Nicholson's Pubs have the answer to the perils of autumn

It's one of my favourite times of the year.

The time where the cold snap is just starting, and I have to think of ways to keep warm. Which leads me for my annual jaunt to sample the delights of the Nicholson's Autumn Ale Festival.

What better way to warm the cockles than sampling some fine and varied ales.

You are sure to be welcomed at the Nicholson's Autumn Ale Festival

Showcasing some of the best British ales available from October 21 until November 17, as well as exclusive brews available to Nicholson’s across its 77 venues nationwide, it's time to discover why our national drink is becoming more and more popular.

Our love of ale pre-dates all other alcoholic drinks produced in England and ten brewing giants with over a 100 years’ experience including Thwaites, Liberation and Camerons breweries will join a selection of 50 cask ales supplied on rotation. 

You can sample a variety of flavours through a carefully selected range of IPAs, Pales, Traditional, Dark and Speciality brews, in addition to the seasonal ales currently being sold and a choice range of ciders.

The Nicholson’s brothers opened their first pub in 1873. Today the Cask Marque accredited pubs offer iconic and historic settings, providing a real ale pub experience with its unrivalled range of cask conditioned ales. 

As well as pulling pints, Nicholson’s Pubs drive innovation by working with equally impassioned breweries to create new flavours and great tasting exclusive, seasonal ales.

New for the festival will be guest ales from Northern Ireland, plus Portobello Brewery will be creating a brand new and exclusive 7% IPA, just for the festival. 

We met cask master Ben Lockwood in The White Horse on Carnaby Street London to sample some of the delights on offer.And here are our observations:

Broughton, Hopopotamus

ABV: 3.8%

Style: Pale

Colour: Blonde

Taste: Golden, tropical fruits, Grapefruit

Hops: Amarillo, Cascade, Chinook Willamette (US)

Sparkler: Yes

Location: Scottish Borders

Thoughts: A very light and very tasty ale. Could comfortably be a drink for the night, as well as suited for a complement to a meal.

Whale, Pale Whale

ABV: 3.6%

Style: Pale

Colour: Blonde

Taste: Lemon grass, honey, hoppy

Hops: Challenger (UK), Goldings (UK), Cascade (UK)

Sparkler: Yes

Location: Warwickshire

Thoughts: A new addition for Nicholson's, the lemon taste is both refreshing, yet subtle. Again, would complement a meal as an alternative to wine. However, perhaps lack the kick to be one to remember.

There is sure to be plenty to tempt customers

Thwaites, 13 Guns

ABV: 5.5%

Style: IPA

Colour: Pale

Taste: Hoppy, drinkable, distinctive IPA

Hops: Amarillo, Centennial, Citra, Chinook, Kohatu

Sparkler: Yes

Location: Blackburn

Thoughts: Those from Blackburn have got it spot on with this delight. Full bodied and bursting with flavour, this Autumn the 13 Guns is one not to miss out on.

Cameron's Gold Bullion

ABV: 4.3%

Style: Pale

Colour: Golden

Taste: Citrus, Hoppy

Hops: Fuggles, Cascade, Chinook

Sparkler: Yes

Location: Hartlepool

Thoughts: A pure gold coloured, full bodied ale with good hop flavour from a late copper addition of the outstanding North American Chinook hop to give a powerful citrus character. The ale underpins a more robust flavour and mouth feel for greater satisfaction.

Orchard Pig, Explorer BIB

ABV: 4.5%

Thoughts: A hint of farmyard always appeals to me when drinking a cider, that you are drinking the 'real deal.' Then comes the sweet smell of apple bloosom, and the flavours result in a balanced effort that will make you want number two, three, four.....

Want to know more about ale? Feel free to ask the fully-trained Nicholson’s Cask Masters, the company’s specially chosen, enthusiastic experts who can talk through the range in more detail and offer recommendations.

Nicholson’s Pubs will keep its Cask Ale club members up to date with initiatives and exclusive promotions available to them throughout the festival. The club provides news on the new ales available in the market and the initiatives taking place across pubs nationwide. To join visit www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/caskaleclub

The staff will be well trained to match your liking to a perfect pint

To find your nearest pub visit www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk or follow @Nicholsonspubs on Twitter and on Facebook for news updates, events and offers during the festival.

How a nightmare turned into a privilege!

The view from the front row - was originally scared

The comedy circuit in London is renowned for its regularity, and having attended a fair few shows on any given night, a Saturday evening at Highlight Comedy, Camden, has always been a particular favourite of mine.

The first point of this blog is that it would be an offence to type jokes and the set of any of the comedians, so that won't happen. What I shall do is review the comedians we saw (you can easily find out where they are scheduled on the circuit) as well as the venue.

The obvious difference in this venue, is that it is set up for comedy, in so far that it is not a big room in a pub, but a well-furnished, stage-led venue, with cameras excellently positioned so if you're ordering a beer at the bar, you won't miss the 'action'.

The entrance I have used previous - down through Camden market in a door at the bottom, has been changed, and now it's a trip up some steps into the famous 'Dingwalls,' or Lock 17 as many might know it, and down some more steps.

The first point of note, and your night may be different, but we were greeted by an annoying queue mostly combined of +40 years-old stag do.

Here is the first constructive criticism of the night - although by the end of the review, you might forgive it.

Jason Patterson - owned it!

The rules were simple; if you're coming in, in a stag group, you will pay your way, you won't heckle, and you will be sitting/standing wherever isn't booked.

Straightforward?

This is where my first encounter came with the more-than-friendly French manager/supervisor occurred. He gave them the time of day! Chat, instructions, chat, more instructions - meanwhile the queue behind us was growing, with the less-than-friendly bouncer making sure people weren't 'blocking the stairwell' and instead snaked them round ridiculously, while we were 'tutting' at the overly-chatty old stag do.

Eventually, obviously noticing the groans, raised eyebrows, and watch-glancing, the oldies were motioned through, and we were there, ready to be sent to our table. Happy days!

Front row!

That's where we were told we were sitting. Front row. Enough to make any man weak at the knees - but this northerner was excited. It is probably where I have always wanted to be!

My partner wasn't so enthused - even asking if there was any chance to move  - of which I dismissed (apparently we had been put there because her surname made the manager think she was French - bravo to him!).

Kerry Godliman - Changed my perception

The compere for the night was Jason Patterson, my first viewing of the fine gent, and he put in a similarly fine performance. Witty, superb with the crowd (which did include a few jokes at my 'lack of commitment' with the missus), and up-to-date, he was one who we thought could go on all night, and we wouldn't get bored.

First on was Kerry Godliman, and (upbringing blamed) I am not not usually a fan of female comedians.

Nothing chauvinistic, nothing sexist, just the simple fact that I have been brought up with a gruff voice, making dirty jokes.

And that's what Kerry was like. Top marks.

While humouring her own lifestyle and odd traits, we could all relate to the everyday things she talked about. She was a crowd-classic and didn't lose the enthusiastic mass, and her brutal honesty, whether acted out or truthful, was refreshing and delightful.

James Redmond appeared on the stage with a few whispers of 'I recognise him,' or 'he's been on the telly,' and he proceeded to confirm that when he re-encated the theme tune to hit BBC hospital drama Casualty - via vibrating lips and shaking head.

Of course, James was the widely-known Abs Denham, from the grim depiction of real life, Casualty.

Erich McElroy  - lovely face and great act

James' set was good, if not a little nervy. Perhaps some will say his gags were long-winded, but as he exited, I wanted more. His return to the comedy circuit  should go well as long as he has more confidence, gets a bit more 'everyday man real life' and extends it to longer than 10 minutes!

Next up was Erich McElroy - the name didn't ring a bell, but his face certainly did.

Not that it's a face of any particular negativity, as it is a beautiful, round face, but it is a recognisable one. And as he entered the stage the bounce, enthusiasm, and an American accent, I remembered him!

A great set, superb crowd interaction, which, as opposed to putting a bracket in, I shall explain.

A heckler. And a very BAD heckler, for no reason, decided to try and be everyone's memory of the night.

'I hate you' rang out. Everyone looked, no-one could really see, but the 'voice' came from what looked like a big group of girls, and most of them looked embarrassed.

She tried to explain 'why' (she obviously had taken advantage of the very reasonably-priced pitchers of lager), which was met by her friends stroking her hair, and telling her to 'go back to sleep'. Now if I was a comedian, I would rinse her, but Erich, experienced as he is, rinsed her for about 60 seconds, then settled, and finished, in great style.

Pete Johansson was the final act one - and what an experience.

If he doesn't come on talking about bears, I advise you to heckle and ask for it. Whether his act was 'actually' meant to be about bears or not, or even how he got on the subject is beside the point. As is the fact that the UK doesn't even have wild bears; his set was hysterical.

And so a fantastic end to a cracking line-up.

And now a word for the French manager as aforementioned. Chatting away to a fellow 'comedy-loving' couple, my drink was inexplicably-taken. So a trip up to the bar, an honest explanation to the lovable (and I am heterosexual man) French man, and a full pint was presented.

Then followed a drink of our choice from Mr manager, a great chat about how things are going at the club, and we were on our way.

I asked the name of the gentleman, but Comedy Highlight are less than forthcoming. Shame. Their manger for the night was a credit just as much as the acts were.