BRAPA .... PRE-EMPTIVES COME GOOD (PART 2/3)

Eleven more pre-emptive pubs which have happily made it into the Good Beer Guide 2027.

To make this a more immersive experience for yourself, pop on the BRAPA VR headset that you should've received through the post. You are stood on the side of the road in Somerset, say Bridgewater, where an unscrupulous human cauliflower picks you up to drive you around the pubs. He'll drop you in London Paddington for marmalade sandwiches by teatime.

Tap One, Taunton (visited 17/6/26)

The only truly obvious pre-emptive on my recent Taunton based hols, it was rating 3* (top beer scores) on the CAMRA website and is a slightly poky, hidden away modern micro. More about the crafty shit and the fridge full of cans then the cask. Our alternative Yank barmaid gloomily gave me a (warm) mild with no words exchanged, then was super chatty ("staff knowledgeable about their beer") to EVERY other fucker who came in, local or tourist. I returned on the last day of my hols in a craftier, livelier, sillier dressed, demob happy frame of mind, but it made no difference. Good punk and indie music circa 1998-2003. 'Twas very satisfying to see it make the cut. Hopeful Rating : 7/10

Star, Taunton (21/6/26)

Far more speculative than Tap One despite more good CAMRA beer scores, I ask my chauffeur for the day Martyn (The Family Rug) if he can drop me back here having helped me with four tricky rural ticks - he had a birthday party for an old woman to get to, hijacking his Father's Day celebrations, boo! This was the first day of the summer heatwave, and the Exmoor ale struggled, the pub was backstreet wild west nothingness, and although the beer had been similarly warm at the also pre-emptive Carew Arms in Crowcombe, that felt far more likely to make the cut than this. A pleasant surprise to see it has made it. No need to go back to Taunton on my next Somerset hols. Hopeful Rating : 4/10

Pocket, Islington (9/4/25)

Sweaty, steamy and highly impressive, kudos to the unsung hero who recommended this ahead of BRAPA's 11th birthday celebrations in London & the South East. It somehow managed to smell of worms, gravy and boot leather. I bond with the barman wearing a Dune Rats top, gotta love your comedy party Aussie bogan punk rock. The 6.8% stout was sensational, my last of the day and yes I wasn't totally in control of my legs as I Chrissy waddle off to the loo. Just then, an old couple (think Chas & Dave supporting Arsenal) get up on the old Joanna and guitar and start playing some lilting knees-up tunes. Excellent. Amazed it didn't make 2026, perhaps too new? Hopeful Rating : 9/10

Changing Room, Hobson (6/6/26)

More Taunton-esque benefits of checking the CAMRA website for 3* pubs, I was on a Daddy BRAPA car day up in bandit country (North Durham) when I spotted this hidden on an industrial estate. Not even sure Hobson is a real place. Dad stayed in the car like an overwrought hot dog (although it was drizzly). The frontage looks like a pizza parlour. I go in alone. "Hello? Hello? Where is everyone?" Finally I make my way to the back of the building where a canny landlord serves me. Just 'arf a Durham Mars Bar. Pre-emptive rules. Sickly sweet gloopy goodness. There's a giggly group in corner who don't like it when I laugh at their dog's rather homosexual whine. Guv'nor comes over to chat. Thinks he hasn't been open long enough for a 2027 place, 2028? Ye of little faith my good man! Hopeful rating : 8/10

Bottle Kiln, Dovercourt (21/5/26)

Spur of the moment 'Spoons decision, whilst sitting in the Stingray at Harwich. Realising it wasn't a long walk, all 'Spoons are pre-emptive and I had plenty of time before my bus to Wix, it made much sense. It makes even more sense now. One of those Wetherlodges where you can stay overnight. Good reviews from most who've braved it. The carpet was a paintball explosion, the old lady's gilet was the right shade of green and the ale in pretty good nick for one so Burton when you've accidentally swerved Exeter. A man asks for ice, then asks the barman to pour it away. Then he rubs his knees, Vic Reeves style, and phwoars. Essex, you can't beat it. Last pub before I lost my wallet. Hopeful Rating : 6.5 /10

Elphinstone Hotel, Biggar (20/10/25)

Biggar was such an outlier in my Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley clean sweep last October that it would have been foolish to leave this one out. Especially as I recognised it from previous GBGs. Especially as it was next door to the GBG listed pub. And especially as the buses were hourly and time was on my side. Okay, so it wasn't a patch on the Crown next door. It felt like a 'work in progress', airy modern, and this despite a cracking woodburner. Recent refurb? But the staff were determined to make a good impression and the 'Sunshine on Keith drank well. Just as well as I ask for a half and ended up with a pint. Scotland doesn't serve beer in half measures, and quite right. Silly me. Hopeful rating 7/10

Christmas Steps, Bristol (4/9/25)

The black looming monotony of this central Bristol gastro poncer hardly matches the festive moniker. After all, I'd chosen to pre-emptively tick this solely based on name. I should've picked the Seven Stars, seemingly loved by all, but not in the 2025 GBG. In my defence, it was pouring with rain, I had a stiff neck AND a bad left foot which I didn't like to talk about. The beer was grade A slop. The clientele is of the 'lost tourist' variety. Frequent humorous yet simultaneously cringeworthy interactions with the barmaid (who was a cross between Prinny Di and Kate Mid) were the highlight. Could I sit downstairs? Why would I want to? Nice rug! And why did I give her a running commentary on my frequent toilet trips? Her t-shirt reads 'Mind Control Made Easy'. Maybe I was being manipulated against my will? I saw her putting out the rubbish (rotting fruit and potato peel) a few hours later on the way back into town, and hid. Hopeful Rating : 3/10

Regal, Gloucester (26/6/25)

This 'Spoons decision (three months before I became ' Spoons mindful') was based entirely on needing a wee-stop between Gloucester buses - I'd been to a weird club, and was off to weird Newent in a bit. Mardy, sweaty and sticky, I've been to better examples of the chain. Could barely reach the bar for mobility scooters lining it. A lady with spiky electric blue hair kept gawping. Then a topless bloke walks in with his bike, wedges it between scooters and bar, and is swiftly told to 'get out' by the staff, despite protestations that he isn't the aggressive sort. Everyone else looked like they touch children inappropriately, providing they can catch them. The beer was vegetable matter, and the staff looked sad. I ask X if this has ever made the GBG? No one replied. Now I know it has. Absolute proof that EVERY 'Spons is pre-emptive. Hopeful rating : 4/10

Gregson, Lancaster (16/5/26)

The twildery and tweeness were off the scale at this arty farty community centre which made my visit to outer Cardiff's Chapter Arts Centre feel like a WMC in Bolton. I'd been so chuffed with myself during my planning the previous evening to find a 3* CAMRA outlet (+ recent award winner). Handily situated to fill in early afternoon time between early openers like Arnside, and later openers like Galgate. It was a Daddy BRAPA car day, but he decided to sit this one out like an overwrought hot dog again (it was about 20 degrees with sunshine today in fairness to him) so I went it alone, and by gum, did he swerve a bullet? The Lunebrew was fizzy and sloppy. Two posh ladies told me off for resting my pint on their table where they're selling bad plants. And the child nearest me clutched a fistful of regurgitated pizza. Bearded Daddy thought it was charming. My draft WhatsApp post to tell my fellow Pub Tickers about this stunning pre-emptive discovery were quickly deleted. Hopeful rating 3/10.

Crossed Peels, Stirling (8/11/25)

Stirling strikes me as a rare ould kinda Scottish town that loves a good churn, I have two gaps again despite my best efforts but it could have been three if I hadn't whipped in this 'Spoons. Looked like a budget East London hotel from the outside, the punters are generally silent and dour until you get upstairs and find a secret room of happy people behind a glass dome - like Jock goldfish in a dirty bowl glad they've escaped the funfair. The real ale version of Strongbow Dark Fruits drank nicely. I also have new ticks to do in Falkirk and Dunblane this year, so if I WAS to have a Scottish trip in 26/27 (I'm trying not to because Wales needs my attention), it'd probably be around here. Hopeful rating 8/10.

Sir Alexander Fleming, Paddington (25/4/26)

Stood behind a tree in my jeans on my iPhone to take this

The 6:10am train to King's Cross might just be Daddy B's public transport revelation of the past six months. Problem is, landing so early in London demands some very early Wetherspoons action and on a day he was due at Charlton / ABBA Voyage and I was due in Ashford, Kent, we settled on errrm Paddington. Look, it made sense at the time! Bright, breezy modernity means it'll take some time to bed in, and didn't float our boat in the same way the new one at Waterloo station has. On FA Cup semi final day, it was populated primarily by chirpy away-shirted Saints fans, looking forward to a Wembley clash v Man City, in a fixture which at the time was probably billed as 'a clash of two honest sides of great integrity' but a few months later would contain more Cheetos than a cheesy maize based snack advertised by a feline Ameri-wanker in shit shades. The beer was good, there was a few colourful test tubes and general nods to Mr Fleming, and Dad stayed for a small cooked brekkie later described as 'fine, filled a gap'. Hopeful rating 8.5/10

So there we have it. I'm not sure that your unscrupulous human cauliflower chauffeur took the most direct route from Taunton to Paddington, but no doubt you've had a quiet word with him.

See you soon for part 3.

Keep it pub, Si