I’d like to thank me Mum 2004
Whatever happens in the circle of life, the pub will always play a prominent role. It is the very fabric of British culture,
even more so than football.
In Jan/Feb 2004, we were at the pub to socialize, we were at the pub after me Mum went to the great pub in the sky, we
were at the pub after her service, we were at the pub for my Birthday, and we were at the pub just to be at the pub ! And
as ever, have Daytimer, will travel.
I've listed the pub and its location first, followed by the ale (or ales) tasted there. A pub with "+" by its name indicates a
CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) recommended pub.
So to begin -- in chronological order…..
Chequers Inn +, Fladbury, Worcestershire: Black Sheep Ale. This brilliant old inn dates from 1372. The landlord was
a miserable old git.
The Anchor, Fladbury, Worcestershire: Olde Swan Bumblehole. Smoke filled dive, full of gypsies. Great beers
though.
The Berkeley Arms +, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Wadworth’s JCB. 14th century inn.
The White Bear +, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Wickwar Cotswold Way; Spinning Dog Katy’s Pride. Site of the
Gloucestershire CAMRA Winter Beer Festival, this pub is well known for being flooded (located right on the banks of the
River Avon) and for its drunken fights. Apart from that, the beers are excellent.
The Berkeley Arms (return visit): Archers Golden Train.
The Swan, Coombe Hill, Gloucestershire: Wyre Piddle, Piddle in the Snow. Cozy, trendy pub, between Tewkesbury
and Gloucester.
The Britannia, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Courage Best Bitter.
The Queens’s Head, Aston Cross, Gloucestershire: Flowers IPA.
The Nottingham Arms +, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Greene King IPA (Silver Medal CAMRA Great British Beer
Festival, London, August 2004). 16th century inn.
The Bell, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Morland’s Tanner’s Jack. Another 16th century inn.
The Cross Keys, near Bredon, Worcestershire: Double Diamond. A crap pub (albeit with a lot of potential with the
right owner) selling crap beers. Double Diamond was the best on offer, and that is a truly CRAP beer !
The Plough Inn, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Greene King Abbot’s Ale.
The Queen’s Head (return visit): Flowers Best Bitter.
The Crown Inn, Kemerton, Worcestershire: Ruddles County. This was a run out with my mate Kevin Minchew, who
produces Cider (both apple and pear) for a living. www.minchews.co.uk
The King’s Head, Bishops Cleeve, Gloucestershire: Wadworth’s 6X; Wickwar Bob. I went to the King’s Head with my
very dear pal Chris Bignall. The King’s Head is a 13th century inn, although there’s evidence that it was built onto a
structure that dates from the 11th century. For the historian, the 11th century structure was constructed of wattle and
daub (cow dung and straw).
During World War II, me Mum (who lived in London) would visit her brother in Bishop’s Cleeve, and The King’s Head was
their pub of choice. There’s a photo in existence of Mum and her nephew standing outside the pub.
After our pints, Chris and I went for a very fine curry at the Shiraz Tandoori & Balti House (address: 2 Church Road,
Bishops Cleeve – should anyone be visiting Gloucestershire in the near future).
The Royal Oak, Bredon, Worcestershire: Bank’s Bitter. My Birthday pint. We used to come to this pub in our teens
and get totally pissed on Heineken !
The Queen’s Head (return visit): Flowers IPA (reprise).
The Miller’s Arms, Pershore, Worcestershire: Wadworth’s Old Henry’s IPA. A final farewell pint with my family.
January and February was an emotional rollercoaster, but with adversity, we found time to laugh – it was as me Mum
would have liked. Special thanks to my old schoolboy mates Chris and Kevin, whose contribution to the cause was
immeasurable.
I’m planning a pub-tour back to the UK with Debby in 2008 – I’ve already put together a preliminary itinerary which takes
us from London to Cornwall....lot’s of good pints to enjoy on that route !
Keep the faith,
Ian.
Whatever happens in the circle of life, the pub will always play a prominent role. It is the very fabric of British culture,
even more so than football.
In Jan/Feb 2004, we were at the pub to socialize, we were at the pub after me Mum went to the great pub in the sky, we
were at the pub after her service, we were at the pub for my Birthday, and we were at the pub just to be at the pub ! And
as ever, have Daytimer, will travel.
I've listed the pub and its location first, followed by the ale (or ales) tasted there. A pub with "+" by its name indicates a
CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) recommended pub.
So to begin -- in chronological order…..
Chequers Inn +, Fladbury, Worcestershire: Black Sheep Ale. This brilliant old inn dates from 1372. The landlord was
a miserable old git.
The Anchor, Fladbury, Worcestershire: Olde Swan Bumblehole. Smoke filled dive, full of gypsies. Great beers
though.
The Berkeley Arms +, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Wadworth’s JCB. 14th century inn.
The White Bear +, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Wickwar Cotswold Way; Spinning Dog Katy’s Pride. Site of the
Gloucestershire CAMRA Winter Beer Festival, this pub is well known for being flooded (located right on the banks of the
River Avon) and for its drunken fights. Apart from that, the beers are excellent.
The Berkeley Arms (return visit): Archers Golden Train.
The Swan, Coombe Hill, Gloucestershire: Wyre Piddle, Piddle in the Snow. Cozy, trendy pub, between Tewkesbury
and Gloucester.
The Britannia, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Courage Best Bitter.
The Queens’s Head, Aston Cross, Gloucestershire: Flowers IPA.
The Nottingham Arms +, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Greene King IPA (Silver Medal CAMRA Great British Beer
Festival, London, August 2004). 16th century inn.
The Bell, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Morland’s Tanner’s Jack. Another 16th century inn.
The Cross Keys, near Bredon, Worcestershire: Double Diamond. A crap pub (albeit with a lot of potential with the
right owner) selling crap beers. Double Diamond was the best on offer, and that is a truly CRAP beer !
The Plough Inn, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire: Greene King Abbot’s Ale.
The Queen’s Head (return visit): Flowers Best Bitter.
The Crown Inn, Kemerton, Worcestershire: Ruddles County. This was a run out with my mate Kevin Minchew, who
produces Cider (both apple and pear) for a living. www.minchews.co.uk
The King’s Head, Bishops Cleeve, Gloucestershire: Wadworth’s 6X; Wickwar Bob. I went to the King’s Head with my
very dear pal Chris Bignall. The King’s Head is a 13th century inn, although there’s evidence that it was built onto a
structure that dates from the 11th century. For the historian, the 11th century structure was constructed of wattle and
daub (cow dung and straw).
During World War II, me Mum (who lived in London) would visit her brother in Bishop’s Cleeve, and The King’s Head was
their pub of choice. There’s a photo in existence of Mum and her nephew standing outside the pub.
After our pints, Chris and I went for a very fine curry at the Shiraz Tandoori & Balti House (address: 2 Church Road,
Bishops Cleeve – should anyone be visiting Gloucestershire in the near future).
The Royal Oak, Bredon, Worcestershire: Bank’s Bitter. My Birthday pint. We used to come to this pub in our teens
and get totally pissed on Heineken !
The Queen’s Head (return visit): Flowers IPA (reprise).
The Miller’s Arms, Pershore, Worcestershire: Wadworth’s Old Henry’s IPA. A final farewell pint with my family.
January and February was an emotional rollercoaster, but with adversity, we found time to laugh – it was as me Mum
would have liked. Special thanks to my old schoolboy mates Chris and Kevin, whose contribution to the cause was
immeasurable.
I’m planning a pub-tour back to the UK with Debby in 2008 – I’ve already put together a preliminary itinerary which takes
us from London to Cornwall....lot’s of good pints to enjoy on that route !
Keep the faith,
Ian.
| IAN'S 2004 REAL ALE TOUR AND REVIEW |
| DUNKLES & JAFFA CAKES |
| Return to Ian's Page |