Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Took the train to Castleford. The Junction sounded o.k. Supposedly 6 beers from wooden barrels. There were 3, 1 of which was Stancil Secret Potion. A pale beer, which didn't really seem suitable for wood. Another on offer was an IPA. IPA from a wooden barrel?? Castleford makes Birkenhead look posh. 031
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Working at York races, staying near Castleford. There's a Wetherspoon over the road. The Varvar Session Golden Ale was decent. A Ukrainian brewer using Hook Norton's kit. 030
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 09/10/2026You need to move to Bebington. Rose, Collab, trains and buses. 110
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 07/10/2026As ever, Liverpool is ploughing its own course. A new pub that looks like it's been here forever opens in the city centre about every month. Cask beers (low on IPAs), dark wood, brass, mirrors, proper seating. All immediately popular. 020
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Harvey's Armada Ale in Denbigh Castle, Liverpool. Excellent. 2200
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Drank my first Fuller's Vintage Ale 2026 last night. After pouring, I was surprised by the hop aroma with hops also present on the palate. Soon gave way to more typical maltiness, but without a strong flavour. Tasted a little thin. It didn’t stand out as one the best vintages, but time will tell. 1312
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 04/10/2026Then excellent pints of Joseph Holt Bitter in Hare and Hounds, Manchester en route to watch Warrington's dismal effort in the Super League Grand Final. At least the beer was good and cheap. £3.60 in Chesterfield, £3.70 in Manchester. 140
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Some very nice pints of Brampton Brewery Terminus in Glassworks, Chesterford, before Tranmere's worst performance of the season so far. 4251
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026So they put her in jail for 30 years, tried to kill her twice, and are now trying to make her well enough to be officially killed again? The actions of a normal society? I think not. 010
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026I think it was Tigre Bock that was o.k. Ephemeral I agree, was weird. I didn’t finish it. 000
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026I do like Le Petit Tigre for the atmosphere and filling Tartifillete. Their beers are nothing special but drinkable. 110
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026I was in Strasbourg two weeks ago. I didn’t linger in Le Garde Fou. 12 taps were IPAs 😬, 1 was a stout. I opted for the only blonde beer, which was very bland. I had better luck in Le Grinchaux, which had a French red beer and triple amongst the Belgian beers. 1/2 110
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 30/09/2026It is IPAs I have an aversion to. Not a fan of the pilsner genre unless unfiltered. Drink a bit of wine occasionally. Cheese good with everything. 020
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 24/09/2026I made the short journey to the excellent Mez Beer. Mercifully few IPAs on their list, so I lingered for some time. O'clock After Work and La Bouledogue Triple were two I remember enjoying. Final stop was Le Falstaff, a lively pub which I enjoyed. La Bête from Castelain was very good. 5/5 1110
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Next stop was Montparnasse, but Line was cloded, which made the journey a bit fraught. I intended to have a beer in Paname Tap House, which I've visited previously, but found it hard to find as have others. Eventually, I found it, but it was unexpectedly closed. 4/ 140
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 24/09/2026On to Paris, I started with a stroll along the Seine towards Bercy. I enjoyed a Parisienne Triple, served in a plastic glass 😬 while enjoying the surroundings. I continued to Bercy Village and drank a rather bland pint of Blonde in the Frog at Bercy. 3/ 180
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Le Garde Fou had 14 draught beers, but as 13 were IPAs I didn’t linger. Le Petit (not Grande as stated previously)Tigre is a very busy brewpub, popular with Strasbourg's younger clientele. The beers aren't anything special but perfectly drinkable. 2/ 190
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 24/09/2026My route home from Italy was via Strasbourg and Paris. In Strasbourg I visited Le Grinchaux, Le Garde Fou & Le Grande Tigre. Le Grincheux was to my liking with a variety of French and Belgian draught beers, mostly served in glasses from Brasserie Rulles. Couldn’t resist draught Rosé de Gambrinus 1/ 1362
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Nice flavour of hazelnuts and very smooth, but not quite the body of Belgian equivalents. Enjoyable. Other good beers were inbibed. 2/2 090
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Decided to stay in one night as storms were forecast. Didn’t materialise, but we'd stocked up on alcohol, cheese, charcuterie and nibbles. I'd always wanted to try Baladin Nöel, but the bottle is too heavy to transport home. So why not drink it in September in Italy. 1/2 1280
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 15/09/2026A few of the recent beers I've drunk in Peschiera. Kom Op Miki is a Winter Saison/Triple brewed by Schigibier. Draught Baladin Nationale. One bar has a range of Baladin draught beers. Birra La Dama Red Bear is locally brewed. 080
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Yesterday was first in Peschiera. A few suitable beers were taken. I also drank Ichnusa Non Filtrata on draught, which is very quaffable even if it is owned by one of the global baddies. 0120
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Never heard of the brewery, but it was a very good beer. 110
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Never heard of the brewery, but it's a very good beer. 220
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Frothingham Best Bitter from Great Newsome Brewery in Hull, served by hanpump. Hull is not in Italy. 2240
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Blak Eyes Stout is brewed by Birrificio Styles south of Ancona. Very good. 090
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 08/09/2026I'm now in Lambrate. Drinking Milanese Bitter from handpump. 2370
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 08/09/2026I'm in Bierfabrik, Milan and I'm drinking Marble Manchester Bitter. They also have a beer from Buxton Brewery. I will endevour to drink Italian beer later. 2250
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Just the one beer in Platypus Brewing. Partly because I've been up since 4:30 a.m. and also because their beer menu consists of IPAs and weird things 🤨 This is L'Outrance IPA from Brasserie La Loupiote. 1300
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Brasserie Georges for Steak Frites and their draught Biere Rousse 181
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 07/09/2026A few hours to kill in Paris. My train to Lyon goes from Gare de Lyon (obv), so Express de Lyon it is. Cheese and wonderful bread is €9. A bargain. 0150
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Sorry for delay. They can still be good for many years. 100
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Dave, the legendary former manager of the Dispensary in Liverpool. Anyone who requested that their pint be topped up was asked to leave. Ditto those who put their coats or bags on seats. 110
Birkonian @birkonian.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Final trip to Cartmel of the summer. Unsworth's Yard Crusader Gold and Bowness Bay Raven Red spot on. 0190