Had a cracking pint of Ashover Coffin Lane stout on Sunday night followed by a pint of Thornbridge Kipling. Made up in some way for the Saturday debacle.

Not sure that even quality ale would have made up for that. But life goes on (so they say).

Excellent afternoon out in York today. Included sampling the following;

Rudgate Ruby Mild (Tap and Spile)
York Brewery Centurions Ghost (Last Drop Inn)
Adnams Bitter (Blue Bell)
York Brewery Wonky Donkey (Three Legged Mare)
Timothy Taylor Ram Tam (Brigantes)
Newsome Brewery Pricky Back Otchan (Punch Bowl)

All very enjoyable.

Had all these before, including, remarkably enough, the Newsome brew in a bottle last Xmas. I concur with your findings by the way



I'm sure we had this conversation last year but watering holes en route to Barrow? Barring the Hawkshead Brewery on-site bar and the Watermill at Ings, I don't know of any. Any pointers? I hear there's a good 'un at Ambleside.

Depends how much time you have to spare and how far off the main route you are prepared to drift?

The Watermill Inn at Ings is probably my favourite pub in Cumbria, though not really en-route to Barrow from Doncaster.

The one at Ambleside is most likely to be the Golden Rule (on the road to Kirkstone) - a regular in the GBG but again off the main route to Barrow.

Ones en-route (i.e. on or near A590);

White Hart at Bouth (LA12 8JB)
Ship Inn at Greenodd (LA12 7QZ)
Stan Laurel Inn at Ulverston (LA12 0AB)
Swan Inn at Ulverston (LA12 7JX)
Brown Cow at Dalton-in-Furness (LA15 8LQ)

Hope this helps.

Quote seuseuwho?="seuseuwho?"Had all these before, including, remarkably enough, the Newsome brew in a bottle last Xmas. I concur with your findings by the way I'm sure we had this conversation last year but watering holes en route to Barrow? Barring the Hawkshead Brewery on-site bar and the Watermill at Ings, I don't know of any. Any pointers? I hear there's a good 'un at Ambleside.'" The Punchbowl www.the-punchbowl.co.uk/ between Kendal & Bowness is Michelin pub of the year. More of a hotel/gastropub the beer, especially the Taglag, is always excellent, in stunning surroundings (don't confuse it with the other Punchbowl in Underbarrow about 2 miles towards Kendal). Through Crosthwaite, heading West, take the second left to Bowland Bridge to the wonderful Masons Arms. www.strawberrybank.com/directions.htm. Views to die for. Great food too.

Quote seuseuwho?="seuseuwho?"Had all these before, including, remarkably enough, the Newsome brew in a bottle last Xmas. I concur with your findings by the way I'm sure we had this conversation last year but watering holes en route to Barrow? Barring the Hawkshead Brewery on-site bar and the Watermill at Ings, I don't know of any. Any pointers? I hear there's a good 'un at Ambleside.'" The Punchbowl www.the-punchbowl.co.uk/ between Kendal & Bowness is Michelin pub of the year. More of a hotel/gastropub the beer, especially the Taglag, is always excellent, in stunning surroundings (don't confuse it with the other Punchbowl in Underbarrow about 2 miles towards Kendal). Through Crosthwaite, heading West, take the second left to Bowland Bridge to the wonderful Masons Arms. www.strawberrybank.com/directions.htm. Views to die for. Great food too.

Currently in the York Brewery enjoying the selection of stuff there.

Enjoy. As you may have read, had a couple from that Brewery yesterday.

Any decent Real Ale pubs in Barrow itself ? Going up there in a few days to watch Fax

Centurions Ghost and Wonky Donkey are quite nice ales..

Yes indeed.

Just got back from an interesting Real Ale jaunt;

Adnams Broadside at the Parish Oven, Thorpe Salvin.
Sam Smiths Old Brewery Bitter at the Royal Oak, Ulley.
Milestone Raspberry Wheat Beer at The Bluecoat, Rotherham.

Talking of the Bluecoat, looking forward to my next visit as it will be renovated in the next few days and the Quiz bandit owes me £11.