Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
@boakandbailey.bsky.social
In Bristol. Beer blogging in the UK since 2007. Also wrote some books about beer and pubs. Header image shows a detail from the cover of one. Won't repost if you don't use alt text. Find us at boakandbailey.com
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
In the Smithfield in Derby, wondering why pub hedgehogs aren't a thing.
January 25, 2026 at 4:56 PM
In the Smithfield in Derby, wondering why pub hedgehogs aren't a thing.
Five pints for a free sixth? That should be doable.
January 25, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Five pints for a free sixth? That should be doable.
BLOG POST: We visit a completely new pub, a pub we've not visited for a while, and one that's been taken over and reinvented, in a neighbourhood that arguably represents the spirit of Bristol. 🍻🍺
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/wher...
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/wher...
Where the strange ones go: a survey of the pubs of Stokes Croft
We felt an itch to go drinking in Stokes Croft, to the north of Bristol’s city centre, because there’s at least one new pub, and several we’ve not visited for years.
boakandbailey.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:02 AM
BLOG POST: We visit a completely new pub, a pub we've not visited for a while, and one that's been taken over and reinvented, in a neighbourhood that arguably represents the spirit of Bristol. 🍻🍺
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/wher...
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/wher...
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
It's Bath bass tour day, first stop Ring O Bells 🔺🔔🔺🔔🔺🔔🔺🔔🔺
January 24, 2026 at 1:18 PM
It's Bath bass tour day, first stop Ring O Bells 🔺🔔🔺🔔🔺🔔🔺🔔🔺
GOOD MORNING! Here's our regular round up of good writing about beer and pubs, which starts with 'retail groups' and ends with cask ale in New York. 🍺🍻
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/news...
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/news...
News, nuggets and longreads 24 January 2026: Nuts in May
Every Saturday we round up the best writing about beer from the past week. This time, we’ve got retail groups, pub conversation and peach beer.
boakandbailey.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:14 AM
GOOD MORNING! Here's our regular round up of good writing about beer and pubs, which starts with 'retail groups' and ends with cask ale in New York. 🍺🍻
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/news...
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/news...
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
In somewhat hilarious news, we've accidentally swapped cities with @boakandbailey.bsky.social , so we'll be providing you with News, Nuggets & Long Reads tomorrow...
January 23, 2026 at 5:32 PM
In somewhat hilarious news, we've accidentally swapped cities with @boakandbailey.bsky.social , so we'll be providing you with News, Nuggets & Long Reads tomorrow...
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
The owner is from Manchester. So, yeah, they’re a pro-sparkler pub.
January 23, 2026 at 12:46 PM
The owner is from Manchester. So, yeah, they’re a pro-sparkler pub.
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
Forty people showed up last night to a northern New York suburb for a paid event to learn about cask beer. I think that’s good news. Great job, Ambleside Pub!
January 23, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Forty people showed up last night to a northern New York suburb for a paid event to learn about cask beer. I think that’s good news. Great job, Ambleside Pub!
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
1st stop in Lille = hôp[i]. First visit & I'm impressed. Despite a La Debauche TTO I went for one of their own beers, brewed on site - a very decent Belgian blonde. Hope to make it back here tomorrow.
![Exterior of hôp[i] in Lille with blue painted frontage.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7elzd3yz4c5xmxpecu5ldoiq/bafkreidgqyp7ubff4opuxkqnmonobeuafbrpgqud4dwdx2xe3cz5vryady@jpeg)
January 23, 2026 at 12:29 PM
1st stop in Lille = hôp[i]. First visit & I'm impressed. Despite a La Debauche TTO I went for one of their own beers, brewed on site - a very decent Belgian blonde. Hope to make it back here tomorrow.
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
Lovely blog about our Think While You Drink public events on beer, drinking, and drinking places in pubs last year if anyone is interested in how they worked and what we did:
humsimpact.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2026/01/05/b...
Starting to plan for this year so watch this space or sign up to our list
humsimpact.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2026/01/05/b...
Starting to plan for this year so watch this space or sign up to our list
Being Human & Think While You Drink – Tasting Notes – School of Humanities: Impact and Engagement
humsimpact.blogs.bristol.ac.uk
January 22, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Lovely blog about our Think While You Drink public events on beer, drinking, and drinking places in pubs last year if anyone is interested in how they worked and what we did:
humsimpact.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2026/01/05/b...
Starting to plan for this year so watch this space or sign up to our list
humsimpact.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2026/01/05/b...
Starting to plan for this year so watch this space or sign up to our list
Currently at a taproom that someone told us was as warm and characterful as Saint Mars of the Desert in Sheffield. It is not. It resembles the reception area of a trendy apartment hotel somewhere in Europe. Proper liminal space vibes.
January 23, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Currently at a taproom that someone told us was as warm and characterful as Saint Mars of the Desert in Sheffield. It is not. It resembles the reception area of a trendy apartment hotel somewhere in Europe. Proper liminal space vibes.
Thinking now about the other problem which is people who don't have any sense of how much space they're taking up. The Swan With Two Necks has seating for about [finger counting] 30 people on about six or seven tables but people do SPREAD. "Can we sit there or does your special hat need that chair?"
My two pence worth on this @pelliclemag.com - be polite & shove over 🍻🍻 www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/10...
The Essential Guide to Pub Etiquette — Pellicle
It was the writer and politician Hilaire Belloc (1870–1953) who famously said, “ Change your hearts or you will lose your inns and you will deserve to have lost them. But when you have lost your inns ...
www.pelliclemag.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Thinking now about the other problem which is people who don't have any sense of how much space they're taking up. The Swan With Two Necks has seating for about [finger counting] 30 people on about six or seven tables but people do SPREAD. "Can we sit there or does your special hat need that chair?"
Outrageous behaviour.
As they settled in their friends turned up with their child and a dog, toys came out and took over the table, another friend showed up. My food arrived and there was nowhere for me to eat. I had to get up, food and drink in tow to find somewhere else to perch. Sadly this is not an isolated incident
January 18, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Outrageous behaviour.
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
On my own I joined 2 men at a table for six & they involved me with their chat. We ended up getting rounds but I had to refuse Jager shots "I only drink beer". They got me shots anyway even though I said I wouldn't reciprocate.
It was good to break out of my echo chamber by talking to strangers.
It was good to break out of my echo chamber by talking to strangers.
January 18, 2026 at 9:19 AM
On my own I joined 2 men at a table for six & they involved me with their chat. We ended up getting rounds but I had to refuse Jager shots "I only drink beer". They got me shots anyway even though I said I wouldn't reciprocate.
It was good to break out of my echo chamber by talking to strangers.
It was good to break out of my echo chamber by talking to strangers.
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
I feel very guilty when occupying a table of 4, for example, in a busy pub. I try to give off a welcoming vibe but some people are so reluctant to ask to join the table so I almost feel obliged to leave and often do.
January 18, 2026 at 9:39 AM
I feel very guilty when occupying a table of 4, for example, in a busy pub. I try to give off a welcoming vibe but some people are so reluctant to ask to join the table so I almost feel obliged to leave and often do.
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
An example: 3pm opening time at U Zlatého tygra involves being placed at tables. If you're 3 or fewer you will be sharing space whether you like it or not. It acts as a great leveller though, promotes conversation and plays into this pub's mythology that "the real democracy is here in the pub".
January 18, 2026 at 8:27 AM
An example: 3pm opening time at U Zlatého tygra involves being placed at tables. If you're 3 or fewer you will be sharing space whether you like it or not. It acts as a great leveller though, promotes conversation and plays into this pub's mythology that "the real democracy is here in the pub".
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
And if rule 2 is broken I become stubborn and will refuse to be forced out until they have all left. I have left dinner on the stove for too long whilst stubbornly getting one more drink than intended to prove a point.
January 18, 2026 at 8:08 AM
And if rule 2 is broken I become stubborn and will refuse to be forced out until they have all left. I have left dinner on the stove for too long whilst stubbornly getting one more drink than intended to prove a point.
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
I too often feel profligate of space, as someone who goes to the pub alone to read. My rules are yes you can join me if:
1. You dont mind me putting my headphones on and continuing to read.
2. There are no more of you than there are vacant spaces at this table.
1. You dont mind me putting my headphones on and continuing to read.
2. There are no more of you than there are vacant spaces at this table.
January 18, 2026 at 8:07 AM
I too often feel profligate of space, as someone who goes to the pub alone to read. My rules are yes you can join me if:
1. You dont mind me putting my headphones on and continuing to read.
2. There are no more of you than there are vacant spaces at this table.
1. You dont mind me putting my headphones on and continuing to read.
2. There are no more of you than there are vacant spaces at this table.
BLOG POST: Do you mind sharing your pub table with strangers? Or is it your worst nightmare? 🍻🍺
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/of-c...
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/of-c...
Of course you can sit at our pub table (terms and conditions apply)
British people can be oddly reluctant to share pub tables. Maybe it’s time to get over that and get better at asking “Are these seats free?”
boakandbailey.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:50 AM
BLOG POST: Do you mind sharing your pub table with strangers? Or is it your worst nightmare? 🍻🍺
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/of-c...
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/of-c...
#EveryPubInBristol no 319. Steam Stokes Croft. Newish venue in old carriage works, vaguely continental decor, no cask, Thatchers £3.50 a pint for students.
January 17, 2026 at 4:27 PM
#EveryPubInBristol no 319. Steam Stokes Croft. Newish venue in old carriage works, vaguely continental decor, no cask, Thatchers £3.50 a pint for students.
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
Mainly through financial necessity, my beer snob days are far behind me. Tonight I’m enjoying £0.80 cans of London Pride from the short dated beer warehouse, and very nice it is too.
January 16, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Mainly through financial necessity, my beer snob days are far behind me. Tonight I’m enjoying £0.80 cans of London Pride from the short dated beer warehouse, and very nice it is too.
GOOD MORNING! Here's the weekly round-up with notes on the perfect mid-shift pub kitchen BLT, formidable Yorkshire landladies, and the pub as third place. 🍺🍻
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/news...
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/news...
News, nuggets and longreads 17 January 2026: Around the World in 80 Days
Every Saturday we round up the best writing about beer from the past week. This time, we’ve got sandwiches, decoction, and battling pianists.
boakandbailey.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:59 AM
GOOD MORNING! Here's the weekly round-up with notes on the perfect mid-shift pub kitchen BLT, formidable Yorkshire landladies, and the pub as third place. 🍺🍻
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/news...
boakandbailey.com/2026/01/news...
It's good to be back at your favourite Bristol taproom, under the benevolent glow of a portable heater.
January 16, 2026 at 7:47 PM
It's good to be back at your favourite Bristol taproom, under the benevolent glow of a portable heater.
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
Dunno why the artist decided to change the four small front windows into one big one, but the interior has been pretty accurately rendered.
January 15, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Dunno why the artist decided to change the four small front windows into one big one, but the interior has been pretty accurately rendered.
Reposted by Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray)
This week's 2000AD has co-opted The Bridge Tavern in Newcastle for the ancient goddess of northern England.
January 15, 2026 at 11:32 AM
This week's 2000AD has co-opted The Bridge Tavern in Newcastle for the ancient goddess of northern England.