Monday 31 December 2012

THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - HAPPY HOGMANALE!

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer




A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE PUBS I SUPPLY, THE CUSTOMERS WHO DRINK MY BEER, SUPPLIERS, FELLOW BREWER'S AND DARLINGTON AND NORTH WEST YORKSHIRE CAMRA MEMBERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO HELP OUT WITH THE BUSINESS, IT IS REALLY APPRECIATED AND VALUED!

FINALLY A THANK YOU TO ALL BLOG READERS -  I HOPE 2013 IS A GREAT YEAR!

HOGMANALE WENT OUT TO THE FOLLOWING FINE ALE HOUSES:

THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE SHIP, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE VOODOO CAFE, DARLINGTON
THE SHOULDER OF MUTTON, KIRBY HILL
OLD YARD TAPAS BAR, DARLINGTON
THE GRAND HOTEL, BISHOP AUCKLAND
THE NAGS HEAD, SEDGFIELD
THE QUAKERHOUSE, DARLINGTON
WALL'S WENSLEYDALE CHRISTMAS TRAIN
THE STANWICK INN, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN
THE JOINERS ARMS, HUNWICK

ENJOY AND ALL THE BEST FOR 2013!

Sunday 30 December 2012

THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - SIX PUBS VISITED ON THIS MONTHS CAMRA TRIP

DECEMBER'S DARLINGTON CAMRA TRIP TOOK IN NEWTON AYCLIFFE AND OUTER DARLINGTON WHICH INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING FINE ALE HOUSES:

THE BAY HORSE, MIDDRIDGE
HAD THREE ALES ON, HOBGOBLIN, BURTON BITTER AND JENNINGS LIAR 


THE COBBLER'S HALL, NEWTON AYCLIFFE - THEY EVEN PLACED A RESERVED VIP AREA FOR OUR MERRY GROUP.
HAD HOBGOBLIN, BAR HUMBUG AND BANK'S ORIGINAL ON


THE TURBINIA, NEWTON AYCLIFFE  
HAD SHEPHERD'S NEAME SPITFIRE ON 


THE OAK TREE, NEWTON AYCLIFFE
http://www.marstonspubcompany.co.uk
HAD JENNINGS BITTER


THE FORESTERS ARMS, COATHAM MUNDEVILLE
BLACK SHEEP AND THWAITES WAINWRIGHT WERE THE ORDER OF THE DAY


AN FINALLY THE BLACKSMITHS ARMS, PRESTON LE SKERNE
RIVET CATCHER AND BLACK PAW BISHOPS BEST TO FINISH THE NIGHT OFF  


Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR OTHER TRIPS COMING IN 2013!

A BIG THANKS TO PUBS VISITED THIS YEAR FOR THEIR HOSPITALITY AND THOSE WHO CAME ON THE TRIPS AND OF COURSE ANYTIME TRANSPORT FOR BUSSING US AROUND!  


Saturday 29 December 2012

THE FIFTH DAY OF CHIRSTMAS - FIVE PUBS A DELIVERING

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerYEH, I KNOW IT IS NOW TECHNICALLY THE SIXTH DAY - BUT I WAS WATCHING LORD OF THE RINGS ON CHANNEL 4 WHICH HAS ONLY JUST FINISHED.

WITH NEW YEARS EVE FALLING ON MONDAY I HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKING DELIVERIES IN ADVANCE TODAY TO THE:

THE OLD WELL IN BARNARD CASTLE


THE RED LION IN COTHERSTONE


THE TEESDALE HOTEL IN MIDDLETON IN TEESDALE


THE BRIDGE INN AT WHORLTON 

AND THE HOLLY HILL INN AT RICHMOND

   
WHY NOT CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITES FOR NEW YEAR EVENTS?

ENJOY!

Friday 28 December 2012

THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - FOUR MO BRO'S


In November we grew 'Mo's' for Movember. However, it was only the hardiest that stayed the course before the other's succumbed to their Mach 3's.

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerA Movember night was held in the Stanwick Inn on the 30th. Just under £200.00 was raised between my sponsorship and donated sales from the Stanwick Inn - thanks Neil and Helen.

Let's hope more than four can stay the course next year!


Wednesday 26 December 2012

THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS - THE SNOOKER CLUB, STANWICK INN OR BLACK BULL?

GOOD EVENTS ARE LIKE BUSES, THEY ALL COME AROUND AT THE SAME TIME. (UNFORTUNATELY)  THERE ARE THREE 'DO'S' I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND TONIGHT - BUT IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO BE POSSIBLE!

I WILL BE GOING TO THE DARLINGTON CAMRA CHRISTMAS SOCIAL WHICH STARTS FROM 7.00PM AT THE DARLINGTON SNOOKER CLUB.
      

ONCE I HAVE BEEN TO THE SNOOKER CLUB FOR A FEW HOURS  I WILL BE NIPPING ONTO THE STANWICK INN, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN TO SUPPORT THE CHRISTMAS DARTS - WHICH STARTS FROM 8.30PM.    
Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer

THE BLACK BULL, MELSONBY DOMINO DRIVE ALSO STARTS FROM 8.30PM - ANOTHER GREAT NIGHT OUT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO.  

THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS - TWO BOTTLES OF BEER FROM THE CRAFTY PINT

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer




SANTA DID HOWEVER BRING ME A BOTTLE OF:

THE CRAFTY PINTS MARKET PORTER BREWED BY WALL'S BREWERY, AND
THE VANILLA PORTER BREWED BY BRASS CASTLE BREWERY. WHICH I CAN ENJOY LATER TODAY ONCE I HAVE COMPLETED MY DELIVERIES TODAY.

SEE THE CRAFTY PINT WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS. WHY NOT JOIN THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DETAILS OF NEW ALES, EVENTS ETC.

http://www.thecraftypint.co.uk/





THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS - ALBEIT A DAY LATE - CHRISTMAS ELF

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer





ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN HAVING A PINT OF CHRISTMAS ELF - HOWEVER STUPIDLY I HADN'T KEPT ANY OF IT BACK FOR 'TASTING'. BAH HUMBUG!

IT'S PROBABLY BEEN AND GONE AT THE FOLLOWING FINE ALE HOUSES:

THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE SHIP, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
CAFE 1618,  MIDDLETON IN TEESDALE
THE HOLLY HILL, RICHMOND
THE RED LION, COTHERSTONE 
THE VOODOO CAFE, DARLINGTON
THE LOCOMOTION NO 1, HEIGHINGTON
THE TAPAS BAR, DARLINGTON
THE QUAKERHOUSE, DARLINGTON
THE STANWICK INN, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN
THE SNOOKER CLUB, DARLINGTON

ENJOY (ED)!

Sunday 16 December 2012

TINSEL TIPPLE

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer




LAST WEEK IT WAS 'BEHIND YOU', THIS  WEEK MITHRIL ALES PLAYS HOMAGE TO THE UNSUNG HERO OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE - TINSEL.

INDEED, TINSEL IS SO UNSUNG THAT WIKIPEDIA HAD FEW FACTS.

X FACTOR CONTESTANTS FROM SEVERAL YEARS AGO GET MORE MENTION ON THE INTERNET, WHERE'S THE JUSTICE IN THAT?

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tinsel

BRUSH UP YOUR TINSEL FACTS AT ONE OF THE  FOLLOWING FINE ESTABLISHMENTS:

THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
COVERBRIDGE INN, EAST WITTON
THE GRAND HOTEL, BISHOP AUCKLAND
THE BISHOP BLAIZE, RICHMOND
THE BLACK BULL, MELSONBY
THE STRATHMORE ARMS, HOLWICK
THE FORESTERS ARMS, CARLTON
THE THREE HORSESHOES, WENSLEY
THE FOUR ALLS, OVINGTON
THE STANWICK, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN
THE JOINERS ARMS, HUNWICK

ENJOY!

Wednesday 12 December 2012

THE BRIDGE INN AT WHORLTON NOW REOPENED

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer










SOME GOOD NEWS!

THE BRIDGE INN AT WHORLTON REOPENED ON FRIDAY THE 7TH DECEMBER 2012.

THEY HAVE A NEW WEBSITE, WHICH IS BEING ADDED TO ALL THE TIME - PLEASE SEE FOR FURTHER DETAILS: 

http://www.thebridgeinn-whorlton.co.uk/  

WE WISH ROBBIE AND KELLY ALL THE BEST WITH THEIR NEW VENTURE!

Friday 7 December 2012

(IT'S) BEHIND YOU - A PANTOMINE OF AN ALE

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer




THIS YEARS PANTOMINE AT DARLINGTON CIVIC THEATRE IS 'SLEEPING BEAUTY'. I THOUGHT WHY NOT PLAY HOMAGE TO THE  UNSUNG EQUITY CARD CARRYING HEROES OF THE PANTOMINE HORSE?

NOT FOR THEM THEIR FACES PLASTERED ALL OVER GAUDY POSTERS, WITH LINDA LUSARDI AND THAT BLOKE SHE MARRIED.

HOW DO THEY GET INTO CHARACTER, WHO TAKES THE FRONT AND WHO TAKES THE REAR - DO THEY TAKE IT ABOUT TURN FROM MATINEE TO MATINEE? THESE ARE THE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS WE DON'T KNOW AND MAY NEVER KNOW.

PONDER THESE AND OTHER PANTOMINE RELATED STUFF AT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FINE ALE HOUSES:

THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE BRIDGE, WHORLTON
THE CROWN INN, MANFIELD
VOODOO CAFE, DARLINGTON
THE BLACK BULL, MELSONBY
THE CROSS KEYS, GAINFORD
THE HORSESHOE INN, WEST ROUNTON
THE CRAFTY PINT, DARLINGTON COVERED MARKET
THE FOUR ALLS, OVINGTON
THE RED LION, COTHERSTONE

ENJOY!

Monday 3 December 2012

ANDREW'S PALE - COMMEMORATIVE ALE FOR ST ANDREW'S DAY

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer




THIS IS A LITTLE LATE GOING ON THE BLOG,

IN MY DEFENCE, MY MOVEMBER COMMITMENTS AND THE OPENING OF THE CRAFTY PINT THIS WEEKEND  OVERTOOK BLOG OBLIGATIONS.

TO PLACATE THE SCOTTISH CONTINGENT OF THE MITHRIL HOUSEHOLD (IE THE WIFE) , EVERY YEAR I NORMALLY PAY BEER HOMAGE TO THE PATRON SAINT OF SCOTLAND. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS INCREDIBLE MAN (CREEP, CREEP). SEE THE LINK BELOW:

http://uk.ask.com/wiki/St._Andrew's_Day

THE ALE CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING FINE ALE HOUSES:

THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE GRAND HOTEL, BISHOP AUCKLAND
THE SHIP INN, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE CROSS KEYS, GAINFORD
THE RED LION, COTHERSTONE
THE  DUKE OF WELLINGTON, WELBURY
THE WHEATSHEAF, BORROWBY
THE QUAKERHOUSE, DARLINGTON
A PRIVATE PARTY VIA THE CRAFTY PINT
THE STANWICK INN, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN
THE SNOOKER CLUB, DARLINGTON

ENJOY!

Tuesday 27 November 2012

THE CRAFTY PINT - OFFICIAL OPENING SATURDAY DECEMBER 1ST

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer




Not since the loss of the Ale Cellar in the west end of town along with John Taylor’s retirement in his “Bottled Beer Cavern” of Binns Department on High Row has Darlington being able to offer a shop with an extensive range of bottled beers from local and regional micro breweries.

Well we’re pleased to report the situation has changed !. The waiting was over when “The Crafty Pint” opened for business on Saturday October 13th in Darlington’s Indoor Market (pictured).october 2012The Crafty Pint is the brainchild of John Anderson and Dave Walker, and they came up with the idea based on what they saw as a “gap in the market”. The real ale scene is nothing new to them; John is a CAMRA member and also a Darlington Traditional Brewing Group member. These are a group of craft brewers based in Darlington and the surrounding area who brew in backyards, kitchens and sheds on a five or ten gallon scale using the “Full Mash” process.

Currently The Crafty Pint is stocks an excellent range of bottled beers from Yorkshire breweries including Hop Studio from Elvington near York, Mallinsons in Huddersfield, Revolutions at Castleford plus Walls Brewery in Northallerton and breweries from further afield such as Hardknott in Cumbria, Redwillow in Cheshire and Thornbridge in Derbyshire. Not forgetting the cider and perry lovers, John has also allocated space on the shelves for a number of interesting ciders and perries.

The official opening of the shop takes place on Saturday 1st December and a couple of real ales from Wall's and Mithril Ales will be on draught will be available during the day. The Northern Echo's, Mike Amos will be officially opening the shop at around 11.30am.

Our best wishes go to The Crafty Pint as a bottled beer shop in Darlington and hopefully it will be third time lucky !. For further details contact John on 07804 305175 or visit their website at www.thecraftypint.co.uk

(write up courtesy of Ian Jackson from Darlington CAMRA website)

Sunday 25 November 2012

MO NO MORE - MOVEMBER COMES TO AN END

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer




A LONG TIME AGO (AT LEAST IT SEEMS SO NOW) IN A STANWICK INN FAR FAR AWAY, AT LEAST TEN HARDY DRINKERS PLEDGED TO GROW A MO FOR MOVEMBER.

UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF THEM  SUCCUMBED TO THE DARK SIDE OF THE MACH 3 AND THE KING OF SHAVES SITH LORD GEL.

MOVEMBER IS AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING PUBS, MAY THE MO FORCE BE WITH YOU!

THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE SHIP, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE TEESDALE HOTEL, MIDDLETON IN TEESDALE
THE HOLLY HILL INN, RICHMOND
THE STAR INN, HUDDERSFIELD
THE WHITE HORSE, HEDGERLEY , BUCKS
THE GOLDEN LION, OSMOTHERLEY
THE RED LION, COTHERSTONE
THE WHEATSHEAF, BORROWBY
THE STANWICK, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN

ON FRIDAY THE 30TH NOVEMBER ALL MONEY RAISED FROM THE FIRST CASK OF MOVEMBER SOLD AT THE STANWICK IS BEING DONATED TO THE CHARITY. MITHRIL ALES HAVE DONATED THE CASK, AND THE STANWICK ARE DONATING THE SALES. (THANKS NEIL AND HELEN)
I HAVE ALSO BEEN COLLECTING SPONSORSHIP FOR MY OWN EFFORTS AND WILL POST A BEFORE AND AFTER ON THE BLOG.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MOVEMBER SEE:

http://www.movember.com/

Wednesday 21 November 2012

THE STAR INN, FOLLY HALL - WINTER BEER FESTIVAL 21ST -25TH NOVEMBER ONWARDS



THE STAR INN, FOLLY HALL (HUDDERSFIELD) STARTED THEIR BEER FESTIVAL TODAY. THEY HAVE 61 BEERS ON UNTIL THE WEEKEND, INCLUDING MITHRIL ALES MOVEMBER.

SEE THE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR FURTHER DETAILS:


ENJOY! 




Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer

Tuesday 20 November 2012

ALL THE LEAVES ARE BROWN

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerMICHELLE PHILLIPS, WHAT DID YOU EVER SEE IN DENNIS HOPPER WHEN I WAS A BUT A MERE SCHOOLBOY? YES, HE WAS AN AMAZINGLY COOL ACTOR BLAH BLAH, BUT WHAT DID HE HAVE  THAT I DIDN'T? HERE I AM NOW REDUCED TO PAYING HOMAGE TO YOU VIA MY NOMME
DU BEER

OUR AUTUMNS AREN'T EXACTLY LIKE CALIFORNIA. I BET THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT A COAL FIRE IS OVER THERE? SO WHY NOT WARM YOURSELF UP AT ONE OF FOLLOWING  FINE ALE HOUSES WITH A PINT OF MITHRIL ALES 'ALL THE LEAVES ARE BROWN'. NORTH YORKSHIRE DREAMIN OPTIONAL :


THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE GRAND HOTEL, BISHOP AUCKLAND
THE SHIP INN, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE BLACK BULL, MELSONBY
THE HORSESHOE INN, WEST ROUNTON
THE TICKLE TOBY, NORTHALLERTON
THE OLD YARD TAPAS BAR, DARLINGTON
THE QUAKERHOUSE, DARLINGTON
THE FOUR ALLS, OVINGTON
THE STANWICK INN, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN

ENJOY!   

DIARY DATES FOR THE CROWN INN, MANFIELD

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer
THE CROWN INN IS OPEN:

MONDAY TO FRIDAY 5-11.30PM AND

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY NOON - 11.30PM

HERE'S SOME DATES FOR YOUR DIARY FOR UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE NEXT MONTH:

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30TH - INDIAN NIGHT
SATURDAY DECEMBER 1ST - FISH AND CHIP VAN (OMG WHAT A CHIPPIE)
TUESDAY DECEMBER 4TH - JEWELLERY SALE
FRIDAY DECEMBER 7TH - OPEN MIC NIGHT
TUESDAY DECEMBER 11TH - QUIZ
FRIDAY DECEMBER 21ST - CHRISTMAS CAROLS

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT THE CROWN INN ON 01325 374243

CHEERS!

Friday 16 November 2012

THE GOLDEN LION OSMOTHERLEY ANNUAL REAL ALE FESTIVAL 16TH -18TH NOVEMBER

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer





The Golden Lion is holding their annual real ale festival  (19 beers including Mithril Ales Movember and Route A66) this weekend in aid of Northdale Horticulture, Northallerton.

Northdale Horticulture is a registered charity providing valued occupation and work based activities in woodwork, nursery work, Arts and crafts and landscape gardening. 

Located on the outskirts of Northallerton, North Yorkshire , approximately fifty adults with a learning disability attend the service on a weekly basis and work in one or more of the charity's four work departments.'

The Festival is open today: 6-11pm
Saturday: 12-11pm and
Sunday: 12-11pm
Food available

For further information on the Golden Lion see the following link:

http://www.goldenlionosmotherley.co.uk/

For further information on the work of Northdale Horticulture see:

http://www.northdale.org.uk/index.htm


Sunday 11 November 2012

THE POPPY APPEAL 2012 - REMEMBER

 

THIS WEEK'S ALE  WAS BREWED SPECIALLY IN HONOUR OF THE POPPY APPEAL. AN APPEAL WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT THE MEN, WOMEN AND FAMILIES OF BOTH SERVING AND PREVIOUS SERVING ARMED FORCES. 

FOR EVERY PINT THAT WAS SOLD MITHRIL ALES DONATED 10P TO THE APPEAL.


ON SATURDAY THE 10TH NOVEMBER I WAS DELIGHTED TO PRESENT A CHEQUE  FOR £70.00 TO THE POPPY APPEAL. THE ALDBROUGH PARISH CHURCH ALSO DONATED THEIR COLLECTION TO DATE, FINAL FIGURE NOT YET KNOWN AS THIS COLLECTION IS STILL ONGOING.

IN THE PICTURE WE HAVE ME, COLIN, THE STANDARD BEARER FOR THE ALDBROUGH BRANCH OF THE BRITISH LEGION AND ALSO STEPHEN THE TREASURER FOR THE AREA HEAD OFFICE.  IT WAS REALLY GOOD TO MEET WITH THEM AND HAVE A CUPPA, CHAT AND SOME BISCUITS AFTERWARDS.

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beerTHE BRITISH LEGION HAVE AN EXCELLENT WEBSITE IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEIR WORK AND/OR MAKE A DONATION:

THE ALE WENT OUT TO THE FOLLOWING FINE ALE HOUSES:

THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE SHIP, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE BISHOP BLAIZE, RICHMOND
THE CROWN INN, MANFIELD
THE PILOT, BERWICK UPON TWEED
THE BLACK BULL, MELSONBY
THE HOLLY HILL INN, RICHMOND
THE QUAKERHOUSE, DARLINGTON
THE SNOOKER CLUB, DARLINGTON
THE STANWICK, ALDRBROUGH ST JOHN
THE FOUR ALLS, OVINGTON


Wednesday 31 October 2012

Booze ‘n’ Cues Halloween Beer Festival at Darlington Snooker Club.

Wikio - Top Blogs - Wine and beer














Thursday November 1st – Sunday November 4th.

Over 20 beers & cider, including Mithril Ales Jack O'Lantern and Remember    

Thursday 7pm – Midnight
Friday 11am – Midnight
Saturday 11am – Midnight
Sunday Noon – Midnight.
Hot & Cold Food on at all times.

The North East Club of the Year presentation will also take place this Saturday 3rd November at Darlington Snooker Club at around 4 pm

Enjoy!