An evening in Plymouth

Spent an evening in Plymouth last Saturday and was pleasantly surprised

Started in The Yard Arm (in the 2010 GBG but not the 2011 - such are the vaguaries of CAMRA) Had a great pint of Hunters Crack Shot at 3.8% (£3). A good sold session beer.

Then onto The Fishermans Arms (2010 & 2011) where i was tempted by the St Austell Proper Job at 4.5% (£3.10) which is a favourite of mine since tasting it at a Northern beer festival last year.

A walk down to the Barbican and into the Dolphin Inn (2010 & 2011) for a pint of Sharps Doom Bar (straight from the barrel) at 4% (£2.95 - a bargain?!)

The GBG describes The Dolphin as 'unbashedly no frills' which is an apt description - our lass wouldn't like it

Back to the Fishermans for more Proper Job, I'd like to say i tried the two other St Austell beers but I liked the Proper Job too much. This place is very much like a gastro pub and if the food tasted anything like it looked when it left the miniscule kitchen, then next time in Plymouth i'm eating here.

A walk round the hoe to meet our lass and her friends in the recently re-opened & refurbished 'Waterfront', (read about the demise of the old Waterfront here). Sad to say cocktails were then the order of the day as we slipped into hazy oblivion......

So, Plymouth is very much worth a visit, many more real ale places to try than i had time to so hopefully we'll be back next year

(there i did it, not one mention of beer prices being too high, especially as they were relatively 'local' ales)

Britain's Best Beer 2010 - The October Prize Draw

Someone on our Forum mentioned an off-licence nearby called Rhythm & Booze which stocked a good selection of British Beers.

We paid a visit and for your delectation here is October's prize in our search for Britain's Best Beer:



Acorn Brewery - Barnsley Gold - abv 4.3%
Fresh citrus aroma and good bitterness levels. Fruit and hops carry through to a crisp, dry finish

Acorn Brewery - Gorlovka - abv 6.0%
A deep malt and hoppy aroma with liquorice throughout. Roast malts, fruit and hops also carry through this full bodied stout

Bradfield Brewery - Farmers Pale Ale - abv 5.0%
A distinctive fruity Pale Ale, well balanced with a powerful floral bouquet, full-bodied and a predominantly dry aftertaste

Bradfield Brewery - Farmers Stout - abv 4.5%
A dark enriched 'black and white' stout balanced by ploughing through roasted malts and flaked oats with a subtle bitter hop character

Cropton Brewery - Scoresby Stout - abv 4.2%
A traditional stout combining dark roasted barley with Challenger and Goldings hops

Cropton Brewery - Two Pints Bitter - abv 4.0%
A classic bitter providing a balanced hoppy flavour with a malty aftertaste

Daleside Brewery - Blonde - abv 4.3%
A refreshing, light golden beer with a hoppy aroma & crisp palate

Daleside Brewery - Old Leg Over - abv 4.1%
A well balanced, mid brown ale, nutty in the mouth with a lingering hop and bitter aftertaste

Ossett Brewery - Excelsior - abv 5.2%
A fresh hoppy aroma with citrus and floral characteristics. A mellow yet full flavour that develops into a fruity dryness on the palate

Ossett Brewery - Treacle Stout - abv 5.0%
A rich and robust stout

York Brewery - Minster Ale - abv 4.2%
Light amber colour, an aroma of flowery hop with a very nice fruit and hop flavour

York Brewery - Yorkshire Terrier - abv 4.2%
A golden coloured premium bitter with a rich, creamy malt and full hop palate finish



Want to win this great case of real ale?
Simply select the best British beer you have tasted this year to help us find Britain's Best Beer 2010.
There are two categories to vote in, Best Cask Beer and Best Bottled Beer.
We know there are some great beers out there, which is why you can select up to three beers in either one or both categories. Every vote will count equally and by the end of November we hope to have found a winner.
Vote here before the end of August for your chance to win this great case of British Beer

Please note this competition is only open to UK residents OVER the age of 18.