Just had the first tasting from the first barrel of Ilkley Brewery Lotus IPA in my local The Wheatley, Ben Rhydding. 5.6%, absolutely magnificent. If anything, better than their award winning Mary Jane.

Sampled a couple more from the JDW's festival on Sunday evening ...

The Gatehouse had available the Sri Lankan brew 'Dark' referred to over here as Lion Stout 5.0%. Very nice, all the good things I would expect from a decent stout, roasted malts, chocolate, coffee and enough but not too much liquorice.

In the Red Lion I sampled JW Lees Chocoholic. I feared at 3.6% that it might be a little on the bland side but I need not have worried it was full of flavour and quite quaffable.

Did York again yesterday ...

The Pivni World Freehouse is now more Brew Dog and less Thornbridge. They had amongst others the Brewdog Edge which I tried as part of JDW's festival and liked so I had it again and the powerful Brewdog Hardcore IPA 9.0% ... it would have been rude not to.

Also sampled ...
Leeds Gathering Storm 4.4%, a stout, in the Guy Fawkes Inn
York Constantine 3.9%, a bitter, in the Three Legged Mare and
Nottingham Centurion ND 4.9%, a dark ale, in the Maltings.

Does the hardcore go down all right, or is it one that goes down in chunks?

question :are you South Yorkshire lot simply a bunch of beer swillers or do any of you appreciate the pleasure of fine red wines ?

Had the classic Timothy Taylors Landlord at The Woolpack in Esholt (of Emmerdale fame) on Saturday. Just like Mr.Wilkes used to pull

No, it went down alright although clearly, I didn't guzzle it.

... you're probably right.

Mr Wilkes used to pull Ephram Monks in the Woolpack.

Just been tipped off about this thread.

I think I'll be back for a much closer look when I get a few more mins...

Seen the Toad Brewey Bar opens on match days for the Rovers; wonder what sort of numbers they want to justify opening up on Dons matchdays???