Friday was a visit to Masham, Theakstons White Bear Hotel and the Black Sheep Brewery visitor centre. Theakstons Best Bitter in the former and the ever-reliable Black Sheep Ale in the latter.

Later visited Hawes which has one Black Sheep and two Theakston pubs on the same road virtually next door to each other. IIRC they would be 'three in a row' but for an Indian Restaurant between two of them (sounds like a cracking night out

). Sampled the Black Sheep Special Ale 4.4% in the Fountain Inn (the Black Sheep house) which was very nice.

Also;
Moorhouses Premier Bitter 3.7% in the Maypole Inn at Long Preston and
Roosters Yankee 4.3% in the Hunters Inn, Pool in Wharfedale.

Hoping to lead my friends to Hop & Vine, Wellington and Lamp in Hull tonight. If I manage it I'll report on any great ales I manage to sample.

And what cheeses did you try in Hawes, Wanderer. I'm sensing a new thread coming on - More tales of real cheese.

Saw the cheese shops but as much as I am a BIG fan of cheese I managed to restrict myself to just Coverdale and Wensleydale with Chilli

Back to Real Ale ...

Visited the Navigation at Cosgrove (Northamptonshire) yesterday evening and sampled three ales;

Morland Original
GK London Glory
and my favourite of the three, Herok & Howell Festival Ale.

Had a couple of pints of Copper Dragon Conquerer 3.6% in Hop & Vine last night, followed by a Wellington Brewery 1st Duke 3.7% in Wellington, both excellent.

Called in at The Rum Runner in Retford yesterday. Loved how its done out, nice and light with the addition of a well stocked reading section that leads onto a really good court yard with part of it given up to a Bric a Brac shop. Five on the handpump includng Batemans XB (compulsory drinking for me, the pub is a Batemans one) Darks Stars American Pale Ale, how hoppy is that

.

Some highlights from last weekend's Bedfordshire / Northamptonshire jaunt ...

Wells Eagle 3.6% a very quaffable IPA in the Duke at Kempston, Beds.

Shepherd Neame Canterbury Jack 3.5% in the Green Man at Eversholt, Beds (a very nice pub in a lovely village - well worth a visit).

Oakham Ales Bishops Farewell 4.6% in the Ship at Oundle, Northants.

Cask Corner had the interestingly named I'm The Only Beer In The Village 4.3% (North Yorkshire Brewing Company) available on Thursday evening. Sadly, the amusing name was the best thing about the brew which put simply was bland in the extreme.

The Adnams Gunhill 4.0% in the Old Angel was much more palatable.

Brewsters Rutterkin 4.6% seems to be a favourite in the local 'Spoons at the moment so I thought I'd give it a whirl in the Gatehouse but for me the citrus flavours were just a tad overpowering.

Evening concluded with Tetley Midsummer Madness 3.8% in the Tut.

I thought Moonlight was going to post something about going to the Sal before the Workington match ... it being the last league home game.
But it might not be our last home game ...... so who knows?
Anyway he hasn't...

We should definitely do that if we get a home play-off game.