Today I joined the Burton Ale Trail, organised by Ian Webster, for a fantastic day exploring some of Burton upon Trent’s pubs and beer heritage. I was joined by Niall, who runs the Facebook page From Sheffield with Pubs, and it was great to spend the day chatting about pubs, history and all things beer-related. We also met up with Jenny and Kenny from Real Ale Finder at various points during the day, which made for plenty of enjoyable conversation between venues. The trail took us around a variety of pubs, each with its own character and story to tell, showcasing why Burton remains such an important town in Britain’s brewing history. With good company, interesting pubs and plenty of conversation along the way, it proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
Category Archives: Brewery Taps
13/05/26 and 16/05/26 – Margate and Westgate-on-Sea
Over the two days I headed around Margate, Cliftonville and Westgate-on-Sea with Paul, Karen, Neil and Glen, alongside meeting up with a number of people from Thanet CAMRA along the way. It turned into a brilliant couple of days exploring a real mix of micropubs, taprooms and seafront bars, each with their own character and stories behind them. From harbour views and cosy old buildings to colourful interiors packed with memorabilia, there was plenty to take in between the pubs. I enjoyed some excellent beers throughout, met lots of friendly faces and had some great conversations along the way. Overall, it was a warm, relaxed couple of days around Thanet’s pub scene.
15/05/26 – Gillingham, Strood, Gravesend and Chatham/Rochester
Friday took me across the Thames and Medway area, calling into a fantastic mix of micropubs, brewery taps and independent pubs in Rainham, Gillingham, Strood, Gravesend and Rochester. Along the way I caught up with plenty of familiar faces, enjoyed some great conversations and sampled a wide range of cask ales, ciders and craft beers. Each stop had its own character, from railway arches and vaulted cellars to historic timber-framed buildings and busy brewery taprooms. What really stood out throughout the day was the warm welcome everywhere I visited, with every pub offering something slightly different while still keeping that relaxed, friendly atmosphere that makes these trips so enjoyable.
02/05/26 – Fylde Coast Beer & Buses – Kirkham and Freckleton
I had a fantastic evening out with The Fylde Tramway Society, enjoying a lovely run around Kirkham and Freckleton. It was one of those trips where everything just felt easy and enjoyable, with plenty of good company along the way. The bus, kindly provided by Best Bus In Town, was spot on for the trip and made the journey all the more pleasant. Big thanks to Gary and Bradley as well for looking after us on board – they really helped make it such a warm and relaxed evening.
25/04/26 – Lancashire Beer and Buses
I had a fantastic day out on the Lancashire Beer and Buses trip, setting off on the feeder bus from Preston and calling at a great mix of pubs along the way. The sunshine made it even better, and the whole day had a lovely, easygoing feel. I spent it with Jenny and Kenny from Real Ale Finder, along with Mark, Paul, Jackie, Oliver and Alistair, and it was great catching up with Tony, Deb, Ian and Dawn at The Vestry. Along the route we visited a blend of historic inns and micropubs, each with its own character, friendly atmosphere and a good range of cask ales, making it a thoroughly enjoyable day exploring Lancashire.
24/04/26 – Clitheroe
I spent the day in Clitheroe, starting at The New Inn, a historic pub full of character, before heading to The Emporium, a converted chapel with a relaxed, multi-level layout. At Holmes Mill, the vast Beer Hall blended industrial heritage with a huge beer selection. The Horseshoe Inn felt like a proper local, while The Beer Shack offered a compact micropub experience. The Ale House stood out for its lively feel and friendly chat, and I finished at The Brown Cow, a traditional spot that rounded off a varied and memorable visit.
17/04/26 – Lost Cause Brewing Co (Wakefield)
I visited Lost Cause Brewing Co’s new Wakefield taproom opening and it felt like a significant step forward for a brewery that’s grown quickly over the past year. What began as an idea in Whitwood became reality in 2024, with a focus on modern, flavour-led beers. The new space, fully integrated with the brewery, brings a lively atmosphere with tanks and kegs all around. The beer range is varied and confident, showing real progress. Chatting with the founders made it clear how much effort has gone in. It feels busy, welcoming, and marks an exciting new chapter for Lost Cause Brewing Co.
11/04/26 – Saltaire and Shipley
I spent the day exploring Saltaire and Shipley with friends and members of Bradford CAMRA, visiting a mix of historic pubs and newer bars. Each place had its own story, from converted village buildings to modern taprooms, reflecting how the area has evolved over time. I enjoyed a wide range of beers, from hazy IPAs to traditional cask ales, while taking in the different interiors, from cosy rooms to open industrial spaces. The day was as much about the character of each venue as the drinks themselves, with a warm welcome everywhere and plenty of opportunities to settle in, chat, and enjoy the surroundings at a relaxed pace.
05/04/26 – Norwich
I travelled from Cambridge to Norwich on Easter Sunday, starting at The Coach & Horses and working my way through a brilliant mix of historic pubs and newer spots. Each place offered something different, from riverside views to brewpubs with beer made on site, and I enjoyed trying a wide range of cask ales throughout the day. A real highlight was meeting up with Lucy from Norwich & District CAMRA at The Leopard, and it was great exploring several pubs together, chatting and sharing recommendations. The day finished at The Fat Cat & Canary, rounding off a busy and thoroughly enjoyable pub crawl.
03/04/26-04/04/26 – Cambridge
I spent two days exploring Cambridge’s pubs, starting at the Kingston Arms and working my way through a wide mix of historic and characterful venues. It was great to meet CAMRA members Alistair, Will and Ingvar along the way. Each stop offered something different, from railway heritage at the Old Ticket Office to revived locals like the Royal Standard and Devonshire Arms. I also visited The Bank Micropub, a cosy former bank focused on good ale and conversation. I enjoyed a strong range of cask ales, ciders and keg beers throughout, with day two adding brewpubs, taprooms and a trip out to Northstowe.
Micropub Adventures 