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6townsmart.bsky.social
6TownsMart
@6townsmart.bsky.social
350 followers 150 following 1.1K posts
Cyclist, beerlover. Stoke & Leeds
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6townsmart.bsky.social
Fancy bumping into Dave Atkins in Belgium! 👇 Great to have a catch up with him
daveratkins.bsky.social daveratkins.bsky.social @daveratkins.bsky.social · 22h
Christmas has indeed arrived (a bit early?) at De Dolle Brouwers. Great to see @6townsmart.bsky.social here.
November 16, 2025 at 5:46 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Draft Stille Nacht is now otb at De Dolle Brouwers. Ho Ho Ho! VIP's have made the journey from The North Pole to Esen, W Flanders for the official launch
A glass of Stille Nacht on the bar at De Dolle Brouwers with the handpump next to it Me and Santa and Mr Christmas Tree
November 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Today's visit to the coast has been postponed in favour of a revisit to De Dolle Brouwers. This Arabier is superb. Quiet at opening time but now the place is heaving
Four beer taps at the brewery bar with bottles indicating the beer in front A glass of Arabier with the brewery's signature sign behind and 'nat en straf' written on the wall Brewery buildings and courtyard at De Dolle Brouwers in Esen, Belgium
November 16, 2025 at 2:38 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
It's time for the annual delivery of Titanic stout to Esen's De Dolle Brouwers. Highly regarded as a classic British stout by brewer Kris. I may have a beer while I'm here (just to make the trip worthwhile......)
An 8 pack of titanic stout The wrought metal brewery gate which says oerbier anno 1980 Brewery wall advertising the opening times and with it's brewery motif across it View of brick two storey brewery buildings and cobbled courtyard
November 15, 2025 at 12:55 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Kapittel Blond at Terrastje Bar, Brugge. I rarely see it on draft so I'm not going to forgo the opportunity. What a beautiful exterior even by Belgium's high standards
Exterior view of cafe Terrastje Brugge. Brick pub with a protruding entrance Glass of kapittel Blond on the bar at cafe Terrastje Dark wood Interior of Terrastje with tables and overhead lights
November 14, 2025 at 7:40 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Well I think I timed that perfectly (for a change) as every bar seat was occupied within 20 mins. Cafe Rose Red, Bruges for a Vicaris Lino, blond, refreshing, subtle sweetness & brewed with flax (so it definitely has impeccable 'craft' credentials)
Interior view of cafe rose red. There are roses hanging from the ceiling, candle lit tables and stools around the bar A glass of Vicaris Lino on the bar with beer taps behind it and glasses suspended from the top of the bar Exterior view of cafe rose red. A three story off white building with a bike parked outside and entrance to the left
November 14, 2025 at 5:31 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Early arrival at brown Café Den Engel means a prime seat at the bar for a Bolleke of De Koninck. An amber beer synonymous with Antwerp. Good views across the Grote Market towards the cathedral
A glass of de koninck on the bar in den Engel with glasses on shelves and a clock mounted on the wall behind it A view of Antwerp cathedral across the cobbled market square An external view of cafe den Engel. Five stories high traditional Flemish architecture with some of the stonework guilded
November 14, 2025 at 1:16 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Stop 5 Antwerp. Paters Vaetje for a classic. De Ranke Noir de Dottignies. Superb complex, dry and roasted. A stones throw from the Cathedral
A bottle of de Ranke Noir de Dottignies and the leaded windows behind it Exterior view of Paters Vaetje. Three stories high with a Flemish brick first floor View of glasses on the shelves and beer taps and the leaded windows behind the bar of Paters Vaetje Frontal view of Antwerp cathedral near to Paters Vaetje
November 13, 2025 at 11:24 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Stop 4 Antwerp. The Northerner for a refreshing and dependable Saison Dupont.
Glass of Saison Dupont on the bar in The Northerner, Antwerp Exterior view of the Northerner Antwerp. Four story high brick pub. Wet cobblestones reflecting
November 13, 2025 at 10:31 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Stop 3 Antwerp. Somewhere under that camouflage canopy is the historic Antwerp Bar Quintin Matsijs. First Orval of the trip 👌
Exterior view of Quintin Matsijs with outside tables and a lot of foliage obscuring the view of the bar A glass of Orval with the hunting lodge roof beams and suspended ceiling lights behind it
November 13, 2025 at 9:50 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Antwerp stop 2 via The Grote Market to Coaching Inn Café 't Waagstuk. Those days of draft Schelderbrouwerij Hopruiter and Zeezuiper are over I'm afraid but The Chimay Bruin is perfectly acceptable for a taste of nostalgia
Antwerp City Hall with a large cobbled square with Brabos fountain in picture Corner entrance to cafe 't Waagstuk. Wet cobblestones and a long wide passageway to the bar door. Exterior is Flemish brickwork. Three stories high building A glass of Chimay Bruin on the bar with the draft tap behind it A view of cafe 't Waagstuk bar with glasses behind it and overhead lighting
November 13, 2025 at 8:48 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Sensible arrival time at beautiful Antwerp Centraal means time for a superb Brasserie Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux at classic brown bar de Ware Jacob
Interior view of Antwerp central showing its deep platforms which were excavated Exterior view of Antwerp central station which has a quasi religious almost cathedral style with it's large dome Interior view of brown bar Avec Les bons voeux showing tables, the bar and an old framed Stella Artois sign. The bar is long and dimly lit Two glasses of Avec Les bons voeux on a table with wooden panelling behind it
November 13, 2025 at 6:48 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Stop 5 Chester and perfectly located before the train home - The Olde Cottage for a pint of Wye Valley HPA. About as good as you can get cask beer. I'm not sure the fire needed to be lit but it certainly added to the atmosphere
Exterior view of the older cottage Chester. Three story high. Red brick ground floor. Tudor style top floor and rendered mid floor. Corner entrance. Birkenhead brewery windows Pint of crystal clear Wye Valley Herefordshire Pale Ale on a table in the olde cottage. The fire is lit behind it
November 8, 2025 at 10:30 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Stop 4 Chester - Joules Cross Keys for a 'novelty' beer: Moon Madness 'Luxury Mild'. You can't fault Joules pubs for reconstructed aesthetics
Exterior view of the Cross keys Chester. Three stories high, corner location on a sloping road. Bottom floor brick. Second and third rendered. A lantern above the doorway Half a joules moon madness with the handpump behind it in the cross keys, Chester
November 8, 2025 at 10:12 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Stop 3 Chester. The Albion. Called in early evening when it's uncrowded just after reopening (closes a couple of hours late Saturday afternoon). Timothy Taylor's Boltmaker otb. Nice retro Wem Ales signage
Exterior view of the Albion Chester. A red brick corner pub amidst terraced houses Pint of Timothy Taylor's Boltmakers on a table in the Albion with enamel signs and world war 1 posters behind it
November 8, 2025 at 9:46 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Chester stop 2 is Cellar Bar. Thornbridge/ Theakstons Masham Union collaboratorion otb & excellent. Really rich, great depth of flavour
Pint of Thornbridge & Theakstons collaboration Masham Ale on the bar with the handpump behind it Exterior view of Cellar Bar Chester. Three story building. Bench seating outside and bay windows on the middle floor
November 8, 2025 at 8:28 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Old Harkers, Chester is looking 😍 this evening. Weetwood Cheshire Cat is deservedly popular
Exterior view of the old harkers arms, Chester. A four story canalside brick warehouse. The building is fully reflected in the water A pint of Cheshire Cat with several other pints in the process of being poured
November 8, 2025 at 4:59 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Not got any breweriana from Showells - Breweries in Oldbury, Stockport & Stoke. Tankard in quite nice condition Acquired by Allsopp & Sons 1914. No doubt due to their extensive pubs in disparate areas from Bollington & Biddulph to Stourbridge
www.search.staffspasttrack.org.uk/Details.aspx...
Front view of Showells Brewery Tankard Side view of tankard partly showing the handle Side view of tankard partly showing the handle
October 22, 2025 at 6:37 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Ordinarily I'm a mid week stop in but a Monday evening sojourn in beautiful Knaresborough is vindicated. Blind Jacks has a brace of Two by Two on, a superb brewery (+ Bass available)
Exterior view of blind Jacks Knaresborough. A three story brick pub with cobbled frontage Train to York under the canopy at Knaresborough station at night A brace of Two by Two handpumps on the bar at blind Jacks Knaresborough with a bass handpump next to it Knaresborough station and rail tunnel showing the canopy and large brick chimneys
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
"Standing at the top of the main street in Haworth Village lying adjacent to the Church The Black Bull Hotel can claim many associations with the Brontë family" Tied House - Bentley's Yorkshire Brewery. From The Guide to Free Houses & Inns of Character in The West Riding
Excerpt from the pub guide describing the black bull, Haworth Map of pubs in the West Riding pub guide and a sketch of a mill surrounded by hills Front and back cover of The Guide to Free Houses & Inns of Character in the West Riding
October 20, 2025 at 12:06 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Going in! Good luck everyone
Half a Boddingtons at Thornbridge's Bankers Cat External view of thornbridge brewery bankers cat boar lane. Four story high corner pub
October 19, 2025 at 8:57 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
I normally visit the KWVR beer festival on a Friday but events conspired against me & meant a Sunday visit this year. No need to concern myself with reduced beer range. Select beers still still available & Craven NEIPA excellent.
Pacer train in platform at Keighley and worth valley railway A half of craven brew co NEIPA on the bar at Keighley and worth valley railway beerfest with the handpump behind it A half in front of a tank engine at the Keighley and worth valley railway Steam train in platform at The Keighley and worth valley railway
October 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
First visit to The Brickmakers, Newton Solney. Neil Morrissey's new pub. E of the River Trent, Derbyshire. Pentrich No Other Way DDH pale was excellent. Other local beers available too. Villager 3 service from Burton. Feature by @colstoncrawford.bsky.social
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/whats-on/foo...
Three handpumps on the bar with an intentionally hazy pint in front Exterior view of the brickmakers showing its entrance, hanging baskets and sign. Exterior is cream brickwork and black window frames Exterior view of the brickmakers showing its very elongated exterior The red Villager bus picking up passengers right out the pub
October 12, 2025 at 2:52 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Congratulations Dean @kaakaapo.bsky.social on a personal best in The Potteries arf marathon. Never was a pint of Titanic Plum Porter more deserved. Safe journey home!
Dean running under Longton railway bridge Dean approaching the finish line in Hanley town centre. Crowds on the pavement clapping Dean outside Titanic Brewery BOD platform bar at Stoke railway station enjoying a pint of Plum Porter before the train home
September 28, 2025 at 1:11 PM
6townsmart.bsky.social
Happy 40th Birthday Titanic Brewery. Superbly organised event at The Kings Hall
September 27, 2025 at 9:58 AM