A nice light bitter called Bonkers Conkers from the Westgate Brewery. Definitely worth a re-visit.

Started last night with Triple FFF Alton's Pride (Champion Beer of Britain 2008).

Also tried;
Wadworth Camrale
Wentworth WPA (Woppa)
Elland Old Skool
Moorhouses Pendle Witches Brew
and allegedly,
Mikkels Vikings Return.

The reason I say allegedly is because it's described as an amber coloured ale but was presented as a black porter! Not sure if we actually got the right beer although it was pulled from the pump with the Vikings Return clip attached.

The other funny thing was a number of the real ales available last night weren't on the festival list, the Woppa, Old Skool and Pendle Witches Brew to name but three!

Moorhouses Black Cat in the Spinners Arms, Adlington (between Bolton and Chorley) last night. Then later on the way home called at the Cemetary, Rochdale (appropriate with it being Halloween) and had a pint of Wells Bombadier.

The Cemetary, Rochdale is in new hands(again) and
seems to be doing ok. Usually about 6 hand pulled
beers on.

When we last called there in July it was closed but last night it was doing a roaring trade.

Settled for a night in last night so a few bottles were the order of the day;

Wychwood Hobgobin
Joseph Holts 1849
Thwaites Liberation
Arran Sunset (brought back from the Brewery in September)
Batemans Dark Lord

All very enjoyable.

Fourth and final part of Yorkshires Perfect Pint last night featured the Saltaire Brewery (Shipley) and Timothy Taylors (Keighley).

According to the programme Yorkshires Perfect Pint is ......

3rd - Wold Gold - Wold Top Brewery (Driffield)
2nd - Hazelnut Coffee Porter - Saltaire Brewery (Shipley)
Winner - Hetton Pale Ale - Dark Horse Brewery (Skipton)

Wold top is a lovely pint

Sampled the following at the Gatehouse last night;

Mansfield Old Baily (now brewed by Banks)
Batemans Eastern Promise
Everards Equinox

Again, not everything in order this time with the Real Ale Festival. Eight pumps available for festival ales but five of them with 'Coming Soon' notices on them and only the above three ales available. Somewhat disappointing after the success of the previous festival earlier this year.

There is a chance to meet the people behind the Thorne Brewery at the Business Showcase event at the Doncaster Dome on Monday 27 November between 12pm and 8pm. At the event there is also the chance to join the new Friends of Thorne Brewery organisation. www.thornebrewery.com

There is a chance to meet the people behind the Thorne Brewery at the Business Showcase event at the Doncaster Dome on Monday 27 November between 12pm and 8pm. At the event there is also the chance to join the new Friends of Thorne Brewery organisation. www.thornebrewery.com

Paid another visit to the Gatehouse yesterday evening to take in some more Festival Ales.

Started off with a very nice Belgian Ale called Anker Gouden Carolus Ambrio (8.0% ABV) which had a full bodied caramel maltiness about it.

Next up was another International Ale, this one Barons Black Wattle Original Ale (4.8%) being from Australia. Another lovely drink with toffee, chocolate and caramel flavours as well as (the festival guide informs) Australian roasted Wattle Seed.

Also tried

Caledonian Smokey Pete (4.3%)
Elland 1872 Porter (6.5%) - not on the festival list
Thwaites Liberation (4.5%)

the latter named being the only one sampled previously.

Tasted Brains' Top Notch and Mikkel's Viking Voyage this lunchtime. Both very tasty. The Danish brew starts out with a very burnt flavour but after a short while citrus notes take over. Nice surprise after the original taste.

Also sampled a palatable Japanese brew at the Bluecoat last week but can't remember its name.