'A pub tick a day keeps the doctor away' to coin a likely old adage, and this month it was true with a modest 31 new ticks and no trips to the doctor.
My lowest July total since 2019, but the stat the most matters is 2,930 current Good Beer Guide ticks, which is 65.1% completion. Scarily good progress this year, I still feel like I'm benefitting from last September's #KindChurn but I doubt I'll be as lucky next time around.
It could have been as many as 33, if the Tap & Barrel at Wigston had opened as advertised at 12 noon, and Long Eaton's Corner Room hadn't shut down just days before my visit.
Yet by the same token, it could've been as low as 29. Hackney Tap closed for good shortly after my visit and the Regent at Kirkby-in-Ashfield had only recently reopened. Swings n roundabouts innit?
Let's break it down by county, and celebrate some of the best, and sneer at the dreadful.
Derbyshire - 9 ticks - 98.9% completion
One tick remains in Derbyshire after a #ThirstyThursday mop up of South Derby was followed up by some quality chauffeuring from local legends Rich & Steve.
The standard of pubs and beer were as high in Derbs as anywhere, but I'm surprised to find myself saying that it was three micro-shaped boozers I enjoyed most. Rowell's at Long Eaton, Redemption at Heanor and Sawley Junction at, you guessed it, Sawley. Clock at Sth Normanton a real nice old skooler for balance.
I'm sawley tempted (thanks!) to give them a joint award, but I think Rowell's Drinking Emporium just shaded it on the day.
So, trip to Rosliston before the new GBG comes out? Hmmm, might wait to see what new edition brings in all its ITV soapie glory. Tis Staffs in disguise anyway.
Nottinghamshire - 8 ticks - 98.6% completion
Just one tick to go in Notts too. Attenborough is actually an easy one being on a train route, issue is I've nothing else to do anywhere near it. So it makes sense to see what the 2025 GBG brings and then I'll strike!
I'll try and do a David Attenborough pun blog title at the same time. If the landlady tells smutty jokes, maybe 'Blue Janet II'. Or something. Working title.
Overall standard was questionable in Notts, Mansfield area redeemed it as it so often does, my favourite being Selston's Horse & Jockey.
Kent - 6 ticks - 91% completion
13 ticks left in Kent after Paul G's chauffeuring exploits in the middle bit of this fascinating pub county.
Remember the days when I said I'd leave Kent alone, hoping coastal erosion would make it drop into the sea, thus saving me over a hundred ticks?
Well I'm glad I ignored the voices in my head, the only place that could hold a candle to Derbyshire for quality this month. And best progress I've made. AND Paul says he'll help me do some more.
Only problem is the 2025 edition will be out before I get back there, and I've not had one kind Kent churn yet!
Pub of the Month - Queen's Head, Sutton Valence
London (East) - 5 ticks - 82.2% completion
Ignoring the bit south of the Thames, just eight ticks remain after a fun but questionable beer day (ain't it so often the case) down in That (East) London. Hackney being the main culprit. One handpump from three GBG pubs. How'd ya like those odds?
And call me a glutton for punishment but one of my key aims once the 2025 GBG is with me is a fully green London for the first time in BRAPA history. All 5 quadrants. Or is that a Pentrant? Hmmm. Leave it with me.
Pub of the Month - Hare, Cambridge Heath
I won't show you any more maps but I also managed one tick in each of Northants (9 left), Leicestershire (1 left) and Central London (1 left).
Northants wins an award because I have a soft spot for this underdog, plus the best pub was there - Wharf, Welford.
Despite only 31 ticks, I still got to some right turkeys which if they make the forthcoming GBG, I'll be scratching my head in crazed bafflement.
The Malt Shovel at Barkby, Full Moon at Morton, Old Ship Inn at Hackney and the Dog House at Kirkby-in-Ashfield, just really unenjoyable one and all.
Considering a bit of RetiredMartin style plant-potting (but worried soil wasn't real and electric shock potential from lights)
So there you have it. Onto August and again I'll be happy just to reach 31 with no holidays, and even a tickless Saturday coming up, but am aiming for three #ThirstyThursday dates, and I've got a bonus Sunday too which should help.
Last full month of ticking before the new GBG, squeaky bum end of the season time now.
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