Last Wednesday in Warrington, highlights were ...

Coastal Brewery Cornish Porter 5.0% in the Lower Angel and Rudgate York Chocolate Stout 5.0% in the Looking Glass.

Yesterday after the Semi-final double-header ...

A couple in Hogarths Bolton, both from the pubs micro brewery. The Bruiser 4.0%, a best bitter which I've had before and The Stage Coach 4.2%, a pale ale which was new to me.

The ever-reliable Camerons Strongarm 4.0%, a ruby ale was next up in Ye Olde Man and Scythe, quickly followed by a pint of Bad To The Bone 4.0%, a locally brewed best bitter from the Bank Top Brewery sampled in Barristers.

As a trip was planned to the award-winning Royal Balti House at Farnworth, we de-camped via taxi to the Freemasons Arms (Farnworth) for a quick pre-curry beer. Reedley Hallows New Zealand pale ale 4.5% was the single option but was nice enough. The curry didn't disappoint

Cairngorm Wildcat 5.1%, was a welcome treat in the Gatehouse, Doncaster yesterday.

Acorn Barnsley Bitter 3.8% in the Little Plough v Stancill Barnsley Bitter 3.8% in the Corner Pin. Wouldn't say no to either, but 'advantage' Stancill .

The Rev. James is still on good form in the Pin too.

I am still in the Palladium and supping a pint that Gary would dislike ... what type of beer is it?
Its name is Pacifica.

Saltaire brewery IPA at 5.5%

Exmoor brews featured yesterday with their strong ale Stag 5.2%, partaken of in the Red Lion, Doncaster and their Best Bitter Fox, 4.2% sampled in the Corner Pin.

If I remember correctly, I've only previously had three ales from this Somerset brewery, the other being Beast (a strong dark ale).

Jennings Sneck Lifter 5.1%, also on good form in the Pin.

Tornado Jet RAF 100 an English bitter at 4.5% brewed by Milestone sampled in The Coliseum Picture Theatre at Cleggy. Very nice indeed. Mrs M had a couple of Cuban storms (Rum)

A couple of excellent beers in the Lower Angel, Warrington yesterday. An old favourite in Brains SA 4.2% and a new one to me, Derwent Brewery Marshall Port Stout 5.2%.

Later, I was presented with a bottle of Batemans Mocha 6.0% to accompany my evening meal, both absolutely delicious

Nothing so grand the lovely lady bought it for me

Bridgehouse Porter 4.5% in the Red Lion, Doncaster this afternoon was very nice, a dark ruby ale with toffee and malt flavours.

Welbeck Abbey Portland Black 4.5% in the Tut n Shive wasn't so nice, which was highlighted all the more when the Corner Pin had the same drink available and the quality was so obvious by comparison.

Tried a couple of different ales post-match yesterday in the Corner Pin ...

St Austell Tribute, a Cornish pale ale 4.2%, which I have sampled before and Welbeck Abbey Seth's Hillbilly Red Rye 4.5% which I hadn't.