Microwave "Original" Cornish Pasty in a bag, from the SPAR store. Genuine British Beef.
Did a Woman Inspire Ian Fleming's James Bond?
Here's an interesting story about the possible origins of the James Bond character. Seems logical to me. If you have a chance, give the radio show - by BBC's Miles Jupp - a listen - great stuff. Click here for a link.
Ok, here's is a bit of Ian Fleming trivia - he also wrote the book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He penned the story for his son.
Britain's Most Festive Pub...
33 Ways to Entice Someone into a Pub...
Yea - Like I really need a reason to be enticed into a pub. Still a bunch of great sign boards brought to you by the folks over at Buzzfeed. Give you something to laugh about on the way to the bar. Click here and enjoy - Cheers!
The Eleven Oldest Pubs in the UK
Yes, this is an older article, but I just found it. I have been to one of these - the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Pub in Nottingham, so I guess I have ten to go - good work if you can find it.
Click here and see if you had a pint or two at one. Feel free to drop us a line. Cheers
I would like to go here - Does it still exist?
I found this image quite a while ago. It's called The Old Inn, in a place called Windcombe in the Moor. Look's like a lovely place on a rainy winter's afternoon.
What's for Dinner
Looks like the beginning of a great dinner. What you can't see is the chips already in the fryer - bubbling away quite nicely.
Cheers!
Beer is Good For You - Well Duh!
Apparently, a Penn State research study - of some 80,000 people - found that a beer or two a day can actually make you healthier, and is good for your heart. Oh heck, I've known that for years.
For the whole story, by Nick Hines over at Vinepair, click here. But first make sure you a beer - doctor's orders!
Man Uses Beer as Currency
Here's a great story - A man hitchhiked from Edinburgh Scotland to Delhi India using nothing but beer to pay his way. Sponsored by the folks at Innes & Gunn Manny Marshall made the 5,000 miles trip using the brewery's IPA as money.
Click here for the whole story - by Darren Smith, over at The Drinks Business.
And in More UK Pub News....
Ever want to buy your own waterfall? How about one that is known for a "Naked Robin Hood?" And if you buy the property, there is a great old pub thrown in as part of the bargain.
Interested?
Click here for all the details.
South Alabama British Car Club
Out and about last weekend - we stopped by the annual South Alabama British Car Club show, in downtown Fairhope, Alabama. A good show, decent turnout and a couple of rarer birds.
And...In UK Pub News....
The Marksman in Bethnal Green is Michelin pub of the year
Looks like a great place. A gastropub serving new wave pub food is nice, as long as the old reliable standards are still on offer.
Click here for the story - from the BBC
Pity - No More After This...
This is one darn good beer - Newcastle - Caledonian Collaborative Editions Scotch Ale. Since this was a limited release there will be no more. These were my last two - and now they are gone. Very tasty, but now it's gone - Pity.
Another Really Tiny UK Pub
Well, there is another new pub that claims the title of the UK's smallest pub, and from the photo that accompanies the article, this may well be true. Click here to read the little article by Lucy Shaw.
Save The Date
Planning on being in the UK in June of next year? Then pencil these dates in to your book - 17 & 18 June 2017. These are the provisional dates for the MG Car Club's MGLive! 2017. Heck, even if you can't attend, click here to watch a cool little video. Cheers!
A New One to the List - St Peter's Cream Stout
It looks like at least one more of St Peter's catalog of beers has made it to my part of North America. The shop only had two bottles, and of course, I bought them both. At first blush - this is one tasty stout. Try it if you can find it.
Can You Complete These Popular English Pub Names?
Here's a quick one from the folks at Quizfreak. Funny thing - I have actually been to some of these pubs (of course, there are more than one by the same name).
Take the quiz here.
The Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland - United
By the end of 2016, it is estimated that the value of all the independent craft brewed beer made in Ireland will be worth some 20 million Euro, a sum that the big brewers and distributors have certainly taken notice of. It seems that the big boys want to hitch a ride on the wave created by the small craft brewer. In response, the Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland (IBCI) organization has created a symbol - see the emblem below - that when seen on a beer will let the drinker know that this truly is a craft beer brewed by a small independent Irish brewer.
I think this is sort of a kin to what the genuine Trappist monks did years ago, when everybody was starting to claim they made a Trappist beer. Of course, the Trappists went one step farther by ensuring, in legal terms, that a Trappist product was a genuine Trappist product. I don't think the Irish craft brewer can go quite this far, but at least when you see this emblem you will know the beer comes from an independent Irish brewer.
Read more of the story here.
Check out the Independent Irish Craft Brewers organization here.
Like Gin? Need a Job?
Perhaps you could qualify as a trained gin butler. Click here for the whole story.
Yes indeed, just the thing while waiting for a nice roast beef to get done. This really is a fine beer. Cheers!