6TownsMart

@6townsmart

Cyclist, beerlover. Stoke & Leeds

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Bluesky

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6TownsMart@6townsmart· 19d

Yes, quite ornate too. You wouldn't think it from the outside which is fairly austere (you could almost walk past without noticing it) but it's always really busy and cask beer quality is superb

6TownsMart@6townsmart· 19d

A trip out to The superb Blue Mugge in beautiful Leek (nr Buxton, The Potteries & Macclesfied). The pub is celebrating 50yrs under the same family ownership. Bass excellent as ever + Salopian Runaway Summer Pale to follow. An authentic, community backstreet pub unchanged by time

Nicholson war memorial in leek, Staffordshire moorlands. A tall Portland stone tower with a clock face at the top and floral displays at the bottom

Blue mugge pub sign. A twin handled tankard on a sky blue background. Mounted on brick

A pint of Bass on a table in the Churchill room with a portrait of Churchill on the wall behind it and William Morris wallpaper

Upholstered seating in the lounge area of the blue mugge with queen victoria portraits on the wall. Red patterned carpet. A wide angled photo with symetry

6TownsMart@6townsmart· 24d

Long enough since I last rode Pott Shrigley Brickworks (nr Macclesfield) to forget how bad it is. Down more fun than up. A lovely stop off at superb Cotton Tree, Bollington on the way back. Landlady spotted I was a cyclist & asked for my bottles to put ice & water in. Great views today

A strava map showing the sharp climb up Pott Shrigley brickworks

A strava map of a ride around Macclesfield and bollington

A two storey stone pub called the cotton tree

A view of the upper peak district towards Whaley bridge and Furness vale

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jul 5

Sublime isn't it? It had gone this afternoon at The Market Cat so I had a Zapato which I don't see very often but it was on at The Bankers Cat Leeds.

Half a Zapato with the handpump behind it in the market cat York

The wooden bar of the bankers cat Leeds with down lighting illuminating it

Half a Thornbridge Union on the bar with the handpump behind it

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jul 5

Excellent afternoon in York, slightly comprised by a moment of reflection walking past yet another closed pub (obviously due to its unviable location) with a touching, heartfelt, typically Yorkshire tribute that the great man would have appreciated smeared into the dirty window 'he has gone....'

Exterior view of the York arms near York cathedral

He has gone smeared into the window of a pub in york

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jul 5

The Golden Slipper, Goodramgate, York justifiably busy. Friendly welcome from the landlord. Daleside Bitter really suits the wood which gives it depth. Acorn Old Moor Porter excellent as always

Exterior view of The Golden Slipper. Three storey rendered building overhanging the street with a more traditional red brick exterior next to it

A pint of acorn Old Moor Porter with the handpump next to it. Also daleside Bitter which is from wooden cask

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jul 5

This kirkstall Virtuous LA at The historic multi roomed Swan Inn York isn't bad at all. The Swan / Slip beer festival is scheduled in for 28-30th August Bank Holiday

A glass of virtuous 0.5% low alcohol beer on the bar

A chalkboard promoting the swan beer festival on the late august bank holiday

A corner view of the swan inn in freshly painted off white

A view of the corridor and bar and an open door to a side room

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jul 4

Roosters Brewery Suds with Buds festival was excellent but time for a pub: Blind Jacks Knaresborough has a v tidy line up. Bass is almost permanent but I opted for superb Burning Sky Plateau. Thornbridge Jaipur Union has just come on & they have Augustiner too. A pub that deserves it accolades

Exterior view of three storey blind jacks brick pub with sets in front and blurred out people sitting outside

A foaming pint of burning sky plateau with the handpump behind it

Four handpumps on display including Thornbridge union jaipur

A large ceramic Augustiner brau tap on the var

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jul 3

Always a highlight of the year. Merchant Adventurers Charity Beer Festival, York. In a beautiful hunting lodge style setting. First beer is a North Riding US session IPA - Excellent as usual (+ consumption is an act of philanthropy)

A view above the entrance showing merchants hall in gilded relief lettering and a coat of arms

A long bar with timbered beams above it and casks on a stillage and hand pumps

A half of North Riding us IPA with the handpump behind it.

Exterior view of merchants hall. Tudor upper floor. Black timber on mustard coloured background. Brick ground floor. Roses in the garden and canopies and tables. Also a flag pole

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 27

A pint of superb Whim Flowerpower at The Junction, Stretton before the train home. I know I've just been to Leeds but I'm getting subtle General Wade geometric beer bunker vibes

A pint of whim Flowerpower with the handpump behind it

Exterior view of the junction Stretton. Hexagonal from the photographers perspective

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 27

Is there any better way to pay tribute to Burton on Trent's proud brewing heritage than to drink a pint of superb Harvey's Sussex Best in The Roebuck Inn, former the Ind Coope Brewery tap. (Note the hand in the window)

A view of the former Ind Coope Brewery through the window of the roebuck inn

An external view of the roebuck. It's three storeys high, top two floors are rendered, bottom floor is panelled in mid green. Corner entrance

A pint of Harvey's Sussex best with the handpump behind it

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 27

It's a bit of a dog's leg train journey home but it offers the opportunity of a stop off in our historic brewing capital Burton on Trent and a visit to The Burton Bridge Inn to enjoy a classic summer beer - P2 Czars Imperial Stout: warming with molasses, raisins & coffee notes. Summer in a glass.

A half of P2 stout with the handpump behind it. Next to it is a handpump for top dog stout

Exterior view of three storey brick Burton bridge inn with adjoining buildings one of which has a coaching arch

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 27

So, my final ever beer (& visit) to Tapped Leeds will be a collaboration from two of my favourite breweries: Oakham / Thornbridge Hoppy Pale (Boar Lane and City Square must've looked superb before the 60's wrecking ball)

A notice announcing the closure of Tapped Leeds

Keg tanks and signs indicating the cask beer list

Exterior view of tapped Leeds with metallic panelling and windows

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 26

Hepworth & Idle cricket club beerfest was excellent (Wishbone Brewery Tiller Pin available from Wood) but finally, after cycling past a few times a visit to Idle Working Mens Club (my spiritual homeland) for Moorhouses Blonde Witch ✅

A wooden cask of wishbone brewery Tiller pin on a rack

A pint of Moorhouses Blonde Witch with the handpump behind it

Walk mounted exterior Idle working men's club box light outside the club

An exterior photo of idle working men's club. Two storey and a central doorway. Almost Flemish in the way the gable is designed

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 26

It's only taken a couple of decades but I've finally upped my Shipley game to the extent it's better to hold on a few minutes for a train arriving in platform 2 for a shortened route to The Fox for superb Craven Brew Co Dark Tranquility

Half a craven dark tranquility with the handpump behind it

Exterior view of three storey high the fox inn bar

A train about to depart from Shipley station. Photo taken from footbridge

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 26

About an hour out of Leeds on the Wetherby bus (dad would have got a train). The Windmill Inn, Linton village (Theakstons beers) perfect to escape city heat & featured in The 60's guide to W Riding free houses - previously a barn / farm

Exterior view of the two storey stone pub with hanging baskets

A pint of Theakstons light foot and the handpump behind it

A tree growing out of the side of the pub with tables and chairs underneath

An excerpt from a 60's pub guide describing the pubs history as a farm building

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 25

On the basis that I've only visited Lewes twice in 30years and the train fare is a second mortgage, superb Harvey's XX Dark Mild at Kirkstall Brewery's taproom is too good an opportunity to pass on

Exterior view of Kirkstall brewery Leeds. Blurred out people sitting outside. Coloured glass panelled exterior with large KIRKSTALL BREWERY letter signage mounted top left

A pint of Harvey's XX mild with the handpump behind it. The glass has three swords on it

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 25

Out to Leeds 'burbs for a good beer garden accompanied by a classic summer beer (rich full bodied Kirkstall Brewery Black Band Porter obviously) at friendly, welcoming The Bridge Inn.

Kirkstall bridge inn exterior shot. Two storey high. Hanging baskets. Dormer windows. Stone exterior but partially painted. A high mounted clock above the side gates

Half a Kirkstall Brewery black band porter with the handpump behind it

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 25

A right faff heading to Leeds by train today (understandably) but enough time for a cool, well conditioned pint of Bristol Beer Factory Independence in The Sportsman, Huddersfield (home of THE true King of the North). Nice DD posters...

Exterior view of two storey corner stone pub the sportsman. Two tall chimney stacks and a corner plus central entrance

A partially drunk pint showing lacings on the glass. The handpump with the Bristol beer factory Independence pump clip on it is behind

Two tables with double diamond posters on display behind it

A statue of Harold Wilson outside Huddersfield station

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 21

That's on at my local (The Boat & Horses, Newcastle under Lyme)

Pump clip of White Rat Amity Victorian Mild collaboration beer

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 21

Less than a fiver for a pint of Marble Extra Special at The Gresley Arms Alsagers Bank isn't bad at all. Malty, full bodied with marmalade notes. Had the bar to myself (which is understandable given their beer garden offers views of Wales, Warrington, Runcorn etc........)

Two storey pub in light grey rendering with a central arched entrance

A pale blue cloudy sky looking towards the Welsh mountains

A mid blue sky looking across fields towards Warrington, St Helens and Runcorn

An empty bar with the handpumps and bar to the right and a window in the background

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 21

Two buses and over an hour to get to Tudor style The Butchers Arms in Audley Village towards The Staffs / Cheshire border but Holden's Golden Glow is on the bar. A beer I rarely see. Quality is excellent. Well worth the journey

Tudor style pub. Ground floor brick. Upper floor is Tudor style. Large sloping tiled roof. Union flag and ensign flies outside. A tree to the right

A pint of golden glow with the handpump behind it

A view facing the bar with stools and a tiled floor. Entrance to the left

Upholster benches and stools and table with a large window behind it

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 14

Wish I'd gone out today, a little bit cooler. Yesterday was a bit too warm with constant headwinds. Also, cycling through BeerTown when on the mandatory post Belgium dry period wasn't ideal

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 7

I quite like the Ind Coope design. They uncovered a partial sign at The Smithfield Uttoxeter about 5 years ago but its covered up again now

An old ind coope painted pub sign partially uncovered on the wall of a pub

A close up of the painted ind coope pub sign

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 6

Excellent. Enough time for the Olde Cottage, Chester before the train. Bass was available but I don't see Wye Valley HPA very often so opted for that. A lovely pint of well conditioned cask ale and as good as you will ever get.

An exterior view of the olde cottage pub. Located on a corner. Three storey high. Stone ground floor and mock Tudor on the other floors. Cobbles to the right are wet because it's just rained and the skies above are still grey.

A pint of Wye Valley HPA and the handpump behind it. A golden beer freshly poured just clearing

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 6

The couple of hours at Chester beerfestival was excellent but so too are the pubs / bars afterwards including Telford's Warehouse for a pint of Weetwood Cheshire Cat

A photo of Telford's Warehouse situated on the canal with its full reflection in the canal basin. There are apartments to its left and a canal boat moored to the right

An interior view of the bar with bare brick walls and an arch leading to another area of the bar. There's a canalside crane situated to the left. Bare wood tables and the bar to the fight

A pint of Weetwood Cheshire Cat and the handpump behind it

Close up view of Telford's Warehouse showing how it's partially over the canal. A brick warehouse with glass frontage

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 6

Population of W Yorks CA now 2.4 million & they've completely humiliated Brabin over cancellation of HS2 Eastern leg & the tram. The closest Leeds gets to a tram system is when the tarmac wears on Vicar Lane. I wonder what her threshold for switching to the Greens / leaving Labour is?

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 6

A visit to The Mount Inn, Chester before the festival. Nice outlook onto The Dee from its beer garden. Always a friendly welcome from staff & the locals. Hyde's Lowry V good value too

A wide angle photo of the mount inn pub. Predominantly a two storey mid blue building. Blue skies

A view of the Dee from the pub beer garden with a pleasure boat in view. The river banks are heavily foliaged

A pint of Hyde's Lowry with the handpump behind it

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 6

I'm at the Boughton side of town so it makes sense to do the superbly refurbished Jolly Gardeners on Christelton Rd before the beerfest (town hall). A v enjoyable half of Weetwood Best (Ginger Monkey coffee roasters next door for the win) inspirecheshire.co.uk/breathing-ne...

A pub with a coffee shop next to it. Three storey high in fake Tudor style. Roadside location. Central doorway. Part of the ground floor is stone

Half a Weetwood Best with the handpump next to it

Upholstered seating, tables and stools and wood panelled wall. Leaded window

A wider perspective of the room which also shows the ceiling beams and long upholstered seats which are continuous along two sides of the room

6TownsMart@6townsmart· Jun 2

Early arrival at Staminee de Garre, Bruges pays off if you want a seat to enjoy the superb house tripel (Brouwerij van Steenberge)