Thursday 29 March 2012

A SNEAK PREVIEW - A FAREWELL TO ARTS

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerAPPEARING AT THE CAMRA SPRING THING BEER FESTIVAL WILL BE 'A FAREWELL TO ARTS' -
MY TRIBUTE TO THE IMPENDING CLOSURE OF THE ARTS CENTRE.

JOIN ME IN A CELEBRATORY PINT FOR ALL THE GOOD TIMES HAD AT THIS VENUE EITHER TONIGHT, TOMORROW LUNCHTIME, TOMORROW NIGHTTIME AND ALL DAY SATURDAY
OR FIND IT AT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING GREAT ALE HOUSES:

THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST
THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
 THE SHIP INN, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE CROSS KEYS, GAINFORD
THE RED LION, COTHERSTONE
THE VANE ARMS, LONG NEWTON
THE GRAND HOTEL,  BISHOP AUCKLAND
THE DARLINGTON SNOOKER CLUB

ENJOY!

Wednesday 28 March 2012

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - ONE MORE SLEEP TO GO!

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerDARLINGTON CAMRA SPRING THING BEER FESTIVAL

The Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, Darlington, County Durham DL3 7AX

Thursday 29th March - Saturday 31st March
Join us in a celebration of folk music and real ale !
Approximately 55 real ales along with ciders and perries will be available.

Festival Opening Times:

Entry to the festival is FREE at all times.

Thursday 29th :7pm to 11pm

Friday 30th:: noon to 4pm

Friday 30th: 6pm to 11.30pm

Saturday 31st : 11.30am to 11.30pm

The excellent design for the fesitval is by Ian Jackson, our web designer, treasurer and former chairman

enjoy!

oops spot the deliberate mistake on previous posting - teaches me to copy and paste from our website!

Tuesday 27 March 2012

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - 2 SLEEPS TO GO!

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerWHAT HAS 'TAKE A BREAK'
- THE JEREMY KYLE OF WOMENS MAGAZINES GOT TO DO WITH MY BLOG,  THE CAMRA BLOG AND THE SPRING THING BEER FESTIVAL?

WELL, UNFORTUNATELY THE FRIDAY BEER FESTIVAL SESSION CLOSES AT 4.00PM TO GIVE US SELFISH CAMRA MEMBERS A BREAK FROM SERVING THE ALE DRINKING  MASSIV - BEFORE OPENING UP AGAIN AT 6.00PM (HURRAH!)

SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO IN DARLINGTON TO PASS THE TIME BEFORE THE NEXT SESSION STARTS?

SUGGESTIONS FOR THE BEER PURIST -  YOU COULD HEAD TO THE FOLLOWING PUBS FOR A PINT OF EXCELLENT ALE , THE QUAKERHOUSE, NUMBER 22, DARLINGTON SNOOKER CLUB, OLD YARD TAPAS BAR, THE BRITANNIA, TANNERS HALL, TAP AND SPILE, WILLIAM STEAD,  THE QUAYS, GLITTERING STAR - SOME OF THESE VENUES ALSO SERVE EXCELLENT FOOD!

BEER FESTIVAL RUNS 29TH - 31ST MARCH 2012

Monday 26 March 2012

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - THREE SLEEPS TO GO

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer





DARLINGTON CAMRA IS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS YOUNG THIS YEAR!!

THERE WILL BE A CELEBRATORY BEER FESTIVAL IN MAY AT DARLINGTON SNOOKER CLUB - AND A LAUNCH OF OUR LOCAL PUB GUIDE AT NUMBER 22, ALSO IN MAY - FURTHER DETAILS WILL FOLLOW ON BOTH EVENTS SHORTLY!

BEER FESTIVAL RUNS 29TH - 31ST MARCH 2012

Sunday 25 March 2012

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - FOUR SLEEPS TO GO

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerTHE FAB FOUR OF THE BEER FESTIVAL - THE OPENING TIMES -
WHICH SESSIONS WILL YOU ATTEND?
Thursday 29th March: 7pm - 11pm


Friday 30th March: Noon - 4pm

Friday 30th March: 6pm - 11.30pm

Saturday 31st March: 11.30am - 11.30pm

BEER FESTIVAL RUNS 29 - 31ST MARCH 2012

I APOLOGISE IF THIS OFFENDS ANYONE, I KNOW THE FAB FOUR ARE THE BEATLES - BUT I AM, AND WILL ALWAYS BE MORE OF STONES FAN

Saturday 24 March 2012

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - FIVE SLEEPS TO GO

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerAppearing at the festival is Black Paw Brewery IPA at 5% - Brewed to an authentic American recipe, this amber ale has a strong complex aroma and a refreshing bitter finish.

In total there are  'snakes alive ' (I am told this is bingo parlance for the number) 55 beers coming to the festival. See the following link for the list:

http://www.darlocamra.org.uk/st2012beerlist.html
 
Festival runs from 29th - 31st March

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - SIX SLEEPS TO GO!

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer


YES, I KNOW THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN POSTED LAST NIGHT! TECHINICALLY SPEAKING I HAVE NOT HAD MY SIXTH SLEEP AS WE GOT HOME IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING FOLLOWING ATTENDING A RETIREMENT 'DO'  AT THE VOODOO CAFE LOUNGE (NICE FOOD, GOOD RANGE OF USA/MEXICAN BOTTLED BEERS AND CIDERS) AND THEN DRINKS AT NUMBER 22, THE TAPAS BAR, THE TAP AND SPILE (EXCELLENT MUSIC) , THE QUAKERHOUSE AND A NIGHTCAP AT THE TANNERS HALL WHERE WE BUMPED INTO DARLINGTON CAMRA CHAIRMAN PETE EVERETT SAMPLING THE WARES - SHOULDN'T YOU HAVE BEEN AT WORK???

ANYWAY, ONTO THE BEER - APPEARING FOR THE FIRST TIME AT DARLINGTON SPRING THING FESTIVAL WE HAVE BLACK IRIS BREWERY  INTERGALATIC IPA AT 6%.  - WHAT'S THAT SONG AGAIN?

TASTING NOTES :  NEW AUSTRALIAN HOP VARIETIES, GALAXY AND STELLA ARE COMBINED IN THIS GOLDEN 100% MARIS OTTER IPA TO PRODUCE STRONG BITTERNESS COUPLED WITH A SWEEL AROMA REMINISCENT OF APRICOTS. BIG FRUIT FLAVOURS LEAD TO A WARMING FINISH

LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING THIS ONE

BEER FESTIVALS RUNS 29TH - 31ST MARCH

 
  



Thursday 22 March 2012

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - SEVEN SLEEPS TO GO

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF THE BEER FESTIVAL - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

WRATH - THE ANGER ABOUT THE ARTS CENTRE CLOSING DOWN (GRRR)

GREED - 55 PINTS, YES PLEASE!

SLOTH - SHALL I JUST POP DOWN FOR THE SATURDAY NIGHT SESSION? WILL YOU BRING ME A CARRY OUT BACK?

PRIDE - LAGER DRINKERS - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

LUST  - THAT CAMRA MEMBER IS ATTRACTIVE (HUH?)

ENVY - I WANTED THE LAST PINT OF THAT ALE!

GLUTTONY - OOOOHHHH, RENNIE, ANDREW'S LIVER SALTS, RESOLVE

FESTIVAL RUNS 29TH - 31ST MARCH

EQUINOX - INTERGALATIC, PLANETARY

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerINTERGALATIC,PLANETARY PLANETARY,INTERGALATIC

INTERGALATIC,PLANETARY PLANETARY,INTERGALATIC

INTERGALATIC,PLANETARY PLANETARY,INTERGALATIC

INTERGALATIC,PLANETARY PLANETARY,INTERGALATIC


ANOTHER DIMENSION, ANOTHER DIMENSION
ANOTHER DIMENSION, ANOTHER DIMENSION
ANOTHER DIMENSION, ANOTHER DIMENSION
ANOTHER DIMENSION, ANOTHER DIMENSION

IF THE COMPLEX LYRICS OF THE BEASTIE BOYS ARE TOO MUCH AT THIS TIME OF NIGHT, SEE THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR COSMIC LEARNINGS:

http://uk.ask.com/wiki/Equinox

OR MAKE IT REALLY SIMPLE AND JUST HEAD ALONG TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING INTERGALATIC PUBS FOR A PINT OF THE ALE:

A PRIVATE BAND NIGHT AT OVINGTON VILLAGE HALL
THE FROG AND FERRET, SPENNYMOOR
THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE BLACK BULL, MELSONBY
THE COVERBRIDGE, EAST WITTON
THE CROSS KEYS, GAINFORD
THE TICKLE TOBY, NORTHALLERTON
THE STAR INN, HUDDERSFIELD
THE CROWN INN, MANFIELD
THE GRAND HOTEL, BISHOP AUCKLAND
THE ROSE AND CROWN, WITTON PARK

ENJOY!







Wednesday 21 March 2012

THE STAR INN, HUDDERSFIELD SPRING BEER FESTIVAL 21ST - 25TH MARCH 2012

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer
THE STAR INN AT  FOLLY HALL SPRING BEER FESTIVAL STARTED TODAY AT 5.00PM, IT GOES ON TIL SUNDAY, ENDING AT 22.30PM (OBVIOUSLY NOT CONTINUOUSLY, LANDLORDS DO NEED SOME SLEEP!)


OVER 60 FABULOUS BEERS FROM FAR AND WIDE INCLUDING MITHRIL ALES 'EQUINOX'.

SEE THEIR FACEBOOK FOR MORE DETAILS:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Star-Inn-Folly-Hall/96336267668?sk=wall

THERE'S A BAKE OFF GOING ON TOMORROW, LOOKS INTERESTING


Add caption

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - 8 SLEEPS TO GO

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer
THE STRONGEST BEER BEING SERVED AT NEXT WEEKS BEER FESTIVAL IS HAWKSHEAD BREWERY TRIPLE XBP AT 8.5% (NOT EXACTLY 8% IN KEEPING WITH MY THEME BUT NEAR AS DAMMIT)

TASTING NOTES: EXTRA STRENGTH BRODIES PRIME, MORE INTENSE FLAVBUR BUT STILL VELVETY SMOOTH)

IN RECENT YEARS, THOSE WHO HAVE AVAILED THEMSELVES OF A GOOD FEW PINTS OF THE STRONGEST BEER AT THE FESTIVAL ALWAYS SEEM TO END UP BUYING BONGOS FROM ONE OF THE REGULAR CRAFT STALLS?

RELEASE YOUR INNER BONGO PLAYER IF YOU DARE!

FESTIVAL STARTS 29TH MARCH TO 31ST MARCH






Tuesday 20 March 2012

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - NINE SLEEPS TO GO

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerTHERE ARE NINE CIDERS AND PERRIES BEING SERVED AT THE
 BEER FESTIVAL:


RIBBLE VALLEY GOLD

SQUEALPIG PERRY

GALTRES BLUSH

MEDIUM DRY CIDER

TUMPTY GROUND

MEDIUM CIDER

ALPACA PERRY

SHAKY BRIDGE

W M WATKINS PERRY
 
GET READY TO ENJOY!

BOGOF AT THE SHIP INN MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer





CELEBRATING SIX YEARS AT THE SHIP WITH THESE SPECIAL DEALS

IF YOU HAD A CURRY ON MONDAY, OR GET ONE NEXT MONDAY YOU GET A VOUCHER FOR A FREE CURRY NIGHT IN APRIL

IF YOU HAD A STEAK TONIGHT, OR GET ONE NEXT TUESDAY YOU GET A VOUCHER FOR A FREE STEAK NIGHT IN APRIL

CHEERS TONY!

FAR BETTER THAN THE THE USUAL BOGOFS AND EXCELLENT BEER AND WELCOME TO BOOT WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR



Monday 19 March 2012

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - 10 SLEEPS TO GO!

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer











AS MANY OF YOU WILL KNOW THIS YEAR MARKS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF DARLINGTON CAMRA - DETAILS OF A 'DO' AND A BEER FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE THIS TO FOLLOW.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT APPEARS THAT THIS WILL BE THE LAST YEAR DARLINGTON CAMRA HOLDS A BEER FESTIVAL AT THE ARTS CENTRE.  THE ARTS CENTRE IS DOWN FOR CLOSURE AS A RESULT OF BUDGETARY CUTS IN SUMMER 2012.

THE FOLLOWING LINK TELLS YOU HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED TO OFFER HELP OR SUPPORT IN SAVING THE ARTS CENTRE (IT'S NOT JUST THE ARTS, ITS PEOPLES'
JOBS . SOME OF WHOM I HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW REALLY WELL OVER THE YEARS)

LETS MAKE THIS FESTIVAL ONE TO REMEMBER!

RUNS FROM 29TH - 31ST  MARCH 2012

http://www.darlingtonforculture.org/


Saturday 17 March 2012

GOOD CRAIC, 2 BE SURE

MITHRIL ALES CAN'T PROMISE A CROCK OF GOLD AT THE END OF THE 2 B SURE RAINBOW.  IF YOU DO FIND ONE IT IS MINE!.

BUT WE CAN PROMISE A GOOD PINT OF ALE AND GOOD COMPANY IN THE PUBS WE SUPPLY.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF ST PATRICK PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING LINK:

FOR THE ORIGINS OF 2 B SURE SEE THE FOLLOWING PUBS (IF ANY IS LEFT)
THE WHITE SWAN. GILLING WEST
THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE RED LION, COTHERSTONE
THR CROWN, MICKLETON
THE SHIP INN, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE LORD NELSON, APPLETON WISKE
THR QUAKERHOUSE, DARLINGTON
THE WHEATSHEAF, BORROWBY
THE CROSS KEYS, GAINFORD
THE GRAND HOTEL, BISHOP AUCKLAND
THE SNOOKER CLUB, DARLINGTON

ENJOY!

  

Wednesday 14 March 2012

MOTHERS DAY AT THE GEORGE, PIERCEBRIDGE SUNDAY 18TH MARCH

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer



Sunday 18th March - Special Mothering Sunday Menu, £19.95 per person

If you are lucky you may be able to sup either Mithril Ales Dere Street or Route A66 along with your meal! 

Starters

Roast Tomato and Basil soup (v)

Mini baked Camembert with wild mushrooms

Smoked salmon and new potato salad with herb dressing

Chicken liver parfait with red onion marmalade

Trio of Melon

Main Courses

Roast Sirloin of Beef served with Yorkshire pudding & gravy

Roast loin of Pork served with Yorkshire pudding, crackling and apple sauce

½ Roast chicken served with bread sauce and stuffing

The above are served with seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes

Poached Salmon Served with sautéed spinach and seafood broth

Roast vegetable and Mozzarella tian (v)

Desserts

Steamed syrup sponge and custard

Chocolate truffle served with vanilla ice cream

Tiramisu

Lemon tart

Selection of local cheeses with biscuits and chutney

Piercebridge-on-Tees, Darlington, DL2 3SW T

For more details see link http://www.george-ontees.co.uk/index.php

Enjoy!

WHITE SWAN DANBY WISKE CELIDH DANCE SATURDAY 17TH MARCH 2012

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer
Celidh Dance arranged by The White Swan at  Danby Wiske Village Hall

Saturday 17th March - 7.30pm till Midnight

Music by BLIND PANIC

Tickets £7.00 from “The White Swan” Danby Wiske

Bar Tel: 01609 775131

 Nibbles

Raffle in aid of Great North Air Ambulance

We hope to see everyone on the night. 2 Real ales from Wall’s Brewery will be available.

Best Regards Steve and Gill



Leeds Beer, Cider and Perry Festival 2012

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerEvery year the members of Leeds CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, put together the biggest and best selection of real ales, ciders and perries that will be seen all year in Leeds.

Add to this a fantastic selection of global beers from all over the world, tasty food, a selection of beery stalls, and live music from local bands, and we have a festival that really is the place to be in March.

Here are all the pertinent details in brief:

WHERE Pudsey Civic Hall, Dawson’s Corner, Stanningley, LS28 5TA, (5 minutes walk from New Pudsey BR Station, Caldervale Line which serves Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Wakefield, York and Manchester)

WHEN

Thursday 15th March 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 11pm
Friday 16th March 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 11pm
Saturday 17th March 11am – 4pm & 6pm – 11pm

WHAT

* Over 150 Real Ales from Yorkshire and beyond – including Mithril Ales Route A66.
This year’s theme is Great Inventions, so look out for beers relating to these, you’ll be surprised at how many are local. Plus the usual selection of beers from around the UK.

* Traditional Real Cider and Perry from around the country, including lesser-known producing areas. The best range in the North with something for all tastes.

* Global Beer Bar featuring something special on the handpumps, a great range of U.S. craft beers, fruity favourites and a world of other styles!

* The Mild Trail – drink this quintessential English ale and get a freebie!

* Local musicians performing, plus some quiet sessions

* Hot & cold food, beery stalls, snack emporium, tombola, full disabled access

* Restriction on admission numbers due to Licensing laws – get there early to avoid disappointment! And remember…when the beer’s gone, it’s gone!
* Over 18s only – please bring ID if you look young! Children are not admitted to any part of the festival under any circumstances.

HOW MUCH

Thursday am session FREE; pm session £4.00, FREE to NUS members
Friday am session FREE; pm session £5.00
Saturday am session £4.00; pm session £3.00
CAMRA members FREE at all times (except Friday evening, £3.00) and can gain admission 15 mins earlier at all sessions

HOW TO GET THERE

Services within 5 minutes walk
Train: New Pudsey Station, on the Caldervale Line
Buses: 9, 16, 16A, 72, 86, 508, X6

Everyone who organises the festival is a volunteer. All the staff at the festival are volunteers. No-one receives any payment for organising or working at the festival.

More help is always welcome! CAMRA members from Leeds or further afield (but especially from Leeds) are more than welcome to help in organising and staffing the festival. Workers are promised a good time, a bit of free beer and a chance to meet friends old and new.

For even more details see link http://www.leedsbeerfestival.co.uk/about/

Enjoy!
.

Monday 12 March 2012

ODD SHAPED BALLS

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer
A DROP KICK IS USED IN TWO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS - TO EITHER RESTART THE GAME (EITHER FROM THE HALFWAY LINE AFTER A PENALTY GOAL OR FROM THE 22 METRE LINE) OR TO KICK FOR A FIELD GOAL.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SIX NATIONS SEE LINK BELOW:

http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/home.php

FOR THE BEER, SEE THE PUBS BELOW:

THE CROWN, MANFIELD
THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE BAY HORSE, HUTTON RUDBY
BLACK HORSE, KIRKBY FLEETHAM
THE WHEATSHEAF, BORROWBY
THE CROSS  KEYS, GAINFORD
THE CRATHORNE ARMS, CRATHORNE
THE WHITE SWAN, DANBY WISKE
THE GRAND HOTEL, BISHOP AUCKLAND
THE ROSE AND CROWN, WITTON PARK

ENJOY!  

Wednesday 7 March 2012

PIE COMPETITION AT SHIP INN MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerDear All

We are holding our Ship Inn Pie championship, started week commencing Mon 5th March.
Judging Sunday 11th March Tea Time - All Entries Welcome

Cheers Tony

Ship Inn, Low Road, Middlestone, County Durham, DL14 8AB , Tel: 01388 810904

Tuesday 6 March 2012

LEICESTER BEER FESTIVAL 7TH - 10TH MARCH

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerThe annual four day Leicester Beer Festival kicks off on Wednesday 7th March 2012 at 5pm at The Charotar Patidar Samaj, the same venue that has been so successful for the previous 10 years. (15 Minutes walk from Leicester Railway Station, 5 Mins walk from Clock Tower and St Margaret’s Bus station.

The festival is located off St Margaret’s Way on the corner of South Churchgate and Bay St behind "Plug" Bathrooms and adjacent Leicester Volkswagen. Postcode LE1 3AE.

The festival will feature just over 220 beers, including Mithril ales Mars Attack  with approx 85 coming from breweries within a 25 mile radius of Leicester City Centre on our LocAle Bars. There will also be approx 35 Ciders and Perries.

For more details see link below

http://www.leicestercamra.org.uk/Festivals/2012festival.shtml






MARS ATTACK



Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerSPOT THE DIFFERENCE - ONE IS A JAUNTY REAL ALE BREWED BY MITHRIL ALES STARRING NO ACTORS, THE OTHER IS A JAUNTY FILM BY TIM BURTON WITH A SHED LOAD OF A LIST STARS HAMMING IT UP. WHICH IS WHICH? YOU DECIDE

FOR MARS ATTACKS THE FILM SEE THE LINK BELOW


MARS ATTACK THE ALE, COMING TO A GOOD ALE HOUSE NEAR YOU SOON!

THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST
THE SHIP INN, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE RED LION, NORTH BITCHBURN
THE GARDENERS REST, SHEFFIELD
LEICESTER BEER FESTIVAL
CROSS KEYS, GAINFORD
NUMBER 22, DARLINGTON
THE QUAKERHOUSE, DARLINGTON
THE GRAND HOTEL, BISHOP AUCKLAND
THE SNOOKER CLUB, DARLINGTON

ENJOY
,