Michael Deakin
@maristhotter.bsky.social
Pan 🏳️🌈 Lefty ⬅️ Nerdy 🎮📚 Pub writer and book enthusiast.
Words at 8bitsandbobs.co.uk
Words at 8bitsandbobs.co.uk
Pinned
Don’t Look Down
When your work demands that you shift between several different versions of yourself every day, how do you remember which version is really you when it comes to spending time away from the bar?
8bitsandbobs.co.uk
📢 NEW BLOG POST
Very overdue return for my personal blog.
An exploration of identity and the struggle to hold onto a sense of self when hospitality work requires that you spend a large part of your life shifting your persona to suit the needs of the customer.
8bitsandbobs.co.uk/2025/11/01/d...
Very overdue return for my personal blog.
An exploration of identity and the struggle to hold onto a sense of self when hospitality work requires that you spend a large part of your life shifting your persona to suit the needs of the customer.
8bitsandbobs.co.uk/2025/11/01/d...
The most important book I will ever read. A stunning exploration of a life lived without romantic love, viewed through the lens of Joni Mitchell's Blue (my favourite album). I have appropriately paired it with Sierra Nevada's Celebration IPA whilst listening to Joni's California. Strong recommend.
December 23, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The most important book I will ever read. A stunning exploration of a life lived without romantic love, viewed through the lens of Joni Mitchell's Blue (my favourite album). I have appropriately paired it with Sierra Nevada's Celebration IPA whilst listening to Joni's California. Strong recommend.
Half an hour after close yesterday, I walked around the pub and politely asked each individual table to start finishing their drinks. 10 minutes later, not a soul had flinched. I stood in the middle of the pub and loudly stated "right you lot: get supped and get gone" (1/2)
December 23, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Half an hour after close yesterday, I walked around the pub and politely asked each individual table to start finishing their drinks. 10 minutes later, not a soul had flinched. I stood in the middle of the pub and loudly stated "right you lot: get supped and get gone" (1/2)
Reposted by Michael Deakin
📣 NEW BLOG POST.
Exploring the topic of Christmas decorations in pubs, who they are for, and what purpose, if any, they serve.🎄
www.thecrowinn.co.uk/post/as-the-...
Exploring the topic of Christmas decorations in pubs, who they are for, and what purpose, if any, they serve.🎄
www.thecrowinn.co.uk/post/as-the-...
As The Crow Flies - Ed.11 - Should Pubs 'Deck the Halls'?
To what extent should pubs engage with festive cheer? Are Christmas decorations jovial baubles or unwanted reminders?
www.thecrowinn.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 3:37 PM
📣 NEW BLOG POST.
Exploring the topic of Christmas decorations in pubs, who they are for, and what purpose, if any, they serve.🎄
www.thecrowinn.co.uk/post/as-the-...
Exploring the topic of Christmas decorations in pubs, who they are for, and what purpose, if any, they serve.🎄
www.thecrowinn.co.uk/post/as-the-...
All is as it should be.
December 20, 2025 at 4:40 PM
All is as it should be.
📣 NEW BLOG POST.
Exploring the topic of Christmas decorations in pubs, who they are for, and what purpose, if any, they serve.🎄
www.thecrowinn.co.uk/post/as-the-...
Exploring the topic of Christmas decorations in pubs, who they are for, and what purpose, if any, they serve.🎄
www.thecrowinn.co.uk/post/as-the-...
As The Crow Flies - Ed.11 - Should Pubs 'Deck the Halls'?
To what extent should pubs engage with festive cheer? Are Christmas decorations jovial baubles or unwanted reminders?
www.thecrowinn.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 3:37 PM
📣 NEW BLOG POST.
Exploring the topic of Christmas decorations in pubs, who they are for, and what purpose, if any, they serve.🎄
www.thecrowinn.co.uk/post/as-the-...
Exploring the topic of Christmas decorations in pubs, who they are for, and what purpose, if any, they serve.🎄
www.thecrowinn.co.uk/post/as-the-...
Just almost cried because my favourite regulars (who come in early doors every Friday) just pointed out this was the end of "our spending Friday together tradition" as we are closed next Friday 😭
December 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Just almost cried because my favourite regulars (who come in early doors every Friday) just pointed out this was the end of "our spending Friday together tradition" as we are closed next Friday 😭
It's cool to stan your friends, pass it on x
December 19, 2025 at 10:42 AM
It's cool to stan your friends, pass it on x
In what is the most ridiculous bartending injury ever - I have cut my hand in 2 places taking off the foil from all the new bottles of whisky we got in yesterday.
December 19, 2025 at 8:30 AM
In what is the most ridiculous bartending injury ever - I have cut my hand in 2 places taking off the foil from all the new bottles of whisky we got in yesterday.
There is a good chance that I am currently reading the most important book of my adult life. I am having to ration it to myself to prevent my longing to be understood from overtaking my ability to process it in an enjoyable and healthy manner.
December 18, 2025 at 7:02 PM
There is a good chance that I am currently reading the most important book of my adult life. I am having to ration it to myself to prevent my longing to be understood from overtaking my ability to process it in an enjoyable and healthy manner.
Calling all groups of blokes of a certain age, going to the pub this festive season: it's not gay to sit down. You don't have to all desperately huddle around the bar like a group of lost penguins. Park your arses and let other people access the bar.
December 17, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Calling all groups of blokes of a certain age, going to the pub this festive season: it's not gay to sit down. You don't have to all desperately huddle around the bar like a group of lost penguins. Park your arses and let other people access the bar.
Look at it in all its majesty 😍
December 15, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Look at it in all its majesty 😍
Positively vibrating with the excitement of getting to take a new notebook out for a spin later this morning.
December 15, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Positively vibrating with the excitement of getting to take a new notebook out for a spin later this morning.
Proper day after the night before today. Couldn't move for people last night, but so far I've had 1 customer in the near 2 hours we've been open. Not moaning, there's plenty to be getting on with to get the place back to normal after the chaos of yesterday.
December 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Proper day after the night before today. Couldn't move for people last night, but so far I've had 1 customer in the near 2 hours we've been open. Not moaning, there's plenty to be getting on with to get the place back to normal after the chaos of yesterday.
I have 7 people currently in this pub and 5 of them are either drinking 11.0% Barley wine or 10.0% imperial stout. 3 of those 5 are double fisting both. Up the daytime piss artists 🙌
December 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I have 7 people currently in this pub and 5 of them are either drinking 11.0% Barley wine or 10.0% imperial stout. 3 of those 5 are double fisting both. Up the daytime piss artists 🙌
Thought it was suspicious for my best friend to travel up to Sheffield from London just to see me.
Turns out he was playing in a pokemon tournament here, the dork ass loser 😂
Turns out he was playing in a pokemon tournament here, the dork ass loser 😂
December 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Thought it was suspicious for my best friend to travel up to Sheffield from London just to see me.
Turns out he was playing in a pokemon tournament here, the dork ass loser 😂
Turns out he was playing in a pokemon tournament here, the dork ass loser 😂
I went to the pub yesterday and made friends with an older lesbian couple called Wendy and Val. We agreed to always say hi and have a chat when we see each other in the future. I love pubs ❤️
December 13, 2025 at 7:41 AM
I went to the pub yesterday and made friends with an older lesbian couple called Wendy and Val. We agreed to always say hi and have a chat when we see each other in the future. I love pubs ❤️
'sorry we've just kind of taken over haha 😅' translates to 'can you move so our group of 20 people on a staff Christmas do, who just turned up announced, can have this entire area to ourselves'
incase you were wondering.
incase you were wondering.
December 13, 2025 at 6:40 AM
'sorry we've just kind of taken over haha 😅' translates to 'can you move so our group of 20 people on a staff Christmas do, who just turned up announced, can have this entire area to ourselves'
incase you were wondering.
incase you were wondering.
Wrote something on a whim when I was out and about yesterday, and I'm too scared to check my notebook today in case it is a big bag of shit.
December 11, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Wrote something on a whim when I was out and about yesterday, and I'm too scared to check my notebook today in case it is a big bag of shit.
Reposted by Michael Deakin
We risk losing cask ale — not because young drinkers are wrong to ignore it, but because we've failed to make the case for it.
www.anthonygladman.com/who-could-bl...
www.anthonygladman.com/who-could-bl...
Who could blame them?
The problem with cask ale isn't that young people don't drink it. It's that we haven't given them a reason to.
www.anthonygladman.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:57 AM
We risk losing cask ale — not because young drinkers are wrong to ignore it, but because we've failed to make the case for it.
www.anthonygladman.com/who-could-bl...
www.anthonygladman.com/who-could-bl...
Reposted by Michael Deakin
GOOD MORNING! Here's our regular weekly round up of interesting news and good reading from the world of beer and pubs. 🍺🍻
boakandbailey.com/2025/12/news...
boakandbailey.com/2025/12/news...
News, nuggets and longreads 6 December 2025: In the Soup
Every Saturday we round up the best writing about beer from the past week. This time, we’ve got hobgoblins, rogues and saliva.
boakandbailey.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:53 AM
GOOD MORNING! Here's our regular weekly round up of interesting news and good reading from the world of beer and pubs. 🍺🍻
boakandbailey.com/2025/12/news...
boakandbailey.com/2025/12/news...
This is the perfect distillation of what plagues CAMRA. They will make painstaking effort for months/years to shake off the stereotypical behaviour that constantly undermines them. Only to undo all their hard work in one ill thought fell swoop. Where is the line between a misstep and a slipped mask?
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 PM
This is the perfect distillation of what plagues CAMRA. They will make painstaking effort for months/years to shake off the stereotypical behaviour that constantly undermines them. Only to undo all their hard work in one ill thought fell swoop. Where is the line between a misstep and a slipped mask?
I can't believe it. In restrospect, popping into craft and berry for a half to break up my charity shop crawl was naive. Didn't even make it past day 2. Gutted #Blueblivion
December 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I can't believe it. In restrospect, popping into craft and berry for a half to break up my charity shop crawl was naive. Didn't even make it past day 2. Gutted #Blueblivion
If a feeling better than this exists, then I do not wish to know it.
December 2, 2025 at 1:56 PM
If a feeling better than this exists, then I do not wish to know it.
After 4 years, I've decided that it is the right time for a change, and so going into 2026, I will no longer be a part of The Crow Inn team. I feel very grateful for all of the colleagues and regulars that, over time, have become friends. I will be continuing to write the blog for the time being 🐦⬛
December 1, 2025 at 8:57 AM
After 4 years, I've decided that it is the right time for a change, and so going into 2026, I will no longer be a part of The Crow Inn team. I feel very grateful for all of the colleagues and regulars that, over time, have become friends. I will be continuing to write the blog for the time being 🐦⬛
Happy start of #Blueblivion to all those taking part this year!!
It's that time of year folks, it's time for #Blueblivion!! Rules and T&Cs are below, please feel free to share around, would be lovely to get plenty of people joining in on the fun and maybe we can raise a tiny bit of dosh for charity in the process 🐮
December 1, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Happy start of #Blueblivion to all those taking part this year!!