Sneak's Blog

February 2005

24th - Sneak over heard his favourite member of bar staff at the illustrious Selden Arms (which, by the way, Sneak understands is the local Pub of the Year yet again - will nobody rise to the challenge Sneak wonders?) talking to one of the branch stalwarts, Sneak only overheard part of the conversation, which went something like this "I just keep offering it to you, and you just keep saying yes". Sneak was reminded about one of his favourite Viz cartoons, Finbar Saunders, and will leave it at that.

23rd - Sneak's old friend the Wizard reported in this week about the new pub in Pulborough, "As my contribution to CAMRA National Pub mid-week" the Wiz starts "today I checked out the new Swan Bar and Restaurant at Pulborough. Its a lot more spacious inside than it looks from the outside. Its light, bright, modern, comfortable and welcoming. Unfortunately there are no handpumps just two keg fonts which sell Courage Best and John Smiths Smoothflow but they did have some bottles of Fursty Ferret." Worse news could have been anticipated.

22nd - Sneak was walking through Worthing the other evening and noticed that the Montague had closed. Well at least that's what it looked like. No signs were up but there was no furniture and the insides were pretty dark. Sneak hopes not another of Worthing's pubs is to disappear.

20th - Sneak noted that Checkers was closed (again). Sneak has forgotten how many times it has been re-named but now it is going to become Tangerine. Sneak has a 'sneaking' suspicion that it will not be a real ale mecca. However, Sneak did here from one contact who said he had had a superb pint of Gales in the pub, albeit about 30 years ago.

19th - Sneak previously reported on the two lonely handpumps at Eden. Well it seems Chapman's wanted to sell real ale here (hurrah!) but the manager thought it was difficult to keep (boo!). So who won? Well let us put it this way Sneak is trying to find out where two brand new unused handpumps are.

17th - Sneak heard from a well respected gang member today. Seems Mr Columbus posted his CAMRA "full measures" card to his local MP a certain Tim Loughton ("tory", Mr Columbus adds). He replied (Sneak was surprised), indicating that he should be happy with the 95% the present laws stipulates (Sneak was not surprised). Mr Columbus then pointed out that glasses don't have a 95% line on them. "We vote in May" adds Mr Columbus ... but then again why bother.

7th - The Woodman Arms re-opens to a blaze of publicity today! At least Sneak is glad it was not another blaze! A few hardy souls went out there on the opening night. The "new" pub was more or less exactly what Sneak was expecting. The fireplace being the only original feature, ergo everything else was "a bit new". Externally the place looks very much as it did before the fire, including a thatched roof. Inside, the pub is lighter, the ceiling is now a more sensible height. The reaction from the locals varied from: "it's another bloody Oystercatcher" [restaurant] to "It's good to get our pub back; we live opposite and have watched the progress". The first opinion Sneak understands was from a beer drinker while the second from a couple dining. Sneak rests his case.

4th - A beer for session drinkers is on the cards from Dark Star according to Sneak's adoptive pub lardlord in Brighton (its just Sneak never gets any further!). Just gone into the fermenter at the Dark Star brewery today is an Imperial Stout with an OG of 1096.8 and ABV of 10.0%. Don't hold your breath though as it is unlikely that any will be released until October ... before anyone asks!

3rd - Sneak learns today that Pete Skinner's new venture, some time in the planning, kicks off when he does his first brew next week. Sneak is not sure what but he is sure there will be some hops involved! And before someone says it, the brewery is on a different part of the farm estate at Ansty from Dark Star Brewery

Email the local branch for more information.