So the North Star had cask Abyss Utopia on (mildly annoyed at self for not knowing I could have asked for a jug......).

Today I learned that if I can be bothered then I can actually walk to the Beer Merchants Tap. Turns out I actually can be goal oriented (depending on the goal). Lovely Hofbrau Oktoberfest beer (and no, not going near the London one.......).

Opening day Bohem Amos at the Packington Arms......

It was on the way home after work 🤷‍♂️

Beer Guide London@beerguidelondon.bsky.social · 4w ago

It's just a couple of minutes down the road to Stone Mini Market. They have come a long way beer wise since my first visit. Now very much a must visit when in the area. 6 beers on tap and a huge packaged selection. Plus they now stock Brets!

So due to poor life choices/planning (and I'm including watching Liverpool v Forest) am at a loose end this afternoon. Any inspirations on taprooms or pubs or tap takeovers today? I'm actually stumped.

🍺 In a recent blog post (boakandbailey.com/2026/08/why-...), @boakandbailey.bsky.social asked what a “bad pub” was. My definition of a “bad pub” is this from @totalcurtis.bsky.social’s piece. Govt help for pubs is welcome, but if it only delays the inevitable, is it a wise use of limited money?

The Mill@manchestermill.bsky.social · last mo.

🚨 Business rates for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues are being cut by 20%. 🍺 Our food and drinks correspondent Matthew Curtis explores what Andy Burnham’s ‘Manchesterism’ means for the PM’s beloved boozers. manchestermill.co.uk/what-does-an...

Happy Skynet day to all those who celebrate

Friday mood (there'll be sours afterwards this.....oh yes)

Saturday afternoon beer and panini at @cloudwaterbrew.bsky.social Enid Street.

So I may have been binging Slow Horses (I know, took me long enough) and realised I've been waking past the Slough House stairs pretty regularly.......

Finally made it to the new(ish) local club.......had a lovely afternoon out at @claptoncfc.co.uk. May have to make this a regular thing......

As originally seen on instagram at www.instagram.com/p/Db8v52FFgD...

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The hill I will die on: Marmite is an insipid English imitation of Vegemite – the true Aussie hero | Kathy Lette

Marmite asks: ‘Do you love me or hate me?’ Vegemite couldn’t give a stuff. It’s as dry as our Aussie humour, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, says comedy writer Kathy Lette

theguardian.com

Kinda had to be @queerbrewing.bsky.social after this week's sad news.

So the Beak x Harvey's cask collaboration is Rather Good.....

Democracy pint time......

So I may have ended up at the Wenlock for the @kernelbrewery.bsky.social showcase. There's far, far worse ways to spend a Tuesday......

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/75...

Petition: Fund support for UK companies to create more internships & jobs for young people

We urge the Government to prioritise helping young people with the job market in the UK by funding financial support for UK-based companies to create more internships and job positions for all, but es...

petition.parliament.uk

So technically this was on the way to Tullamarine......

HT @tandleman.bsky.social for the Stomping Grounds suggestion. Found myself in Melbourne with an hour or two to spare and remembered this thread (and may have been to Hop Nation last week). bsky.app/profile/citr...

Tandleman@tandleman.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Collingwood/ Abbotsford area. Stomping Ground, Bodriggy and one other I can't recall. Easy train ride from Flinders St station. Both fab places and East to find. A beer beforehand at Prince"s Bridge hotel by the station is well recommended.

Stomping Grounds in Collingwood.

Discovered the Midtown Cellar and Bar in Ballarat. The Bright Brewery Mountain Juice was an extremely decent drop.

I can explain this. Somehow.

So I'm in Sydney and One Drop wasn't a million miles away.....

I'm not even going to pretend this was an "accident"......there was a brief window of opportunity to detour past @cloudwaterbrew.bsky.social so rude not to on Chubbles day. Cask Chubbles was totally worth it.

Sort of ended up at the Cock Tavern for the Woodshedding tap take over......

Sunday afternoon at the Southampton Arms......

So I may have just missed a Lizzie Line train east so obviously the sensible the to do was walk to the @thedodomicropub.bsky.social for a swift Amundsen 12th birthday peanut butter / chocolate/ vanilla imperial stout..... There's worse ways to spend a Saturday.

Cracking afternoon at Pressure Drop Beyond the Pale......

I may have ended up at Pressure Drop again......the Terra is excellent.