So after a brief 24 hours in Sussex our chauffeur sped us to the heart of old London Town staying at the Waldorf Hotel slap bang in the middle of the West End. What a perfect location and just ten minutes away from Covent Garden where I worked over thirty years …
So there’s no doubt when you hit your fifties you drink less. The body can’t take the abuse, hangovers last longer and hurt more, and typically you have more responsibilities than when you were in your twenties. I really love drinking but think this state of affairs is not all bad. …
So Max can’t get many decent pints over the pond. Fewer great pints, more craft beers. Well, the variety of beers overall is very good in the UK. Traditional pints like Fuller’s Pride, Microbrewery one-offs, local brews, Euro lagers, and American big brands. But to find a craft beer is …
Where was I? Yes, so, anyway, Kentucky and I went back necking the beer in The Swan. Presumably the pub is owned by the Queen. Why? Because it is not a Swan with Two Necks, a common and corrupted pub name. The uncorrupted name is the Swan with Two Nicks, referring …
So it has been about four years since I last posted on a regular basis to this wonderful blog and everything is pretty much ticking along the same. We have a great new look to our website which is a big improvement on the old one, and The Consul will …
So growing up in England once I had a taste for beer it was very common to always “go for the galleon” when we went out drinking, especially on the weekend (which often started on Wednesday). Yes that means 8 British pints of 20 oz each for a sum total …
One of the things I really enjoyed on my trip back to England was the long walks that we took in the beautiful English countryside before we found our pub for the day. There is nothing that screams “Perfect Pint!” more than working up a thirst by walking a swift …
I know The Consul has been working like a dog since I got back and nothing has changed here, but it is hard to forget the wonderful two weeks spent in England just a couple of weeks ago. We drank lots of beer and ate some great British food: bacon …
So stories will be told about the 50th birthday celebration of 2013, but they will not come close to my memory of the fortnight I have just spent in England. My view might be clouded or viewed with rose colored classes, we can even call it “Max’s World”. If I …
So one of the things I miss here in Texas is that I don’t get to drink very often with friends other than my good wife. “Her indoors” is fine, but not quite the same as one of the guys. Tonight I spent 3 great hours with a neighbor of …
So last weekend I took my good wife to stay at the ranch of my old IBM Boss, Micky, from the early ’90’s. It was a three hour journey to his amazing home in Gause, TX. The ranch is 700 acres and made me wonder where I went wrong with …
So sang Billy Bragg, and no doubt this was because his beer was served in the wrong glass. Would you serve red wine in a champagne flute? [the answer is ‘no’] Would you serve brandy in a whisky tumbler? [the answer is probably not]. But what about beer? would you …
So since my last trip to Spec’s in early December I have reduced my beer fridge to almost nothing. Most of this is by design because I wanted to make a special trip before the big fifty. Until this evening I was pretty sure I knew what I’d be picking …
Down the Old Badger we have this week mostly been drinking from the local Wickwar brewery. I am a particular fan of the perfectly nuanced 4.2% Cotswold Way. A smooth, balanced chestnut ale with a terrific hoppy finish, they say. Apparently, it has been an award winning beer of Gloucestershire …
What a great 12 days of Christmas. Reminds me of the days we used to have 4 pints and a beef chow mein with rice all for a fiver, before climbing on Max’s knee amid the streamers and hula girls for a swellegant yuletide party at which Kentucky would get …
Accustomed to passing out in a haze of alcohol at this time of year, I welcomed in 2013 by falling asleep at the dentist. With that bright light beating down like a Caribbean sun, the gurgle of the rinser merging with the gentle hum of the radio, and the soft …
Since last Thursday I haven’t had what Kentucky likes to call an “Alcohol Free Day.” The weekend was here then it was Christmas Eve, then Christmas Day, and finally Boxing Day. How can you stop with all these big Days? I know that the New Year is just around the …
There has been talk again up at the Bear of the ugly Christmas devil. Luckily we have the seasonal ales to ward off the evil spirits. After a few rounds of Howell’s Frosty Bells, we just told him to fork off.
I am really looking forward to visiting the Old Badger with The Consul and Kentucky in April. I understand how the great British Local is dying but at least for a couple of weeks in April 2013 we’ll do our best to prop it up. I notice that in addition …
So when Kentucky and I were in our twenties we would nearly always drink the strongest beers we could find, and often throw in a chaser for good measure. Kentucky would sometimes go further. I have all the opportunity in the world, and many more reasons, to do the same …
So the tickets are booked. And for the first time in my life I’ve shelled out the cash for Business Class all the way. This stroke of genius will double or more the cost of the trip, but I figured this could be my last big chance to see the …
Now Max is a man of the people. That is the only reason I can think of that would explain why we don’t have a ‘tag’ for wine. Or Brandy. Or even whisky. But, no you say. It is is because we are searching for the perfect pint and that …
Max has noted how we’re cranking it up these days without Kentucky slowing us down, but this is the cruellest month or so. Only this time last year we racked up just one post in two months. Personally I put it down to his increased libido since Max started subscribing …
The trees are entering their autumn beauty, the woodland paths are soaked as though with the blood of a thousand men. Yet, we enjoyed a last glimpse of the golden orb this weekend as the rays beamed down through the ether. So, let us hymn the pleasures of the beer …
Now I know Max says he is waiting for the next Twilight movie but I also know that there’s a guy down the chip shop swears he’s Elvis. Either Max hasn’t see Welcome to the Rileys or he has and what he really wants is a prequel to that. On …
So it’s International Beer day tomorrow http://internationalbeerday.com/ So, does that mean we drink international beers? Or that we travel to another country to drink a beer? Or that beers should be transported across the world for the indulgence of the fickle? Or we should get pissed again in the name …
Max loves his strong ESB. He’s mad for it. As a Lundunna, personally I was brought up on other Fullers beers, such as the weak Chiswick and the session beer that is London Pride. And, with the dubious segue-panache of a DJ, I must say this is a year for …
After the Olympics is over in the UK, the real Olympics will begin in 2013 when I fly over to celebrate my 50th and we try to do all the things we’ve missed over the last couple of years. If we don’t do it this time, it will probably never …
Don’t worry Consul, I’m still here. Since getting back from my vacation, which feels like a lifetime ago (albeit a short one), things have been crazy so although I’ve been drinking I’ve been writing code late into the night. My great beer diet seems to be failing and now I’m …
…not forgiven. I know what you’re thinking… How did the CEO of Jordan publishing get a pint while the rest of us are hands free? Well, as I remember he got his round in while we were all in the photo booth. Such was his cunning! Otherwise, this documents our …
