Bristol now, but originally from oop North. Canals, photography, industrial history, beer. Personal posts, now retired.https://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3mkujnxxsdc2mMy new blog post looks at Manchester's latest retro beer revival: https://ivydene.com/manchester-retro-beer/02 May 2026 11:21 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkujnxxsdc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3mkmsyk2pwc22I have come to Manchester looking for a sign. I think I have found it.29 Apr 2026 09:47 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkmsyk2pwc22https://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3mkleu5fhs22u@boakandbailey.bsky.social Coincidentally just been in a bar which had Augustiner on draft - the Vocation bar at Society, Manchester. Now in the Victoria Tap with RedWillow Ruby Mild - much more to my taste.28 Apr 2026 20:01 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkleu5fhs22uhttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3mgi6eovets2wYou wait for a beer festival, then three arrive at once! This weekend Bristol has them at the Lime Kiln, Gryphon (part of their selection pictured) and Knowle Constitutional Club (plus Wetherspoons).07 Mar 2026 15:47 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgi6eovets2whttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3mgfk5znsks2hA new (much overdue) post on my blog. Returning to the perennial subject of "Which is Britain's best beer city?" https://ivydene.com/britains-best-beer-city/06 Mar 2026 14:40 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgfk5znsks2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3mevuzxiqwc2zAmused by this one. Although not amused enough to try it with six excellent cask beers adjacent.15 Feb 2026 15:47 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mevuzxiqwc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3mbmhygvlnc2tOff the usual beat. Drinking Howling Hops dark mild (very smoky) in the Southampton Arms, Kentish Town04 Jan 2026 17:43 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbmhygvlnc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3m4vbnzmluk2kOne review for the revived Boddingtons bitter, made a prediction of elderly Mancunians posting that it wasn't the same as the original. Well... It perhaps lacks some of the bitterness on the initial taste, but it's a pretty good copy. (City Arms, Manchester.)05 Nov 2025 14:38 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4vbnzmluk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3lzbtxdosf22nCask in the Courtyard at LHG brewpub, Bristol was not to be missed. A well-chosen selection of 27 casks, all in excellent condition.20 Sep 2025 16:57 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzbtxdosf22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3lyzslbzxvs24Sitting in Hammersmith listening to Christmas music. It must be September!17 Sep 2025 12:11 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3lyzslbzxvs24https://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3lwlwxkhsvc2jAnnual pilgrimage to @thebowbar.bsky.social. Loch Lomond Silkie Stout, since you asked.17 Aug 2025 13:02 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwlwxkhsvc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3lwekizcai225Beer festivals: love them, or hate them? I've just published a blog post which may, or may not, come to a conclusion. https://ivydene.com/do-i-like-beer-festivals/14 Aug 2025 14:30 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwekizcai225https://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3lvt726mhkc2gThe day at #GBBF in Birmingham is drawing to a close, so time for something a bit special from @greenduckbrew.bsky.social07 Aug 2025 16:50 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3lvt726mhkc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3luulxolurk26How appropriate to be sitting in a taproom reading @privateeyenews.bsky.social.26 Jul 2025 12:48 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3luulxolurk26https://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3luul5s6tpk26Happy 10th Birthday @goodchembrew.bsky.social. Taproom open day includes display of material from Bristol CAMRA's award-winning Pints West magazine.26 Jul 2025 12:34 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3luul5s6tpk26https://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3lurjg2wq2k2tIn an attempt to get blogging I've joined in with #TheSession 149 about pub food: https://ivydene.com/memorable-pub-food-the-session-149/ Comments welcome, even if only "don't bother". Thanks to @davidjesudason.bsky.social‬ for collating entries this month.25 Jul 2025 07:25 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3lurjg2wq2k2thttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3lnv4hhkvv22wThe pub food options in Manchester have been upgraded since I lived here.28 Apr 2025 15:47 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnv4hhkvv22whttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3leenplvp322240ft Brewery, Dalston. Eccles cake stout collab with St John restaurant. Slight sourness to begin with a sweeter aftertaste.28 Dec 2024 13:54 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3leenplvp3222https://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3lecqvu5m2s2wPembury Tavern, Hackney. Railway Porter. It's obligatory.27 Dec 2024 19:46 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3lecqvu5m2s2whttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3lbhjji5w6c23The neighbours will think we've been very thirsty. [The remains of Bristol Beer & Cider Festival]21 Nov 2024 13:01 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3lbhjji5w6c23https://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3lb5eub2c222aLast chance! Final session of the Bristol Beer and Cider Festival. 42 down, but still 36 beers to choose from (+ cider). Open till 5pm, tickets still available (lower price today).17 Nov 2024 12:11 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3lb5eub2c222ahttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3laqkwoudjk24Ooh look! Beer! CAMRA Bristol Beer & Cider Festival starts Thursday. www.camrabristol.org.uk/festival.html12 Nov 2024 09:55 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3laqkwoudjk24https://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3l7sw67ahdk2zFor any Five Points fans in Bristol (@boakandbailey.bsky.social?) I can strongly recommend this which has just gone on at the King's Head, Victoria Street.31 Oct 2024 14:57 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3l7sw67ahdk2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/ivydene.com/post/3kp2iytfi572s50 years ago today. The Ashton & Lower Peak Forest canals reopened following restoration. The first boat descends Marple top lock at 8am on 01.04.1974. #UKCanals #WeDigCanals01 Apr 2024 07:14 +0000at://did:plc:ahnmo72g7kehufzzfqufomxx/app.bsky.feed.post/3kp2iytfi572s