We march into March and hopefully some warmer spring weather (I'm sick of the dark and cold now) in a healthy position after a record-breaking 62 pub February, eclipsing the BRAPA average of 37.
This moves me onto 2987 pubs in the Good Beer Guide 2025, 66.4% completion. Perilously close to the magical 3000 mark which represents two thirds of the Guide, whilst 3003 was the total I reached last September before the #CruelChurn knocked me backwards. I've made up the difference quicker than I'd ever have expected back on those mournful Autumn evenings in West Yorkshire.
Let's look at where I made the gains and then I'll leave you in peace.
Glamorgan (33 ticks, 91.21% complete)
I call this one 'What Lies Be'Neath'
Eight left in Glamorgan after my liver-shattering week staying in a quality Air B n B on Cardiff's Cathedral Road. It would've been seven if the Hendreforgan landlord hadn't been in his pyjamas on his outdoor balcony at the advertised opening time of 4:30pm, saying he'll be opening at 7pm!
Cwmfelin was a silly miss being on a train route, as was Gilfach Fargoed though their hours are a bit tricky. I never considered the three out west, but next time I'm down here I'll make the effort. Thanks to PubTicker for driving me around one evening. Pub quality was exceptional at times, poor at others. People friendly or insular. Beer neither shit hot nor shit. But mid-brown and brooding. Mixed bag is Glamorgan.
Pub of the Month - Borough Arms, Neath
Tyne & Wear (6 ticks, 100% complete!)
Haw'way marras. A fully greened Tyne & Wear for I only a second time after a successful day in Sunderland. I didn't even have to stop overnight which was against the odds.
Good beer, good people, poor pub quality, though the two Byker brewery taps I did to seal the win were pretty good if that's what tickles your trout. Too busy was part of the problem! And to think we spend most of our time bemoaning pubs for not being frequented enough. Never happy.
Pub of the month - Museum Vaults, Sunderland (though return visits don't count, so I'll say errrm Two by Two Brewery Tap, Byker).
100% up with Ivor Panda in Two by Two
My Hull City record this season
Played 11, Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 7, For 6, Against 15, Points 8. Top scorer : O.G. 2
West Wales (6 ticks, 8.5% completion)
Well, it is a start!
Thinking my next Welsh holiday will be Carmarthen based, where I hear the pubs are good. One of the more intimidating counties in the GBG, but if I could get up to say 50% completion, that'd do me for now. I'll probably try and get up to Aberaeron too cos I'm obsessed with the first pub listed alphabetically due to my weird brain.
Pub of the month - Red Lion, Llandyfaelog
Essex (5 ticks, 80.9% completion)
My old mate Simon Dewhurst's decision to move from Sawbridgeworth to Dunmow was a good one from a BRAPA perspective, better than say .... random example here .... moving from Waterbeach to Sheffield.
A Si D day is always a good 'un, and after my 2021 full Essex completion, I've never fallen too far behind the curve thanks to such days. Essex is a real dark horse for pubs & beer, and I grew up there so I should know, even though I was 11 when we left.
Best county in the South East if you accept Kent is in France which it technically is.
But why does Wethersfield Club not open on a Saturday? I must've read that wrong surely!
Pub of the month - Bell, Castle Hedingham
Lancashire (4 ticks, 95% completion)
Six to go in lovely Lancs after my Blackburn mate Ian Sutton (he really is 'beyond the pale') helped me tidy up the East. One of the higher class areas for GBG pubs in my opinion, helped by great people. Beer rarely lets you down. Burnleh is never dull, apart from when it is literally dull.
I have a plan of campaign for the remaining six (one with Merseyside/GMR, two with S.Cumbria, and a Blackpooly day with a late nip into Preston climax.
Pub of the Month - Lane Ends Hotel, Burnley
Best of the Rest
West Midlands - 3 ticks - 80.5% complete
Staffordshire - 3 ticks - 67% complete
Mid Wales - 1 tick - 35.5% complete
Hertfordshire - 1 tick - 74.3% complete
This is the best I've ever done in West Midlands, and am gonna push for near completion by September.
Staffs I'm less arsed, well I say that but think I may've booked myself down here Easter weekend.
Mid Wales is improving despite me paying it very little attention. Next year when I finally get into Shrops?
Herts again I can't be arsed, but there may be slippage when I'm knocking off Bucks n North London.
Wanna see my Mid Wales map, oooh go on then!
Best pub of those eight was probably the Mid Wales one too.
Pub of the month - Ancient Briton, Penycae
So that's me done. March will be a rubbish total as I'm working the first two Thursdays and have no holidays but April plus beginning May will be pretty epic so I'm not too worried.
Next aim is get past the 3,000 mark (3,004 and I'm in credit). Counties likely to feature include Kent, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Lancs, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, Bucks, London, and either Derbyshire or Northumberland depending on the direction of the wind.
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