First one of 2015

4/1/15

2015 and time for a quick look back at last year.

Some of my favourite photos all with captions

Portsmouth Guildhall

Good pub in Pompey

another side

Huddersfield station front

Best pub in Huddersfield

Peterborough

Beer festival choice in shed

part of the interior of H and H

Chris Green

His book

and my copy was signed

view of Swanage from my hotel bedroom

awaiting departure

big nose

inside the Laurieston pub in Glasgow

Wemyss Bay station

Tickets for my week in Glasgow

Forth Rail Bridge

view from Dalmeny station

Edinburgh tram

Thumper

East Kent Railway

Shunter traction at EKR

Class 24 at MHR Alton

A happy Ops Mgr

MHR Alton platform 3 on Diesel Gala

A happy brewer getting ready for his next brew

Its nearly Christmas

21/12/14

So its been over 2 months since my last blog. Time to wish all my readers a Happy Christmas and all that goes with it.

What would I like for Christmas. Simple, a quiet couple of days with some family. I don't do family things much but this time of year I make time for them. Although my Dad is off to warmer climes for a couple of weeks it will be January before I make my annual pilgrimage as he calls it.

So down to the south coast to stay with Mum. Boxing Day meet with sister and her 3 adorable children including my Godson who is now 16 and taller than me.

Through the joys of social media this video clip has been mentioned a few times and I share it with you.

I might have to watch the Father Ted Xmas special on DVD later.

Also seen was this image which currently my facebook profile picture

I hope you all enjoy yourself whatever you do. I finish work on 23rd December and back on 2nd January 2015.  To those of you working during this period and I know some of you will be, make sure you find time for Christmas.

Now to wrap those bloody presents.

Ian.

Another 2 new brewpubs in London

7/10/14

First one here is the Brewhouse & Kitchen at Angel. As if Islington needed another alehouse!

In the same chain as the one in Portsmouth which I visited in February (see here )

Just around the corner from Angel tube station.

2 pics of the interior

Beers available on my visit. Chaplin and Spandau B were only ones brewed on site, rest at Portsmouth. There is a third pub in the chain at Dorchester.
I had Chaplin, Spandau B and Black Swan which were all good.

And the brewery itself.

I think this may be worth visiting on a regular basis.



12/10/14

The Antelope in Surbiton opened about 8 months ago with the promise of a brewery in converted stables at the rear of the pub. My blog about the pub is here.

The brewery is called the Big Smoke brewery

The brewery started brewing about 6 weeks ago. 2 of their beers were on today.

Both very good beers, the Amber had a zingy taste combination of hops brewed using German malts I found out later and the Porter was full bodied yet very smooth for the style.

I asked to take some photos in brewery and here are the results

.
and some photos of the cold store

Both welcome additions to ever expanding London brewer and pub scene