The Return of the Micropub...

It seems that the one room ale house dates back quite a long time. While many large pubs are unfortunately be shuttered around the UK, these little pubs appear to be thriving. I am not sure if I like the moniker "micropub" but I know I like the idea of a small little piece of heaven - with cask ales.
Here's a good program on the BBC that tells of this latest trend.

Guinness Cocktails ???

 I am kind of a plain and simple person - a simple, splendid pint of Guinness is an absolute thing of beauty to me. If you are a Guinness fan, I think you will agree.
  Therefore when I saw this article on several cocktails made with Guinness, I thought - well I didn't know what to think.  I am going to give them a try - at least the Black Velvet, which sounds intriguing. Fancy giving these a try? Drop me a line and let me know what you think. Here's the link.
Cheers,
Dave

Happy Saint David's Day - a bit late...

Happy Saint David's Day - Well a Bit Late...
In Wales they observed St David's Day on 1 March. Well I missed it but I did try to find a bottle of Welsh Whisky over here in North America - to help celebrate. No luck so far, but I'm still (no pun) looking.
Here's a link to the story of this age-old, but up and coming whisky. Lechyd Da - Cheers!
And, here's a link to 10 things one need's to know about St David's Day.

It Took Three Decades, but Group Finally Visits Its 20,000th Pub

  It all started back in 1984, when a group of friends decided to stop by all the 300 pubs listed on a map issued by a local brewer. Thus began a three-decade long pub crawl that today has reached its 20,000th pub. 
  Called the Black Country Ale Tairsters (yes, that is spelled correctly), based in West Bromwich, the group asked each pub landlord for a 1 pound donation, and to date over 24,000 pounds have donated to local charities.
  For more of the story, and some before and after photo, click here.

Wow...Talk About a Sense of History...

  A UK Royal Army veterans group - members of the historic Staffordshire Regiment - have purchased the very pub where the regiment was founded back in 1705. Called The King's Head, the new owners have set 25 March as the grand re-opening.
  Click here for more of the story.

Pintbaby found 20 Years Later...

So, some 20 years ago the Irish broadcaster RTE was filming a news story in a pub. Totally unrelated to the topic of the story, the cameraman caught the image of a baby taking a belt out of a pint of Guinness. Recently, the footage of the what has been called "The Pintbaby" began the rounds on the internet, and of course, it went viral. The Pintbaby - named Stephen - by the way, has since been tracked down. Ciaran McCauley, of the BBC News NI, tells the story here.

Photo: Courtesy of RTE.

Jim Clark's Lotus 33 on Display for the First Time in 40 Years

  A Lotus 33 driven to by Jim Clark during the 1965 Formula One season - and logging 6 wins - is going to be on display for the first time in over 40 years. This is chassis R11. Clark won his second world championship that year. It can be seen at the upcoming Race Retro show - 24-26 February - at Stoneleigh Park, in the UK. 
  After the show, the race car will be the subject of a restoration by the Classic Team Lotus organization. For the full report - by Paul Hudson, at the Telegraph - please click here.

St Peter's Old-Style Porter

  Just spending a few days in Las Vegas. I stopped into a bottle shop called Lee's - it was huge, at least ten acres of beer. They had a decent assortment of British offerings, including St Peter's Old Style Porter. I bought a couple, and drank same. Quite good - nice, smooth and malty. Well worth a try if you can find it.

The English Have Over 3,000 Words for Being Drunk. Really...

  In my younger, wilder days, I think I could have probably qualified for most of these words. Not so much anymore - you know - older and wiser.
  An interesting article - courtesy of the Susie Dent, over at the BBC - on the origins of some of the words associated with the over zealous application of our avocation.
  Click here, and lets hope these words never really apply to you. Cheers.

And the Winner is: Fawlty Towers

Based on a "comedy audit" of several comedians, comedy actors and writers, the 1970s tv show Fawlty Towers was voted the best British sitcom of all time.
Runners up include Blackadder and Father Ted. All funny shows, to be sure.
Click here for a link over to the BBC.

The Eleven Oldest Pubs in the UK

Yes, this is an older article, but I just found it. I have been to one of these - the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Pub in Nottingham, so I guess I have ten to go - good work if you can find it.
Click here and see if you had a pint or two at one. Feel free to drop us a line. Cheers