Very similar to our November London Day Out, but with better and cheaper beer and pubs as we visit a selection of historic and guide pubs in central Manchester. Train fare around £30 with railcard. Please book for train details and itinerary.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that we had the Spoons festival, but here we are again. Once again we thank Chantel who has invited us to the Earl of Dalkeith for pre-tasters on the eve of the Wetherspoon’s Beer Festival which runs from Wednesday 1st to Sunday 12th October. Expect to be invited to the cellar for some samples before a selection is provided over the bar, along with nibbles. Meet at 18:00.

The 47th Bedford Beer Festival takes place this week so a few of us should be there for the Friday lunchtime session. The venue is the Corn Exchange, St Paul’s Sq, Bedford (town centre venue, bus stn 5min, rail 10min). Admission for CAMRA members is £2. Opening time is 12:00, so aim to be here around this time. On the bar will be over 100 ales and ciders. Buses from Northampton are from Bay 14 at 9:50 (Bedford 11:20, visit Spoons on the way!) and 11:50 (13:20). Return buses are 16:10 and 18:10

The winter Potbelly Beer Festival is already upon us so we will hold our popular social here early on the Saturday afternoon and into the evening. We will also take the opportunity to present awards for S.O.S winning the Brown & Red Ales, Old Ales and Strong Milds category and Yeller Belly scooping the Premium Pale, Blond and Golden Ales category at the Northampton County Beer Festival. A number of the new Good Beer Guide will be available at a discounted price of £12 (rrp £16.99). Around thirty beers including regulars from the brewery, plus a wide range of cider too. The actual brewery entrance is on Sidney Street, Kettering. Meet from 14:00. Live entertainment and food also available. Cash only.

Our third games night with a skittles match amongst ourselves. This regular event is on the first Wednesday of the month at the Albion Brewery Bar who have offered a £10 voucher to the monthly winner. If you don’t play skittles, you are still more than welcome for this monthly event and you can always play cards or dominoes instead. Start at 18:30.

This year we again visit London for the usual mix of historical pubs and GBG pubs that are either new to us or haven’t been visited for a while. The final area will be decided upon the issue of the new GBG. Depart on the first off-peak trains with a Group Save discount (3-9 folk) cost is around £26.00, although advance purchase are cheaper with return after 19:00. You will also need a tube ticket which can be on an Oyster card or credit card. Please let me know if you intend coming so that I can issue you the day’s itinerary including train times and map. Please book by 10th November.