The Queen Victoria, Leicester

I regret to report the passing of this pub - the bailiffs have been in and the place is now boarded up.

It's a great shame - it should have been a great success, but things didn't go as one would have hoped.

The Queen is dead.

14 Oct 2008 00:04

The Queen Victoria, Leicester

*** LATEST UPDATE RE: BLUES & BOOZE FESTIVAL ***

As you will know from Jessica's previous post, the Vic is hosting its 2nd Real Ale and Music Festival next week, from Thursday 17th - Sunday 20th July.

I've just received the beer list for the event, and thought I'd share it with you:

ISLE OF MULL - McCAIG'S FOLLY, 4.2%
ISLE OF MULL - GALLEON GOLD, 3.9%
WINDIE GOAT - PEDEN'S COVE, 3.5%
WINDIE GOAT - PRIEST'S WHEEL, 4.3%
BROUGHTON - EDINBURGH PALE ALE, 4.5%
BROUGHTON - GHILLIE, 4.5%
BROUGHTON - OLD JOCK, 6.7%
KINVER - LIGHT RAILWAY, 3.8%
BLUE BEAR - WHITE BEAR, 4.5%
BLUE BEAR - WANDERLUST, 3.8%
BLUE BEAR - ROAR SPIRIT, 4.2%
GREEN JACK - CANARY, 3.8%
BLUE COW - BEST BITTER, 3.8%
BLUE COW - UDDER BEST, 4.0%
ALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - WHEN HARRY MET TILLY, 4.5%
ALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - ERNIE�S BEST BITTER, 6.0%
ALES OF THE UNEXPECTED - JOCK�S SANCTUARY, 4.3%
OYSTER - EASDALE ALE, 3.8%
OYSTER - THISTLE TICKLER, 4.0%
TRAQUAIR - STUART ALE, 4.5%
WHITSTABLE - NATIVE, 3.8%
WHITSTABLE - OYSTER STOUT, 4.5%
OSSETT - BLACK BULL, 3.9%
VALE - GRAMPLING PREMIUM, 4.6%
OAKHAM - HELTER SKELTER, 5.0%
OAKHAM - ENDLESS SUMMER, 3.4%

A strong Scottish showing, and selected ales from some of the smaller Island breweries.

There will be at least 2 additional beers, however details of these have yet to be confirmed.

This is going to be a Scoopers Paradise - I recommend any serious ale-head pays it a visit...

See you there!

11 Jul 2008 16:03

The Jolly Brewer, Stamford

Another one of the Stamford Ale houses I had the pleasure of visiting over the May bank holiday weekend, the Jolly Brewer was perhaps the biggest surprise for me.

A fairly basic pub in terms of decor, though nicely light and spacious, with (as mentioned by NickZ below) pool and darts facilities, this unassuming establishment has a lot to offer the serious ale drinker; up to 4 draught ales from some great breweries kept in tip top condition and served with a smile by the friendly staff.

I'm informed that the pub is tied to Admiral, which makes the achievement of the current licensees and their dedication to Real Ale all the more admirable (no pun intended!).

On my visit I sampled Black Abbott and Sod, both from Idle, along with Milestone's Classic Dark Mild - all of which I found to be in excellent condition.

From what I hear their Beer Festival, which has started today and I can't attend (dammit!!), is proving to be a success with 15 micro ales on stillage and another 4 on the 'pumps.

This is definitely one pub I'll be returning to.

9 May 2008 14:19