241 Sat 18/11/17: Sousedský pivovar Bašta, Prague

Beer: Polotmavý Ležák 5%

The Bašta is the brewpub wing from the same fine folk who bring you the very traditional U Bansethů next door. Not that Bašta isn’t traditional – but U Bansethů serves Pilsner Urquell (exceptionally well, but plenty of places do these days), and Bašta is brewing something new and different.

We probably liked polotmavy (half dark beer) more a few years ago - before becoming Pilsner Urquell devotees… but this is a nice change. Food always looks very good too - we really should eat here one year (making a reservation has proved problematic, and/or too much bother, in the past). Unlike U Bansethů, which is a large open beerhall, Bašta has several little rooms – which, we’ve found in the past, don’t nearly accommodate the folk who want to be here. We’ve normally had to stand at the bar, trying to keep out of the way of the waiters.

This time round we manage to find a table for three – and sit enjoying our beer – until news starts coming through from John back at Kenilworth Road. Not only are we missing the Town beating Cambridge 7-0, but Olly Lee scored from his own half. We eventually see footage of that – but do feel we’ve missed out somewhat. Sod’s law though, innit?

The post-crawl consensus is that we should have stayed longer in Bašta. It’s a great place – but I had my back to the room, missing all the action… there wasn’t any action, of course, but one does like to see what is/isn’t going on.

27 Fri 7/4/17: Bricklayers Arms, Luton

Beer: Nethergate Green and Pleasant Land 4.3%, Milestone Maid Marion 4.3%

Arrived at 8:30pm, brother and Leighton and Dr No all in attendance. No Offence is now on first name terms with Leightron, and in some tenuous round share and fag reciprocal arrangement. He has issues. He has suffered offence. He is insufferable. That said, at this rate, he’ll be one of our new mates.

As it is, my brother and I stand at the quizzer, wincing at them tales of woe (uncharitably); even feigning a win (by throwing coins in to the “win tray”) to justify our extended stay.

No Offence likes my fountain pen – pretends he’s going to steal it, before reassuring that “I would never steal your pen young man” or “my friend”, one of them.

Pete is in. Like Pete. Pete, it turns out, hails from York. Who, as they say in modern parlance, knew? Pete did, and now we do. Pete is going to The Bear Club after having a couple of pints with us.

Anthony is also in. He’s wearing what looks like an old USSR propaganda poster design t-shirt, but turns out to be piece of merch’ from the band “Mogwai”. I pour scorn on that.

Martin’s in later. No Barry.

104 Sun 28/5/17: Bree Louise, London

Beer: Titanic Plum Porter 4.9%

Had the Town reached the Play-off Final at Wembley, we’d no doubt have made a beeline for this pub (it’s near to Euston Square for the Jubilee Line). We’d have made a tower out of boaters, drunks lots of beer and then have our football team ruin a good day out. As it is, we take the opportunity to take a trip to London – primarily to spend the £10 Paxton and Whitfield’s (posh cheese emporium) gift voucher that me brother bought for my birthday last year.

We do that. It’s an excellent shop, but too pricey. Cheese (it transpires) is nice though… but Epoisses was significantly cheaper in Fortnum and Masons (where I also stock up on Gentlemen’s Relish).

We schlep back to the pub. It’s a great place… but a bit smelly. Outside is heaving, and too hot to boot, but there’s plenty of room inside. Titanic Plum Porter is an excellent beer– a bit heavy to be on for very long, but I manage a couple (probably three).

317 Sun 11/3/17 Bar Orozco, Cádiz

Beer: Cruzcampo 5.0%

Cádiz is cold and wet and WINDY. My holiday wardrobe selection is being exposed as far too optimistic…

On arrival in this, apparently the oldest, city in Europe we try and head toward the westerly beach in the old town; but are beaten back by the tempest. We pass a group of prospective Cofradías preparing to lug a dummy paso around town in a Semana Santa rehearsal (and think, though the weather’s bad, at least we don’t have THAT to contend with this year), and eventually end up in this establishment.

It’s a reasonably small and unassuming neighbourhood bar. The proprietors appear to favour Athletico Madrid (although most bars in town also have some Cádiz CF memorabilia). However, the main point of interest about the barman (we’re presuming the owner) was his formidable level of service. On a number of occasions a regular would walk to the bar and – without either saying a word – his order (it was always a he) would be prepared/poured and the transaction completed. The barman knew exactly what the customer required, the customer knew he knew; neither party saw any requirement for small talk.

Very impressive although… “hello” and “thank you”, surely, remain minimal requirements - if only for the sake of courtesy. But, no, that would involve a second of attention denied the Las Palmas v Villarreal football match on the telly.

154 Thu 24/8/17: The Bear Club, Luton

Beer: Leighton Buzzard Brewery Restoration 4.6%

They don’t need my turning up at Slow Night – it’s quite packed, albeit, its suggested, by some work party. Good for them. On the DJ table (my Ipod shuffle play isn’t required tonight), sits the proof copy of Luton Haiku v5. The cover is one of the photographs I took at the football ground in June. Ramshackle mess. As with the picture of the car bonnet (v3), the back cover is far more aesthetically pleasing than the front.

Beer goes down nicely, and all is going swell until the South Beds chapter of CAMRA turn up and start tearing the place down. Not really. No draught beer though – why are they here? Mike from CAMRA is an affable soul and comes over to say hello. He mentions something about the live entertainment at the Beer Fest’ in February; I’m not sure if he wanted The Knockouts or not (I’m thinking possibly not). We tell him that Helen and Ricky’s lot were fantastic this year – and that the diehards will always demand Cerberus.

CAMRA are here ‘cause they always come here on their Luton socials. It is one of the best places in town for beer… trendy beer, mind (too zeightghastly for me). I wonder if Justin would consider dabbling in draught, I presume not. Anyway, whatever, the fact that CAMRA come here routinely surely suggests at the rubbish choice of pubs in Luton – something that has become an acute bugbear, especially since last Friday.

230 Thu 16/11/17: U Pinkasů, Prague

Beer: Pilsner Urquell 4.4%

For me, apart from checking how the Bohemians (football team) got on at the weekend, being an ardent Czechophile involves downloading the week daily English language podcast from Prague Radio. I get to hear quite a bit about Andrej Babiš and his ANO party, the exhibitions I’ll be missing in Prague – and occasional series about life in the Czech Republic. One short series was about pubs, and U Pinkasů was featured: the first Prague pub to sell Pilsner Urquell in the capital.

It sounded like a tourist trap (like U Fleků and U Medvícků, also featured in the series) but I was surprised, given that it hadn’t made it into the pages of our guidebooks.

The pub is deep in tourist territory, but tucked away near the Můstek end of Wenceslas Square. It is a large sprawling pub – but the individual rooms therein are quite small and intimate. It’s quite nice. It also seems largely populated by locals – ours being the only voices in the English language lousing up the ambience.

Service (upstairs at least) was traditionally rubbish – but we eventually found a way to get served. The first bar we visit is wood lined and warm to the point of soporific; we finish one and then take a wander to the cellar bar, which is much cooler.

There’s a small cabinet selling UP merch’, but this doesn’t seem a “ram it down your throat” tourist operation like some other places. I quite like it... and we return a few times more.

311 Sat 3/3/18: The Chequers, Caddington

Beer: Otter Bitter 3.6%

Trudge through the slowly thawing snow to Caddington for a (very much needed) haircut, and stop at The Chequers. I prefer the quirkier Cricketers personally, but give the pub on the other side of the green a go.

It’s quiet, the beer is fine. The conversation at the bar (among four or five regulars) is of the snobs on the new estates – them that can’t afford a place in Harpenden but turn noses up at Luton. I didn’t really get the giste

Town are away at Cambridge, it’s still 0-0 by my allotted 15:30 appointment time. My chunky 80’s (presumably handknitted/ebay procured) Town scarf is admired by a fellow fan as I’m leaving. He wants to chat about Hatters’ progress this season – and apparently takes slight umbrage at my suggestion that we’ve not been playing well for a while. Anyway, yes, hope you’re right, we’ll see, big match next week… cheers mate… bye

Hair gets cut – Collins scores – Collins gets sent off - Town concede second half equaliser. FT: CUFC 1 LTFC 1

.

Sat 4/11/17: The Black Horse, Luton

Beer: Wolf Brewery Poppy Ale 4.2%

Out: AJK and Steve Harper

Pre-FA Cup match against Portsmouth pints. Cup fever has yet to descend on Luton – and the pub is nicely quiet, which encourages my brother and I to play a game of pool. We’re rubbish at pool, but manage a game of relatively rare high quality.

The apparent lack of football enthusiasm (exacerbated by last weeks’ Coventry debacle) is illustrated within our group – with only we two and Steve Harper (all the way from Loughborough) deigning to attend.

215b Fri 10/11/17: The Butchers Hook & Cleaver, London

Beer: Fullers ESB 5.5%

Another pub situated in the surrounding environs of work. Effectively, a tied house just selling Fuller's beers but always an impressive selection of pumps. Went for the ESB of course, lovely smooth pint but with hidden alcoholic depths. Can't have too many of these in a session. The pub is large, lots of floor area and not really cosy. Gets packed on Friday evenings with crowds spilling out on the pavement, popular venue for office leaving drinks. Feel a bit guilty not coming here more often of a lunchtime midweek tipple because of the great selection of beers but just doesn't feel like that kind of pub where I could become a regular.

51 Thu 13/4/17: Café Santos, Calle Lagar, Seville

Beer: Cruzcampo 5%

Back in very localest bar – hemmed in by the crowds. It’s quieter (in the bar) than yesterday. The bar still has some Christmas decorations up… I notice this while being roundly ignored, waiting to be served. My petulant bar-rage protestations are vocal enough to warrant a telling off from Steph… and I’m eventually served.

Our beer tonight is served in beer, rather than wine, glasses.

Back at the apartment, the processions tonight, leading into Good Friday, are spectacular.

There’s been a horrible nagging worry throughout (given recent events at home) that the festival could be open to terrorist attack. The Silencio procession passes through at around 4am Friday morning. Most processions include one or two bands but, because this one is so quiet, it is quite eerie. At some point as it passes through, a wave of panic grips the crowd. Steph watches from our balcony vantage point overlooking Calle Cuna as public and penitents flee. I’m on the sofa watching telly at that point - and just hear the stampede. It’s a horribly scary sound. It rolls through quickly – gradually followed by (hushed) reassurances that things are fine… and the parade continues. There are a couple of similar disturbances afterwards – each subsequent time lessening in intensity.

We glean, from later reports on the internet, that there were false rumours of cars running down pedestrians – of fights causing panic, and kids deliberately making sudden noises to scare the crowd.

We’ve seen all the parades pass from the second floor, but go down at about 6am to watch the Macarena procession pass by at ground level. It’s spectacular; we’re almost asphyxiated with incense, but air is just as thick with lingering fear of what’s happened (and equally what didn’t/what might’ve) earlier. Folk seem jumpy, but the procession passes by peacefully.

5 Wed 1/3/17: The White House, Luton

Beer: Shepherd Neame Bishops Finger 5.0%

The WH were screening Man City v Huddersfield in the FA Cup (supporting, if not proving, the “they don’t screen Sky” theory). The place was half full, entirely soulless. The beer was well presented but seemed way too strong compared to the (way too weak) Grainstore at the Brickies earlier.

The photos taken outside the football ground didn’t inspire. They were taken in perpetual drizzle – and I’ve never really sussed out how to use the camera. We’ll see.

Anyway, the football went badly; according to the coverage afforded by my phone.

Town were 1-0 down early (as I saw thru the Brickies window on the way down), then 2-0 in the second half. Then it was 2-2. Then 2-3 to Oxford – at which point I left the pub.

I walked home, ipod unplugged, listening intently for equaliser elation; hearing nothing. On passing the Brickies I looked through the window and concluded that the Oxford players looked the happier in the immediate post-match pictures.

It wasn’t until I hit the junction of HTR and Havelock that I heard a vague chorus of “Que sera sera” from the 700 odd Oxford fans

Thereby, my match boycott photography project was nipped in the bud before the requirement to trudge around Wembley (hoping to snap a discarded boater).

296 Fri 2/2/18: The Jolly Topers, Luton

Beer: Leighton Buzzard Brewery Rebel Yell 5.0%

Post dental check-up (Stopsley Village practice) and, having decided against a trip to The Bear later, stop for a couple at the JTs. Actually this visit, on the walk back to High Town, was in the balance before I peered into the pub and saw A) unimpeded access to the bar (the Topers tends to get very packed, very early) and B) at the bar they were serving LB Rebel Yell.

Having bought a pint, where to stand – preferably sit – became an issue. Access to the quiz machine – very much impeded. The pub, typically, seems to be standing room only – and those few tables that weren’t in use had “Reserved” signs. Helpfully, however, on closer inspection, those reserved notices had a “vacate by” time on them. Fantastic idea – common in Czech, but I’ve never previously seen it in Round Green.

So now I had a seat, and it then appeared that the bar service has also gained an Iberian twist. No gratis tapas, of course, but having bought a second pint I seem to have been issued a dog.

Pleasant little scamp – belonging to a young bloke on the table behind. Frankly he/she appeared interested in anyone who’d who show him/her attention – I apparently did a good little stroking stint, and he/she sat at my feet for a minute or two. Charming.

The atmosphere in the Topers is typically loud and convivial, and table space becomes an ever pressing issue as I’m finishing up. A party, who had reserved a table, dislodge a family – and I offer my table to them. They appear to be leaving anyway, but are profuse in their gratitude – as are the ladies who, when I do get up to leave, hurriedly descend on the table… which is reserved, by Charlotte, in a little less than an hour.

Great local pub… great locals, apparently. I’m also noticing an improving range of beer available at Greene King pubs – providing very decent alternative to their awful IPA and Abbott.

106. Tue 30/5/17: The White House, Luton

Beer: Bowman Quiver Bitter 4.5%

I’d suggested that, having seen The Same Circles (motion picture) at The Bear – it would be best to discuss out somewhere else, away from both the director, producer and star of the film. My brother also had a bit part role, but I had to confess that I didn’t really like the film DESPITE some very good cinematography. Meanwhile Simon Cleary, as always, is a huge and fantastic presence… though, just maybe, not a screen one. I like him lots, and hugely admire his chutzpah. I didn’t like his debut movie feature very much.

The White House is near empty. There are rumours that a planned renovation of this JDW, which was so impressive when it opened – but has been looking bedraggled for a decade or more, will reduce the size. Other than pre-football matches, when it is still apparently wedged, this would seem a reasonable idea.