Highlights of an afternoon in York yesterday ...

Kodiak Colada 6.1%, in the Last Drop Inn, pours black with a biege head. Subtle coconut aroma. Flavours, tropical fruit and coconut are subtle too. Despite the ABV, this is very drinkable.
The Last Drop Inn, one of three pubs previously owned by York Brewery in the City centre is now owned (as the Brewery is) by Black Sheep. York Brewery ales are still served. One of the three pubs, the Yorkshire Terrier is now closed.

Cromarty Pibroch 7.0%, in Pivni, a Scottish ale which pours dark brown. Bready malts, burnt toffee, caramel, dark fruits plus a hint of spice. Absolutely wonderful!
Pivni is a three storey timber framed building and one of my favourite alehouses in York. As well as cask ales, craft beers, bottled beers and ciders are available. Bar snacks (local pork pies) are also available.

Timothy Taylor Ram Tam 4.3%, in the York Tap, my favourite TT brew, roasted malts, toffee and winter fruits. Excellent.
York Tap is a must visit for fans of cask ale. Generally there are 18 on offer, with something for all tastes. The building is the former York station tea rooms.

Finally found it and am enjoying it whilst watching Warrington v St Helens.

£1 per bottle in B&M.

Highlights from Coventry on Saturday evening ...

Gatehouse Tavern: A proper real ale pub with half a dozen real ales and a grassed beer garden (reputedly the only one in the City Centre). The beer sampled was a local brew, Church End Grave Digger's Ale 3.8%. Pours clear brown with a red tint. Some malt, coffee, cocoa and a little liquorice. A very pleasant mild.

Town Wall Tavern: A traditional boozer, again with half a dozen ales. Unusual in that it has a small snug at the front called the Donkey Box. Beers sampled were all familiar ones, Purity UBU, Brains The Rev. James and Theakston Best Bitter. We stayed a while as the Jukebox was available

A couple of noteworthy ales in Doncaster on Monday evening ...

The Salutation: Fuggle Bunny (Chapter 4) 24 Carrot 6.0%, a golden coloured strong IPA with a floral and citrus aroma. Flavours are similar with some malt, spice and dark fruits. I enjoyed this.

The (Little) Plough: Courage Directors 4.8%, an old favourite, malty & fruity and full of flavour. Now brewed by Eagle Brewery, Bedford (the former Charles Wells brewery).

Highlights from Leeds on Tuesday afternoon (pre-Eagles concert) ...

Scarbrough Hotel (see earlier on this page): Little Critters Sleepy Badger 4.5%, a smokey oatmeal stout with coffee and honey influences. Always enjoyable.

Head of Steam (part of the Cameron's / Head of Steam chain in what at one time was Spencer's. Usually 8 or 9 real ales on offer): Brew York Tonkoko 4.3%, a Bounty in a glass (see page 75).

Becketts Bank (popular Wetherspoons between the railway station and the Headrow): Leeds Midnight Bell 4.8%, this really is one of my favourites, a stunning premium dark mild. Roasted malts, biscuits, chocolate, fruit & nuts. Wonderful!

Foley Taphouse (formerly Mr Foleys and situated on the Headrow, this is technically a Black Sheep house but features more beers from the recently acquired York Brewery): Pentrich Brewing Co. Glass Half Empty 5.0%, a dark milk stout. Roasted malts, coffee and lactose combine. Quite nice.

The Victoria Hotel (or to give it it's full title, the Victoria Family & Commercial Hotel, is a Grade 2 listed building with a Victorian interior, located near to the Town Hall. 5 real ales are generally available and the food is decent too!): Ridgeside Brewing Co. Milky Joe 5.6%, A very nice Coffee Stout with a coffee aroma and chocolate, coffee, demerara and lactose flavours.

O/T but I hope Gary that you were on the last race winner at Chester today.

City Wanderer ... oh yes

Great ride by the young lad, looked destined for no better than third a furlong out.

Thursday 4 July ... Leeds (again) ...

Kirkstall Black Band Porter 5.5 %, in Slocken.
An excellent porter which pours dark brown and is packed with a multitude of flavours including dark roasted malts, chocolate, caramel, toffee and vanilla.
Slocken has a wooden floor and bare brick walls with brewery and alcohol memorabilia displayed. 3 cask ales were available. Upstairs is a music venue.

Bingley Lock Keeper 5.7%, in the Duck & Drake.
A dark brown porter with a cocoa aroma. Lightly roasted malts, cocoa, vanilla and milk chocolate combine to make this a very nice drink.
The Duck & Drake is a Victorian street corner pub with wooden floors and wall murals featuring blues & rock legends. The pub holds regular music events and generally has 15 cask ales available.

Also popped in the Leeds Brewery Tap for a pint of Midnight Bell (see previous page for review of ale and pub).

Saturday 6 July ... Warrington ...

Lymestone Stone The Crows 5.4%, in the Lower Angel.
A strong ale which pours dark brown with a red hue. Has a faint toasty aroma and chocolate, caramel and burnt toffee flavours. Very nice.

Big Bog Quagmire 6.0%, in the Looking Glass.
A traditional or old strong ale. Pours clear brown, has no discernible aroma but a sweet taste flavoured by caramel and toffee. Quite potent.

Sunday 7 July ... Doncaster ...

A few new ones ...

Hilltop Stout 4.7%, in the Queens.
Pours black with a coffee aroma. Light flavourings of chocolate, coffee and dark fruit. Pleasant enough.

Great Newsome Old Fergie 4.4%, in the Marketplace Alehouse & Deli.
This brown ale pours dark brown and has a grassy aroma. Taste is roasted malts, chocolate, biscuit and toffee. Again, pleasant enough.

Jolly Boys Jolly Blonde 4.0%, in the White Swan.
Pours clear blonde, has an aroma of citrus hops. A light maltiness is complimented with caramel and citrus. The sweetness leads to a dry finish. Better than I anticipated.

In the Little Plough, Doncaster this weekend ...

Theakston Shot In The Dark 4.2%, a 'black schwarzbier' which pours clear brown. Malty, smokey and fruity. Very nice!

In the Lower Angel yesterday ...

Blackedge Brewing Co Angry Ginger Bread Man 6.0%, a stout which pours black and has a light gingerbread aroma. Taste is roasted malts, caramel, chocolate and gingerbread. Excellent, but probably only in moderation.

Don't normally post on this thread ... my doctor may be viewing.
However, in the White Horse Inn at Bempton and supping Plum Porter by Titanic, which chimes in at 4.9%.
Gloriously fruity ...like damson jam.

Recently in the Little Plough, Doncaster ...

Rooster's Scrambler 4.0%, a watermelon pale ale. Pours slightly hazy golden with an understated melon aroma. Taste is melon, biscuit and some malt. Quite pleasant during last week's hot weather.

Last week in the Lower Angel, Warrington ...

Tiny Rebel Assault Trifle 4.8%, pours hazy pink / orange. Aroma, raspberry and peach. Creamy and packed full of various fruits. Sweet and delicious.