THE TY COCH INN, PORTHDINLLAEN, MORFA NEFYN, GWYNEDD, LL53 6DB

 01758 720498

Normally a pub with no cask ale would not get a look in from me, but things have changed at the Ty Coch Inn as they had two real ales on when I was last here a few weeks ago; Marston’s Old Empire and Glaslyn Ale from Purple Moose Brewery in nearby Porthmadog. Prior to this it was keg only but with a selection of bottled beers also available, mainly from local breweries, for the slightly more discerning.

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THE OLD SWAN, 89 HALESOWEN ROAD, NETHERTON, DUDLEY DY2 9PY

01384 253075

On our way back from Pridewood Farm and Charles Faram’s Hop Walk I suggested to Ian that we again make a small detour off the northbound M5, to another of my favourite pubs in the Black Country. This time, to the Old Swan, Netherton. Again I told him it would be well worth it and for sure he wasn’t disappointed.

The Old Swan is a classic traditional West Midlands drinking house with an impressive interior, situated along the A459 Dudley – Halesowen Road, in Netherton, a small industrial village about a mile out of Dudley town centre.

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Better late than never, but a belated thank you to Paul Corbett and in particular Suzan Brett of Charles Faram for organising the above; courtesy of Martin & Julia Powell-Tuck at Pridewood Farm, Ashperton, Herefordshire on 7th September.

We made an early start from Wigan and arrived promptly at 12.30p.m., as proceedings were getting underway. The marquee was already filling up and come 1.00pm and the buffet, the tent was full. It was great to see what must have been 200+ micro brewers represented and it just goes to show how our industry is thriving.

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Yes All Gates are on it and I am pleased to say, for a change, at the forefront. I have a very good friend whose adage on life in general; is never be a leader; always a follower. I have always disagreed with him and can’t see the point of living your life effectively in other people’s shadows.

As for the Citra hop I think the excellent Oakham brewery was the leader, the first brewery in the UK to use Citra back in April with the first of their single hop variety beers; Citra.  The beer proved so popular I understand that they will now be brewing it permanently from January 2011. Their description; a light refreshing beer with pungent grapefruit, lychee and gooseberry aromas leading to a dry, bitter finish.   

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O’CONNELL’S, SKRYNE HILL, CO. MEATH, IRELAND

(046) 902 5122

My annual two week holiday in Ireland has finished and I am on my way home and whilst I have not visited this pub this holiday I didn’t think I could leave without writing about it; it’s that good. I also have many other favourite pubs in Ireland but they and you will have to wait until another time.

Skryne (Gaelic:  An Scrín) is a tiny village, situated on and around a hill between the N2 and N3 National primary roads in “the Royal” County of Meath. As the seat of the legendary High Kings of Ireland, the green pastures of this northeastern county are the ancient royal heartlands of Ireland.

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M FINUCANE, QUAY STREET, BALLYLONGFORD, CO. KERRY, IRELAND                             

(068) 43 243

Ballylongford (Béal Átha Longfoirt, means “anchorage ford mouth”, in Gaelic) is a small village near Listowel, in North Kerry. The village is situated at the top of a creek off Ballylongford Bay on the tidal estuary of the River Shannon, on a coast road between Tarbert and the seaside town of Ballybunion.

The Shannon forms the natural northern boundary for Co. Kerry. To the north of  the Kingdom lies Co. Clare . The only crossing for miles is the Tarbert ferry along the N69. This 20 minute journey across the estuary to Killimer, Co. Clare saves an 85 mile detour.

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