This is what I am thinking.
I have Winchester and Bournemouth lined up, though might visit Manchester cos I've never been there. I also hope to visit Stafford for coffee tasting reasons, which is my geekout of choice. Suggestions elsewhere?
( Jimbuktu See? Right here, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 13:45, 2 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

If, like the average /offtopic male, you like to imbibe quantities of diverse and high-quality real ale
Have a warm-up pub crawl in Winchester. It's quite good for that. Then head to Manchester with a Good Beer Guide, on the proviso that I shall accept no responsibility if you return with liver cirrhosis.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 13:48, Reply)

Really? Interesting.
I've been loving Flying Dogs' Doggie Style recently, though tried some Brew Dogs' Trashy Blonde the other day which is pretty similar. Any pubs in particular or is there a good choice?
( Jimbuktu See? Right here, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 13:51, Reply)

My experience of Manchester
was probably a little biased as I was taken there on a pub crawl by some friends who live up there. But all the same, I got the impression they could have just blindfolded me in the town centre and let me scoot off in a random direction and even then I'd have stood a good chance of ending up in a friendly boozer with a fine selection of grown-up beer on the bar.

Edit: Should also add the disclaimer that I was particularly impressed as a fan of darker beers (milds/stouts/porters) which are much easier to get hold of in the North than they are for Southern Fairies like myself.
Edit edit: I think the most striking difference about Manchester, for me, compared to London, was that in the city centre, there's much less of a distinction betwee "bars for trendy young arseholes" and "pubs for old men." They seem to have a lot of straightforward "pubs," and in most of the good ones you actually see a very good balance of young and old and the atmosphere is so much less cuntish then any London equivalent.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 14:12, Reply)

I like different beers in their own season, it is spring now so that means lighter beers. Belgian beers are my real fave though.
( Jimbuktu See? Right here, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 14:19, Reply)

I'm sure we went to a couple of places that stocked a lot of Belgian stuff
But I was on local stuff for the whole day so I wouldn't be able to remember where they were.

Still, if you're in London, have you checked out the Dovetail (Farringdon) or that place in Camden whose name I can't remember?
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 14:23, Reply)

I am far from London
Though it is easy to get to. I'll look out as I may pop up to see the tate again. Thanks!
( Jimbuktu See? Right here, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 14:48, Reply)

I'm from Winchester.
Hope this helps.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 13:55, Reply)

Immensley
Actually, I'm looking at moving there. How shit is it?
( Jimbuktu See? Right here, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 14:00, Reply)

It depends how old you are.
For the under 25s and over 40s it's great - but somewhat dull for those inbetween. There are millions of pubs - but they are either for the young'uns or the older types.

It used to be a mecca for alternative types but no more - the teenagers are just mini-adults from what I could tell.


EDIT it is a beautiful town (if you like history it is simply incredible) surrounded by beautiful countryside, but by my late teens I was desperate to leave due to its goldfish-bowl style social scene. If you haven't grown up there it might be better.

I once won a calligraphy prize for an illuminated manuscript I drew: it may still be on view in the Great Hall. This should swing it, I would think.

EDIT 2
Bournemouth is rammed to the gills with pensioners and is the most CCTV-covered town in the land. AVOID.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 14:07, Reply)

ooooooooh winchester, is Goodfella's still open? I'd quite like to see big mike

( Lisette von Falcon, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 14:11, Reply)

I'm afraid I simply haven't the foggiest
what you are on about Kristine.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 14:13, Reply)

yeah, the next town over from us is Winchester
but...over here...not over there
( Lisette von Falcon, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 14:26, Reply)

Hmm, I'm in between,
but as I plan on going there shortly I'll look out the script...

Reply 2: I have friends in Bournemouth/Boscombe, so just visiting them.

Edit: Just read your question of the week story about Bungle. Classic!
( Jimbuktu See? Right here, Tue 2 Mar 2010, 14:13, Reply)