a former pharmacy, this is a tap for Aldwarke Artisan Ales which is run by a farming family. Again a great good choice of beer in a bustling bar. I ordered my Pale Ale, GF and 3.9%. Seating was available outside and we grabbed a table to rest before the walk to where we alighted, for the X17 bus home.
All-in-all, a very enjoyable trip in somewhere I haven’t drank before. Certainly a little tour you could do with a partner or friends for 6-7 hours.
The Red Lion beer festival took place over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Bus X17 runs from Sheffield to Matlock every 30 minutes during the daytime (hourly on Sundays) with one an hour extended to Wirksworth. It operates via Woodseats, Chesterfield, Matlock, Matlock Bath and Cromford. Sheffield & District CAMRA has a regular programme of socials for our members, check out the diary page for details.
Although I have lived in Sheffield since the late eighties, my formative drinking days were in Bristol, and I go back for family and friends fairly frequently.
As such I’ve followed the beer scene in Bristol along side that of Sheffield. Bristol is of a similar size to Sheffield, and has in common the loss of the breweries that I knew well from my younger days, Courage and Smiles in Bristol’s case, Wards and Stones here. The Bristol beer scene is however vibrant, and has a surprising number of breweries, so much so that there is a biannual East Bristol brewery trail weekend, encompassing 6 venues. The trail covers Little Martha, Moor, Good Chemistry, Left Handed Giant, Wiper and True, and Arbor, with it possible to walk the trail with a little planning (follow this order, or do in reverse!).
This years first event was on Saturday and Sunday, May 3rd and 4th. My wife and I were down and on a surprisingly sunny day for a bank holiday weekend and arrived in Bristol Temple Meads railway station just after midday to start the trail.
Just round the corner from the station is Little Martha Brewing, their taproom situated in a converted railway arch. Originally primarily a bar, and less than four years old, the brewing operation has expanded to the point they could offer 12 beers on draft, all keg. In what would become a theme on a hot sunny day I chose a lighter option called “Halo Orbit”, a 4.8% session IPA, and my wife “Chasing Pulsars” their lager. Both lasted no time at all, always a good sign, and we set off too the next venue.
Moor brewery started in 2007, and has always been a favourite of mine. They pride themselves on unfined, unfiltered and unpasteurised beer in all dispense forms – cask, keg, can and bottle, which makes them more CAMRA friendly than most “craft” breweries. I can recommend Old Freddie Walker, a 7.4 % old strong ale, but that was too much for the early stages of the trail, so we tried the “Illumination” 4.3% English pale ale on cask, and “Kellerbier lager”. They take the lager seriously, such that the storage tanks for the “lager” stage are installed on their side to improve the process. It works, because we ended up having a second, so impressed were we. Worth noting that Moor taproom is a music venue too, with a strong emphasis on rock and punk in all forms, which we would have been happy to listen to, but hadn’t started in the early afternoon of our visit. Quick shout out to Stoked Mexican street eats, for some delicious loaded nachos.
Next a short walk to Good Chemistry brewing, the only taproom that is not frequently open. As was the case for most of the breweries there were cask options, and I tried the “Marmalade waves” 4% pale ale. Described as having “marmalade floral biscuit” flavours, this was exactly how it came across, and probably the most memorable beers I had on the trail. The orangey taste was spot on for a sunny afternoon.
Half way in, and on we went to Left Handed Giant. Now a larger brewery on the Bristol scene, with another large taproom in the city centre. At this stage it was apparent that the trail was a popular option, with a queue for beer, and no seating until people moved on. We had “Go On Then”, a 4.2% cask pale ale, and “Alpina” lager. Both perfectly pleasant, but the crowds and the first instance of the Bristol staple Drum and Bass through the sound system meant we just had the one. I will give them additional credit as the only taproom serving in glass, despite the large crowd.
Wiper and True surprised me, in that it was at a new large brewery location, not the smaller one I’d visited on the trail previously. They do brew some Stouts I love (Milk Shake, Hard Shake, Espresso Martini Shake), but none were on draft, so we had “Today” Munich Lager and “Kaleidoscope” a 4.2% Pale, mainly because they were on a smaller bar with much shorter queues than the main one. Call me old, but it made sense at the time!
So on to the final brewery, and another favourite of mine, Arbor. I choose “Mosaic” 4.0% pale to start followed by “Citrus Maxima” a 4.0% lemon and lime pale, and my wife “Helles” lager. All very drinkable on a sunny afternoon, and highly recommendable. Again it was now very busy, and the Drum and Bass was in full effect, but at that stage we didn’t care so much. I love a black IPA and “The Devil Made Me Brew it” is a great example, but it wasn’t on draft, so I bought a (pint) can of it, plus a can of “Rubber Dingy Rapids” 10% impy stout, not least for the Sheffield connection……
A short walk to the Laurence Hill station and back into town at the end of a highly enjoyable session.
I can’t say the trail is picturesque, think Attercliffe industrial units, but six breweries in close proximity is impressive, with a wide beer choice (there were options other than pales and lager!) and I recommend it if you are interested, with the next weekend trail on the 23rd and 24th August.
As far as an impromptu socials goes, you can’t beat a beer festival in the sunshine.
I arrived to join others around 17:00, to an already packed terrace with no seats to be had. The band was warming up, the food was cooking and the beer flowing.
There was a change from last year, and to be honest, not for the better. The cider tent was placed in a small corner, unlike the double-fronted location of last year. This caused a very congested stand this time around. Fortunately the ciders made up for it and they were proving popular, looking like they were in danger of selling-out the next day!
To begin, I started with a Thornbridge not sampled before, Black & Gold. A nice hoppy pale of a blonde/golden character. Lots of flavour in its 3.4% though, and an easy starter.
Steve, Andy, Paul and Dan at the Student Union beer & cider festival
I joined Paul M, Bev, Dan, and Bev’s sister Teri and husband, Steve for a chat all things ale and beyond. Andy Morten of 50k+ beers fame joined the gathering, but wasn’t stopping too long. It wasn’t long before my friend Bleddyn made it there with his pint of Brew York’s Maris the Otter, a 3.9% bitter from this excellent brewery renowned for its stouts.
Bev, Steve and Teri at the Student Union beer & cider festival
We were a bit jaded, so decided to get a seat, where we were joined my another friend Gordon. We soon felt peckish after the beer, so a Currywurst was purchased, and it was very tasty with fries, sauerkraut and mini-gherkins at £6.90.
The now seated Kevin, Bleddyn and Gordon at the Student Union beer & cider festival
Paul, Bev, Dan and Co bade their farewells, as they were continuing on more beer trails.
Being a suckered for a flavoured stout, my eyes were drawn to the Neepsend Jasmin’s Jamaican Rum Cake Stout. Quite thin and only 4.8%, but the flavour didn’t disappoint.
Now the problem is, sitting opposite the TV advertising beers. You’re always going to see one you have to sample. In this case it was an old favourite Thornbridge Baize, the legendary Mint Chocolate Stout. 5.5% like an After Eight in a glass, not cheap but worth it.
Time for departure, and a walk through town and the West Street Strip to catch my last bus, after a swift last one in the Bankers Draft. We’ll be back next year, possibly attending the Friday evening, and the Saturday, football fixtures allowing?
the printed beer & cider list at the Student Union beer & cider festival
Three B’s Micropub was established in Bridlington in 2020. Since opening it has won many awards both from CAMRA and other bodies. Following on from its success the pub is moving to a new site within Bridlington this spring. The new location is 2, Wellington Road, YO15 2BG. The map below shows the new pub location. The new site will feature 5 handpulls (from 4 at the current site) plus craft keg taps and a large beer fridge. The biggest asset the new pub will have is a large beer garden with seating for around 50 people at maximum.
It is hoped the new location will be open by around the end of April, in the meantime it will continue to trade at its current location on Marshall Avenue. Check out the pubs social media for updates.
Our annual Hillsborough Social took place on Friday 21 Feb at The Pangolin on Middlewood Road. On arriving from town, after meeting an old St Luke’s friend, there was a healthy dozen or so drinkers ready to sample the delights the district has to offer.
My drink of choice was Brid’s Cross, a brewery I was not familiar with, Ash and Elm, a pale with piney, malty notes. A very pleasant APA of 4.5%.
Next was the short hop over the tram tracks to the excellent little Micropub, The Beekeeper. This bar always has 3 pumps on, one normally being a new Neepsend brew. To that end, I sampled their Muisca, a 5.5% American IPA.
Heading to Hillsborough corner, we popped in the Northern Monkey who are making an effort to stock 2 cask, one of which was the nice Doctor Morten’s Duck Baffler, a simple American pale ale of 4.1% for easy quaffing.
Across the traffic lights sits The Hillsborough Tap, always quite lively and has 5 cask pumps. Unfortunately, they had the SWFC match on, and it wasn’t going well, so after a quick half, we made our way to the Rawson Spring.
This Wetherspoon establishment is set in the old swimming baths, and the spectator gallery is still visible. There is always a selection of 5-6 guest ales, and at a very good price with your CAMRA voucher. Mine was a pale, although being later in the night, I forgot to note it.
Finally, to conclude the evening, we decamped to the Beer House S6. This larger ale bar has a regular 5 cask, a cider on handpump, then 4-5 keg. There always seems to be a Two by Two or a Big Trip on, so a safe pair of hands on choice.
So, another one over, and again a good turnout to support this thriving little beer community.
UPCOMING PUB TRIP SOCIALS:
19 April – Doncaster by train
24 May – Matlock by bus
6 June – Fuggle Bunny Brewery tap
21 June – Huddersfield by train
July – Peak District by bus (details TBC)
30 August – New Mills by train including Torrside brewery tap
