BRAPA .... MONTH END REVIEW : AUGUST 2023

Word up homies!

We have reached squeaky bum time in the pub ticking season, and no I don't mean I've been at the Sussex Best Bitter, but a month from now, the new 2024 GBG should be safely in my grasp, and the cross-ticking should be well underway.

Last time out, I predicted a mid September arrival. After a comment from RetiredMartin, I accept that this might be wildly optimistic. Last year, I received my copy only six days before the official release date (and I was the first of all the tickers to get theirs) so by the same reckoning, Friday 22nd September might be a more likely bet.

This would be a hugely frustrating date for it to arrive because I'm at a work's do that evening - and it'd be very anti-social of me if I took my GBG and Stablio along and quietly sat in the corner cross-ticking.

Pump clip of the month? Hanna-Barbera could've sued, but were too busy laughing.

Right, let's get into the boring numbers for August.

37 new ticks (+ 3 pre-emptives, 2 of which I'd say have a serious chance next year). A typically modest August which always seems to come in between 30-40 (my average is 33).

58.6% GBG completion (I won't be back up to that level for a while once the new Guide comes .... sigh!) I'm up to 2638 at the time of writing. +174 for the year, I'd love to get at least 26 more done before the new GBG plops on my doormat, round it up to 200, which is possible cos I've got a h...h...holidayyyy coming up in a random town you've never been to.

Considering the awful 2022 churn, I think I've done well this year. But won't be resting on any laurels!

Speaking of Laurel's, the Bull at Bottesford would be in my top 10 pubs of the month. Not far from there, I found my NCBSS (National Carpet BRAPA Scoring System) winner, with a 9.25, it is at the non-GBG Butter Cross Wetherspoons in Bingham:

And not far from there, we had our Random BRAPA Pub Tickers of the month award as X/Twitter/Untappd legends Steve Halstead (right - famous for helping me with Grand Central trains) and Rich 'Rizzy Bizzy Oi Oi Oi' (left) took the highlighting plunge in Plungar, ably assisted by Colin.

I made gains in 7 counties in August. Lincs (16) was the undisputed champ. Fife and Merseyside got six a piece, Norfolk 4, Leicestershire 3 and there was one each for Notts and North Yorkshire.

Lincs going great guns - ignore Surfleet and Threekingham, I am

It was a month of many pubs I'd rate as 'good' which never quite managed to tip over into greatness. Unlikely that any of my year end winners will have been ticked in August.

However, a few did stand out and deserve recognition.

Firstly, and it was my very first tick of August, Duke of Wellington, Leasingham definitely provided the best 'experience' as talked about in a recent blog:

Possibly the best overall pub was the Grapes, Slingsby. It just really 'had it going on'. No other way to describe it, though blog to come of course. Most regal dog too.

A good late shout is yesterday's wonderful and wholly unexpected Admiral Benbow in Chapel St Leonards. Best beach bar ever?

Over in Merseyside, we were charmed by the early morning humour and friendliness of the Cleveland Arms, New Ferry out on the Wirral:

Oh and talking of down to earth, what a throwback joy the Grantham Railway Club is, AND they called me back for my lost jacket .....

We'll end in Scotland with the ornate Betty Nicols, Kirkcaldy. Lovely staff and a well kept pint of Jarl is always a wondrous thing .....

Fife wasn't all good though, and managed to produce the worst pub of the month with the Auld Hoose at Kinghorn. How on earth did this place get anywhere near a GBG?

Anyway, September ticking begins tomorrow in an East Midlands area you might know well.

Then, my holiday in a county where I have zero ticks. And when I return from that, it'll be all about that new GBG ....... (listen to Iron Maiden non-stop challenge whilst cross-ticking??)

Stay tuned, and thanks for listening,

Si