Cloudwater Chubbles X 10th Birthday QIPA!

 Hello there readers

       back in April this year Cloudwater put out a message about the hop line up along with their intent, to brew their first QIPA - a special 10th Birthday strong Chubbles! Not only did the hop line up - Centennial, Mosaic, Strata, Columbus, Galaxy, Enigma, Citra, Nelson and El Dorado - excite, but it seemed to sit perfectly with the expected extra 2% ABV - and today, am currently trying my second taste of this absurd Miasma of tropical Hops.

The cynical amongst you may simply claim that this is just Cloudwater showing off the" easy"  spectacle of mixing numerous hops at a higher ABV - not least if you had perhaps encountered negative brewing operations previously. But weirdly, the excellence of Cloudwater's existing I, D and T IPA mixes meant that this was likely much of that - but when its as accessible and easy drinking as this - who cares?

One of the beauties of Chubbles is their pairing with The Veil Brewing, possibly in Albany, New York. I dont now much about them as a brewery but I have to say have enjoyed everything that they have thus far produced. Perhaps its heir love of producing cloudy, hop heavy, soup, that is so deliciously easy drinking. Such values do not dissipate in this offering - drinking the same now am happy to confirm that it retains a dark yellow, slightly orange appearance, and despite it being a hefty 12% it remains ridiculously easy drinking.

I realise that my knowledge of QIPAs is slightly restricted by a lack of them being produced in the UK, even more so since never ending rising fuel and ingredient costs in both the brewing and indeed the home living sectors - but - I have to mention once again how stoopidly easy drinking this remains!

Incidentally - I also wouldnt normally drink a QIPA as my 3rd beer of the day, however I did want to make sure that I at least was able to demonstrate a reasonable snifter of its taste attributes whilst I write - theres a heck of a lot of Mango and possibly stone fruit, and some sweetness - in the aftertaste - but you cant escape a truly excellent lingering Citra bitterness in the bite. This is a dry and simultaneously fruity adult beer at the very top of its game, and quite likely also the limit of the margins of its possibility of retaining bitterness in that absolute wall of citrussy hops.

In short - its basically, everything I expected of a beer of this magnitude, but brewed well.

Finally - I did half jokingly ask a few of my regular pub haunts if they were considering purchasing cans or a keg of this beer - I ordered it the Friday dinnertime on the day it appeared on their webstore - but I suspect that although it may have appeared at their bar in Manchester or London, it might not be available on KftF at any time soon,  which is a shame, because I offered to buy half a keg if they did.......

With warmest regards

Wee Beefy

 

Sobremesa

 Afternoon readers - am going to post about a new brewery to me that I came accross at Indie Beer Feast back in March. 

This year I secured 2 tickets and before I went to the first session i received a text from the lovely Tash about a chap she had met or been introduced to in the Old Shoe who specialised in Saisons - he was called Adrianne and was showcasing his products at Indie Beer Feast. Half an hour after arriving, and finishing my bold opening pint, I spotted what sounded like his bar, and I introduced myself. After a quick chat, I promised him I would pop back later on to purchase some saison, although I did get to try a sample of his bottled saison, and I admit I absolutely loved it.

So having finished my starter and after meeting up with kieron and RJW, I went back to his bar and got a half of his Farmyard ale - a saison style brew which was lovely, but sooooooooo easy to drink! I cant accurately recall if you could buy bottles to take out from the Beer Feast, but he assured me that his beers were available in Hop Hideout, and also the Old Shoe - infact, on my next visit there they were indeed selling two of his beers on draught!

The brewery is based in some out buildings at a farm in rural Wales - writing this post has pointed out to me that there are some facts which I need to check out - in the meantime - here is a link to their website: Brecon Breacons Craft Beer & Tap Room | Farmhouse Beer & Natural Cider | SOBREMESA Drinks

I admit that I had forgotten that they had a taproom in the Brecon Becons, for example......

I also forgot the meaning of Sobremesa - it describes the period post meal when friends and family members chat with each other sat at the table......

And also that they produce their own cider.

And I cant recall definitely if Adrianne's name is Adrianne......

What I do know is that his beers are marvelous!

Last week I popped into Hop Hideout and bought a can of his Farmhouse Pilsner, a 750ml bottle of his Farmhouse Ale, and an as yet untried bottle of his Damson Saison. I had the whole bottle of his Farmhouse Ale last night - it was poured over about an hour but I finished it all and after a large meal and a few hours in the pub this was an ideal finisher!

This is a link to the details of their Rosalind Yeast -Rosalind yeast | SOBREMESA Drinks

I always like to read these sort of facts at such a detailed level on a brewery website because many breweries seem reluctant to share this amount of info? Not an industry criticism, of course, but a valid observation - its reassuring to see the length of preparation undertaken by the brewery and cidery before they started - and thus far, possibly affected by the yeast used, their output has been fabulous!

Aswell as ordering online from the brewery in Talgarth, you can probably still buy from Hop Hideout here in fine sunny Sheffield! So I would recommend that you should pop in there to get a bottle or a can.....

Finally - and this is not proven - I suspect that Adrianne is probably Spanish - although his name may still not be Adrianne - have had a sleep since then.......

Warmest regards

Wee Beefy

Sheffield SU's Beer and Cider festival 2025

 Afternoon, readers

       sadly I don't know which year this was in terms of numbers of Sheffield SU beer festivals previously. I now I went to SU Beer Fest in Sheffield in May 1994 for my first ever beer festival aged 19, so its more than 30 years old....

I would also like to point out that :

it is still on today;

and, crucially, that it is staffed by volunteers - so hopefully no staff received embolisms from spluttering drunkards.......

I arrived about 1415 and saw Mr Ciderman, who told me that they had sold all of yesterdays cider as well as half of today's cider the day before - it seems Friday had been a thirsty day! Am no expert on cider by any stretch but am always impressed to find a large range of ciders, many of which I admit I have never heard of.....

I started on a whole pint of evil filthy Thornbridge - their Day Maker, a 4% session IPA - as I supped,  the sky darkened and broiling clouds of wrath simmered in the air above - but thats just May. It went straight back to bright sunshine afterwards.

Next up I ventured into what seemed like the pitch black chasm of Hades, which was the main cask and keg bar - I couldn't see the pumpclips, less so the sheets of info, so I asked the lass behind the bar what she suggested - she froze - so I opted for a pint of Two by Two on kftc - it was a tasty if surprisingly flavoured pineapple sour - not that sour to be honest, but it was refreshing!

Having now selected Hopworks Ferocious Citra IPA and secured a table, my next visit involved finding out that they didnt think that was available, nor my second suggestion which was Triple Point Flux,  (which was on later) so I opted for a pint of Brol Future Depends, which I paid for - sadly the guy serving that said it had run out and the lass serving me said they couldnt do refunds so I opted for a pint of Pollys Little petal at 5.2% which cost the same. I went next for a pint of Bristol Beer Factory laser Juice which was a delicious and cloudy pale which I supped chatting to a chap called Tyler, who was probably from Leicestershire. I was then told that the Thornbridge DIPA had run out, but I opted to check on my next bar visit.

Sadly it really had, but the Triple Point Flux NEIPA was now available so I went for that before having my next to last which was to risk the Necessary Evil whisky aged stout at 13.5% so I only had a third,  and, I have to say - it was fairly easy drinking for its strength!

By now the luffly Tash and George had arrived to see me, along with Meathill who was working, and we quickly (not for me!) went for food, where it transpired that probably due to the level of University student demand, everything meat was chicken! I had a spicy chicken burger and chips which was very nice, along with my final pint which I think was Neptune Hidden Cove IPA - sadly all I know is it was cloudy!

So in summary - some aspects were misleading and therefore disappointing, and the lack of knowledge of what was available was frustrating, but, I did enjoy everything I tasted and I think that overall the festival was well organised - I don't know how the cider bar will be doing today with reduced stock but I hope all goes well!

Warmest regards

Wee Beefy

Neepsend Craft Beer Festival

 Hello again readers - as usual am a bit late reporting events......

Also - if am honest - I  wasn't actually planning on going - it was only because my good friend J offered two free tickets for the Saturday session that I went at all - so I went with Meathill, obviously.

It was held at Peddlers Warehouse, right next door to the Factory Floor - there was a decent queue to get in, and you showed your ticket on your phone at the door, where you received a tag and a glass and a free pint card (where you could also choose your favorite cask pint) - in fact, the Sheffield cask bar was the first place I visited for a pint of Duality Citra on the Dock of the Bay - a tasty 4.1% session pale, followed by a half of the fabulous Neepsend Double Century IPA at 7.2%. One of the advantages of this festival was an old fashioned printed  list - of the cask beers, which I admit proved very beneficial in this post!

Other features included Pangolin Micropub and Bottle shop from Hillsborough, Quality Ferments drink  importers, a Low and No alcohol bar, and a fabulous selection of street food vendors - as you now I no longer eat food, but I did get some fabulous German Sausage from Get Wurst, with tasty  loaded fries.

So what about the keg beer bars?

Well, I have to say the selection was very good! Highlights included Anthology, Atom, DEYA, Neon Raptor, Dark Element, Sureshot, Zapato and Vibrant Forest - I had a fab pale ale from  Anthology, a strong stout at around 10% from ATOM, a marvellous cloudy IPA from Vibrant Forest, a strong Zapato ale, a dark and hoppy ale from Dark Element from their caravan, and having masticated, I finished on 2 whole pints of DEYA DIPA (possibly saturated in Citra?) from the lovely folks on their bar!

Sadly I was probably only there for a few hours or so as I was going to the secret Birthday do for my chum Dave "Hudares" Howard from the world of music, taking place at Sidney and Mathilda, but despite the shortness of my visit I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.

One last comment is that, discussing this festival with a person in the Harlequin where i started on two pints, one cftp, the other kftf, I was told that some of the brewers that had served there had been disappointed by the attendance, and it hadn't been considered a success - all I can say is that it seemed well attended in my experience, there had been plenty of locally brewed cask (from the past), the food had been excellent, and I had really enjoyed meeting representatives from all of the breweries I had bought from! I do also suspect that the spiraling costs in the brewing and hospitality sector could have likely undermined some of the excellent features of the festival, and maybe reduced visitor numbers?

Either way - am sending a big thanks to the organisers, traders and suppliers at the Neepsend Craft Beer Festival!

Warmest regards

Wee Beefy

Its 2025 - whats happening?

 Afternoon readers

          its only March and am already penning my first post!

So I realise I could mention the take over of a number of popular breweries by Keystone, or indeed the continuing demise  in numbers of unspoilt national Inventory pubs in the UK, but instead I wanted to write about ranting, by customers, at pub staff.

I am well aware that I "perhaps" drink too much and also that when I become drunk I simultaneously become a nodder, but in other people drunkenness bears a ferocious aggressive and solipsistic child, whose reason leaves them and they cling instead to imagined powers that they do not posess, like earlier this week. Allow me to Elucidate...

It was late on a midweek night in a popular Sheffield pub and probably about 30 minutes prior to closing. Two men I didn't know came in and sat down and started chatting but quickly one expressed his extreme irritation at them playing rap music, a phrase he couldnt accurately pronounce. After a couple of minutes he shouted "why dont you play some proper music instead of this rap shit" His friend told him to stop shouting which riled him further so he decided to storm over to the counter and shout the same accusation directly at the barman - who said, politely and calmly, that what they were playing was all music, and may even have suggested that some people liked the music they had chosen. Cue embolism number 2.

The stroppy man returned to his seat to complain that he didnt see why they didn't play proper music, instead they played this fuffin rab schyit.

I reneged the opportunity to ask him why he thought that rap wasn't music, and neither did I choose to explore which particular facet of the musical style he was unable to pronounce that enraged him so, nor did I enquire if he didn't like every single one of the millions of rap tracks ever recorded because of its established cultural backgrounds and influences. Instead I simply ignored them as best as I was able and then I awaited their threatened departure. Then came the line that really caught my attention. The loud guy returned to the bar as they were on their way out and once again started ranting about "rap shit" and then said " n I know xx and xx and I'll tell them about you and get this pub removed from the Good beer guide and (probably) youll never win pub of the month". 

Erm What now?

And this is when I realised that they were CAMRA members.

And I knew both of the gents he mentioned, one for nearly 30 years. And I was amazed that both those men had carried out surreptitious undertakings in Sheffield and Dronfield CAMRA as a Siloh of Silent Assassins to destroy and therefore close down any public houses or bars, which didn't meet strict musical requirements, weapons loaded, court orders at the ready and bile spilling between their clenched teeth pre action.

And do you now how the angry persons finished their visit?

As the bar man said that he didn't appreciate being shouted and sworn at and harrassed, they both said "fuck off" in unison before one said "gerra fuckin grip" as they stormed out. Children.

Lets just list all the normal and CAMRA benefits of the pub which they did not consider:

6 to 8 cask handpulls (admittedly these are just numbers - it could be 9) selling cask beers and ciders;

10 keg lines selling further and often stronger beers and ciders;

3 fridges selling further canned and bottled ales and ciders;

High quality fresh food produced in the newly refurbished kitchen;

Available function room upstairs for hire;

And what did the CAMRA members hate?

The style of music being played at closing time.

Interestingly - am not especially a massive fan of Rap music as a genre - because I have my own tastes in music. But in the event that a venue I liked or even one that I had first visited, played a style of music that I didnt like, I wouldn't undertake a roaring embolism of chuntering and swearing at bar staff, I would instead remember that I didn't live there, and go somewhere that I believed to be more appropriate. What an absolute shit show by these two Cameroids!

With kindest regards

Wee beefy

 men I

Fondly Dave

 Afternoon readers,

  for those of you who don't pay that much attention to my blog - like - well, me, this is description number 5 in my now 4 or 5 years old "Pub fruit loops" series.

For info, we have so far had:

Man in his 60s taking his incontinent Mother out in her pygamas to have a series of ickypo air raids whilst he slags off all beer and beer drinkers (whilst doing exactly that);

Racist dog man - the chuntering Banslih bittoh drinking racist who blamed all his behavioural failings on his presumably oft replaced dog;

The erstwhile saliva spluttering Badge Hat Andrew, AKA the sadly now passed away Andrew Smith (see "Alan Chimpanzee");

And lastly, the "i'm a silent partner, don't you know" bloke, the nutcase who infuriated and creeped out both customers and staff in the Rutty in about 2019.

Number 5 - Fondly Dave - goodness - where do I start?

For info, lets make clear that this isn't to be confused with Maudlin Dave, a white haired chap whom have known for many years and sounds like Alan Bennet. I do know his real name, but it seems inappropriate to share.......

My brotaar WK, met Fondly Dave in Shakespeares one night when he had been on call for a week and was having his first beer in 8 days. Spotting us, FD joined us and within just 5 minutes he was spouting his usual nonsense about the fact that the Royal family all had lizard heads covered in paper and that all royalists were genetically matched to lizards from space. I hope you all know that am no royalist, but thats where my interest stops - Dave was like a non funny Chris Morris in Cake, and an ever so slightly more mad and even more stupid, David Ike. My brother quickly told him to stop spouting absolute nonsense and to go away, which he did.

The next time I met FD he strangely seemed to have forgotten how annoying he was, but I did kindly say hello to him before going to sit in the Clock room at Shakespeares. At this point this was the only pub that I went in that he wasn't barred from. And here's the reason why:

When FD spotted a lady, and seemingly only ever a single possibly stressed or refreshed lady, he would saunter over and say along the lines of "Hi, I can see your obviously distressed, just to let you now that I am a registered Reiki healer, would you like me to try and heal you?" The obvious response would be no, get away from me you dishonest weirdo but FD was very persistent, and usually, agreement or not, proceeded to put his hands on them to "release the bad energies".

Usually, and likely because of where he put his hands, most recipients would say no, or take your hands off me, but if bar staff didn't notice and the first victim left, he would then try it on again with the next available female. By now harassed and criticised by people who had seen what was going on, he would then be barred (often again) and removed from the premises. This is why I thought that at one stage he was barred from every pub in Sheffield, and have only ever seen him once more, where he claimed he didn't do that sort of thing anymore.

Only he did.

Which is probably why I haven't seen him in about 3 years.

With kind regards - and a happy new year

Wee Beefy

Memories - what do they mean? Like, birds, we'll never know........

 Afternoon

     just to point out that when I say birds I mean the Avian ones - am not being crude.

I realise that I might have pointed this out already but just to remind you that in 2019 I had a brain injury. Without going on, it was when I started taking Tresiba, a more effective Background insulin that am still on. My then diabetic nurse encouraged me to switch from possibly Novorapid Long  Acting or worse still Humalog, which I was taking twice a day, and to take just one injection in the morning, of Tresiba. She suggested I take 40 units, but that would have been nearly twice what I was already taking so I went for just 30. I still had an overwhelming hypoglycaemic attack, and leaning against a pillar eating chocolate I blacked out, fell forwards and split my head open. I was in hospital for 6 weeks, and upon returning to the pub world I initially struggled to remember names, and actually tolerate drinking strong beers. After a whole year of testing and memory training, they said it would take a minimum of 6 years to retrieve my memories, and those of you who see me regularly, will know that I continue to often forget persons names.

Its interesting however that if you read my pre brain injury, more prolific blog posts, I was already a bit "memory light" not least about beer names - so without overexaggerating, its sadly been a slow decline......

However - I recently reminded my Lancastrian chum about Sheffield's numerous off licences, and I mentioned the Dram Shop and this, reminded me about Brendan Dobbin at West Coast Brewing in Manchester which, after its closure, it, or Mr Dobbin, moved to Marble, brewing behind the Marble Arch. I think I got 4 different bottles of West Coast Brewery beers from there before it closed, and the Dram Shop was also the first place that I spotted Fraoch, then brewed by Heather Ales.

I remember that the three Wee men visited the brewery in the early thousands - then likely at Strathaven, and it was lovely to take away 4 pints of their Scottish fruited beer which was likely Grozet - not to mention what may have also been their kelpie seaweed ale.

They gave me 12 bottles of that and asked me to give a bottle to ten of my favourite Sheffield pubs with their email address - most of which were warmly received, except the guy at the Sheaf view who said he was offended by my giving him a free 500ml bottle of beer and their email address - um - what now?

The final memory I have of the still open Dram Shop is a full bottle of 1953 (or similar) whisky stood alone on a high shelf sticking out possibly from a support pillar? I wonder what happened to that?

More (or less) memories next time!

kind regards

Wee Beefy

Restricted sizes of drinks

 Hello again 

        I wanted to find out what you readers think about many pubs and bars - especially ones part of a chain - refusal to serve beers of a certain strength to anyone in measures of a pint or even sometimes, in two thirds?

Just to point out, I can assure you that I know and have discussed this with a number of persons who currently work behind bars in Sheffield and whom have their own opinions and reasons - so whilst I find it frustrating - and sometimes nonsensical - I do at least understand the logic applied - which I will try and set out below.

The principal reasoning seems to be based on managers/owners and staff being concerned - and knowledgable of - the affect that large quantities of beer at 8, 9 or 10%, often has. A good example being a guy who said he wasnt happy serving pints of 8% cider, because cider affects drinkers differently, and is well known for "removing the legs". I also realise that this does not apply to all cider drinkers, however.......

Sadly - and I would hope not in my personal case - am aware that pints of drinks such as DIPAs and TIPAs in such circumstances can also cause people to become argumentative and in some cases aggressive. In which case, clearly, the employer needs to consider the safety of their employees. And then, one could also argue that being blithely assessed as being unable to acceptably handle a strong ale, could in itself contribute to argumentative behaviour of the customer?

I am well aware that I sometimes unwisely choose to drink one too many strong drinks but am fully confident that I would accurately be assessed as being capable or not of supping another pint - which is why the automatic restriction on purchases is needlessly frustrating - arguably because that assessment is not always accurate.

Am not in anyway criticsing bar staff either - as a regular last Friday before Christmas drinker I have seen many completely inexcusable behaviours towards persons just doing their jobs, which is  unacceptable. However, arguably, the introduction of these pre arranged measures could be putting staff at unnecessary risk, whilst simultaneously  annoying customers at the same time.

I would be happy to hear from readers what they think about this practice in pubs and bars in the Uk?

Yours, respectfully,

Wee Beefy

Wuzza - AKA Wirksworth, Derbyshire

Morning Readers

       some of you may know that I had been trying to complete my post on myself and WK's trip to Liverpool back in May, but 2 weeks ago I was trying to complete it and whilst typing CAMRA it replaced the letters MRA over the entirety of my whole post - and as I came out and went back in it then,  proceeded to save the 3 letters - instead of 3 pages - of text - as just that. So its not a rejection of my trip to Liverpool, rather a distinct change in information.....

Not that this should in any way reflect on my appreciation of Wuzza, mind - despite the dubious quality of bus services from Sheffield and later into Derby, I do still go every few months or so - and out of the 5 pubs have been to, today I will concentrate on my favourite 2, regular, bowzers

First up is The Feather Star - previously known as the Red Lion, a large former coaching Inn on the side of the square previously run by Marstons - I think I only went in once or twice and they may have sold Pedigree? Either way, it was took over by the fab folks who ran - and run - the Feather Star.

As everyone knows, Feather Star is a term given to a fossil - possibly an Ammonite? Which is found locally. Their micropub was run out of a small former  Antiques shop a little further down the road, but I suspect the owners of the building may have wanted the venue to move on, and the Feather Star folk recognised the need for a bigger premises and so eventually managed to purchase - and move into - The Red Lion. 

The first thing to acknowledge is the massive increase in beer choice - The Feather Star has 5 or 6 handpumps for cask from the past and possibly 6 keg lines? Have had a number of marvelous pints of Cloudwater IPA around 6-7% on my visits and their range of breweries is fantastic! Often also sell Aldwark Ales which is reasonably close to Wuzza. I highly recommend a visit.

Nearby on what I thought was John Street but is listed as North End, is the fabulous Royal Oak, a possibly 17th (not sure) century, unspoilt locals pub with 5 handpumps for excellent cask from the past along with the addition of 2 guest keg lines, often serving kernel or Verdant. There is a large fire in both rooms and outside there is a walk through barn which has seating in it through to a pleasant garden with further outdoor drinking areas.

They regularly sell Whim Ales from the Hartington Brewery on cftp, including their IPA and Flower Power at 6% - but mainly the range changes regularly - also often sell Shiny and other small local independent brewery beers.

Also - the loos are outside, and although it no longer appears to be National Inventory listed

(?) - am certain it used to be - it still remains unspoilt and the interior appears to contain many numerous original features.

Although check the opening hours if you are panning a visit!

So - there are my 2 favourite pubs in glorious Wuzza!

Cheers

Wee Beefy

The Crask Inn, Crask. near Lairg, Sutherl;and, North East Scotland

 Evening Readers - assuming there are any of you left......before I start I should add a quick caveat. So I know that even my my own cacky handed mismanagement of my own out put that my first blog post this year taking place in November 2023 is somewhat taking the piss. And am sorry about that. Apart from a recent op and a few holidays there really aren't any reasosn let alone excuses - its just that I haven't. Its nothing personal I promise.

So back in the 1990s my central heating bust in late November and for a number of reasons we didn#'t manage to get it fixed pre Chrimbo. We all wnt home at the same and my mate came back into the freezinjg house for one night before coming home. I returned on what I think was the 28th and found a frozen glass of water onh the side. It was so cold when I went to bed that night I had to turn the TV round so its back faced me to get heat and I slep fully clothed in a sleepoing bag covered in blankets. That morning haing turned it back round I saw footage taken outside the Crask Inn showing at what I thought was minus 36 making it the coldest place in the UK ever. Sadly the met office have a weather station aat possibly Tallus a few miles away which measured it lower, but I never forgot about this. And then my life happened.

A few years ago I jokingly asked WK if he fancied driving me the 509 miles to Crask - surprisingly he seemed interested but insusted he definitely wasn't promising. I started following - and still do - the Crask Inn on Faceache. I was quite shocked to hear that the pub was to be sold to the Scotttish Episcopa;ian church abd told WK. On my birthday he said if I could get the first week in July off he would take us. I did. And he did.

We stayed the firsdt night in Glasgow - starting our drinks at the Old Toll Bar, a large N.I pub about a mile away from our hotel. Years ago they sold one or two cask beers - this has thankfully been replaced by at least 6 Craft Kegs. I know both WK and I got a pint of Black Isle each and possibly also a pint of Camper Van but there were plenty of crackers in the range!

After we made the lengthy trek through the pissing rain to the fabullous bon Accord where WK got a pint of sunshine on Keith which may be Spey Valley and I know I got the same and another Spey Valley. Was last in the Bon Accord in 2009 and it didn't seem to have changed much!

Next to last was my first visit to the Pot Still - WF and Frank Glasgow (as I call him ) both recommended and we may have been on Loch Lomond - am sadly not in a position right now to confirm if either of us tried any of the ridiculous range os shiskeys.

Our dinal stop was little further along the road to the Shilling Brewery Tap. Along with a few of their own they also sold about 6 kegs and 12 cans of the fabulous Overtone. Me and WK shared truly fantastic hagguis pizzas and it was a short walk back to the hotel.

The next day it was a short wander round Glasgow before we got off to find the motorway and were soon travelling up the coast on the A9 - just 256 miles or similar to Crask. An early chat with new manager Shane presented us we thought with mints and dough Balls at half 6 - and after two Waterfall stops and a trundle down a lengthy single track A Road we finally arrived about 18000. Soon into our included evening meal it turned out that mints was instead mince - and bloody nice it was too - and we got chatting to a few other guests and afterwards made it into the bar.

Am not going to pretend that I wasnt disappointed upon discovering they no longer stocked Black Isle Beers on their two keg lines - Shane told us that they had discovered it was difficult to control their beers and so they now only stocked Isle of Skye beers - a pint of Gold and a pint of Dark for me ans WK. They also appeared to stock their full range of cans and bottles, which was a pleasant surprise.

Later Shane asked me why had visited - so I told him everything - including my horror at its upcoming sale to the church. shane pointed out it had already been sold and was already a church - a fact I was surprised at = ni his defence Shane asked if I had noticed any churchiness = I had to admit I hadn't.

we stayed for three nights in all - the first full day a trip to the Casser;ey falls followed by a nearer waterfall and finished by a wander up to Tongue. The Highlands guide said both of the two premises in Toungue sold real ale but the hotel had been sold and served keg in the bar - I opted for a pint of Black Isle at about 3.7% and something like £8 a pint before heading to he Ben Loyal - here I was told the handpumps hadn't been able to stand the recent high temperatures so they had stopped selling real ale. Its a shame because both served a good number of kegs but sadly not cask from the past

After a further excellent tea we once again spent a couple of hours back in the Crask Inn bar where we chatted to Shane's wife - sadly both myself and WK are unable to recall her name but enjoyed chatting to her none the less. Shane and his family had moved about 6 months ago to Sutherland from Alabamha - his wife said she loved the haggis and black and white pudding and venison and also that the only difference between there and here was that 15 degrees was colder - I said we would speak to her next year after her first highland winter!

The next day we drove don to Arrochar where we stopped in a large hotel hoping to visit the Village Inn. Sadly it was not possible to eat there so we ate at the hotel and then walked down to the Village Inn for one of about 4 real ales - mostly Fyne Ales. The Village Inn was a regular stop off for WF so even thopugh we could not eat there it was still noce to get back.

Next we headed - actually am not sure when - tp the Grog and Gruel in Fort William - this may well have been before Glencoe? A couple for me in there were very nice either way. We also stopped off in Ayr at the Chestnuts Hotel - not least to shelter from the rain - and I enjoyed a pint before me and WK returned to Culzean Castle to see the spot where WF and Grandad's ashes are scattered, before we ended up in Dumfries. On my last visit had visited the New Bazaar at the side of the river - now sadly closed.

We started at the Douglas Arms where they had a fabulous range of cask on and Drygate Gladeye IPA and others on keg. We then poped out for tea before finishing our night in the fantastic Riverside Tap, a bar selling about 8 keg ales including at least two Tempest and possible two Overtone - one of which was a fantastic DIPA!

Overall it was obviously very tiring for WK so am very much in appreciation of uis efforts and on every level, I have to say I enjoyed every where we visited and especially the Crask Inn at Crask!

Cheers

Wee Beefy