The Lakeside near to the Continental ground in Oldbury has seen a few changes since last season, the raised area which was a favourite of the G.I.s has now been flattened and Bank's Bitter has replaced the Boddington fortunately!!
Hospitality is again at the Crosswells in deepest Langley where the Lamb? stew (plus beef and chicken!) went down well on a freezing day washed down with copious quantities of Hobgoblin and awesome Abbott. Superb pub and friendly people to boot!

Got there in good time and walked round to the Talbot only to find the doors shut! A notice on the door revealed that they were applying for a new licence so it looks like our award winner from last season has changed hands. Disappointing but we crossed over the road and enjoyed some Pedigree at the Red Lion,
In the Brereton club it was grab a grannie night and Rod and Claude were soon chatting them up after the game, well when you have won what the heck!!

after finding last season that the Exchange had gone keg for our visit to Walsall Wood this time we travelled a little further down the road and first tried the Drunken Duck where they had Banks's and a decent pint of Adnams Bitter.
We decided to move after one pint and crossed the road to the Boatmans Rest which appeared to be a young persons pub and was composed of two long rooms. The bar was the one the young ones used and we had the comfortable lounge all to ourselves. The barman seemed eager to talk about his Real Ales and even turned the piped music right down. He then proceded to pour a superb pint of Ringwood Ruffkin, 4.6% I believe and certainly a tick in the GBG as previously it has only been produced in bottle form.
Very dark and with a creamy head it was smooth as silk but had an unusual edge to the taste that lifted it above others of that ilk, hopefully they will keep on producing it in this form.

Back in our old haunt, the Swan at Alvechurch and the Adnam Broadside was as awesome as ever but we had to take things steady or we would have been seeing more than one ball at the match!
The large dog who we had thought to be no more, reappeared this time and kept us entertained with his tricks.
The Landlord actually remembered us from previous visits which was nice.

The Football Club shares the carpark with the Teversal Manor Country Pub which was large and comfy and a view out of the back picture windows to die for! First up was Black Sheep Bitter followed closely by Old Speckled Hen which is not as good or as strong since being reduced from a 5.2 to 4.6%. Not a bad session though with the ladies testing the chip butties (Not as good as the Black Lake last week but alright).
On the way home some of us called in at the Curzon Arms in Twycross to drown our sorrows with the awesome Hobgoblin which set our appetites up nicely for a late dinner!

Disappointing at Meir as the Black Lake had no real stuff, rubbish Tetley Smooth and little else as the ones running it were finishing that night, barman said the rent was too high. The only food they had left were chips and those who had them said they were very nice, me I stuck to red wine!

As the only pub in the village it was the only choice for the few who had travelled over on the coach and what a welcome we had from the assembled 'Rocester Massive' as we walked through the door but soon we had joined them and enjoyed some superb Pedigree in a convivial atmosphere. Great Non-League people in friendly surroundings, we hope it is not too long before we enjoy a few pints in their company again.

The Bull was not bad but not our best destination. Seven of us in all gathered at the town centre pub. We tried Bells and Whistles from Hydes, well flavoured but not liked by all so it was on to the dependable Bombadier from Charles Wells.

G,I,s met at The Fourpenny Shop in Compton Street, a GBG entry for the past sixteen years. First up was the local Shakespeare County from the Warwickshire Brewery Company which was a pale dry 3.2%, a very light session beer. Next we tried Genusis from the North Cotswold Brewery which is brewed on a farm in Stretton-On-Fosse, slightly cloudy and amber it was quite tasty and wieghed in at 4.2%. Also on offer was Purity Ubu at 4,5% to give a good hat-trick of warwickshire beers.

After a look at the billiard-table surface at the Riverside we went back to the Wheatsheaf in Burton Joyce, just a few minutes away. First up was Skinners Ginger T****R a 3.8% which had travelled well from Truro in Cornwall. Next was a very rare tick indeed, Pirates Gold a 4.2% from the Wooden Hand Brewery which is also in Truro. Ouside under the large umbrella it was a superb way to pass an hour or so with good company putting the football scene to rights!
Ferry Boat after the game under the trees with the players and committee with the river backcloth, only the lack of Real Ale spoilt the occasion for us. Great day all round.

For various reasons we were unable to meet prior to the Coventry Amateurs game and afterwards paid due deference to our hosts when we went to the Old Clarence at the top of Hearsall Common for refreshments. No Real Ale on offer there unfortunately.

The G.I.s (Griff Imbibers) met for the first time this pre-season on Saturday at the Nut and Squirrel in Nailstone where Pedigree was the only real ale on offer. One room pub with a restaurant behind but friendly enough.
After the game we all returned to Nailstone as the clubhouse had only lager but this time went in the Bulls Head which we had to ourselves. After spurning the snug/lounge with it's lush leather seats we settled in the bar where the pale Theakstons Lightfoot was on offer.
Not a bad first effort with two pubs ticked off but we were also told the bad news that the Blue Lion at Witherley has closed and is up for sale so a good job we did not play there last week!