Pubs of 2014

Right, here we go...... The purpose of this blog is to log all the pubs that I have visited and consumed an alcoholic beverage in during 2014. The rules are quite simple, the establishment needs to be a public house, it sounds straightforward but it may get complicated for example things that wouldn't count are a visit to the bar at the cricket, a pre gig drink in a concert venue, a drink at the Birmingham German market etc. As judge and jury my decision is final, and if I'm in any doubt I won't count it.



My prediction as at the start of the year is that the final number will be somewhere around the 200 mark though I won't go to pubs just to get the numbers up, it will be a true reflection of my pub visting year.



My posts will include information about the pub, the ambience of the surroundings, the choice and quality of the beer, any interesting or amusing anecdotes about my visit and, where possible, photographic evidence.



I will try and keep the information as accurate as possible noting that alcohol consumption means that at times this may prove difficult !!



The format of the posts is simple, the first visit to the pub will be the blog entry and that post will be updated for any subsequent visit.



Hope you enjoy it...



Cheers

UPDATE January 2015

Right, that's it, it's finally finished, some 259 pubs later !! It's been hard work but it's nice being able to look back and relive the drinking experiences of 2014.

I am pleased with the final result and whilst I've been reviewing it, I have actually laughed a few times at my own jokes !!

A word of warning, it does start off a bit slow (some of my posts from Bath are a bit dull) but stick with it. In hindsight the format of posting repeat visits to a pub on the original post at times doesn't work very well when reading the blog in its' entirety but on the whole I'm pleased with it and I hope that you enjoy it.

I have stated this in the blog but I will say it again, thanks to anyone that I have had a beer with in 2014 and special thanks to Shelley for her patience !!







Thursday, 31 July 2014

Smoke & Mirrors

Smoke & Mirrors, located in a back street behind the Bristol Hippodrome, is quite an odd pub. It is described as being 'the UK's only boutique pub and magic theatre'. Having never been to such an establishment we made our decision to go there quicker than you can say Abracadabra !!



Shelley was delighted to find that one of her favourite ciders Scrumpy Jack was available on draught, something that is practically unheard of, whilst I was more than happy with my pint of Caledonian Golden XPA. We both thought 'not a lot' of one of the cocktails that was available, a Debbie McGee !!

The pub was quiet due to the fact that there was a magic act on in the pub's theatre called Wizards of Odd who describe themselves as 'a slightly temerarious double act.' I must confess I had to look that word up in a dictionary, it means reckless or rash. I just hope they weren't too temerarious when they sawed the lady in half !!

The jury is still out on this pub for me, the fact that there was a show taking place probably didn't help as normally staff do close up magic tricks for customers which sounds like fun.

Seeing as it was nearly 9pm and we'd started drinking with a cider tray at 2.30pm meant that food was now long overdue.

Drinking for six and a half hours?......That's magic !!

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