The Red Lion had another Derventio brew on offer on Saturday evening, this time King Arthur, another bitter at 4.3%. I'd take that over the Mabon but they're both very nice.

The Angel sprang a pleasing surprise in the shape of Saltaire's American Nut Brown 4.7%, nutty and malty, very much to my taste.

Did I really need two pints of Elland's 1872 Porter (6.5%) in the Gatehouse, no but I did enjoy them.

Two nice ales sampled in Bolton last night;

Nausta Lapland Red Ale 4.5% (Swedish, brewed for JDW at Wadworth Brewery) in the Spinning Mule
Bank Top Port O' Call 5.0% (a porter) in Barristers

A couple of unfamiliar but very nice ales tasted last night in the Prairie Schooner Taphouse, Urmston;

Sandstone Onyx Dragon, a porter at 4.0%
Wishbone Gumption, an excellent bitter at 4.5%

The Tut n Shive had a delicious Tawny Red Premium Ale last night from Goddards Brewery (Ryde, Isle of Wight). Fuggle Dee-Dum 4.8% was smoky & malty and I repeat, delicious.

The next Wetherspoons Real Ale festival kicks off this week with 50 beers available to sample.

The Gatehouse is off to a flier with three available (and sampled) today;
Caledonian Vienna Red 4.1%, an excellent Best Bitter with toffee and biscuit flavours.
Everards Yakima 4.0%, a ruby Best Bitter which mixes fruits and toffee flavours.
Acorn Barnsley Bitter 3.8%, often seen in Wetherspoons, a local Bitter.

Four more festival ales sampled last night, again in the Gatehouse;

Brouwerij 'T IJ Amsterdam Blonde 5.5%, a golden but Strong Ale from Holland brewed at Banks Brewery.
Devils Backbone Bravo Four Point 4.0%, another Golden Ale but more citrus-flavoured. This US ale is brewed for the festival at Caledonian Brewery.
Timothy Taylor Boltmaker 4.0%, an always enjoyable malty Best Bitter.
Marston's Revisionist Irish Peated Ale 4.3%, referred to as a Speciality Ale, this red ale was full of malt and smoked flavours.

Boltmaker when well kept is a superb pint. I do envy your taste of the 'dark' stuff. for me its a 'marmite' thing. However Mrs M does share your dark malt side taste.

Friday 11 March;

Red Lion;
Shepherd Neame Hog Island APA 4.8%, an American Pale Ale, golden and citrus flavoured.
Titanic Plum Porter 4.9%, this Porter is an old favourite.
Williams Black 4.2%, a sweet Mild with coffee, chocolate and liquorice flavours.

Angel;
Thunder Road Pacific 4.4%, an Australian Golden Ale brewed at Adnams Brewery.
O'Haras JDW Irish Red 4.5%, a lovely Best Bitter with Caramel and Coffee flavours brewed at Everards Brewery.

12 so far including 4 of the 5 International ales.

Saturday 12 March (lunchtime);

The Robert Shaw, Westhoughton;
Bath Cubic 4.5%, a bitter tasting Golden Ale.
Hydes Bruges 4.3%, a very nice Best Bitter which mixes toffees and spices.
Black Sheep Bighorn 4.5%, a Golden Ale described as an Anglo-American IPA.

Saturday 12 March (evening);

The Friar Penketh, Warrington;
Greene King Benjamin's 5.0%, referred to as a Speciality Ale, this is a sweet tasting ruby coloured ale.
Adnams Explorer 4.3%, a citrus-flavoured Golden Ale.

The Looking Glass, Warrington;
Daleside Spring Rye 4.8%, another referred to as a Speciality Ale, this is golden in colour and fruity in flavour.
Salopian Darwin's Origin 4.3%, a copper-coloured Best Bitter, nice and malty.

19 (of 50) sampled so far.

As we've said before, something for all tastes.

Sunday 13 March;

The Gatehouse, Doncaster;
Brains Phonics 4.1%, a Best Bitter which is reportedly brewed in conjunction with The Stereophonics. It was a little on the fruity side for my taste.

20 sampled.
(2/5ths of the way there).

Sounds like you have had a nice day.

Monday 14 March;

Doncaster;
The Red Lion - Vale Punk Is Dead 5.0%, a Premium Bitter brewed in the American Red IPA style.
The Gatehouse - Elgood's Lazy Dog 3.9%, a pale brown Bitter.