Milestone Cool Amber 6.0% in the Angel last night ... referred to as 'a pilsner style golden ale' ... surprisingly enjoyable.

Shorpe Friday afternoon;



The town centre appears very limited for Real Ale, but at least there is a Wetherspoons (Blue Bell) ... Roosters Londinium 5.5% nice enough. The other place I would give a respectful mention to is the Honest Lawyer which is worth a visit if in the area.

Plenty of real ale pubs in Leigh town centre for anyone traveling over today, all cheaper than the Whistling Wren next to the ground although I don't think that's to badly priced to be fair.

Trans-Pennine Rail Ale Trail yesterday;



Kicked off at the Cellar Bar, Batley with a pint of Small World Beers Thunderbridge Stout 5.2%, before heading to the Navigation at Mirfield (a pub I have visited before). Theakstons Black Bull Bitter 3.9% was the selection there before it was back on the train again.



Next stop, Huddersfield. Having been in the Head of Steam more often than the Kings Head, the choice was the latter where Golcar Dark Mild 3.6% was the chosen ale. Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar, the furthest point of the trail, offered George Wright Mild at 4.0% and then it was time to start working back.



First up on the return part of the trip was The Railway Inn, Greenfield and a pint Millstone Tiger Rut 4.0%. A short train ride to Marsden where the vast majority of the ale trailers, ourselves included, opted for the Railway (as opposed to the Riverhead Brewery Tap which is quoted on most lists).



Marstons EPA 3.6% was the order of the day here. The owners of this establishment had obviously cottoned on well to the Ale Trailers and were doing a roaring trade in Burgers at the front of the pub.



Slaithwaite was the next calling point and the longest walk of the day to the Commercial where Empire Moonrakers Mild 3.8% was given the nod. The problem here was it was all uphill back to the station - I'll come back to that later.



The final watering hole of the trail (for us) was the West Riding Refreshment Rooms at Dewsbury and a pint of Siren Craft Liquid Mistress 5.8%.



A very enjoyable day and thanks to my trail companion (Scott) for his understanding when the trapped nerve in my back started to be a problem (yet again), from the point of the climb back up to Slaithwaite station.

Good job you had had some anaesthetic then.

Indeed.

Leeds on Saturday after the CCSF ...



Scarbrough Hotel - Red Sails Cherry Porter 4.0%

The Hop - Ossett Big Red 4.0%

Cross Keys - Black Band Porter 5.5%

Midnight Bell - Leeds Midnight Bell 4.8%



Four excellent ales

The Tut had the wonderful Greene King Rumrunner again last night.

The Looking Glass in Warrington had the excellent Peerless Red Rocks 5.0% on Saturday evening. Also tried Purple Moose Madogs Ale 3.7% in the Lower Angel.

Stancill Barnsley Bitter in the Corner Pin last night spot on. Tried a couple of new ones last too, Ossett Corker 4.0% (golden, hoppy) in the Leopard and Pheasantry Lincoln Tank Ale 4.2% (an amber ale) in the Gatehouse. Great Heck Patrick (stout) 4.8% in Cask Corner went down very nicely.

Highlights from this weekend;



Slightly Foxed Urban Fox (porter) 4.8% and Imperial Delta November Two (porter) 4.4% in Cask Corner

Elland Bitter 3.8% in The Gatehouse

Kelham Island Cabby Chino (porter) 4.0% in the Tut n Shive

York yesterday;



Mad Squirrel Milk Stout 4.0% in Harkers

Black Grouse Oaked Porter 4.0% in Pivni

Old Smoke English Tea Bitter 5.0% in the Old White Swan

Black Sheep Blind Side 4.3% in Ye Olde Starre Inne

Bad Co Bounty Hunter 5.5% in the Maltings

Little Valley Cragg Vale Bitter 4.2% and Otley 03 Boss 4.4% in York Tap



Only two I'd had before, the Blind Side and the Cragg Vale Bitter which are both very nice drinks. Of the new ones, the Oaked Porter and the Bounty Hunter (a Coconut Porter) came out top on the day. The cloudy English Tea Bitter was perhaps the only one I probably would'nt choose again.