Ventured out to the Shoulder of Mutton at Kirk Smeaton last night as I hadn't had the 'house' real ale from the Dark Horse Brewery for some time. Always very enjoyable.

.... also this week ....

Redgate Ruby Mild 4.4% (always enjoyable) and
Purity UBU 4.5% (a very enjoyable amber ale)

at the Boat Inn, Sprotborough.

The JW Lees Bitter 4.0% was quite decent in the Dale Bar part of the Ratcliffe outside Spotland last weekend (nearly forgot that one).

Another winner from the Brains stable sampled this week in the Tut was Bread of Heaven 4.0%.

Also sampled Brentwood Spooky Moon 3.8% in the Old Angel.

Visited the Woodman at Sunnyside (outskirts of Rotherham) on Thursday evening ...

Curry Night and a couple of enjoyable ales. Wychwood's Dirty Tackle 4.0% and Jennings Golden Host 4.5%.

What about tonight Gary , my beer in the Windmill in Thorne was a bit flat !

My beer this afternoon was certainly flat!

Did manage a pint of the ever reliable Rudgate Ruby Mild in the Tut though.

Leeds yesterday.

Best couple of pints were Reliance Best Bitter 3.8% brewed by the Acorn Brewery for the Reliance Bar and Adnams Gunhill 4.0% in Whitelocks.

Very sad to hear that three Pubs in this years GBG within a 20-mile radius of Doncaster have been reported as closed subsequently.

The Robin Hood, Pontefract
The Station Hotel, Darfield
The Mill of the Black Monk, Cundy Cross (this side of Barnsley).

The later being an extremely interesting building, originally a Water Mill built by monks in 1154.

Very sad news.

A couple of dates for the diary ...

JD Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival ... Wednesday 7 - Sunday 25 April 2010.

Doncaster CAMRA Beer Festival ... Thursday 8 - Saturday 10 April 2010.

Town last night ...

Had a pint of one of the most disappointing brews ever sampled ... Hilden Gael Rua (Irish Red) 4.3% in the Gatehouse. It smelled and tasted like something you might clean the toilet with. Awful - Didn't finish it!

Fortunately the next pint in the Old Angel was much better, Granny Wouldn't Like It from the Wolf Brewery 4.8%. A very enjoyable rich dark red ale.

It was commented by someone else on here historically that the choice in the Salutation is often unambitious. It certainly was last night. 4 ales available - Marstons Pedigree, Tetley Cask Ale, Black Sheep Best Bitter and Kelham Easy Rider. I settled for a pint of the Black Sheep and then quickly moved on.

Still no real ale in the Hallcross despite rumours of its impending arrival.

A real positive in the shape of the Yorkshire Grey's own labelled Best Bitter 4.0%. Not sure who it's brewed by but definitely the best drink of the night.

Thornbridge Halcyon 7.7% in the Red Lion last night. Hoppy with hints of tangerine - Malty yet bitter aftertaste. Very nice indeed.

Another new one to me was HB Clarks Hoopoe 4.2% (Gatehouse). A pleasant light brown ale.

Glentworth Donny-gal Dew 4.2% in the Horse and Jockey (obviously in readiness for today) - Not my cup of tea. As with many of the Glentworths, a little bland for my taste.

Just returned from three days in Whitby (a little longer than would have been my preference but that's another story).

Only sampled one new ale but it was a pretty decent one ... Black Dog Whitby Abbey Ale 3.8% in the Station Inn. They also had Courage Directors (as did the Board Inn).

The Granby Arms also had a very nice pint of Camerons Strongarm available.

You didn't go into the Jolly Sailors?
Shame on you.....