Happy (belated) September .... the best (& worst) month in the pub ticking calendar.
If you follow me on what the kids probably call 'The Socials', you'll know I've been Harry Kaneing it in Bristol over the past week, in a last ditch attempt to keep myself above the 3,000 when the #CruelChurn inflicts a nu-wave of pub ticking depression over me in the coming weeks.
If we include the 29 ticks I've done in September so far, I have reached 74.44% of Good Beer Guide completion. That is 3350 ticks from a 4500 total.
350 buffer, c'mon, surely the churn can't be that cruel? (It was 313 last year, ouch, but from a lower starting point, double ouch, makes me nervous).
Me when the new GBG arrives
Even without September's figures, it was a record breaking August with 53 new ticks, eclipsing last year's then record of 43. I've had a tendency to get complacent around the July-early September period in previous years, but not this time, I've really tried to keep the pressure on myself!
We'll talk more about the new GBG, plus a vital mascot update later on, but for now, the 'science bit' as we look at the four key counties I made gains in during August with a few pub highlights .....
Gloucestershire & Bristol (97/103 done, 94.2% completion, six left)
I'm including my September ticks in here too (always nice to massage the figures), and what a glorious scene that is. If you'd have told me a year ago my Glos would look like this, I'd never have believed ya. Although it would've been a weird lie to tell, ya bloody weirdos!
Huge shout out to Martyn the Family Rug for driving me round awkward stuff north of Bristol when had to start work at 1am next day, and his first day back after hols. Give him a medal. And give me a medal too, because despite a few physical ailments throughout the week, I got the entire Bristol 'inset' section done. Trooper. Not Robinson's.
As for those left, three remain unattempted (one because I don't have the drinking capacity even though I was offered it), one I got the wrong day for the boats running(!), one was shut 3pm on a hot Sunday cos it is stupid, and one had a period of 'long term closure' spring/summer and although it has reopened, you wouldn't expect to see it in the 2026 GBG.
Here are my three August faves ..... pub reviews of all to follow in coming weeks / months.
The 16 ticks and 4 pre-emptives on a Banbury based North Oxon long weekend were, in my eyes, just as great an achievement as my Glos epic.
With no chauffeur, I had to take on some crazy long walks because some of the pubs are so remote, without any public transport and some very unkind opening hours. Just glad I was, unlike Bristol, at 100% match fitness for that one.
Of course, gaps will open up when the new GBG comes out and I'll have more than ten to do, but I'm going to return to Oxon (I already have a date booked in with a BRAPA debutant in October) and keep plugging away at it.
A recent Milton Keynes tidy-up has made it a pretty successful year for me in Bucks - a county I was determined to pay attention to in 2024/25 having neglected it since my 2018 completion.
Technically, only seven remain, maybe even six. Aylesbury's Aristocrat changed hands and made some weird opening hours changes when I tried to go. More pertinently, Newport Pagnell's Ousebank House has been deleted by CAMRA according to Jim's all seeing spreadsheet. Not sure why though it is a club which I've heard doesn't keep the most reliable hours.
That just leaves some awkward Midsomer Murders favourites and a couple which pair better with Ox/Beds. May I look at Bucks again in 2025/26? Even I don't know. It isn't always the most enticing or rewarding of pub counties.
Stony Stratford Conservative Club
Worcestershire (34/56, 60.7% done, 22 left)
Progressing nicely but slowly, I could do with a few nights in Worcs to really crack the county, not something I've ever done, just don't want to tick all the easy bits and leave myself with too many middle-of-nowhere backwater howl-at-the-mooners to do.
I'm staying in Shrops later this year, so might tackle some of them then. Standard of pub and beer there so far has been sensational, so that helps.
Alestones, Tardebigge
Anchor, Caunsall
There were also small BRAPA gains in the constituencies of Staffs, Warwicks, Somerset and Northants, during the month of August. But nothing significant enough to get my swing-o-meter boinging around (ooh matron).
Cross Inn Kinver edges out Angel Long Ashton as the overall winner. Kenilworth Bakery wins bronze.
Mascot Update
Owlie McBurnie joined the BRAPA ranks on deadline day after a late 'swoop' from his native Scotland via eBay F.C. In fact, unbeknownst to me at the time of signing, he was sent from a village in North Ayrshire called Kilbirnie! It was meant to be. He makes his debut next weekend.
Likes - Dark beers, lager, eating mice, pub dogs, Scottish stuff, thrash metal, chess, learning Welsh on Duolingo.
Hates - Soft lads, southern owls, pale ales, day trips to Hebden Bridge, lycra cyclists, prog rock, cold barstools and pub queues.
Meanwhile, Colin's retirement has been put on hold 'til Christmas after he helped me get recognised at the Draper's Arms in Horfield. He's still got it, even if he is getting a bit grey.
Ivor Panda is staying. We had to fight off a late transfer push from a smoggie ticker based in Middlesbrough who was willing to pay good money to adopt him.
Oscar the Owl continues to be unavailable due to the doping ban we don't like to talk about, but he hopefully returns in November.
Kyle Joseph finally got off the mark at Bristol City, but Kale Joseph has been even less convincing as a mascot.
Dudley Duck, Brekkie the Sheep and Pedro Plum continue to languish in the reserves.
New GBG Coming Soon!
The new GBG is officially released on Thursday 25th September, less than three weeks away. Very much my Christmas Day. Without the sprouts. But no reason why I couldn't buy some.
That means that if you are in the 'Privilege' scheme like me (i.e. pay CAMRA a direct debit to get it early as long as you solemnly swear not to reveal details of the contents until 25th), you will receive it 1-2 weeks before then.
Based on last year's arrival, I would receive it this coming Saturday (13th) 11:30am whilst cleaning spider webs off my balcony, but I'm away ticking all weekend due to pesky train engineering works / distance of journey, so I suspect Monday 15th / Tue 16th is most likely. However, I'm not ruling out a cheeky Thu/Fri before, which would be ideal, and isn't unprecedented.
Watch this space, and cross your fingers for me re. the #CruelChurn
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