Mark Bravery
@markbravery.bsky.social
Birding mostly in and around London, drinking real ale across most of Britain, following Sutton Utd FC home and away
🍺 Jewellers Arms, Birmingham: another traditional and inviting Black Country Ales pub (oh for a presence like theirs in London!), this one in the fashionable Jewellery Quarter. The unfussy Mystik brown ale from Wiltshire's Stonehenge brewery was my darkest beer of the day.
December 20, 2025 at 10:56 PM
🍺 Jewellers Arms, Birmingham: another traditional and inviting Black Country Ales pub (oh for a presence like theirs in London!), this one in the fashionable Jewellery Quarter. The unfussy Mystik brown ale from Wiltshire's Stonehenge brewery was my darkest beer of the day.
🍺 Wolf, Birmingham: rather noisy bar with quirky art, just out from Snow Hill, where customers engage in doggy talk (pooches present). The only cask offering is Winter Wilds from the city's Glasshouse brewery, and it's decent, another smooth ale, this one with a hint of berries in the aftertaste.
December 20, 2025 at 7:53 PM
🍺 Wolf, Birmingham: rather noisy bar with quirky art, just out from Snow Hill, where customers engage in doggy talk (pooches present). The only cask offering is Winter Wilds from the city's Glasshouse brewery, and it's decent, another smooth ale, this one with a hint of berries in the aftertaste.
🍺 Royal Oak, West Bromwich: two-bar, cottage-like pub packed with Baggies fans watching their team losing at Hull on TV (so just as well that @stymiesi.bsky.social isn't here). The Backyard Blonde is another pleasantly smooth ale.
December 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
🍺 Royal Oak, West Bromwich: two-bar, cottage-like pub packed with Baggies fans watching their team losing at Hull on TV (so just as well that @stymiesi.bsky.social isn't here). The Backyard Blonde is another pleasantly smooth ale.
🍺 Three Horseshoes, West Bromwich: handsome Black Country Ales pub, and well up to their expected standard, beer and cider flowing from ten handpumps (four guest ales), the spacious, single bar busy yet comfortable this Saturday afternoon. The brewery's Jubilee IPA is satisfyingly smooth.
December 20, 2025 at 3:41 PM
🍺 Three Horseshoes, West Bromwich: handsome Black Country Ales pub, and well up to their expected standard, beer and cider flowing from ten handpumps (four guest ales), the spacious, single bar busy yet comfortable this Saturday afternoon. The brewery's Jubilee IPA is satisfyingly smooth.
🍺 Café Metro, Bilston, W Mids: tucked-away gem, almost overlooking the metro station, where locals escape the horrors of Christmas shopping. A live beer board is accessible via a QR code. 🫣 I opened with the pleasant if unexciting Salopian Hop Twister. Hearty cobs available.
December 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
🍺 Café Metro, Bilston, W Mids: tucked-away gem, almost overlooking the metro station, where locals escape the horrors of Christmas shopping. A live beer board is accessible via a QR code. 🫣 I opened with the pleasant if unexciting Salopian Hop Twister. Hearty cobs available.
🐦⬛ Staines Reservoirs, Surrey, today: my second visit this month, and this time I saw the drake Lesser Scaup, but it was distant on the south basin, among Common Pochards. The Great Northern Diver was again on the north basin. A Black Redstart along the causeway was an unexpected bonus.
December 17, 2025 at 1:01 PM
🐦⬛ Staines Reservoirs, Surrey, today: my second visit this month, and this time I saw the drake Lesser Scaup, but it was distant on the south basin, among Common Pochards. The Great Northern Diver was again on the north basin. A Black Redstart along the causeway was an unexpected bonus.
⚽️ Women's FA Cup 3rd round, Sutton Utd 0 Chatham Town 3: second disappointing result of the weekend, Sutton's women bowing out to higher ranked opponents whose players looked faster, fitter and better organised. In addition to their goals, the visitors struck the bar twice.
December 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
⚽️ Women's FA Cup 3rd round, Sutton Utd 0 Chatham Town 3: second disappointing result of the weekend, Sutton's women bowing out to higher ranked opponents whose players looked faster, fitter and better organised. In addition to their goals, the visitors struck the bar twice.
⚽️ FA Trophy R3, Walton & Hersham 4 Sutton Utd 1: our heaviest defeat of the Agutter era, against a team two tiers below us, but who'd only lost twice all season. Two second-half penalties, the second accompanied by a red card, sealed our fate. We were light in attack due to injuries and suspensions.
December 13, 2025 at 5:55 PM
⚽️ FA Trophy R3, Walton & Hersham 4 Sutton Utd 1: our heaviest defeat of the Agutter era, against a team two tiers below us, but who'd only lost twice all season. Two second-half penalties, the second accompanied by a red card, sealed our fate. We were light in attack due to injuries and suspensions.
🐦⬛ Here's another short video of Pink-footed Geese at Cley Marshes yesterday. These birds flew right overhead, presumably to roost, as I was waiting for my bus back to Sheringham.
December 11, 2025 at 9:24 AM
🐦⬛ Here's another short video of Pink-footed Geese at Cley Marshes yesterday. These birds flew right overhead, presumably to roost, as I was waiting for my bus back to Sheringham.
🍺 Marlborough Arms, Norwich: from the beer city that keeps on giving, another hitherto unvisited suburban pub slips into the Good Beer Guide. A rather messy interior is relieved by nice brick features and old ceramic signs. Mostly strong stuff on cask, but the 3.8% Tindall Liberator hit the spot.
December 10, 2025 at 6:43 PM
🍺 Marlborough Arms, Norwich: from the beer city that keeps on giving, another hitherto unvisited suburban pub slips into the Good Beer Guide. A rather messy interior is relieved by nice brick features and old ceramic signs. Mostly strong stuff on cask, but the 3.8% Tindall Liberator hit the spot.
🐦⬛ Cley Marshes, Norfolk: there's nothing quite like the spectacle (and sound) of many hundreds of Pink-footed Geese in flight.
Brent Geese and Wigeon were also around in numbers, with a few Avocets and Marsh Harriers in the mix. Out at sea were a Razorbill, a Red-throated Diver and Grey Seals.
Brent Geese and Wigeon were also around in numbers, with a few Avocets and Marsh Harriers in the mix. Out at sea were a Razorbill, a Red-throated Diver and Grey Seals.
December 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
🐦⬛ Cley Marshes, Norfolk: there's nothing quite like the spectacle (and sound) of many hundreds of Pink-footed Geese in flight.
Brent Geese and Wigeon were also around in numbers, with a few Avocets and Marsh Harriers in the mix. Out at sea were a Razorbill, a Red-throated Diver and Grey Seals.
Brent Geese and Wigeon were also around in numbers, with a few Avocets and Marsh Harriers in the mix. Out at sea were a Razorbill, a Red-throated Diver and Grey Seals.
⚽️ FA Cup 2nd round, Sutton Utd 1 Shrewsbury Town 2 after extra time: deservedly 1-0 up on 90 minutes, against an EFL side reduced to ten men, we then lose a goal and a man in stoppage time, that twin fate repeating itself in extra time. Football can be very cruel.
December 6, 2025 at 8:41 PM
⚽️ FA Cup 2nd round, Sutton Utd 1 Shrewsbury Town 2 after extra time: deservedly 1-0 up on 90 minutes, against an EFL side reduced to ten men, we then lose a goal and a man in stoppage time, that twin fate repeating itself in extra time. Football can be very cruel.
⚽️ Sutton Utd 4 Gateshead 2: our third straight league win, achieved after going behind, and without a recognised striker, two goals early in the 2nd half (one a stunner from midfielder Lewis Simper) putting us 3-1 up, our fourth a late solo effort from home-grown defender Jack Taylor. Up to 17th. 🙂
November 29, 2025 at 5:59 PM
⚽️ Sutton Utd 4 Gateshead 2: our third straight league win, achieved after going behind, and without a recognised striker, two goals early in the 2nd half (one a stunner from midfielder Lewis Simper) putting us 3-1 up, our fourth a late solo effort from home-grown defender Jack Taylor. Up to 17th. 🙂
🍺 Trinity, Borough, London: pub with an eye-catching frontage, right by Borough tube station, taken from Greene King's clutches by Fuller's. The Christmas party season is already underway here. The Hophead passes muster. This visit completes Gtr London's entries for me in the 2026 Good Beer Guide. 🙂
November 27, 2025 at 7:40 PM
🍺 Trinity, Borough, London: pub with an eye-catching frontage, right by Borough tube station, taken from Greene King's clutches by Fuller's. The Christmas party season is already underway here. The Hophead passes muster. This visit completes Gtr London's entries for me in the 2026 Good Beer Guide. 🙂
🍺 Rockingham Arms, Elephant & Castle, London: busy (aren't they all?) Wetherspoon pub on the ground floor of a 1960s building that once housed the DHSS, now doubtless serving modern-day claimants. The Salem (Batemans) Dark Fruits Porter is rich, with damson notes and faint bitterness in the finish.
November 27, 2025 at 5:33 PM
🍺 Rockingham Arms, Elephant & Castle, London: busy (aren't they all?) Wetherspoon pub on the ground floor of a 1960s building that once housed the DHSS, now doubtless serving modern-day claimants. The Salem (Batemans) Dark Fruits Porter is rich, with damson notes and faint bitterness in the finish.
🍺 Bugle Horn, Charlton, London: rambling old pub in Charlton Village, where taciturn blokes lurk on bar stools, though some livelier customers have now arrived. Much less appealing than the last pub, but the Marston's Pedigree, not often seen in the capital these days, is satisfyingly robust.
November 24, 2025 at 8:41 PM
🍺 Bugle Horn, Charlton, London: rambling old pub in Charlton Village, where taciturn blokes lurk on bar stools, though some livelier customers have now arrived. Much less appealing than the last pub, but the Marston's Pedigree, not often seen in the capital these days, is satisfyingly robust.
🍺 Lord Herbert, Plumstead Common, London: comfortable, street corner local with a relaxed ambience and island bar, the walls decorated with portraits of rock musicians, old ceramic signs and pro-Palestine posters. The Wye Valley HPA is on top form; I'm staying for another. 🙂
November 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
🍺 Lord Herbert, Plumstead Common, London: comfortable, street corner local with a relaxed ambience and island bar, the walls decorated with portraits of rock musicians, old ceramic signs and pro-Palestine posters. The Wye Valley HPA is on top form; I'm staying for another. 🙂
⚽️ Truro City 2 Sutton Utd 3: our first league away win of the season, and a vital one, against the division's bottom side who came back from 2-0 down to 2-2, our late winner (Wimbledon loanee Kai Jennings's second rocket of the game) coming two minutes after their equaliser. We're up to 19th. 🙂
November 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
⚽️ Truro City 2 Sutton Utd 3: our first league away win of the season, and a vital one, against the division's bottom side who came back from 2-0 down to 2-2, our late winner (Wimbledon loanee Kai Jennings's second rocket of the game) coming two minutes after their equaliser. We're up to 19th. 🙂
🍺 A visit to SW Cornwall isn't really complete without a return to the legendary Blue Anchor brewpub in Helston. The Middle (5%) is above average.
November 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM
🍺 A visit to SW Cornwall isn't really complete without a return to the legendary Blue Anchor brewpub in Helston. The Middle (5%) is above average.
🍺 Moth & the Moon, Falmouth, Cornwall: cosy, cultured pub with mixed seating and a nice mix of customers drifting in and out. Big shout-out for the Tintagel Pendragon, a stunning beer (4.5% and 4.5 NBSS), so good I had to stay for a second. Experiencing this reminds me why I keep drinking cask ale.
November 21, 2025 at 8:05 PM
🍺 Moth & the Moon, Falmouth, Cornwall: cosy, cultured pub with mixed seating and a nice mix of customers drifting in and out. Big shout-out for the Tintagel Pendragon, a stunning beer (4.5% and 4.5 NBSS), so good I had to stay for a second. Experiencing this reminds me why I keep drinking cask ale.
🍺 Verdant Brewing Tap Room, Penryn, Cornwall: modern beer hall, adjacent to the brewery on the almost-inevitable industrial eatate, with a mostly young crowd (plus kids and dogs) in this Friday teatime. The Burnthouse porter (4.6%) is satisfingly rich, with hints of coffee and dried fruit.
November 21, 2025 at 6:03 PM
🍺 Verdant Brewing Tap Room, Penryn, Cornwall: modern beer hall, adjacent to the brewery on the almost-inevitable industrial eatate, with a mostly young crowd (plus kids and dogs) in this Friday teatime. The Burnthouse porter (4.6%) is satisfingly rich, with hints of coffee and dried fruit.
🍺 Knowles of Norwood, West Norwood, SE London: named after the hardware store that once occupied the building, and now run by Portobello Pub Co, this smart and expansive bar is rather a contrast to the down-at-heel shops nearby. The locally brewed Gipsy Hill Bandit is chilled and hoppy.
November 20, 2025 at 8:06 PM
🍺 Knowles of Norwood, West Norwood, SE London: named after the hardware store that once occupied the building, and now run by Portobello Pub Co, this smart and expansive bar is rather a contrast to the down-at-heel shops nearby. The locally brewed Gipsy Hill Bandit is chilled and hoppy.
🦊🐦⬛ This rather handsome Red Fox greeted me on Wandle Meadow this morning.
Birding highlights were four Fieldfare and a Redwing up in the trees.
Birding highlights were four Fieldfare and a Redwing up in the trees.
November 20, 2025 at 9:31 AM
🦊🐦⬛ This rather handsome Red Fox greeted me on Wandle Meadow this morning.
Birding highlights were four Fieldfare and a Redwing up in the trees.
Birding highlights were four Fieldfare and a Redwing up in the trees.
🍺 Lady Ottoline, Bloomsbury: named after a society hostess associated with the Bloomsbury Set, an eclectically furnished pub with wooden floorboards and upstairs dining room. Most customers in the bar are women. My Wimbledon Common is murkier than it should be, but tastes as it should.
November 17, 2025 at 7:35 PM
🍺 Lady Ottoline, Bloomsbury: named after a society hostess associated with the Bloomsbury Set, an eclectically furnished pub with wooden floorboards and upstairs dining room. Most customers in the bar are women. My Wimbledon Common is murkier than it should be, but tastes as it should.
🍺 Duke, Bloomsbury, London: characterful, art deco pub with original features, both bars offering (uncushioned) wooden booths for more intimate drinking. Against my initial impulse (for Harvey's), I ordered the Greene King Fireside, actually pretty decent, and feeling right for a chilly evening.
November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
🍺 Duke, Bloomsbury, London: characterful, art deco pub with original features, both bars offering (uncushioned) wooden booths for more intimate drinking. Against my initial impulse (for Harvey's), I ordered the Greene King Fireside, actually pretty decent, and feeling right for a chilly evening.