Chasewater Rail & Ale with Mr D9

It's summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime and the Hub Marketing Board will be in session once more, lapping up the lovely July sunshine. If all goes to plan, long term targets could be sampled (of both a pub and breakfasting persuasion) plus there's a strong chance of a beer festival too...

- A Well Lane Cuppa -

Trip Log: Friday 3rd July 2026 sees Hub members converge upon Wolverhampton Bus Station for a delayed 10:30 rendezvous, the Chairman having been counting Wollaston grannies while Secretary WME waited in vain for a Perton bus to show up. Once reunited, our immediate task is to obtain a greasy spoon breakfast with Wednesfield's Well Lane Cafe top of the D9 wishlist as regards bacon, egg and sausage. Situated close to the local library and community centre, this place has been serving fry-ups since 1965 and has drivers queuing out the door awaiting sandwich orders. We find a spare table and settle in for a quality cuppa, noting a display shelf showcasing tributes to dearly departed customers. 'Bryan' must have been well known for his love of Torpedo sandwiches sliced in half and smothered in brown sauce it seems!

- Spotted at the Uxbridge Arms -

Happily fed, we feel ready to take on the rest of the day, the centrepiece of which should be a visit to the Chasewater Rail & Ale Festival at Brownhills West Station. We'll go the long way round to get there, including popping to Pelsall to satisfy some D9 curiosities en route. These mostly relate to the Fingerpost (for St Austell's Tribute ale and an inspection of the replaced Yorks Bridge on the Wyrley & Essington Canal) and the Old House at Home (a fairly average Marston's effort closer to the village centre). We've earmarked the number 8 bus to convey us through Clayhanger into Brownhills but the route is on diversion due to High Street roadworks. Instead we pitch up at Chasetown Clock where the Uxbridge Arms attracts bald spot glances.

- Chasewater Heaths Signal Box -

It would have been rude not to have availed ourselves of Black Country Ales refreshment at this juncture and the Uxbridge Arms is more than up to the task. Lymestone's Stone Cold is a strong bitter which keeps us lubricated during a titanic darting tussle. Somehow or other, WME Whirlwind manages to find the finishing prowess to win all three legs played, despite an initial inability to throw straight - the Secretary's 74 checkout in the second leg proved particularly decisive, leaving poor D9 Destroyer dumbfounded. A Church Street wander then has us in position to investigate some of the Chasewater Railway's halts and stations, following tracks skirting the edge of the reservoir. These effectively are a throwback to the former colliery line, reminders of Cannock Chase's proud mining heritage. Chasewater Heaths has a signal box beside a level crossing, plus part of the buildings here have been converted into a cafe.

- The Victoria Club -

The stops at Chasetown (Church Street) and Norton Lakeside currently both look a little drab in all honesty, shorn of any signage and probably in need of some TLC, but the railway runs on a charitable basis and we all know times are hard at the moment. Our Chasewater roam is accompanied by silly songs extolling the virtues of Stockport (courtesy of Frankie Vaughan) and Central Milton Keynes, not to mention Frankie Yankovic's polka polemic 'In Heaven There Is No Beer'. Luckily for us there is still some beer in this corner of Staffordshire, most notably at the Victoria Club on Norton East Road. Chairman D9 loves this place, getting all nostalgic about crusty pitmen frequenting the social club in years gone by. These days it serves up an appreciated WME £3.40 Carling discount and a variety of World Cup opinions.

- Prepared for Action? -

After that very enjoyable brush with Norton Canes, we are clear to proceed to Brownhills West Station which serves as the Chasewater Railway's flagship location. The Sidings Tearoom and railway shop can be found here, serving up cakes and stocking a range of model locomotives respectively, while there is also a bric-a-brac selection inside an old carriage for those seeking to unearth bargain curios. Secretary WME eyes up the engines which work the two mile track (including the notable section crossing The Causeway near Norton Lakeside) with both steam and diesel enthusiasts catered for, subject to the timetable. Mr D9 meanwhile considers if he ought to sign up for a triathlon group, eventually deciding he prefers less energetic pursuits!

- Beowulf Feortig -

And now to the day's main event, Chasewater Rail & Ale as held in conjunction with Walsall CAMRA. 37 real ales are poised inside the Engine Shed hence we check in with the volunteer hosts and procure an £11 token card each, covering us for three pints or six halves. These are put to excellent use straight away in exchange for Beowulf's Feortig, a Saxon-sounding tipple  billed as a sessionable offering laden with hints of grapefruit and mango. The Chairman finds something exceedingly hoppy very much to his liking and similarly approves of Green Duck's Shoreline even though it counts as a tarmac in D9 terminology. My second pick thereafter is Kynn Brewery’s Scottish Meadowsweet Ale which has a curious mellow herbal flavour

- Brownhills West Traction -

The beer is great but there's no denying a big part of the attraction is the railway setting, being able to admire heavy duty rolling stock with our plastic glasses in hand. Retaining hints of its Northern Rail livery, carriage 55570 is part of a Class 142 set complete with Warrington blinds, whereas a former Burton-based shunting locomotive carries a 1929 plate for the Worthingtons Brewery. My tokens are then spent out on Lemon Greg and Bees Knees, contrasting blonde beers. The former hails from Fixed Wheel with all the zesty citrus the name implies, whereas the latter is a Revolution Brewery creation described as ‘buzzing with flavour. In between times, Mr D9 has an encounter with a Forest Elk, said to be Norwegian Red in style. Nice!

- Cheers to England! -

The Chairman lives to tell the tale after that Scandinavian interloper and is fighting fit to pursue a nightcap or two within the wider Walsall area. Intercepting the 937 bus near the Rising Sun roundabout, we breeze into the outskirts of Aldridge to seek out the Hop Station, a micropub based within the shopping parade by the Lazy Hill Tavern. Barstools and banter mark this out as a great discovery, especially with Green Duck's Overlord on top form (it's a 4.5% fruity pale ale brewed as one of their May monthly specials). A well-timed scurry for a number 7 bus fresh out of Castlefort allows just enough wriggle room for a WS1 Lounge finale over in Walsall town centre - cue the remarkable sight of Mr D9 busting a groove on Andy's Dancefloor. This party bar, in common with many venues, has really embraced the World Cup spirit so we raise a final glass to Thomas Tuchel and the lads in their ongoing bid for glory. Cheers!

A June Jumble

Are 'birthday weeks' even a thing now? If so, mine has been a very busy one. Besides deviating to Droitwich with the Chip Foundation as previously documented, there are National Trust nuggets, library-related museum musings and a beer festival over in Shakespeare Country to tell you all about...

- Bookworm Bygrave enjoys the Rose Border -

My birthday itself occurred on Monday 1st June and was spent in the company of Bookworm Bygrave at Dudmaston Hall, a National Trust property near Bridgnorth. The estate has been home to the same family for over 900 years, albeit the lineage hasn't always been especially direct over that time. We begin in the Kitchen Garden perusing species of potato, beetroot and quince, then enjoy a lakeside walk. Perhaps the most spectacular feature at this time of year is the Rose Border, comprising 38 different rose varieties layered up to give a gorgeous riot of colour and perfume. Some of the floral names are tributes to royalty or the great and good of high society - I don't know what he's done to deserve it but Thomas a Becket has two roses in his honour while Gertrude Jekyll and Abraham Darby are namechecked horticulturally too.

- Coquettish Fan Fun -

In echoes of last year's visit to Moseley Old Hall, Emily holds the edge when it comes to quoits by proving rather adept at hurling her hoops across the lawn - an unexpected talent perhaps? Licking my wounds (again), we see what secrets the big house is in the mood to reveal, it being very much apparent that it remains an active family home. There's a certain informality to having current photographs dotted around that contrasts with the assembled historical portraiture, and we particularly enjoy mooching around the Library with its learned tomes on themes of nature, environmental conservation and country sports. The upper floor also hosts important modern art collections featuring pieces by Barbara Hepworth, Anthony Twentyman and Henry Moore. The 'Fanology: Objects of Beauty' exhibition allows my hitherto rarely-seen flirtatious streak to come out, although I perhaps haven't mastered all of the subtle gestures quite yet!

- Mitchells & Butlers Dray Lorry -

To Tuesday 2nd June and we're still fixing our eyes firmly upon yesteryear with a return to the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. More of the 1940s to 1960s New Town has opened since I last came and a vehicular addition is a lovely 1949 M&B blue delivery truck loaded with Cape Hill barrels; this was transferred from the National Brewery Heritage Trust for ongoing preservation last year. Elsewhere, the showpiece Semi Detached Houses are more developed now hence veg patch gardens with runner bean poles and a salvaged shed containing hobby printing equipment. You can go upstairs for Liverpool and West Brom football squad photos, plus handbags and wardrobes - I love the reproduction packaging from brands such as Heinz and Cadburys. A 1968 FA Cup Final programme is tucked behind a mantelpiece carriage clock and the costumed character owner clutches a tobacco pipe while getting into his role.

- Those New-Fangled Paperbacks -

Today's star attraction (as far as Emily and I are concerned) is now operational having been painstakingly moved brick by brick from Holly Hall. Woodside Library is set in 1963 when mass market paperbacks were becoming a thing. Disclaimers inside books advise that items might offend modern sensibilities but it is important not to airbrush certain topics or authors out of history completely. Nearly 7,000 donations were received when stocking up the library which a) far exceeded expectations and b) means that there's a lot of work to be done cataloguing these on old-fashioned index cards. Highlights are Leisure Corner, green period table lamps and a dedicated children's room showcasing Sooty annuals. The museum's two pubs then earn themselves a visit each - Miss Bygrave being rather taken by sawdust sprinklings at the Bottle & Glass - before we get a glimpse into 1940s grocery habits courtesy of the Halesowen & Hasbury Co-op Store; this is based on a shop which once stood on Stourbridge Road and is pitched at a time when self-service was a retail innovation. Household brands such as Rinso, Horlicks or Kellogg's feel familiar and I’ve even spotted a plate of mock chocolate eclair cakes that look rather tempting - grab a basket and pick out ingredients for Granny's sponge recipe. 

- The Woolf meets a Black Dragon -

Did someone mention a Beer Festival? Ah yes, that would be the Stratford-upon-Avon one as held at the town's racecourse which saw Emily, Jane and I attending for some Shakespearean supping on Saturday 6th June. The ales actually take a back seat for me this time around in favour of joining Miss Woolf in her cider scrutineering, resulting in highly appealing halves of 'Ark' (hailing from the Fleece in Bretforton) and 'Malvern Gold', both of which are classed as medium dry. Two local Warwickshire ciders also require my considered analysis with Hogan's supplying the tannic punch of 'French Revelation' - I like this a lot - while Siblings 'Jiminee Dry' comes from a Snitterfield-based producer I'd not encountered previously. Miss Bygrave is our nominal designated driver, availing herself of Apple Tango, whereas Jane concentrates mostly on her personal favourites such as Gwynt y Ddraig's Black Dragon and Lilley's Bee Sting.

- The Dirty Duck -

After the festival fun, a steady Evesham Road stroll brings us into Stratford town centre where the local bookshops are on high alert for potential custom. Jane's delight at discovering a Star Trek Klingon phrasebook is very much evident while the Bookworm lives up to her nickname care of a Bygrave bargain buy - even I get in on the act by picking out an Alton Douglas title, 'Memories of Coventry'. The Fourteas brasserie on Sheep Street is a delightful place at which to partake of cake and listen to evocative sound of Glenn Miller, revelling in the 1940s theme. Two prime Stratford pubs with theatrical connections bring the metaphorical curtain down on the week: the Dirty Duck can be found on Waterside and has an Actor's Bar crammed with the portraits of RSC thespians, then the Garrick is reputedly the oldest watering hole in town. A pint in each - Brightside Pale Ale and North Cotswold Stretton Striker - seals the deal. Cheers!

Burton Beer Festival 2026

Hot on the heels of Chelmsley Clubbing with Mr D9 comes this East Staffordshire excursion to sample ales at the home of brewing. Burton Town Hall and its Wurlitzer organ await for me and Miss Woolf...

- A Town Hall Taster -

Surviving a crazily busy sardines ordeal on the 10:49 Nottingham departure from New Street (during which we are 'treated' to a chorus of Madonna's 'Into the Groove' by a carriage full of Cheltenham Town supporters), Jane and I arrive at Burton intent on an initial wander. Borough Road presents an underwhelming railway station frontage straight out of the 1960s before old favourites the Coopers Arms and the Devonshire earn my photographic admiration. Off to the main event we then go, joining the growing expectant throng outside the Town Hall in catching a few warming rays of sunshine. We start queuing up circa 11:45 so we're in a good spot for when the doors open at midday, and there's quite a snake of similarly eager folk stretching along King Edward Place behind us. 

- The Wurlitzer Wonder -

The layout is familiar from previous editions whereby ciders and local beers are in the Lingen Room, the main hall is organised alphabetically by brewery and (most importantly) the mighty Wurlitzer organ is present and correct. Plunging straight into our task, Jane tries something distressingly pink in the form of Hunt's Raspberry whereas I opt for Tollgate’s Old Rasputin, a richly dark stout with the promise of a thick creamy head. We gravitate to the balcony where I always love to sit for the best views of the Victorian interior, perfect for peoplewatching in that we're on the lookout for impressive beards, very sparkly dresses and outrageous mullets. Miss Woolf chances upon Farmer Jim's Rhubarb Bob for her second selection while I tackle a pale ale prospect in the guise of Nene Valley's Release the Chimps. No apes were harmed in the drinking of this brew, and we're delighted when organist Steve starts tinkling the ivories for a lunchtime recital comprising ‘Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye’ and ‘Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs Of Dover'. 

- Purple Haze -

Broadoak's Purple Haze continues Jane's full spectrum of fruity hues, followed in her case by the same company's traditional perry which is a definite hit. I go very local for a slurp of Ale to the King as produced by Tower right here in Burton, venturing next onto Vulcan Bitter which hails from the Neepsend Brewery. The Wurlitzer soundtrack keeps us entertained for most of the afternoon, other classic tunes being played include 'Babyface' and 'Strangers in the Night'. It is however Steve's Phantom of the Opera medley which really brings a smile to the Woolf face, that and the presence of an 8.4% cidery force to be reckoned with called The General. My personal finale is Peasants Revolt, threatening to unleash my revolutionary urges as the whole room sings along to 'Delilah' and 'Sweet Caroline', reliable crowdpleasers every time.

- Brother Rabbit at Inn-Uendos -

Our final festival drinks duly downed, we vacate the balcony and return our glasses - let's see about getting some pubs shall we? First up comes Burton's Black Country Ales establishment for my seventh stamping towards the 2026 Ale Trail; at the Dog, Jane samples Purbeck's Katy Perry for an apple and pear blended cider - the punning name is fun - whereas I try Enville's Old Porter, a top quality pint with very smooth notes of chocolate. Inn-Uendos beckons with its seaside postcard take on saucy humour (think Carry On wordplay with a smutty side) and supplies respective halves of Thornbridge Brother Rabbit versus Lilley's Rhubarb. This means we sidestep tongue-in-cheek cocktails (Penis Colada is probably best avoided), and once the football fans filter through we finish off at the Arches, Outwoods Brewery's taphouse being under the railway bridge. The corrugated steel shell here is reminiscent of an air raid shelter and it's very popular too with most seats taken inside and out; we just about find room for a closing combination of Dancing Duck's Dark Drake and Lilley's Mango prior to our train. 

Dudley Winter Ales Fayre 2025

Surely it can't be the end of November already? I triple check the calendar and there's no getting away from the fact that 2025 is fast vanishing, but this time of year always carries certain compensations in the form of the Dudley Winter Ales Fayre. This staple of the West Midlands beer festival scene has become an absolutely essential event - I've attended every one they've staged since 2010 - and the latest edition promises to be a bonanza of beer, grey peas and crackling company...

- Town Hall Temptations -

Trip Log: 28th November 2025 and our preferred Friday afternoon slot at Dudley Town Hall has been lined up for weeks if not months. Jane and I make the journey over from Tettenhall Wood aboard the number 1 bus whereas Nick travels from in Warwick via the 87, giving him a tour of Smethwick and Oldbury he could probably have done without. One way or another, we all converge upon St James Road at around half past eleven, greeted by the now-familiar CAMRA banner with its approximations of prickly holly leaves. £12 entry gets me my kit of tokens, glass and programme so let's see what's up for sampling this year...

- Serious about Snowflake -

No sooner have we set foot inside than Jane strides straight to the cider stand eager to get the lowdown on which from the sixteen offerings best fits her personal tastes - Snails Bank Fruit Bat is a sensible start with combinations of berry fruit. Nick is already circling, armed with his Loch Lomond Silkie Stout so I join him on the dark side courtesy of Northdown's Tidal Moon Stout, a Margate-based brew described as "brimming with dark chocolate, boozy cherry and a hint of vanilla tannins" - I don't disagree with that assessment. The chance to try some special heavyweight ales which are only brewed in anticipation of the festive period is part of Dudley's attraction, hence Nick makes sure to garner a glug of Sarah Hughes Snowflake barley wine before dwindling stocks run out completely. His eyebrows confirm that he likes it rather a lot!

- A Trip to Valhalla? -

Other favourites in line for royal reacquaintance include Enville's Gothic Ginger and Holden's Old Ale, a treacly treat he always likes to seek out. I'm experimenting with a varied selection of stuff I've never tried before; Ickle's Purple therefore carries notes of Vimto - I kid you not - then Cult of Oak's 1138 Matildine Mild delivers a "smooth, malty depth that evokes the defiance of Empress Matilda’s forces during the 1138 Siege of Dudley" (quite how they know these things is questionable but my besieged tastebuds aren't objecting to the spicy clove-laden mixture). Our cider correspondent Jane has taken it upon herself to alternate between lower and higher strength tipples, with locally-produced Mousesweet Valhalla vying with Oak & Axe for her affections - she's a woman not to be messed with if dangerous weaponry is present!

- Hearty Sustenance -

Collectively we've taken up residence in the Tommy Mundon Lounge where we can witness first hand how popular the Little Devils food menu is proving. Every year I look forward to the snacks almost as much as the beer, such is the enjoyment to be gained by gorging on Black Country delicacies. The menu involves simple good grub, from huge cobs to tubs of faggots, mash and mushy peas, or cottage pie with a cheesy topping, not forgetting burly bricks of bread pudding you could use as doorstops if you chose not to eat them. For me however it has to be the grey peas and bacon accompanied by a buttered slice, a dish of delight if ever there was one! Miss Woolf meanwhile gets her wish for a roast pork bap, using all her powers of persuasion to secure the biggest bits of crackling available!

- Chancing the Charlton House -

Back with the booze, Jane is persuaded to try a Pear & Chilli perry (she declares herself partial to this once it is confirmed that the heat isn't overpowering) whereas I spend up on a Cinder Toffee Stout that fuses the taste of charcoal ash with Crunchie bars. The festival fun may be now done and dusted but we maintain tradition by embarking upon a little pubcrawl. Our old standby the Courthouse is currently closed after Black Country Ales chose to divest themselves of the premises, so we're grateful that Bathams' Lamp Tavern is still as good as ever at the top of Blowers Green Road. Here, rear lounge musings on the state of the Higher Education sector are accompanied by wonky picture frames and ornamental zebras, then we relocate to my wildcard choice of the Charlton House on Priory Street. An elegant townhouse facade belies a relatively plain interior with down-to-earth regulars seeming mostly friendly. Guiness suffices in the side room as a young pushchair-wielding couple play darts.

- A.I. Moments in the Malt Shovel -

Whether a respectable royal such as Nick ever wants to be seen in the Charlton House again is a matter for debate, but it's safe to say he'd have no aversion to revisiting the Malt Shovel. This Dudley town centre gem has retained its berth in the Good Beer Guide and demonstrates why with an immaculate serving of Titanic Plum Porter Grand Reserve; conversation turns to the daunting topic of artificial intelligence whereby His Majesty and Jane ponder the possibiity of sentient computer entities ever turning on their human masters. Should the machines one day succeed in achieving world domination, I hope they leave us in peace to enjoy Dudley Winter Ales for many more years to come. Cheers!

The Great British Beer Festival

I love going to beer festivals - especially those local to me in the West Midlands region - so when I heard that CAMRA's countrywide ale extravaganza was making its way to the National Exhibition Centre I'd cleared the date in my calendar months in advance. This my friends is the big one, the Great British Beer Festival 2025...

Nick and I have previously attended CAMRA's National Winter Ales event a fair few times - at Derby’s Roundhouse, Birmingham’s Bingley Hall and Burton Town Hall - but this is something else altogether, on a completely different larger scale. Unsurprisingly given its significance as the campaign's festival flagship , this sprawling showcase mainly used to be held in London (with host venues historically having included Covent Garden, Alexandra Palace and Olympia) but now it's got itself a new home right here in the West Midlands.

Catching the 10:45 Euston train from Wolverhampton, we arrive at Birmingham International circa 11:30. Traversing steps, corridors and weapon detectors, we follow helpful arrows to the allocated exhibition space and quickly get in with our pre-booked tickets. Festival programmes are £2 extra as we scope out the likely layout, most importantly identifying that Stand B11 is the cider stall in Hall 2. The beers are arranged across two vast rooms with food wings, game zones and a central shopping space for all your memorabilia needs. Some of the bars are named after rescued boozers (the Roscoe Head, the Woodman and the Drewe Arms being among them) while the dedicated brewery stands cover Harvey's, Green Duck, Thornbridge and many others. Expectant crowds are gradually massing in the initial foyer area by the Carlton Arms dispenses; hazard tape ropes things off until exactly midday and then the hordes are unleashed, whereby we make a beeline straight for the far corner to grab a table closest to the ciders. Let the drinking commence!

- Poised for Beer -

My first tipple is Egyptian Cream a.k.a. "the beer the pharaohs wish they had invented" - cue much lovely lactose, flaked oats and a velvety mouthfeel. This is a sumptuous Nene Valley Milk Stout as plucked from the Roscoe Head section, served using the purpose-built bank of handpulls installed at each station. Jane and Nick are both adopting a cider and perry remit, availing themselves of Beardspoon Ciderfect and Hogan's Perry respectively. We also have our collective eye on the scratching, crisp and brownie stalls so I doubt we'll be going hungry during our stay. Sweet treats, salty treats and luscious libations - what a combination!

- The Cider and Perry Bar -

Having raided the breweriana boxes for vintage beermats and a 1986 Good Beer Guide back copy, I next seek out Wilde Childe's Brownie Hunter for a satisfying dose of liquid cake; if the tasting notes insist on stating "dessert in a glass" there's no way I'm missing out on that. Nick partakes of the Tutts Clump Rum Cask (very definite hints of rum there) and locates the 22-person table football whereas Miss Woolf goes sweetly Welsh courtesy of the Llanblethian Orchards May Day cider, the programme sparking our curiosity as to what 'chaptalised' might mean. Answer = it's a technical process for adding sugar to increase alcohol yield during the fermentation stages, an act frowned upon in the making of truly traditional real cider and perry which relies on unadulterated natural pressings instead.

- Biddenden Strong -

His Majesty Nick busily scouts out the gourmet crisp stand without buying anything just yet - his amiable technique of circling for free samples is a case study in regal cheekiness - while Appletreewick's Traditional Medium Dry Cider keeps him mostly out of mischief. As if one royal presence isn't enough, I make the acquaintance of the Prince of Denmark courtesy of Harvey's own perch - seriously powerful, this is deep resinous stuff that's intensely dark at a mere 7.5%. That percentage is however dwarfed by the mighty 8.4% of Biddenden's Strong, a cider that both Nick and Jane can't resist from investigating with appropriately appreciative noises as a result. The Woolf is particularly taken with this one!

- Something mildly plummy? -

Eventually Nick does relent and purchase some Wild Duck plummy flavoured snackage to devour, just what you need after the Biddenden's intake. I steadily work my way through an Extra Special Marble (getting the clear tones of marmalade if less of the promised toffee and biscuity elements) and a slurp of Alright Treacle, a sweet stout produced by Ben's Brewery of Lancashire - I'll look out for their concoctions again I think, especially as this one does hit the heights of dark chewy toffee and molasses very nicely. A band performing Status Quo covers is on the main stage, hence Caroline, Paper Plane and Pictures of Matchstick Men are in their pounding set list. The halls are filling up markedly as the afternoon progresses.

- Pig Meets Woolf -

What next? Well it's no humorous matter when Jane deigns to try the Laughing Juice, a Three Saints full-flavoured perry hailing all the way from Monmouthshire - mark that down as another Welsh discovery!! After raiding yet more 12-for-a-quid beermats, I helplessly succumb to the lure of a comedy piggy hat when collecting my half of Iron Pier's Cast Iron Stout; beerwise this tastes very roasted and coallike, my tongue tantalised with acridness. The porky headwear is met with fearful astonishment by my two accomplices who probably dread having to wear it themselves. Nick deliberates profusely before committing to the Ayrshire Riviera Egremont Russet 8.5% cider with its Victorian variety origins. As per his usual festival custom, HRH is intent on concluding his personal haul with an absolute big hitter! 

- The Table Football Maestro -

Despite that powerhouse finale, Nick is still able to show off his table football prowess when beating the combined talents of Jane and myself 6-4. Miss Woolf finishes with Ross on Wye's Suzie's Catch - apparently named after a much loved farm cat - whereas I land on that old favourite Beartown Creme Bearlee for another slice of pudding-ish perfection. We bump into some of the Heart of Warwickshire CAMRA crew (branch leader Julie is a hugging force to be reckoned with), then Beer Festival law always dictates that we must have a go on the tombola before leaving. The Every 1's A Winner approach therefore sees Nick pocketing a t shirt and a pint glass, hence much rearranging of his carrier bag receptacles. Bearing in mind I'm already adorned with pink felt headwear, the volunteer sounds most apologetic in presenting me with another silly hat, this time a St George football cap with dragon tail. This all makes for a most eclectic haul coming back to Wolverhampton, and for festival fun GBBF can't be beat. Cheers!

Wolverhampton then Wales

I simply haven't been able to get enough of Wales lately. First came Knighton during Rail Rover Week, then that memorable weekend in Aberystwyth with Jane, and now I'll be heading across the border again when joining Stephen for a daytrip to Rhyl. Before the coast comes calling however, there's the small matter of an ale adventure closer to home...

- Chicken Run Characters -

Believe it or not I haven't attended a beer festival all year - there aren't quite as many events locally as there used to be - so the Wolverhampton CAMRA 'Summer of Beer' showcase has been ringed on my calendar for months. Nick and Jane are similarly keen to partake and we duly join forces on Friday 25th July, finding time beforehand to check out the 'Come As You Really Are' exhibition at the city's Art Gallery. Spread across three rooms, the displays are a huge amount of fun, comprising hobbyist creations from toys to fashions to knitted items to vintage football programmes. Where else can you find a crocheted Freddie Mercury, a Lady Penelope Thunderbirds car, Chicken Run homages and mock pop bottles all in one go? The collection was conceived by Hetain Patel in conjunction with Artangel.

- A Special Royal Cob Creation? -

Ambling down to the newly-rechristened Wolverhampton Arts Centre on Newhampton Road, we arrive just after midday opening time and soon settle in the main marquee armed with the usual kit of tokens, glasses and festival programmes. HRH Nick decides to accompany Miss Woolf on the ciders and perries on this occasion, leaving me flying the lone ale flag. I step up to the plate by partaking of Birt's Bitter (from All Nations in Shropshire), Murder She Oat (an excellent name and outstanding brew from Green Duck) and Uttoxeter's Dark Horse Mild. My accomplices meanwhile extol the virtues of Storm Damage cider, Gwynt y Ddraig Two Trees Perry and Sam's Autumn Mix Scrumpy. Nick gets suspiciously preferential treatment in being presented with a bespoke egg salad cob, whereas Jane undertakes intense negotiations with the ladies on the tombola stall, securing permission for us to wear a 'Sod Off' traffic cone hat. 

- Woolf Meets Wolf -

I should probably be grateful that said piece of headwear did not come into our possession on a more permanent basis, although our actual winnings do include a wolf-faced coaster (seen being modelled by our own Woolf), and a diabetic calorie-counting boardgame! The festival is as excellent as ever, and our follow-up tour of Whitmore Reans hostelries isn't bad either. Both the Summer House and the Newhampton have tempting tipples available and are your classic Victorian street corner boozers, but stealing the show is definitely the Stile with its promise of homecooked Polish cuisine. Jane gamely tries to demolish a plate of polonez (pork with a pile of sauerkraut) but admits defeat to the hefty portions, whereas Nick manages to gobble down a chicken kiev and I eagerly munch my way through beef goulash and potato pancakes. Yum!

- Beardsmore by the Beach -

I've just about digested those Eastern European delicacies when Saturday 26th July presents my third Welsh incursion, and this time I'll be heading for the shores of North Wales courtesy of Rhyl, a sometimes-maligned seaside town in Denbighshire. Stephen has booked us onto a coach trip with the Low Hill Community Association so we gather on Kempthorne Avenue at 8am along with seemingly most of the local housing estate! Three coaches will be making the journey along the M6 and A55, setting off at quarter to nine and reaching the Rhyl seafront roughly three hours later (via sightings of Flint and Prestatyn). The weather is a little overcast to begin with but that doesn't stop Stephen from posing near the sands.

- Foryd Bridge, Rhyl -

From the coach layover area we proceed along West Parade, noting landmarks such as the SC2 swimming complex and a square clock tower. Rhyl is scheduled to receive £20 million of investment funding over the next ten years and some of that is already being spent upgrading the promenade area, hence the building site vibe and fenced-off sections near the fairground. There are interesting views to be had looking out across the harbour, where the River Clwyd curves in below the nature reserve promontory of Horton's Nose with its marram grasses and sand dunes. The bright blue metallic features of Foryd Bridge are also very apparent, its bowstring girders spanning the river in connecting us over towards Kinmel Bay.  

- Rhyl Railway Station -

The lack of gammon on Wetherspoons menus these days means Mr B favours Hungry Horse establishments if of a pork persuasion, and the Harbour is well-placed to supply our lunching needs here. It's not the most glamorous of pubs in truth but we can see the Pont y Ddraig lift bridge when looking through the feature front windows, and I never say no to an onion ring! A closer look at Horton's Nose sets us up for a wander into Rhyl town centre, whereby High Street has a few of your standard holiday gift shops selling buckets, spades and inflatable flamingo rings. The town's railway station first opened in 1848 when it was served by trains between Chester and Holyhead, a function it still performs today. The frontage has some appealing touches of typical Victorian stylings while the adjacent bus interchange offers connections to Llandudno (the number 12) or Town Circular routes the 35 and 36.

- Coke in the Cob & Pen -

An archway just to the side of the railway station leads in turn to my pub pick for the day, the Cob & Pen being a 2025 Good Beer Guide recommendation in a locality perhaps not blessed with a wide range of real ale options. The barmaids are being run off their feet such is the constant level of demand, although the fact the beer garden is hosting a Northern Soul All Dayer might have something to do with that. I can't fault my Facer's pint of Flintshire Bitter while Stephen is content watching the Old Trafford cricket on the big screen, willing England to take more Indian wickets. A very melty ice cream is another highlight of the day and we make sure to browse a few charity shops in search of Beardsmore hedgehog trinkets.

- Rhyl Lifeboat Station -

Having covered West Parade earlier, we now target East Parade for the sake of completion, venturing as far as the Eisteddfod standing stones near Old Golf Road. The brooding hulk of the Royal Alexandra Hospital has a certain seafront presence and deals purely with outpatient appointments these days, then we pay our respects at the Garden of Remembrance with its soldier statue commemorating Boer War casualties. Cute frog fountains and the Pavilion Theatre can't escape our attentions entirely but we finish off at the Min Yr Haul (Sun Verge) modern Marston's carvery effort for pre-coach refreshments in the sunshine. Come half past six its time to bid the seaside farewell again, the homeward trundle taking two and a bit hours. Rhyl might still not be the prettiest place but with sun, sand and sea it was well worth a visit.

Dudley Winter Ales Fayre 2024

When it comes to beer festivals, one date above all others always gets circled in my calendar as being absolutely essential - yes, every autumn the end of November must mean that the Dudley Winter Ales Fayre is imminent. 2024 is no different so off to the Town Hall we go, eager to see which ales and ciders are being showcased this year...

- Coroners Court -

It's Friday 29th November 2024 and the annual pilgrimage is on, catching the number 1 bus across from Tettenhall Wood to the temporary Tower Street terminus, anticipation building with every mile for the treasure of tipples that lies in wait. I could probably navigate to St James's Road in my sleep, so familiar has the walk now become, and at just after 11 o'clock we join an expectant throng queuing outside the Town Hall box office. Here I can admire original lettering recalling the provision of a coroners court and Brooke Robinson Memorial Museum. The hall complex is Grade II* listed having been designed by Harvey and Wicks, first opening in 1928. 

- Primed for Bread Pudding -

Once inside and replete with orange token cards, we can launch into the carefully curated range of casked temptations. Bathams XXX is a famed winter warmer which always sells out quickly so I make sure to get a third of that under my belt pronto. Nick encounters an Enville Old Porter followed by a Wilde Childe Brownie Hunter, whereas I progress via my own taste of liquid heaven in the form of Jolly Boys Chocolate Fudge Porter - you literally can have your cake and drink it! The Little Devils food concession seems equally as popular as the main bars, dispensing grey peas and bacon, faggots with mash, huge cobs or hand-raised pork pies, not to mention hefty slabs of bread pudding - ideal stodge for soaking up all the beer.

- Cuckoo Penny Cider -

There is plenty to keep our cider correspondent Jane occupied too. I'm reliably informed that the Pornstar Martini infused one has a pronounced passionfruit flavour, while the Celtic Tiger also scores highly albeit perhaps upstaged by Cuckoo Penny for its rhubarb tartness. Mulled offerings involving gingerbread and sugar plums are duly accounted for, then back on the beer front I can wholeheartedly commend Fixed Wheel's Grand Reserve, a specially ramped-up take on their Blackheath Stout as created to celebrate the brewery's tenth anniversary. It's always good to go out with a bang, hence we respectively avail ourselves of Sarah Hughes Snowflake, Broadoak Premium Perry and Davenport's Top Brew Deluxe, the latter of those being the 7.2% weakling from a powerhouse of a trio!

- Bathams XXX -

Any sadness that our tokens are all spent is offset by the pub possibilities to come elsewhere in Dudley town centre. The Lamp Tavern on Blowers Green Road is a perennial favourite, one of twelve Bathams tied houses so you know you're going to be in for a treat, especially once I realise that the XXX is on here too - a very potent 6.3%. The former Queens Cross brewhouse to the rear has been converted into a function suite which hosts a regular blues club, although we settle in the cosy lounge chatting about classic Star Trek characters. Nick is educated that Spock's correct title is Mr rather than Dr, and some furry wolf ears may have made an appearance - more of those shortly...

- Dudley? It's Bostin! -

Backtracking along the High Street, we pass the site of the old Hanson's Brewery next door to the Three Crowns (an Asda supermarket is in situ nowadays) then note the ever-reassuring presence of 'Top Church' as dedicated to St Thomas - this is the counterpart to St Edmund's a.k.a. 'Bottom Church' which stands near the junction with Castle Hill. Bostin banners give further encouragement as we nip through an increasingly dusky Market Place with Duncan Edwards's statue watching on. The stalls have most packed away for the evening but there are some Christmas lights to add a certain twinkle to proceedings.

- Ear all about it in the Courthouse -

Two Tower Street taverns will form our Dudley denouement, one either end of the road. First up is the Courthouse, a Black Country Ales establishment which usually muscles it way into our festival itinerary; Elgoods Blackberry Porter is full of fruity goodness and the £3 cobs have some serious wedges of cheddar - yum! The Malt Shovel is thirty seconds stroll away and is part of the Rojo Pub Group (along with the likes of the Tame Bridge, Red House Boutique and Sedgley's Swan). Kinver Khyber meets Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild as we nab a table by the rounded hearth, modelling the aforementioned wolf ears for all that they are worth. A pit stop at the Mount Pleasant (Stump) during the ride home is much too close for cricketing comfort as far as Jane is concerned but the beer is routinely excellent there too. Cheers!

The Kidderminster Beer Festival 2024

The Beer Festival bandwagon has taken a while to get moving in 2024 but is steadily gaining momentum courtesy of visits to Hereford and Wolverhampton during the summer, followed by the trio of Tamworth, Shrewsbury and Codsall once autumn leaves started to fall. Next up is a repeat visit to the Kidderminster event held once again in the shadows of the Aggborough football stadium...

- Kidderminster Station Frontage -

Trip Log: Saturday 9th November 2024 and a persistent blanket of anticyclonic gloom (not a weather term I'd heard of until this last week) has camped across the West Midlands skies for what seems like an age. Things may be very grey but at least it's dry as I make my way over to Kidderminster via Smethwick Galton Bridge. I know I'll be struggling to get decent pictures because of the overcast conditions but that won't stop me trying a few snapshots of Kiddy's twin stations, i.e. the mainline stop and the adjacent Severn Valley Railway terminus. 

- GWR Clock in the Severn Valley Booking Hall -

Talking of all things Severn Valley, they aren't running a timetable today but the concourse and museum are open to visitors so I can scout around in the booking hall looking for interesting artefacts. One GWR-era clock is a good start and some memorial wreaths have been laid out too, whilst three large bags of glittery tinsel suggest their Christmas decorations will be going up imminently. Period advertisements for Lloyd's News and Webb's Seeds (the latter being perfect for growing prized potatoes apparently) add to the bygone charm while volunteers in oily overalls cheerfully bid me good morning en route to their locomotive preserving activities.

- The East Terrace -

After a few years at the Town Hall, Kidderminster Beer Festival switched venues in 2023 to be hosted at the Kidderminster Harriers Social & Supporters Club; I was impressed with the set-up twelve months ago hence being keen to return today. Hoo Road soon has me homing in on Aggborough where preparations are underway for the match against Farsley Celtic later this afternoon (Harriers would win that 1-0 thanks to a goal from Ben Beresford). I'm here for the beer of course although a picture or two of the ground won't hurt, especially with the East Terrace having a rusty corrugated throwback appearance. 

- The Festival Kit -

As was the case last year, the festival admission package costs £15 and the ale action is mainly focused upon the large function room once I've been assigned a green wristband. My opening half is of Green Duck's 'Sitting Duck', a quality golden ale from Stourbridge's finest. Some of the darker stouts and porters have already sold out - those are the perils of attending these things on the Saturday session - so I progress through RCH's 'East Street Cream' (a 5% premium bitter with chestnut tones) followed by Bewdley's 'Sunshine'. The last of those means I have now seen some sunshine today after all, and proves a nice 3.8% zingy session beer.

- Cob and Reading Material -

The stage is being set for a Morris dancing demonstration of some description as I shift my focus onto the cider offering. 21 tipples of an apple or pear persuasion are available which is plenty to be going at; I just try two of them, namely Heck's 'Slack-Ma-Girdle' and Barbourne's 'Major Jane'. Both of these are listed as dry ciders and they have a certain tartness that tests out my tongue's powers of resilience but I find myself growing to like them with every passing sip. A cheese and onion cob for lunch is accompanied by reading matter in the form of Pint Taken, the Worcestershire CAMRA newsletter which I always enjoy perusing.

- The Land Oak -

With five halves quaffed and all tokens spent, I do my usual trick of seeking out a previously unvisited local establishment to round off the afternoon. My choice this year is the Land Oak on Birmingham Road, a corporate Marston's roadhouse I must have passed countless times during caravan rides to Stourport or cricketing journeys towards Worcester. It's a longstanding landmark, built in the 1930s I believe when the Chester Road was widened, and is serving a fairly standard combination of Wainwright, Hobgoblin and Banks's Amber. Although done out inside, I quite like the zigzagging chimney breast and dedicated games area, plus it seems popular enough with local families. With that I hustle on back to Kidderminster Station, ears primed for Molineux goalflashes as Wolves secure their first Premier League victory of the season against Southampton. Three points, a pub tick and a fun festival = a great few hours!