Two newbies for me yesterday in the Tut ... Wooden Hand Cornish Gribben 4.1% and Kelham Island Bete Noire (stout) 5.5%.



Another first-timer in the Red Lion in the shape of Thwaites Bloomin' Smoky 5.0% (very nice

) and equally matched by a dutch brew Zeunarts Ale 4.5%

in the Angel.



Also sampled my second pint of Brains Milkwood in the Gatehouse (the first being in Wood Green last Sunday) and a pint of Hilden Scullions Ale 4.6% in Cask Corner.

Nope, The Volunteers is one of the worst pubs in Keighley! We went to the Boltmakers Arms, which is even smaller than The Volunteers but the ale is fantastic.

Boltmakers is one of my favourites. We were in there before the game, sat with a strange old Irish bloke who had 4 glasses of whisk(e)y on the table & kept moving them around & pouring one into the other. It was a clever trick as he seemed to be drinking plenty but still had a fair bit left in each when we departed an hour later.

[url=http://www.doncastercamra.org.uk/beer-festival.html[size=130Doncaster Beer Festival 2011[/size[/url

York last Sunday ...



The Pivni WBF is currently featuring Dark Star beers ... the Old Chestnut 4.0% went down very well, as did the Rudgate Battle Axle 4.2% in the Guy Fawkes Inn.



Next up a visit to the sister pub of the Guy Fawkes, the Lamb & Lion ... all golden / pale ales so plumped for Copper Dragon Challenge IPA 4.4% (reasonable enough).



Finally, a visit to Judges Cellar Bar, sadly they were down to two ales and with one being a golden, I again (as I did on my last visit) had the Great Heck Final Judgement 4.1%

Visited the Hub last night ... mixed emotions really ... starting to look back fondly on the days when the Beer Festival was held at the Racecourse. Its great that these events are held and I for one wouldn't knock anyone who is involved, I just think the room which is used at the Hub is far too narrow for the event leading to great numbers of people who rarely move more than a foot or two from the bar. Maybe I'm looking back with rose-tinted glasses, maybe the event is just more popular now but it seemed a much more relaxed affair at the Racecourse.



Anyway, the beer ... tried a number of ales and preference on the night was for Otley Dark O 4.1% (from Pontypridd) and Townhouse GSA 5.0% (from Stoke-on-Trent).



... also popped into Cask Corner for a quick couple before heading home ... Hereford Owd Bull 3.9% and Black Country Pig on the Wall 4.3% ... the latter has been on CC's menu before and is very enjoyable.

First year that I haver missed the Doncaster Festival, in York today on a Stag Do, so that just may make up for it. Agree with you Gary over the Hub, it just seems to lack something as well, but I suppose they have to bring in what income they can. On the subject of Beer Fesitvals I much prefer the ones with the hand pumps rather than straight from the tap. The Rotherham Beer Festival is always hand pulled and that Festival IMO is top notch.

Will have to give it a try.

On an otherwise day to forget the Rev James in the Tut was very welcome.

Cask Corner had a very nice Wheat Beer on yesterday in the shape of Daniel Thwaites Bloomin' Ale 5.0%. Also sampled Grafters Over The Moon 4.0% along with a favourite of mine Thornbridge Lord Marples and Toad's very own Chocolate Stout 4.6%.

Saltaire Dublin Stout 4.0% (Gatehouse) and Burton Bridge Burton Porter 4.5% (Old Angel) both went down very well on Sunday evening. The Old Angel also had on a decent Bitter (Parish Bitter 4.0%) from Woods Brewery in Shropshire.



EPA in the Goose and Lord Marples in Cask Corner too .. triffic

Nearly forgot ... Westgate AlePril Fool 4.3% ... sampled in the Cumberland earlier this week ... very nice