Thwaites "Very Nutty Black"

Nice malty black.

JW Lees' "Manchester Star Ale"

Another tasty award winner from the Sainsbury's seasonal range. Fruity with chocolate notes.

North Nineteen, N19

 A lovely local off Hornsey Road/Seven Sisters Road with plenty of outside seating and a few ales. I had a Skinner's "Betty Stoggs", the first time I'd had it on draught.

Brew Dog, NW1

With their "Manifesto for the craft beer revolution", which contains the lines "The beer scene is sick. And we are the fucking doctor", one might be excused for thinking Brew Dog takes itself a little seriously. One might be right, or it might be marketing.

I had the Alice Porter, served in 2/3 pint, which was a solid porter, malty and full-bodied. There are a ton more to try so I shall.

The Charles Lamb, N1

This pub made CAMRA's Good Beer Guide and I'd never been there despite it being in my postcode. It's also a candidate for post-session pub with my DELTM peers so I thought I'd have a look before I stuck it in a shortlist (sort of assuming it'll be my task, since I'm the local). It has a fairly standard 'nice local' look but with four ales, two from a brewery I'd never previously heard of, it is definitely a cut above the average. The staff were friendly enough and knowledegable when I asked about the beers I didn't know. The Irish bartender didn't bat an eye when another customer, upon hearing that he was from a town south of Dublin, asked whether that was in Northern Ireland (which was more than I managed). The two Bartrams Brewery ales I tried (it is in Suffolk, I've since googled) were good examples of the types: Green Man was a golden ale, not too hoppy, and Rougham Ready a nice best.

Bateman's "Mocha"

Gorgeous.

Nethergate Brewery's "Lemon Head"

The ginger hits first but the lemon taste stays longer. I thought this would be a little like a novelty beer but it's seriously good. Well done Sainsburys, whose range of beers is so constant I gave up the hopeful peeks months ago; the "seasonal" aisle surprised me the other day.

The George, WC2R

What a range they have.

Of the six brews I tried, the Dark Star Old Chestnut was my fave.

London beers

 With Yorkshire and Cornish ones thrown in. Julie, Jun and I shared the Meantime Chocolate Porter before Julie and I paid a visit to the new Fuller's Casque Mark pub in King's Cross station, The Parcel Yard. I had a half of the York Brewery Guzzler, followed by Fuller's London Porter (lovely). We went on to the other station pub across the road, The Betjeman Arms, in St Pancras. There I tried Sharp's Red Ale, which was smooth and autumnal. Back home, I quaffed the Meantime London Porter to round off a good evening.

Bald Faced Stag, N2

A second stylish pub in the weekend and another set of new ales.

Pakenham Arms, WC1X

 What a find! This stylish pub, a short cycle ride from my home, boasted 9 ales when I went in on a Saturday lunch time, many of which I had not tried before. Wychwood's Bountiful was lovely and the Limey Porter from The Botanist was even more to my taste.

Oakham Ale's "Bishops Farewell"

Hoppy.

Theakston's "Hogshead Bitter"

Malty.

Shepherd Neame's "Canterbury Jack"

Thwaites' "Wainwright"