Paul's Beer & Travel Blog

It was Pub Friday again two days ago, and seeing as I’d been such a dutiful husband, and sorted out — or "partially" sorted out, to be more accurate, the disorganised kitchen in our extension (the “old kitchen”, as it’s now been designated), I felt fully…

Kirkwall, capital of the Orkney Islands, was a delight, and was our first port of call on our recent cruise, after one day and two nights at sea.

After a couple of introductory posts, it's time to dive into the heart of my recent trip to Lewes and bring you the pub news that I know you’ve all been waiting for.

Having decided not to attend the Bluebell Railway Beer Festival, for reasons previously explained, I thought that a visit to Lewes would be a decent substitute, as well as a good idea.

It’s often said that it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, but truth be told, men are just as capable of a last‑minute rethink.

I'm pretty certain that this wasn't my first trip to Tobermory, as back in the mid-1970s I took part in a two-week botany, field course on the island of Mull.

Our cruise ship, Ambience, eased into Belfast on a slightly overcast but mostly dry September Saturday, just after 8:00.

In case anyone was wondering, my most recent post relating to my drinking habits and early pub experiences, was written before we set off on our recent round‑Britain cruise.

I’m not entirely sure what to make of recent reports about declining alcohol consumption, and it’s hard to know what exactly is really driving the change.

Well for the second morning this week, we've woken to some much needed, and very welcome rain.

Despite its position as one of the UK’s most influential consumer organisations, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is confronting one of the most challenging periods in its 55‑year history.

Following on from my previous article about biting the bullet and retiring completely from my current part-time job, I received a number of suggestions about how to enjoy the additional time I’ll be granted.

It’s been a very strange summer so far, and certainly nothing like the summer I was expecting.

Before we start, I promise there is no AI involved in the drafting of this post, just good old-fashioned, hard slog on the keyboard.

I mentioned in the previous post, that I was off to Frome, the following weekend.

It's been quite a hectic week at least by my standards, whatever they're measured against these days, where I accomplished quite a lot both on the home front, and the work front.

Wrexham Lager’s name and brewery have been revived, and the story is a rather fascinating one.

You left our party departing the GBG-listed Rose and heading along to Elgoods brewery for the commencement of the tour.

I mentioned in the previous post about unearthing a “treasure trove” of pub and brewery-related material, which I was sure would prove of interest to blog readers - once I’d knocked it into some sort of shape.

So, what should I write about next on the blog?

Brewer’s Fayre, Beefeater, and several other Whitbread restaurant brands are all set to close permanently in early September, with final trading dates confirmed below.

Apologies if this post looks somewhat familiar, as this isn't the first time that it's seen the light of day.

The sharp eyed amongst you, will almost certainly have noticed a distinct change in style with my most recent post.

There’s something quietly satisfying about meeting an old friend in a familiar corner of Kent.

Despite three intense heatwaves in rapid succession, it’s been nice and cool at our factory.

Exactly a week ago, I was in Tonbridge mid-morning, having left my car at one of the local garages, for a re-gas of the air-conditioning system, of all things.

In the previous post, you left me at the Royal Standard, where I’d just received an update to the itinerary, from the CAMRA group I was travelling with.

At the start of 2026, I made an all too brief visit to the historic, seaside town of Hastings, a settlement situated on the sunny south-east coast of Sussex and famed for a battle that took place 960 years ago.

I’m getting behind with my posts again, although I shan’t bore you with what’s been keeping me from blogging.

A recent comment, on Retired Martin’s blog, about sitting next to someone on a plane, whose country is at war, reminded me of a polar opposite experience that occurred on our not so recent, cruise to Norway.

The Greyhound at Charcott isn’t the nearest pub to where I work, although it is the second closest.

Pub visits have been somewhat curtailed over the past week, for a variety of reasons, most of which have been family related.

Well, it’s good to be back in harness once more, if that’s the right word, but the issues I had in trying to access my Blogger account, were enough to try the patience of a saint.