FIRST FOOTING - HAPPY 2014 FROM MITHRIL ALES

The first footer, is the first person to enter the house in the New Year and they should also be a bringer of good fortune.

My dad has always carried out this heroic feat. It commences with his ceremonial opening of my front door, an indifferent gaze from the dog who can't be bothered to move from their chair, the throw of some EU approved smokeless coal onto my door mat and then probably cursing why just for a change he couldn't stay in the pub and I carried out this task myself.



For those who want to find out more about First Footing, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-Foot

For those who want to drink the ale (my dad will be the one leaving the pub as you arrive) get a long to one of the following fine ale houses:

The Old Well, Barnard Castle
The Half Moon, Darlington
The Ship, Middlestone Village
The Red Lion, Cotherstone
The Bridge, Whorlton
The Wheatsheaf, Borrowby
The Voodoo Cafe, Darlington
The Stanwick, Aldbrough St John
The Croft Hotel, Croft On Tees
The Four Alls, Ovington
Glaxo Sports & Social Club, Barnard Castle
The Darlington Snooker Club, Enjoy

Slang var

HOLLY HOPS

NORMALLY I TRY TO WRITE DOWN SOMETHING VAGUELY AMUSING, BUT HOLLY DOESNT REALLY LEND ITSELF TO WITTY BLOGGING.

SO FOR SOME CHRISTMAS CHEER I WAS GOING TO POST  A LINK TO LISTEN TO THE CAROL. UNFORTUNATELY, IT INVOLVED DOWNLOADING A PROGRAMME AND CHANGING YOUR TOOL BAR. (DON'T SAY I DIDN'T TRY)

HOLLY HOPS WENT OUT TO THE FOLLOWING FINE ALE HOUSES:

THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE COUNTY, AYCLIFFE VILLAGE
THE HALF MOON, DARLINGTON
THE SHIP, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE BLACK LION, WOLSINGHAM
THE WHEATSHEAF, BORROWBY
THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST
DARLINGTON SNOOKER CLUB, DARLINGTON
THE STANWICK, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN
THE FOUR ALLS, OVINGTON
THE CROFT HOTEL, CROFT ON TEES
GLAXO SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB

ENJOY!

THE HALF MOON AND CRAFTY PINT - DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

THE HALF MOON HAS A NUMBER OF EVENTS ON OVER THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR PERIOD:

18.12.13 - OPEN FROM 12-11PM, XMAS QUIZ 8.30PM

20.12.13 - OPEN FROM 12-MIDNIGHT, SCHOOL'S OUT - NORTHERN TAPAS FROM 5PM ONWARDS AND LIVE MUSIC FROM 8.30PM

24.12.13 - OPEN FROM 12-MIDNIGHT, WIN A CASK OF ALE AND CHRISTMAS RAFFLE IN AID OF ST TERESA'S HOSPICE

25.12.13 - OPEN CHRISTMAS DAY FROM 11-2PM

26.12.13 - OPEN BOXING DAY 12-11PM

31.12.13 - OPEN NEW YEARS EVE 12- LATE

WHY NOT POP DOWN, THEY ARE ALSO NOW SERVING THEIR OWN BEERS.

THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST

The White Swan has several events on over Christmas including:

16th December - Quiz - wear Christmas jumpers/outfits - Team Mithril will be out in force, and are putting their Quiz winnings to date towards a meal before the quiz starts.    

20th December - Live Music including carols and seasonal songs

Christmas Eve Party - songs and Christmas Jumpers - prize for best jumper

New Years Eve Party - quiz, pulled pork sandwiches and chilli brisket jackets

Food and drink (including Mithril Ales) served all day

You can keep up to date with events etc by friending their Facebook site, and also more information is available on their website - see below:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/thewhiteswan

or

http://www.thewhiteswan.co/The_White_Swan/Welcome.html

THE CROFT HOTEL, CROFT ON TEES

This photo of The Croft Hotel is courtesy of TripAdvisor

UP THE ROAD AT CROFT, THE CROFT HOTEL, ALSO HAS SOME GREAT DEALS GOING ON OVER CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR INCLUDING CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHTS, CHRISTMAS LUNCHES, SUNDAY LUNCHES AND ALSO NEW YEARS EVE DINNER. IN ADDITION TO SPECIAL OFFERS ON ACCOMMODATION.

WHY NOT POP ALONG TO THEIR WEB PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

http://www.crofthotel.net/events/christmas-2013

I WAS DELIGHTED TO HEAR (ALONG WITH FELLOW LOCAL BREWER, BLACK PAW) IN ISSUE 6 OF THEIR NEWSLETTER THAT MITHRIL ALES AND BLACK PAW WILL BE FEATURED DURING THE HOTEL'S FESTIVE PERIOD, AT A SPECIAL PRICE OF £2.50 PER PINT.

THE STANWICK, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN

FESTIVE SETTINGS IN THE RESTAURANT

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU,  CATERING FOR A WALKING OR SHOOTING PARTY OR JUST A FAB SUNDAY LUNCH OVER THE FESTIVE PERIOD LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE STANWICK. THE STANWICK IS NOT ONLY MY LOCAL PUB (AND AN EXCELLENT ONE AT THAT)  BUT ALSO A REGULAR STOCKIST OF MITHRIL ALES. 

THERE IS A PARTY MENU AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS OF 8 PLUS, WITH TWO COURSES £15.95 AND THREE £19.95.

AN EARLY BIRD MENU IS ALSO AVAILABLE MONDAY TO FRIDAY FROM 5.30-7PM JUST NOW.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CALL 01325 374258 OR WHY NOT FRIEND THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH EVENTS:

https://www.facebook.com/stanwick.aldbrough?ref=ts&fref=ts#!/stanwick.aldbrough

DONNER AND BLITZEN

I AM OBVIOUSLY NOT SUGGESTING THAT REINDEER SHOULD DRINK AND DRIVE WHEN ASSISTING SANTA DELIVERING PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE. BUT, IF THE  ST BERNARD
CAN CARRY A  CASK OF RESTORATIVE BRANDY FOR THE LOST AND BEWILDERED WALKER OR MOUNTAINEER, WHY CAN'T REINDEER CARRY RESTORATIVE ALES FOR THE FRAZZLED PARENT? OR INDEED FOR ANYONE  FRAZZLED IN THE RUN UP TO CHRISTMAS?

IF YOU CAN'T FIND AN OBLIGING REINDEER, WHY NOT POP ALONG TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FINE ALE HOUSES INSTEAD:

THE QUAKERHOUSE, DARLINGTON
THE HALF MOON, DARLINGTON
THE BISHOP BLAIZE, RICHMOND
THE CROWN, MANFIELD
THE BLACK BULL, MELSONBY
THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST
THE BRIDGE, WHORLTON
THE OLD VIC, DARLINGTON
THE STANWICK, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN
THE CROFT HOTEL, CROFT ON TEES
THE FOUR ALLS, OVINGTON
GLAXO SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB

ENJOY!

ALADDIN'S ALE - HE'S BEHIND YOU!

IN KEEPING WITH A MITHRIL ALES TRADITION, THIS ALE HAS BEEN BREWED  AFTER BEING INSPIRED BY DARLINGTON CIVIC THEATRE'S PANTOMINE.

ALADDIN RUNS AT THE THEATRE FROM THE 7TH DECEMBER TO THE 12TH JANUARY 2014.  BOOKING DETAILS CAN BE FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:

www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

OR IF PANTO'S NOT YOUR THING, WHY  NOT JUST POP ALONG TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FINE ALE HOUSES FOR A PINT - ALTHOUGH I CAN'T PROMISE IF YOU RUB A PINT OF MITHRIL ALES THAT YOUR WISHES WILL BE GRANTED!

THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE BRIDGE, WHORLTON
THE HALF MOON, DARLINGTON
OVINGTON VILLAGE HALL
THE FOUR ALLS, OVINGTON
LORD NELSON, APPLETON WISKE
LARTINGTON HALL
HORSESHOE INN, WEST ROUNTON
PRINCE OF WALES, FOXFIELD
THE STANWICK, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN
THE CROFT HOTEL, CROFT ON TEES
GLAXO SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB, BARNARD CASTLE

ENJOY!

13 MEN - YOU'D HAVE BEEN ON BLOG SOONER HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR INTERNET ISSUES

13 MEN WAS BREWED TO COMMEMORATE THE RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP - UNFORTUNATELY, BUT HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME ISSUES WITH THE INTERNET (FOR A CHANGE) SO NOT BEEN ABLE TO POP THE PUMP CLIP ON BEFORE NOW. IT'S PROBABLY BEEN LONG ENJOYED AT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FINE ALE HOUSES:

A PRIVATE PARTY IN COTHERSTONE
THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE SHIP, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE HALF MOON, DARLINGTON
THE RED LION, COTHERSTONE
DALTON VILLAGE HALL
THE GOLDEN LION, OSMOTHERLEY
GLAXO SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB, BARNARD CASTLE
THE STANWICK, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN
THE CROFT HOTEL, CROFT ON TEES
THE FOUR ALLS, OVINGTON

ENJOYED!

GOLDEN LION, OSMOTHERLEY BEER FESTIVAL 22ND TO 24TH NOVEMBER 2013

There’s a Beer Festival starting tomorrow :

The Golden Lion, Osmotherley Annual Real Ale Festival of Yorkshire Beers

 Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th November

 Noon – Late every day Approx 20 Beers including Mithril Ales 'Dr Who 50' and '13 Men'

Why not see their website for more details:

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

TRENCHERMAN FINE FOODS - CHRISTMAS HAMPERS 2013

OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT TRENCHERMAN FINE FOODS (BASED JUST UP THE ROAD IN COUNTY DURHAM) HAVE JUST BROUGHT OUT THEIR CHRISTMAS BROCHURE.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, OR JUST A TREAT FOR YOURSELF? WHY NOT HAVE A LOOK?

THE HAMPER AND ALL OTHER GOODIES CAN BE FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:

http://www.trencherman.co.uk/hampers-and-gifts/

YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!

STUFF THE KIWIS - RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP

THIS SATURDAY, FROM 13.00PM

NEW ZEALAND V ENGLAND - LET'S HOPE ENGLAND DOES! NUFF SAID.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP SEE THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE;

http://www.rlwc2013.com/world_cup




STUFF THE KIWIS HAS GONE OUT TO THE FOLLOWING FINE ALE HOUSES:

SALTBURN BEER FESTIVAL
ROCHFORD BEER FESTIVAL
THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE CROWN, MANFIELD
THE BRIDGE, WHORLTON
THE HALF MOON, DARLINGTON
THE BLACK BULL, MELSONBY
THE OLD VIC, DARLINGTON
THE STANWICK, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN
THE CROFT HOTEL, CROFT ON TEES
THE FOUR ALLS, OVINGTON
GLAXO SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB, BARNARD CASTLE

ROCHFORD BEER FESTIVAL - 19TH - 23RD NOVEMBER 2013

The Yorkshire Bar includes Mithril Ales, 'Stuff the Kiwis' and 'A66'.

See the Website for more details:

 http://www.seecamra.org.uk/viewnode.php?id=14968

THE SHIP, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE BEER FESTIVAL - 14th -17th November 2013

The Ship Inn, Low Road, Middlestone Village, Spennymoor, County Durham DL14  8AB

Thursday 14th November - Sunday 17th November

Approximately 21 real ales will be available along with cider and perry.

Festival Opening Times:

Thursday 14th November: 4pm - midnight

Friday 15th November: Noon - midnight

Saturday 16th November: Noon - midnight

 Sunday 17th November: Noon - 1.30pm

Food will available during the festival including a barbecue on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

For further information contact The Ship Inn on 01388 810904 or visit their facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/ShipInnMiddlestone?fref=ts

PENNY FOR THE GUY

This was my Bonfire Night Ale - blaming the holiday again for the lateness of the post. Obviously, I can't milk this excuse after this week (or can I)?

Anyway, this ale went out to the following fine ales houses:

Ovington Village Hall
Boggarts Micro Bar in Manchester
The Old Well, Barnard Castle
The Ship, Middlestone Village
The Half Moon, Darlington
The White Swan, Gilling West
The Black Bull, Melsonby
The Bishop Blaize, Richmond
Darlington Snooker Club, Darlington
The Stanwick, Aldbrough St John
The Croft Hotel, Croft on Tees
Glaxo Sports and Social Club, Barnard Castle
The Four Alls, Ovington

Enjoyed!

BAT'S BREW

I KNOW THIS IS SOMEWHAT LATE FOR HALLOWEEN.

HOWEVER, IN MY DEFENCE I WENT TO BERWICK ON TWEED FOR HOLIDAY OVER HALLOWEEN (AND ALSO BONFIRE NIGHT) AND AM TRYING TO NOW CATCH UP ON A BLOG BACKLOG.

ANYWAY, THIS SPOOKY ALE WENT TO THE FOLLOWING FINE ESTABLISHMENTS:

COTHERSTONE VILLAGE HALL,
THE OLD WELL, BARNARD CASTLE
THE HALF MOON, DARLINGTON
THE SHIP, MIDDLESTONE VILLAGE
THE QUAKER, DARLINGTON
THE WHITE SWAN, GILLING WEST
DARLINGTON SNOOKER CLUB, DARLINGTON
GLAXO SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB, BARNARD CASTLE
THE STANWICK, ALDBROUGH ST JOHN
THE CROFT HOTEL, CROFT ON TEES
THE FOUR ALLS, OVINGTON

ENJOYED!

SALTBURN BEER FESTIVAL - NOVEMBER 15TH AND 16TH 2013

4th Saltburn Beer Festival November 2013:  Fri. 15th. - Sat. 16th. November 2013

The 4th Saltburn Beer Festival At The Community & Arts Centre, Saltburn TS12 1JW

36 Real Ales (Including Mithril Ales 'Stuff the Kiwis'  plus Ciders, Perries and local fruit wines

Sponsored by The Spa Hotel

Opening times and entrance cost:

Fri & Sat 11am-4.30pm £1.50 (CAMRA members free)
Friday 6pm - 11pm £3.50 (CAMRA members £2.50)
Saturday 6pm - 11pm £3.00 (CAMRA members £2.00)

CAMRA Member discount --- the tickets are purchased at the full price and £1 is refunded to the CAMRA member when you arrive at the fest and show your CAMRA card. The organisers felt that this was the best way to apply this discount.

Tickets are sold for evening sessions - Pay on the door for afternoon sessions (no ticket necessary)

Evening tickets for the festival can be purchased locally from Whistle Stop Wine Shop in Saltburn Square and also from http://www.saltburnarts.co.uk/, tel: 01287 62499

See Cleveland CAMRA website for more details:

http://www.clevelandcamra.org.uk/cms/?page=festivals

SHAKESPEARE, SHEFFIELD BEER FESTIVAL - 31ST OCTOBER TO 2ND NOVEMBER

We can't find the full details of this festival, but why not see/message their Facebook page for more information on:

https://www.facebook.com/shakespeares.sheffield?ref=ts  

The beers list is as follows:

Festival Bar

8 Sail Flour Power – 4.2% - Pale Ale...
Arbor Triple Hop 13 – 4% - Pale Ale
Arbor Down Deeperest – 13% - Black Saison
Arkwrights Inspired – 4.5% - Best Bitter
Arkwrights Silly Brewing Two Hats – 3.7% - Bitter
Art Anarchist Party Bitter – 7.2% - Hoppy strong bitter
Art Baby Anarchist- 3.2% - Hoppy Bitter
Axholme Pumpkin Porter – 4.3% - Speciality Porter
Brown Cow Concorde Pale – 4.4% – Pale Ale
Cornish Crown 1 Hop 1 1 Grain – 4.1% - Pale Ale
Cornish Crown Mousehole Bitter – 3.9% - Bitter
Four Thorns – 1402 – 4.4% -
Four Thorns Redeye – 5.25 – Red IPA
Great Orme Celtica – 4.5% - Blonde
Hopcraft Bikini Atol – 4.5% - Pale Ale
Mithril – Clock’s Back – 3.9%
New Bristol – Beer Du Jour – 4.6% - Pale Ale
New Bristol Angry Tom – 5.9% - IPA
North Riding Screaming Bedlam – 4.1%- Speciality Mild
Squark IPA – 5.5% - IPA
Wild Boar Mad Pig – 3.9%

LocALE Bar

Abbeydale Rudi Can’t Fail – 4.2% - Pale Ale
Blue Bee Punctuation – Lite – 4.4% - Pale Ale
Clark’s Fifty Fifty – 5.2% - TBC
Five Towns Baby Blue – 4.5% - Pale Ale
Geeves HIPA – 5.2% - IPA
Imperial GUN – 4.2% TBC – Pale Ale
Sheffield Forgemaster IPA – TBC – Pale Ale
Steel City All Hallows Eve – 5.2% - IPA 

BIRMINGHAM BEER FESTIVAL - 30TH OCTOBER TO 2ND NOVEMBER

The 2013 Birmingham Beer & Cider Festival.

You can find details of this years festival on this website.

http://www.birminghambeerfestival.org.uk/

This year, we have 250+ Real Ales (including Mithril Ales Flower Powrr)  and 80+ Real Ciders / Perries available for your drinking pleasure.

The Beer, Cider and Foreign Beer Lists are now available on the website.

Beer Tasting Tickets Available Now From Membership Stand.... These will be Hosted By Renowned Beer Writer Roger Protz and Feature 5 Beers to Taste. Pete Brown will be signing copies of his new book World’s Best Cider at Birmingham Beer Festival on Friday 1st November at 12 noon. At 1pm he will be giving a cider talk and tasting. Do join us on Friday.

 Admission Details CAMRA Members get £2 back in beer festival tokens. Refundable Festival Glasses are £3.00. Please note all drinks at the festival are bought using tokens. No cash is transfered for beverages over the bar. Tokens are bought at the main desk in multiples of £5. Any unused tokens can be refunded or donated to charity.

 Admission Cost and Opening Hours

 Wednesday 18:00 - 22:00 FREE CAMRA AND TRADE ONLY
 Thursday 11:00 - 22:30 £3.00 OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
 Friday 11:00 - 22:30 £5.00 OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
 Saturday 11:00 - 22:30 £4.00 OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

enjoy

DARLINGTON SNOOKER CLUB HALLOWEEN BEER FESTIVAL 31ST OCTOBER TO 3RD NOVEMBER 2013

Darlington Snooker Club is having their Halloween Booze n Cues Beer Fest, starting at 7pm tomorrow (Thursday October 31st)

 20 real ales, including Mithril Ales 'Bat's Brew' and 'Penny for the Guy' will be available along with cider.



Festival Opening Times:

Thursday 31st October: 7pm - 11pm
Friday 1st November: Noon - late
Saturday 2nd November: Noon - late
Sunday 3rd November: Noon - 11pm

Food on at all sessions – Pie & Peas every day & an additional hot dish, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. 

To see the Beer List follow the following link :-

https://www.facebook.com/messages/1386184966#!/darlingtonsnookerclub?fref=ts

On Saturday 2nd November at approximately 2.30pm, a presentation will made to Peter and all the staff at Darlington Snooker Club for winning CAMRA’s North East Club of the Year 2013 competition.

 Enjoy

CLOCK'S BACK

Mithril Ales doesn't want to get all political here - but (and I'm not promoting The Independent). But, there does seem to be some valid arguments about putting the clocks forward (double summertime) and therefore having lighter afternoons during the winter months - in terms of increased tourism, safer roads etc - why not read the article yourself and see what you think?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/time-for-debate-dont-forget-the-clocks-go-back-overnight-but-should-they-8904258.html

Anyway, forward or back the ale was delivered to the following fine establishments:

 The Old Well, Barnard Castle
The Ship, Middlestone Village
The Half Moon, Darlington
The White Swan, Gilling West
Shakey Fest
The County, Aycliffe Village
Loco Number 1, Heighington Station
Voodoo Cafe, Darlington
The Stanwick, Aldbrough St John
Croft Hotel, Croft On Tees
Scotch Fest IV
Glaxo Sports and Social Club, Barnard Castle
The Four Alls, Ovington

 Enjoy!

WILLIAM THE CONKERER

No, I haven't got my history dates mixed up - it's not a homage to the Battle of Hastings but rather a celebration of conkers!

Health and safety, may prohibit kids playing conkers nowadays, or they have to wear so much protective gear they can barely elicit a proper swing.

 Why not pop along to wikipedia for all things conkering (health and safety concerns included):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conkers

The Conkerer was to be found at the following fine ale houses:

The Old Well, Barnard Castle
The Crown, Manfield
The Half Moon, Darlington
The Black Bull, Melsonby
The Bishop Blaize, Richmond
The Bridge, Whorlton
The Red Lion, Cotherstone
The Old Vic, Darlington
The Four Alls, Ovington
The Stanwick, Aldbrough St John
Croft Hotel, Croft on Tees
Scotch Fest IV

Enjoy!