Boycott Marston's?

After Marston's MD, Stephen Oliver's unwarrented outburst about CAMRA members, SIBA and even their own licensees, I think we should boycott Marston's beers.

His article in the pub trade paper The Morning Advertiser, entitled 'It’s hard to keep the gobby hobbits happy' calls CAMRA members 'beardy weirdies' hohoho, how original, and 'sandal-clad, whisker-stroking stormtroopers'. Stormtroopers!!!

He also describes micro's as 'oddball' and infers that SIBA are not 'serious' brewers, has a dig at Marston's own licensees and customers for demanding more choice and ends with another snipe at CAMRA members saying "to show that to enjoy cask ale you don’t have to have mislaid your razor, wear socks with your sandals or to have a beer gut the size of Rotherham".

I think this is outrageous from somebody in such a high position and as such, I will now boycott beers from the Marston's camp. I suggest 'serious drinkers' do the same until an apology is given.

You can see the full article here and you can register your complaint here.

Action at the Shov.

There were lights on in the Malt Shovel this evening. The back doors were open and there was a skip full of rubbish in the beer garden.

Leicester yesterday.

Another jolly day out in Leicester yesterday. First stop, the Ale Wagon for a swift half before swooping over to the Leicester beer festival. A great list of over 200 beers at this excellently organised and run festival. Unfortunately (for us) most of them had sold out! So after a couple of hours it was onto the pub crawl.

We headed over to a recently re-opened pub, the Queen Victoria, to give our support. We were the only customers in there, the beer was mediocre and the place was very scruffy and run down, especially the toilets. Sorry, but they'll have to try harder than this if they want customers to return.

Then on to the Out Of the Vaults, or 'Vin Quatre' as it's now been renamed. A great selection of beers as ever in this pub. We sampled two while we watched the remainder of the rugby match and they were both excellent. Next port of call was my favourite Leicester pub, the Swan & Rushes. Another great choice of beers here (although I can't remember what they were!). I do know I treated myself to a bottle of Girardin Gueuze 1882. Not cheap at £3.30 but the price does make you savour every drop!

Back to the station for the journey home and then one last one at the Castle before collecting a curry. Then it was beddy-byes before 10 o'clock. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Report from Southwell

We had a great afternoon in Southwell on Saturday, visiting The Coach House, The Hearty Good Fellow and the Bramley Apple. 6 beers on offer in each:

Old Coach House

• Exmoor Hounddog
• Abbeydale Deception
  
• Wells Bombardier
• St Austell Trbute
• Gone with the Whippet
• Gales Swing Low
  

Hearty Goodfellow

• Milton Pegasus
• Cathedral Golden Imp
• Everards Beacon
  
• Milestone Cromwell Gold
• Fox Beer Co. Mr Todd
  
• Maypole Flanagans Stout
  

Bramley Apple

• Springhead Roaring Meg
• Nottingham Rock Cock & Hoop
• Springhead Liberty
  
• Batemans GHA
• Blue Monkey Gold
  
• Milton Sparta
  

A couple in each pub, back to the Castle, then the Shaan for a curry, and finally the Fox & Crown for a drink and sleep for H.

Quite a hangover on Sunday, but well worth it.

Leicester this Saturday

Is the place to be. Leicester beer festival - over 200 beers (list), loads of decent pubs and, if we can fit it in, a curry. 9.54 train from the Castle. Toot toot!

Ye Olde Market

Heard 'Ye Olde Market' is going to become a 'Lloyds Bar'.

H is now a blogger too!

Yep, with a little help and a few tantrums, I've sussed it out!

As Lou says, we are going back to Southwell for some more lovely beer! Yum yum!!

Having sat in the Hearty Good Fellow for Thursday's meeting without a drink, it's time to use public transport and spend a few hours on the Sunset Strip this afternoon.

We will come back with a report tomorrow!