Laid back start to Stout Wars in The New Union, Kendal….

Ideal Day Family Brewery - Under a Tree Coolship IPA - it’s very good…. #ISBFX

And off we go again. Keg today, staring slow & low with a lovely west coast pale from Ampersand…

Up past 10pm twice this week. Turning into a fucking night owl….

Lakes Brew Co Four Bean Stout - a fitting finale! Lush, decadent, delicious #ISBFX

North Riding West Coast Pale #ISBFX

And then there was Pictish #ISBFX

#ISBFX Thursday night starts off as cask night, Pint of Mallinsons please!

7 years since I first got involved with a niche beer festival that has subsequently and deservedly become the nicest gathering of beer luvvies anywhere. Looking forward to returning tonight & tomorrow - see you there! #ISBFX

Tuesday nights under the lights @ Brunton Park. Must say pitch looks immaculate….

Tis the season for fireside pints and woolly hats

Just when you thought Sunday Couldn’t get better…

Just in case anyone missed it - a Cumbrian miracle occurred in Berkshire today for around 9 minutes. A new Saint - Regan Linney - scoring injury time goals at 93 & 98 minutes and a winner 4 minutes into extra time is largely responsible

Possibly the most perfect beer I have drunk in years, if ever. Look out for it in the wild. West coast is best coast - personified.

Fires been lit less than 5 minutes….

Current status…

Oh yeah….

Pray for me

Birthday outing to Glasgow today - The Laurieston Bar, the new Dishoom and whisky will feature….

No words needed…

Trying determinedly to detox from social media. Have set aside reading time this week & have read a book cover to cover in a few hours over 3 days - probably the first time in 7 years & it feels so very very good…

Decent turnout at Carlisle vs Forest Green. 5.30 kick off is rubbish though…

Very good..

Entertaining a legend in Kendal & sending him home with gifts is always a highlight of the year!

Beautiful lacing, cellar cool & perfect condition - if only this was the norm when opting for a pint of cask beer…

Sunshine pint at Brewery Arts Kendal…

Approaching my 60th birthday - used AI to generate a playlist of every no.1 on my birthday from 1965 to date. First tune is Tears by Ken Dodd. Just don’t know how to react. This is going to take some serious processing…

Flu jab Friday followed by Friday club in the New Union featuring pints, pints, lots of pints and maybe a wee whisky as well. Then home to an explosive homemade curry. Will definitely play to the anti vaxers as I can almost feel the effects of the flu jab when I wake up in the morning…..

Last comp of the season - back over the border at Minto - coffee & breakfast roll with square sausage. Might stay in the clubhouse….

Today’s mystic Bob forecast - Pints, Pints, Pints…. Oh and a peculiar feeling that Carlisle will win at Scunny……

A perfect festival where sitting down with a beer and having a chat is normal - no charging around for tiny gulps here! It’s very good for your wellbeing…

Penultimate comp of the year, Fulford near York. Breezy, incoming storm - prospects - challenging!

Final pint - Easy Rider at the Market Cat in York. Tourist central in The Shambles but £5 a pint - very reasonable and probably why they are doing a very steady trade…

York No.3 The Volunteer- a back street independent one could get quite at home in… Roosters Buckeye & Scampi Fries….

The Fox in York - lovely old multi room pub run by Ossett, beer excellent!

Lots of reasons why this is a very lovely pub. 3pm on a Thursday and around 20 enthusiastically drinking from 7 casks and at least 5 keg fonts. Cider also available.

When in Yorkshire……

Would Cumbrian West Coast folk please repost this: I need homebrewers for a homebrew club In the Cockermouth - Workington area. Bottle swaps, meet ups to wang on about beer & maybe even in the summer drinks in the garden. Even if you don't currently homebrew & want to see if it's the hobby for you.

Sunday pints by the fire….

Only 11 tickets left for Thursday at #ISBFX! We still have plenty of space if you’d like to join us on Saturday night. 🎟️: www.universe.com/events/independent-salford-beer-festival-isbfx-tickets-Y6KWQ4

Post Carlisle defeat, only one thing for it - hit out the Booths Oktoberfest beers…

Hopefully get near to 8,000 today - big bounce back needed vs. Rochdale…

Lunch break of champions….

Armchair seat for Carlisle vs York tonight - would have been a cracking 3pm Saturday game…

Just pulled my match ticket from yesterday out of my back jeans pocket that was under my sweater & under my coat & it’s still damp….

My week in 4 pictures…

Chill in the air but clear skies, pint by the fire at The Eagle & Child Staveley- is there a better time of the year in the Lakes?

It’s very very wet in Altrincham…

Beau Desert - absolute quality…

Very grand setting at Brocton Hall yesterday - Beau Desert today and weather forecast looking good…