Wednesday 31 August 2011

WE'RE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer

IN WHAT MUST BE A SAD OCCASION IN MANY HOUSEHOLDS, THE YOUNGSTERS RETURN TO SCHOOL THIS WEEK. NO MORE, EATING ALL THE CONTENTS OF YOUR FRIDGE, SPENDING YOUR EVERY LAST PENNY AND COMPLAINING THEY ARE BORED BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING TO DO. SANITY IS ONCE MORE RESTORED. SO WHY DON'T YOU ENJOY YOURSELF WITH A NICE PINT OF MITHRIL ALES BACK TO SCHOOL, AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING FINE ESTABLISHMENTS:

THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST
THE BLACK SWAN, STAINDROP
THE CROSS KEYS, GAINFORD
THE RED LION, COTHERSTONE
THE CROWN, MICKLETON
THE SHIP INN, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE COUNTY, AYCLIFFE VILLAGE
THE QUAKERHOUSE, DARLINGTON

ENJOY!

Monday 29 August 2011

DURHAM BEER FESTIVAL 1ST - 3RD SEPTEMBER 2011

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer
A cask of Mithril Ales, Fringe Benefits has travelled up to Durham for this year's beer festival. Looking forward to going up for the opening night.

The festival will feature around 100 cask beers including many local ales, and also bottled beers. There will also be 30 different ciders and perries to choose from.


The festival's opening hours will be:


•Thursday: 5pm - 11pm


•Friday: 11am - 11pm


•Saturday:11am until the beer runs out


Hot and cold food will be available

See link for further details:

http://www.camradurham.org.uk/beerFestivals.php

Enjoy!


Thursday 25 August 2011

EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL ALE

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer

I AM A KEEN VISITOR TO EDINBURGH. I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO VISIT 'THE FRINGE', BUT HAVE NOT GOT ROUND TO IT .

SO NEXT BEST THING, IF I CAN'T GO WHY NOT DRINK IT!

THE FESTIVAL IS STILL ON TIL THE 29TH OF THIS MONTH, SEE THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO OVER BANK HOLIDAY  WEEKEND.

http://www.edfringe.com/

OR THE OTHER OPTION, FIND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ESTABLISHMENTS INSTEAD - STILT WALKER AND COMEDIANS OPTIONAL

THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST
THE BLACK BULL, MELSONBY
THE GRAND HOTEL, BISHOP AUCKLAND
THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
DURHAM BEER FESTIVAL
THE BLACK SWAN, STAINDROP
THE BRIDGE, WHORLTON OR MIDDLETON IN TEESDALE
TWO WENT TO A  WEDDING 'DO' - LUCKY GUESTS
THE JOINERS ARMS, HUNWICK
DARLINGTON SNOOKER CLUB

ENJOY

Monday 22 August 2011

NORTH EAST CLUB OF THE YEAR 2011

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerA  BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO PETER, RITA AND STAFF. THE EXCELLENT DARLINGTON SNOOKER CLUB (AND PURVEYOR OF MITHRIL ALES)  HAS WON THE CAMRA NORTH EAST CLUB OF THE YEAR COMPETITION.

Sunday 21 August 2011

BREW AND THEY WILL COME - OR RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerAS BLOG READERS WILL KNOW THE 6TH AUGUST WAS MITHRIL ALES OPEN AFTERNOON.

THREE BEERS WERE BREWED, FEAST, TYKE ALE AND ROUTE A66 AND WERE READY FOR 'TASTING'

TWO HUNDRED SAUSAGES HAD BEEN COLLECTED FROM MUDD BUTCHERS IN BISHOP AUCKLAND -  BEEF AND ONION WITH DERE STREET BEER, AND BEEF MUSTARD AND PARSLEY WITH TYKE ALE

AND PAULINE FROM THE VILLAGE HAD MADE TWO CHUTNEYS, USING TYKE ALE - ONE A PLAIN CHUTNEY AND THE OTHER A CHILLI

ALL WE NEEDED WAS FOR SUNNY WEATHER,  BUT WHAT WE GOT INSTEAD WAS PROBABLY THE WETTEST DAY I CAN EVER RECALL.

INSTEAD OF TABLES WITH MITHRIL ALES PARASOLS AND HAPPY PEOPLE IMBIBING IN THE SUN IN THE YARD NEXT TO CHEZ MITHRIL, WE HAD


HUDDLING ROOM ONLY IN THE FIRST GARAGE, WITH THOSE OUTSIDE HAVING TO STAND IN THE WET 


BUT THIS WAS WHAT THEY WERE ALL HUDDLING AROUND, THE BEERS AND THE CHUTNEY TRAY - SAUSAGES (UNDERCOVER) BEING DASHED FROM THE HOUSE TO THE SAID GARAGE BY WIFE IN A HAT



I DID SEVEN TOURS OF THE BREWERY OVER THE COURSE OF THE AFTERNOON,


I WAS ALSO PRESENTED WITH TWO CERTIFCATES BY RICHARD, PUBLICITY OFFICER
FROM DARLINGTON CAMRA.

THEY WERE FOR 1ST AND 2ND PLACE IN THE SPRING THING BEER FESTIVAL HELD IN MARCH 2011. ROUTE A66 CAME FIRST, AND FOLK N ALE CAME 2ND.




MY AWARDS HANGING PROUDLY IN THE BREWERY

ANYWAY, OVER THE COURSE OF THE AFTERNOON MOST OF THE BEER WAS DRUNK, MOST OF THE SAUSAGES EATEN AND ABOUT 60-70 BRAVE BEER HUNTERS CAME TO SEE WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT.

THANKS FOR COMING, DESPITE THE BAD WEATHER WE HAD A GOOD TIME

AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO NEIL BERRY FOR SENDING ME A DISC WITH SOME PHOTO'S OF THE DAY !

Tuesday 16 August 2011

AN ELFY ALE

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer
THIS WEEK WE HAVE A RARE OUTING FOR MITHRIL ALES BLACK ELF. IT IS BLACK, RICH IN ROAST AND CHOCOLATE MALT. FRUITY AND SWEET WITH A DRY HOPPY FINISH.

 IT HAS GONE OUT TO THE FOLLOWING FINE PUBS. I WOULD RECOMMEND IF YOU WANT TO TRY IT YOU GET THERE QUICK (AS LAST TIME IT WAS IN AND FINISHED IN A BLINK OF AN EYE)

THE GRAND HOTEL, BISHOP AUCKLAND
THE CROWN, MANFIELD
THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST
THE QUAKER, DARLINGTON
THE SHIP INN, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
DOG AGILITY, AT A SECRET LOCATION NEAR WINSTON (LUCKY DOGS)
THE RAT RACE, HARTLEPOOL
THE ROSE AND CROWN, WITTON PARK
THE CROWN, MICKLETON
ENJOY!

Monday 15 August 2011

THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST FIRST BEER FESTIVAL 19-21 ST AUGUST

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer
THE FIRST WHITE SWAN BEER FESTIVAL

The White Swan, 51 High Street, Gilling West, North Yorkshire DL10 5JG

Friday 19th August - Sunday 21st August

Approximately 15-20 real ales will be available, including my own Route A66, Black Elf and Leo Gold.

Festival Opening Times:

Friday 19th August: Noon - 11pm
Saturday 20th August: Noon - 11pm
Sunday 21st August: Noon - 11pm

Food will be available during the festival. For further information contact the White Swan on 01748 821123.

There is also music on Saturday from 8.30pm, Miss D'Mina with 'Mags' and on Sunday from 5.00pm, Serenity who are a popular vocal duo.

I am going on the Friday night with a CAMRA trip, really looking forward to it and their food is always great. Hope you can make it!

Sunday 14 August 2011

THE LION KING - LEO GOLD ROARING INTO A PUB NEAR YOU!

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerHURRAH FOR THE ZODIAC AGAIN THIS WEEK!

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN THE LION KING THE FILM, PLEASE SEE FOLLOWING LINK

http://uk.ask.com/wiki/The_Lion_King

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN THE ALE, PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING PUBS - BEING DELIVERED THIS WEEK:

THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST
THE BLACK BULL, MELSONBY
THE CROWN, MANFIELD
THE CROWN, MICKLETON
THE CROSS KEYS, GAINFORD
THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE RED LION, COTHERSTONE
THE BLACK SWAN, STAINDROP
ENJOY!

Wednesday 10 August 2011

ONE MAN AND HIS TOP DOG - 'CUM BYE'

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerFOR MY OVERSEAS VISITORS, ONE MAN AND HIS DOG WAS A FAMOUS TV SERIAL THAT RAN FROM 1976 -2000 FEATURING THE HEADY WORLD OF SHEEPDOG TRIALS.

FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON

http://uk.ask.com/wiki/One_Man_and_His_Dog 

ONE OF MY FRIENDS HAS A FARM, AND OVER THE SUMMER RUNS DOG AGILITY SHOWS ON THE FARM. PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER THE UK TO PARTICIPATE, AND AFTER A HARD DAY MAKING YOUR DOG PERFORM TRICKS, WHAT  MORE DOES A MAN NEED THAN A GOOD PINT OF ALE?

ANYWAY THE DOG OWNERS AREN'T SNAFFLING ALL THE BEER, IT HAS ALSO GONE OUT TO THE FOLLOWING FINE ESTABLISHMENTS:

THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST
THE BLACK BULL, MELSONBY
THE BRIDGE, WHORLTON OR MIDDLETON IN TEESDALE
DOG AGILITY - A LOCATION NEAR WINSTON, LUCKY DOGS
THE SHIP INN, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE CROWN, MICKLETON
THE CROSS KEYS, GAINFORD
THE RED LION, COTHERSTONE
THE QUAKER, DARLINGTON 

ENJOY! 

Thursday 4 August 2011

DARLINGTON SNOOKER CLUB MIDI BEER FEST 4TH - 7TH AUGUST

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer
FRIEND, CAMRA COLLEAGUE AND STOCKIST OF MITHRIL ALES, PETE EVERETT IS HOLDING ONE OF HIS EXCELLENT ALE FESTIVALS THIS WEEKEND. MITHRIL ALES, TYKE AND FEAST WILL BE ON OVER THE FESTIVAL ALONG WITH 10 OTHER EXCELLENT ALES.

PLEASE SEE THE CAMRA WEBSITE FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON OPENING TIMES ETC

http://www.darlocamra.org.uk/beerfestivals.html

I WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND WHATEVER FOOD PETE PUTS ON OVER THE FESTIVAL, LIVER AND ONIONS IS ONE OF OUR FAVOURITES!

ENJOY!

Tuesday 2 August 2011

MITHRIL ALES OPEN AFTERNOON AUGUST 6TH, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerFOLLOWING ON FROM YESTERDAYS NEW(ISH) PUMP CLIP, MITHRIL ALES ARE ALSO INCLUDED WITHIN THE ALDBROUGH FEAST PROGRAMME FOR THE FIRST (OF MANY YEARS?). WE ARE HAVING AN OPEN AFTERNOON ON THE 6TH AUGUST, FROM 12-3PM.

THERE WILL BE FREE TASTINGS OF THREE DIFFERENT BEERS -   FEAST, TYKE ALE AND ROUTE A66. THERE WILL BE NIBBLES - I HAVE TWO HUGE AMOUNTS OF SAUSAGES TO PICK UP FROM MUDD BUTCHERS IN BISHOP AUCKLAND (BEEF AND ONION MADE WITH DERE STREET BEER, AND BEEF, MUSTARD AND PARSLEY MADE WITH TYKE ALE). I WILL ALSO BE GIVING 'TOURS' AROUND THE BREWERY.

WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON?

PARKING IS RESTRICTED AROUND BREWERY AS I AM BASED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA -AND WOULD ASK ANYONE COMING TO PARK AT THE VILLAGE HALL. BUT, THERE WILL BE SIGNS FROM THE HALL DIRECTING TO THE BREWERY

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Monday 1 August 2011

RETURN OF THE FEAST - NOT QUITE THE WICKER MAN

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer

ALD BROUGH ST JOHN VILLAGE FEAST RUNS FROM THE 6-14 AUGUST THIS YEAR. I LIKED THIS BEER AND PUMP CLIP SO MUCH, IT SEEMED TO MAKE SENSE TO KEEP THIS AS AN ANNUAL REGULAR FOR THE OCCASION.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS OF FEAST GOINGS ON, GO TO:

http://aldbrough-st-john.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=57

AND

http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/aldbroughfeast/index.phtml

ONE IMPORTANT ADDITION TO THE FEAST PROGRAMME THIS YEAR IS THE MITHRIL ALES OPEN AFTERNOON (TO BE POSTED SEPARATELY)

THE ALE HAS GONE TO THE FOLLOWING FINE ESTABLISHMENTS:

THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST
THE BLACK BULL, MELSONBY
THE BLACK SWAN, STAINDROP
THE SHIP, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
PRIVATE DOG AGILITY EVENT, WINSTON - LUKCY DOGS
QUAKERHOUSE, DARLINGTON
THE CROSS KEYS, GAINFORD
THE ROSE AND CROWN, WITTON PARK
DARLINGTON SNOOKER CLUB
MITHRIL ALES OPEN AFTERNOON
ALDBROUGH ST JOHN VILLAGE FEAST PICNIC

ENJOY!