250 Mon 20/11/17: Prague Beer Museum, Prague

Beer: Bernard nefiltrovaný ležák 12°, Bernard tmavý ležák 12°

We’ve just been to the Namesti Miru Christmas Market (the first of the festive season in Prague). I’ve bought my niece a pencil case - with a cat on it - and spent considerably more on a belt for myself; selfish, but then I am designated wicked uncle.

Steph has a second wind – so we’re out for a bit instead of going back to the apartment. The PBM seems an odd institution. Far more pub than museum – but stocking loads of different Czech beers. We’ve not had a Bernard this trip, so I have one here. Very nice too.

The bar is too dark, and a little bit dingy, and the incessant blues soundtrack is a bit much. That all said, it’s nice and quiet – Monday night empty.

I have the dark Bernard for the second pint – my erstwhile favourite – which I now find too sweet. That said, and although I wouldn’t want too many in one sitting, it’s nice enough. Apologies, this all seems like déjà vu: I appear to be reacquainted with Bernard dark every few months – and every time my notes appear surprised that I still like it (in moderation).

254 Wed 22/11/17: The White House, Luton

Beer: Titanic Plum Porter 4.9%

Hoorah - back in Luton. After fruitless visit to gym (forgot shorts and/or t-shirt), I’m back into the JDWWH, and Titanic Plum Porter.

On returning from foreign climes my notes tend to take on the tone Mr Benn was wont to employ when finding himself, post adventure, back in Festive Road: they’ll suggest at contentment at being back at home and then get sentimental over a souvenir found in my pocket. In this case, back in Luton, the Polish family to my right are chatting away quite happily – while the group of lads over the way are talking football, generally genially but swearing away oblivious to the families sat around them.

And, from my pocket, a token procured from U Pinkasů in the centre of Prague: made up to resemble a 1 Kreuzer coin, dated 1843 – the year the pub opened (presumably); and not, as would’ve been handier at the bar back in Blighty, a £2 coin.

The White House has gone into Christmas overkill mode already, with more than a month to go.

Beer is excellent – and excellent without being Pilsner Urquell, which is lovely.

28 Sat 8/4/17: Wigmore Arms, Luton

Beer: Charles Wells Bombardier 4.1%

On the eve of our Easter holiday to Spain (Malaga/Seville/Madrid) Steph and I pop into the Wigmore for some last “decent beer” and to watch the Grand National. Steph has a tip, from her Dad, on the basis that it name checks her great uncle: “One for Arthur”. I’ve put £2.50 each way on for Steph, and £3 on the nose for me. The horse isn’t mentioned at all for most of the race (with our grumbling that they shouldn’t take bets on non-runners) then… only goes and wins. The first time I’ve ever backed a Grand National winner. We get around £45 each – which is better than a kick in the teeth.

There’s clearly some others in the pub who have won too.



Rockabilly fellow asks his mate, whose blue overalls are covered in paint, whether fifth place pays on an each way bet. He doesn’t think so (and neither do we… not that we’re asked). That’s the rockabilly fellow seen in the picture – saluting his missus on the way to the bookies to collect on a better placed bet.

Rockabilly fellow's mate, I’d suggest, doesn’t work in an office.

191 Wed 4/10/17: Churreria Santa Faz, Alicante

Beer: Alhambra 5%

Our favourite Alicante bar; no frills, very clean but run down at the same time. Most customers choose to sit outside, leaving ample room at the bar – and a large inside dining area which we’ve never seen populated. The Alhambra beer is a nice change.

No spontaneous dissolving into tears from the bar staff on this visit, but the night is young. We’re off to meet Carmen in a half hour; my old friend from uni’ is an Alicante resident, and likely wouldn’t dream of coming anywhere as untrendy as Santa Faz.

135 Fri 4/8/17: The Carpenters Arms, Cravells Road, Harpenden

Beer: Caledonian Edinburgh Castle 4.1%

It’s quite a walk (twenty mins or so… probably less) from Harpenden station to The Carpenters Arms. It’s been refurbished since my last visit and I'm not so sure I like it so much. Unless I’m mistaken, there used to be a collection of toy cars in a cabinet on the wall. That’s gone.

The beer is still fine, and we’re lucky enough to have a seat – but I’m not sure I like all the fairy lights and that…

So, we discuss which the best S&G album is. I contend that it isn’t SoS – but (PS’sSB out on a technicality) WM3am or (even allowing for Baby Driver) BoTW. Me brother sticks to his opinion that it’s Sounds’.

257b Thu 7/12/17: The Hat Factory. 65 - 67 Bute Street, Luton

Beer: Maltsmiths American Style Pale Ale 4.6%

The Lee Nelson powered Utter! spoken word night, though sadly Lee was unable to attend this evening. Stand in host, Matt Panesh is an excellent fellow, whose poetry is pleasingly offensive and whose MC skills meant the event passed off very well. Some charming people, both performing and in the audience.

The venue's a bit of a state these days. It always was. Such a fantastic space, ruined. It's closing for a refurb next year, where all it needs is a little love and attention. So much weird practice, from operating the bar in a different venue to the performance which - you guessed it, boasts a bar - to the overstaffed box office and welcome area upstairs. It's a community space which has alienated at least part of the community - though it should be said that everyone working there, is an absolute pleasure.

255 Wed 22/11/17: The Jolly Topers, Luton

Beer: Hardy & Hansons Rocking Rudolph 4.2%

I don’t know what people see in this pub, but see it they most certainly do; it’s an apparently humdrum Wednesday early evening, and the place is packed: lots of families with kids and DOGS. Dogs are great in pubs – they bring people together. Kids are fascinated by (other peoples’) dogs; owners and parents are compliant in a contract of trust (the kids won’t overly antagonise the dog – and the dog won’t bite the face off the kid), and relationships are made and maintained as a result. This is a fantastic community boozer… I don’t love it.

It’s a Baltistan post-order/pre-pickup visit so I sit, on my own. Nearby sits Gareth Owen (unlike me, he has company). He’s been Luton News football photographer for donkeys years… he may not be a fantastic photographer – I love his photography.

Are you one of those people who wish it could be Christmas everyday? Come to a pub like this anytime from November to January. The beer is perfectly acceptable, nothing special. What do you people see in this place?!

Pictures, my notes suggest, aren’t that good… I’ve had a little look, my notes look to be accurate.

268 Sat 23/12/17: The Black Horse, Luton

Beer: Green Jack Brewing Co Gone Fishing ESB 5.5%

The weakest beer at the BH pre-match this Saturday is a 4.6% brew. That’s a bit much… but, on occasion, nothing down the Brickies is over 4%. I’m leaning towards a nice, brown, 4.2%er if poss these days; but I’m not really complaining with conviction – two (and ideally three) pints of comparatively strong beer before the match is ok by me.

They’re setting down the annual BH panto (Cinderella, which was last night) which means the seating area on the stage isn’t available at first but, once we’re given the green light, we’re straight over there. Chris and the Page boys are off (though not together) for Christmas, so our numbers are a little depleted. Still, the Harper bros are in – and Steve has bought my MCCC bumph pack – hinting at sunnier summer days at Lord’s to come.

179 Sun 1/10/17: Pikoteo, Benidorm

Beer: Mahou 5%

We kind of know where we’re going, Steph and I; but we do get to places we probably wouldn’t consider when we’re with company. Pikoteo is a very small Old Town backstreet tapas bar – specialising in the free (customer selected) tapas per drink. It’s a good system. My choice is for a small (but fat) chorizo sausage in a little bun. Very nice too.

This place is very understated and small, but good for that. There’s no wall to wall La Liga in this class of establishment – which would be perfectly fine other than the alternative entertainment is the ubiquitous little sound system, which in this place, is blasting out some really obscure (but extremely dull) English 60s pop music. I don’t recognise any of it, and could have done without.

Not that, had Itchycoo Park come on, I’d necessarily have been delighted.

246 Sun 19/11/17: Konvict, Prague

Beer: Pilsner Urquell 4.4%

A hop over the way from U Medvícků to Konvikt – where you’ll always get a seat. Is this beer unfiltered Urquell too? Surely Urquell fails to be urquell (original) if they keep expanding the range. My notes labour this point, again… again, the beer is very nice.

Easyjet flights up to next Autumn are out – so talk is of where we’ll go in 2018 (and what variations of Spain and Czech we can think up).

65 Sun 16/4/17: The Meeting Point, Seville

Beer: Cruzcampo 5%

We’d planned to take in the atmosphere outside the first bullfight of the year in Arenal – but since yesterday there’s also the theory that Arenal has it in for us, as we’re generally anti-bullfighting, so we need to get back there. We even go to the shop where the accident happened – they’ve fitted their marble step with anti-slip tape (we’d been encouraged via texts/messages from back home to sue but, like bullfighters, we’re disdainful of ambulance chasers).

Our first stop is the generally deserted (one-time Rick Stein patronised) market. We manage to get hawked into a very basic market bar and served up Cruzcampo. Unlike the other (trendier) markets in the area, everything is at service counter level here (or at least at this bar). There are no high stools at the bar, and it misses out as a result. We’re sat on wobbly chairs at a wobbly table wondering where to wander to next…

171a Wed 27/9/17: The Railway Tavern, Dalston, London

Beer: Adnams Mosaic 4.1%, Five Points Railway Porter 4.8%

Solo visit. Reflecting on the walk from Highbury and Islington station that many pubs in the area have been closed but signs and external signs and furniture are preserved. Also spent a thought for Grant Hart, RIP, and popped some Husker Du on my mp3 player.

In the pub, a middle aged, well to do woman was busy swearing about a "minor breakdown". This sounded like a relationship breakdown, but turned out that she was cock-a-hoop about the success of her kitchen restaurant. Gratuitous swearing; "If you told me I'd be doing 150 covers a year ago, I wouldn't have fucking believed you". People still have dreams. This lady's - of feeding people - were coming true. She was accompanied by two work colleagues, who managed her well enough, but who also swore too much.

287 Sat 20/1/18: The Black Horse, Luton

Beer: Tring Colley's Dog 5.2%

Dreary January afternoon. The pub is reasonably quiet – but there’s a good turnout from our lot.

The talk is how we all got on at/coming back from Newcastle. The long drive back after the match seems like a nightmare scenario to me – but apparently it was ok.

John has some constructive criticism about this blog: apparently it needs more about the pubs in question, and less about ME. He’s quite right, of course, but this is all subjective stuff – and shouldn’t claim to be anything but. Should it?

Anyway, I’m very cold. It’s very cold outside. I’ve decided to come out having opted for several (though not enough) layers instead of a coat. Me me me.

The pub décor is greens and blacks and purples.

What, I offer up as a point of discussion, is the zenith and nadir of Mike Meyers’ career? I’d suggest Wayne’s World and Goldmember.

Last goalscorer draw goes round.

Steve H has turned up wearing odd gloves.

221 Tue 14/11/17: V Ruthardce, Kutná Hora

Beer: Pilsner Urquell 4.4%

Kutná Hora is a pleasant little town with a handful of UNESCO sites, and thereby attracts tourist aplenty (albeit mostly, one suspects, Prague based daytrippers). We have two nights here. Out of season tourist towns are great, as they have plenty of pubs/eateries, and they have plenty of space.

V Ruthardce is one such olde worlde joint – squarely aimed at tourists, without going the whole “staff in costume” hog. We try and enter through the kitchen, but are put right – and pointed towards a cosy little bar area, with a lovely big fireplace. Unlike our pub in Merstham the previous evening, the fire therein is lit two minutes after we enter – and is quickly raging.

The pub (as we find out in subsequent visits) is large, with several rooms – and this is by far the best. We’d have stayed at least one drink longer had the only other table in the room been occupied by low talking locals, and not loud English speaking (we can’t specifically pinpoint nationality – somewhere Scandi’?) Christians. Their conversation is interesting/amusing to start with – especially as they have a local guide in tow, for whom this has to be a tough gig. He tells them all about the beer. They’re keen to taste it but they’re all teetotal... do the pub offer the full range in non-alcohol form? They’re eating too – when the meals arrive they decide that the guide should say grace. Poor sod.

Anyway, they changed the ambiance (and were more annoying than amusing at the time), but this was a fantastic place to be before their arrival. We’d return (in glory) – and have to sit in other rooms… none of which could match this one.

,

140 Sat 5/8/17: Bricklayers Arms, Luton

Beer: Brentwood Best 4.3%

LUTON TOWN 8 YEOVIL TOWN 2

Post-match pints. Game was alright. Upbeat walk back to Hightown anyway.

Again, as the mid/late summer sun persists, we sit in the garden. John Hegley is out and admires my notebook and fountain pen (and little fey fountain pen case). I suggest to John that he’s the kind of man who would doubtless carry a notebook (and likely without my affectation about it). He concurs – but is then unable (unwilling maybe) to come up with the evidence. No matter. Mindful that Luton’s Laureate is without a suitable writing implement I present John with a Koh-I-Noor black propelling pencil (the Koh-I-Noor green propelling pencil, I explain, is mine – he’s not having that). John’s grateful – I’m obsequious.