I need to return to Chicago!

Excepting quality beers from Goose Island and Sierra Nevada, I hadn't tried an American ale for quite a while, neither had I mentioned 'brewsters', as in, women brewers, rather than the brewery with a woman head brewer called Brewsters! Anyhow, I spotted this delightful IPA in Morrisons, and was very glad I bought it! 

Lagunitas IPA (6.2% - website), and here are my brief notes, written immediately: This is a hop monster, incredibly strong fruity citrus aroma and flavour, with a lovely dry bitter finish. Loved it! Then I've read elsewhere and learnt that it does use hops++ (DER!) and quite a lot of comment about the malt in the flavour, but, believe me, it is very subtle, hops dominate.   

Lagunitas appear to be based in California, and in Chicago... Well, the only place I've visited in the USA is Chicago, so let's go with that end of the business, particularly as their head brewer there is a brewster! The beer is very good, the company appear to be owned by Heineken, though Goose Island of Chicago isn't independent anymore either, and Mary Bauer's love of ale and science is infectious (see video). 

Keep on brewing Mary, I look forward to sampling more, cheers!   

The John Logie Baird, Hastings

OK, I rarely go into Wetherspoons anywhere, but I have to own up to having a pint in The John Logie Baird, who lived and worked in the area whilst inventing tv, don't you know?!?  The pub, as you can see, doubles up as a bus stop (the people to the right are waiting for a bus, though I managed to keep the stop itself out of sight), and, just inside, people seem to be using it as an office, creche, some even eating and drinking in here...

Anyway, I've been here twice in less than a week, which is a new venture for me. On Friday, I had a mug of tea and bacon sandwich/roll/cobb (depending on where you're from) for £1.99, and, as CAMRA members like me can get 50p off a pint, was interested to try a pint of Brewsters Pandora, a 4.8% medium coloured 'bronze' bitter, slightly fruity, and, at £1.99 a pint, a very decent pint indeed, especially as I got it for £1.49 with my CAMRA discount token. Thanks Mr Spoon...

Today, though, I got back early from my morning constitutional walk and had a pint of Westerham 1965 Special Bitter Ale, again 4.8%, and again, costing just £1.49 with my discount. Good stuff!

They're also holding a Cider 'festival' at the moment, with pints from £2.20 a pint upwards, though I was sensible, and avoided one of those that early in the day. Cheers!