The Great British Public House Peregrination

The Great British Public House Peregrination Ramblings of an admirer of the brewing craft and the British ale house, on a long and hop-ful journey

Whilst out with Lady P for a joyful lunch at The Drift Inn Beaulieu Road with our friends The Gs, we were delighted to ...
05/09/2026

Whilst out with Lady P for a joyful lunch at The Drift Inn Beaulieu Road with our friends The Gs, we were delighted to happen upon this very special collaborative ale from Vibrant Forest Brewery and eighty of their friends from the World of beer - including fellow brewers, publicans and hop growers - brewed to celebrate their 15th birthday.

And what a brew - a big, punchy, juicy IPA which, at 6%, was a bit lively for a lunchtime, but one is only young once.

First visit to 6 Barrels in Totton today, post our 16 mile walk from Mottisfont following (closures permitting) the Test...
03/09/2026

First visit to 6 Barrels in Totton today, post our 16 mile walk from Mottisfont following (closures permitting) the Test Way.

A pint was certainly required and a very decent one was what we had.

But even better was the superb service. The ale was freshly pulled through whilst we waited and on top of that, the chance to try it to see if it was in good condition was offered (and accepted).

What a great find.

This year's Monkey Brewhouse Lymington Seafood Festival offering - the aptly named Codfather - tasted as good as it did...
22/08/2026

This year's Monkey Brewhouse Lymington Seafood Festival offering - the aptly named Codfather - tasted as good as it did in the sunshine from the pump at source. And paired with the food perfectly.

And as Lady P so correctly observed, what else would one drink to accompany a chippie tea.

A weekend trip to Nottinghamshire to visit Lady P's Aged P. A lovely weekend full of the simple things that we often tak...
19/08/2026

A weekend trip to Nottinghamshire to visit Lady P's Aged P.

A lovely weekend full of the simple things that we often take for granted - time with loved ones laughing and sharing, the opportunity to be outside and walk courtesy of the continuing long summer of '26 and the chance to just 'be'.

Naturally such a trip would not be complete without an ale or two, so it was off to one of the two very excellent places in Ruddington (Pour) to sample what was available on tap. And a rather good selection it was:

Fierce Beer - Peach Cooler
Wiper and True - Amity
Chouffe - Session
Closet Brewing - All In This Together

Special shout out to Fierce Beer for their Peach Cooler which was perfect supping for a summer afternoon sat in the sunshine soaked courtyard garden and much complimented by all.

On top of this, the Pig beers Storm and Session were taken in bottle form as a little piece of 'home' and the Jaipur accompanying the Chinese curry takeaway eaten al fresco.

A delightful weekend of imbibing. And a superb weekend all round.

A selection of ales imbibed in the long hot summer of 2026 (and it's not over yet):Tuesday 23 June - a seasonal offering...
09/08/2026

A selection of ales imbibed in the long hot summer of 2026 (and it's not over yet):

Tuesday 23 June - a seasonal offering from Badger Brewery at The Beach House following the Annual Chippie Tea By the Sea

Badger Brewery - Eastern Promise

Friday 26th June - ales from The Wash House and enjoyed at The MOS Music festival

St Austell - Cornish Best
Cerne Abbas - Ale
Hatfield Brown's - Moonlight

Wednesday 8 July - date night with Lady P. After sundowners at The Gun, dinner al fresco at The Beach House and another seasonal offering from Badger Brewery

Badger Brewery - Venom and Virtue

Saturday 11th July - a trip to Monkey Brewhouse to sample their annual offering for the Lymington Seafood Festival. In the evening, we broke out the vintage World Cup Willie Glass and a special ales from Hogs Back to support the Three Lions in the quarter final World Cup game against Norway

Monkey Brewhouse- Codfather
Monkey Brewhouse - Zati

Hogs Back Brewery - Three Hogs

Fifth missing trip recordThursday 9th July - The P's Drinking Buddy 60th Birthday Bash, Parkstone and SouthbourneA jolly...
09/08/2026

Fifth missing trip record

Thursday 9th July - The P's Drinking Buddy 60th Birthday Bash, Parkstone and Southbourne

A jolly afternoon in the sunshine which, due to train troubles, was cut short before us teas.

Parkstone

The Bermuda Triangle
Cerne Abbas Styrian Wolf

Butcher's Dog
New Bristol Brewery Juno
New Bristol Brewery - Woof (half)

Southbourne

The Wight Bear
Boscombe Brewing Company - Still Sober? (Half)

Wayoutback Brewery
Working Like a Dog (half)
Thriller with Vanilla (half)

Fourth missing trip recordSaturday 4 July 2026 - Thw Thirty Quid at New Forest Beer Fest, Brockenhurst.First visit to th...
09/08/2026

Fourth missing trip record

Saturday 4 July 2026 - Thw Thirty Quid at New Forest Beer Fest, Brockenhurst.

First visit to this fairly new festival which is set up rather differently in that only the brewers themselves have bars at which to purchase ale. Made for an interesting afternoon trying out new brews from old favourite breweries and new ones alike.

Was particularly good to sample an ale from Mix Brewery - a nano from Hardley which only supplies in bottles to two farm shops. Perfect.

And of course, the company was very convivial.

Bat Country Brew Co - The Dirt
Mix Brewery - Street Party Bitter
Boscombe Brewing Company - Still Sober?
The Barking Cat Brewing Company - Heritage Best Bitter
Monkey Brewhouse - Mangose Paradise
Vibrant Forest Brewery Wide Open Space

Post festival

The Snakecatcher - Flack's Sunshine

Third missing trip record.Friday 19th June - The DD Mid Year Beer (Salisbury)A fabulous trip to Salisbury and remarkably...
06/08/2026

Third missing trip record.

Friday 19th June - The DD Mid Year Beer (Salisbury)

A fabulous trip to Salisbury and remarkably visits to pubs never frequented before, despite the many visits to this city.

First up, north of the railway line and a quiet residential street for a real hidden gem - The Duke of York. Friendly staff and locals in this highly recommended pub. Four or five hand pulls and selection was difficult to make. Settled on two halves - one rare collaboration and one Wirld Cup special.

Thence on to the spiritual home of Hopback, having been the very location where Summer Lightning was born. And what else can one drink here, but the very first Hopbacj brew - GFB. And delightful it was.

Third stop of the day - The Coach and Horses. Probably the weakest of all the day's hostelries - and bit too modern and 'finished' and appealing to the craft/keg set but still a decent enough ale.

Penultimate visit - The Haunch of Venison. Needs no introduction and no visit to Salisbury is complete without a pint in The Haunch. It didn't disappoint.

Final stop at a craft emporium behind the mill and by the water. Excellent location for a mid summer drink in a beautiful day. But a hefty price tag - £7.50 for a pint of 2 4% radler. We had a half.

A lovely day with a dear old friend.

The Duke of York
St Austell and Fuller's (collaboration) - Golden Times
Hopback Brewery - Golden Goal

Wyndham Arms
Hopback Brewery - GFB

The Coach & Horses
Ramsbury Brewery - Farmer's Best

The Haunch of Venison
Downton Brewery - New Forest Ale

Sips
Verdant Brewery - Radbulb (half)

Second missing trip record.Friday 12th June - Wi******er Beer Festival with The Apprentice.It has been seven years since...
06/08/2026

Second missing trip record.

Friday 12th June - Wi******er Beer Festival with The Apprentice.

It has been seven years since the last Wi******er festival experience and since then (and after a hiatus of their own) the venue has changed to the university campus. And a good change it is too - what it lacks in the charm stakes, it makes up for in space and catering.

A good ale lineup too, with Newtown Gosport Royal being the stand out and the deserved winner of Beer of the festival.

A couple of halves after the event at The Eclipse, early tea at The Gurkha then home.

A fine day with The Apprentice.

Newtown - Gosport Royal
Triple fff - Apache Rose Peacock
Neptune - Ezili
Ten Tun Brewhouse - Keira Fortnightly
Kent - Lemondrop
Queen Inn - Discarded By Red Kite
Dancing Man - Wild Henry ESB
Vibrant Forest - Dapple
Gilbert White's - Zig Zag Ale

So once again there has been a lengthy metaphorical sojourn and The P's various trips have gone unrecorded. Specifically...
06/08/2026

So once again there has been a lengthy metaphorical sojourn and The P's various trips have gone unrecorded. Specifically:

8 May - trip to Branksome, Southbourne and Christchurch with DB

12 June - Wi******er Beer Festival with The Apprentice

19 June - The DD Mid Year Beer jolly to Salisbury

4 July New Forest Beer Fest, Brockenhurst with The Thirty Quid

9 July - The P's Drinking Buddy 60th birthday bash in Parkstone and Southbourne

On top of this, there has been imbibing at the local hostelries and the MOS Music Festival, plus the partaking of one or two at The Peregrination's Rest.

So, let's set the record straight and begin the big catchup.

This post will just handle the first of the trips (with DB on 8 May) and subsequent posts will bring us up to speed on the rest.

To the DB trip to Branksome, Southbourne and Christchurch then.

Such a good day but sadly the record of all the ales has been lost. What we can say is that, whether due to speed of drinking or constant moving, we were very tired and emotional at the end.

First stop Branksome and the ever wonderful 'The Barking Cat'. A superb range as is to be expected at this award winning hostelry, so we had to stay for two. Sadly neither was their own , but the selections were wise - especially the Triple fff 'Comfortably Numb'.

With rather too long to wait for the train to Southbourne, there was time to call in at The Branksome Railway Hotel for a swift half then on to Southbourne.

The 'usually suspects here - The Wayoutback Brewery and The Wight Bear where the time went very quickly and, a slow walk back to the railway station and a missed train necessitated a half in The Bell.

Next (and final) stop, Christchurch. We know we went to The Snug and The Saxon Bar before obligatory curry at The Standard Bengal, but it's all a bit of a blur.

A jolly fine day with excellent company.

Branksome

The Barking Cat

Left Handed Giant - Bitter
Triple fff - Comfortably Numb

The Branksome Railway Hotel

Hopback Brewery - Summer Lightning (half)

Southbourne

The Wayoutback Brewery - Watermelon Wheat

The Wight Bear - ??

The Bell - ??

Christchurch

The Snug - ?? (Would have been Drop the Anchor)

The Saxon Bar - ??

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2 Saracen St
Bath
BA1 5BR

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