1136. 27.01.07 LONDON SE10 / SE1 � GREENWICH / LONDON BRIDGE: SAR+N; NLR, Sec, BS, SOS, Valrita, Luiz Henrique. Members assembled at the �TRAFALGAR TAVERN� after cultural investigations by the SAR+N and NLR. �Timothy Taylor� and �Adnams� were mostly consumed. L.H. was introduced to English Beer and was elected an Honorary Member by Vote, on the occasion of his 28th birthday. Later the BS and NLR rounded off the evening with mixed success, visiting the �MITRE� for Greene King IPA, but not �St Christopher�s� by the station (bouncers, entrance charge) and instead stopped off at London Bridge. No luck at the �Bunch of Grapes� (Young�s), closed at 10:50, and at 10:55 only just coaxed halves of �George Inn Ale� from reluctant barperson at the �GEORGE INN�, though other staff continued serving long afterwards.

1137. 14.02.07 LONDON SE1 � SOUTH BANK: NLR; Sec. To see the lights, which weren�t really there, and NLR to try out his new camera. �FOUNDERS ARMS� (2x Young�s Ordinary) in uncharacteristically odd state, Discogastropub, pretentious menu and very loud canned music. Strange Valentine�s day drinks witnessed. The �ANCHOR� (2x6X), much quieter and more pleasant than on recent visits, sat upstairs by traditional mummified food cabinet, now a rarity in the gastro era. The �BUNCH OF GRAPES� (halves of Young�s Ordinary, Gales and Staropramen), rough with boozed up mobsters in suits. Sec was able to stay late.

1138. 26.02.07 LONDON SE1 � WATERLOO / SOUTHWARK: NLR; Chair, Sec, BS, DLR, Nelson, TBA. Meeting to research local area conducted by NLR and opened in the presence of the Chairman and Secretary in 1. the �HOLE IN THE WALL�, 5 Mepham Street. �Twickenham� drunk. Members� notes: Beer price inflated when BS arrived. Sec noted that it was less sleazy than it used to be. 2. The �WELLINGTON�, 81-83 Waterloo Rd. Joined by DLR and Nelson. Cumberland and Pedigree had. Early surprise departure of Chair, who had an early start the next day. Members� notes: Large ceiling murals of the Battle of Waterloo. Very spacious. Very nice decoration. 3. The �KING�S ARMS�, 25, Roupell Street. Adnams and Fullers had. Members� notes: Very smoky and full � traditional SLBS seat-clearance skills exercised. It�s my first time here; I do like it. It displays a number of �Best London Pub of the Year� awards on the wall� 2004, 2006�but I am not sure if it still applies� 4. The �MULBERRY BUSH�, 89 Upper Ground. Bombadier, Youngs. Members� notes: Food served until 9pm � NOT! Staff shortages mean that they have no-one available to prepare any food. What a shame! Big ads and no food! 5. The �STAMFORD ARMS�, 62, Stamford St, Harveys. Enter TBA despite NLR�s failure to charge his phone properly. Exeunt Sec, DLR & Nelson. Members� notes: Food � yes! Upstairs. All meals �4 Mon and Tue!! BS mollified. Good pub � beer, friendly staff, food spacious. It�s nice to be back at the SLBS meetings. I love drinking bitter. 6. The �ROSE AND CROWN�, 47, Colombo Street, Shepherd Neame. Members� notes: TBA very much in favour � a real find. Winner Beer in Glass Award 2004. Comfy, dark wood table and panelling. Quiet local, unsmoky, very nice. 7. The �PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY�, 218, Blackfriars Rd, Youngs. Members� notes: Empty, charmless. Warnings in English and Spanish / Portuguese. BS left to catch his train, TBA and NLR attempted return to previous venue but closing time prevailed, although locals appeared privileged to a lock-in. Meeting closed.

1139. 28.03.07 LONDON SE1 � WATERLOO / SOUTHWARK: Sec; GR. Waterloo hinterland. The GR having missed the recent larger meeting in these parts, was taken by the Sec. to visit some of the hostelries previously sampled, as follows; 1. " HOLE IN THE WALL" Doom Bar (Cornish beer). 2 "STAMFORD ARMS" Harveys, Deuchars + food (a Wednesday, so missed the 'all meals for �4' deal this time). Adjacent table full of very noisy young female media types. 3. �WHITE HART", Vetoed on previous visit as having no British ales, but a limited range discovered hiding amidst the ranks of European lagers. Members felt, however, that it was more in keeping with the local ethos to sample the Staropramen. Basic rustic decor combined with gastropub food menu noted. 4. " KING�S ARMS", Roupell Street. Bass/IPA. Also full of noisy young media ladiesevidently a feature of the district's midweek nightlife. The meeting concluded at this point; the Sec. encountered the NLR by chance when returning to Waterloo station, but no further alcohol was consumed.

1140. 11.04.07 LONDON NW6 � WEST HAMPSTEAD: SOS; NLR. Members convened in the small pleasant beer garden of the �CZECH AND SLOVAK CLUB�, West End Lane for Czech beer which, the barman explained, was served in the �Czech style�, i.e. pints only, in a short measure with a large frothy head. They then proceeded to the Restaurant section of the establishment for a traditional meal of meat, lard, stodge and more beer. Attempts to have a drink afterwards were curtailed by the abrupt comment that the bar was closed, when it did not appear to be the case.

1141. 07.05.07 LONDON EC4 � ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Present: Chair, SAR & N, NLR, Sec, GR, BS, EAR and Thomas (Son of EAR), DLR and Luisa. The meeting gathered at 16.00 at two tables outside the "BLACK FRIAR� and benefited from the afternoon sun prior to its setting behind the Unilever Building. The Chairman bought a round, and treated Members to a detailed account of his recent endoscopy, and in deference to the Chairman, no Motions were passed, or even discussed, at the Meeting. Timothy Taylor�s Landlord was mostly consumed by Members, though it soon ran out and other beers had to be consumed instead. The GR departed early for an engagement in the West End. The meeting moved inside around 18.30 and members partook of Food, in one of the highly decorated corners of the interior of the pub. The BS ordered a Toad in the Hole which arrived with a missing "Hole". Apparently they had run out of mashed potato and subsequently provided chips as a replacement.

1142. 28.05.07 BEDFORDSHIRE � BEDFORD: NLR; BS, Sec. Thameslink problems on a cold and wet Bank Holiday caused the Sec to travel on a later train than the other two members, who attempted to guide him by leaving a trail of voicemails. The NLR and BS opened the meeting at noon with two pints of Wells Eagle in the �SHIP INN�, Bromham Road, a nice and nearly empty old pub with wooden beams etc and old books but no food, so left to search out lunch via the �Foresters Arms� - advertised food but no food � and the �Flower Pot� - �open all day� � closed. The Secretary called in five minutes after their departure but soon achieved a rendezvous and the full meeting was established with pints of Rev. James and Greene King IPA in the �BEAR�, High Street, which displayed a Spartan 1970�s ambience, with period musical trappings. The BS noted Black Sabbath Vol 4. poster and the NLR programmed the CD jukebox with a selection spanning several decades - Clash/Theatre of Hate/My Chemical Romance/Who/Mika. Moving on to the largely deserted town centre, the BS�s desire for Wetherspoons was partially placated by large lunch portions and Belhaven Smooth at the �GEORGE & DRAGON�, Mill Street, a fairly ordinary clean pub which seemed to be trying to go upmarket. After lunch members spent time watching a juggernaut nearly get stuck before continuing to the nearby �SHIP�, Saint Cuthberts Street, for Abbot Ale and IPA. Excellent live music from the seven guitars of the Workshop Boys engrossed members so much that they stayed for a second round, the BS and NLR attempting to make sound recordings on their mobile phones. Cheered by this and despite the drizzle, the NLR insisted on sightseeing so the Secretary guided members on a perfunctory walk over Great Ouse and back before visiting the �HOBGOBLIN�, High Street, an empty, largely seatless, town centre barn, for Hobgoblin + Courage Best. Preparing for the return journey, members resolved to visit the local Wetherspoons en route, but the NLR diverted them to the �WELLINGTON ARMS�, Wellington Street. This turned out to be a beer paradise, a small bar with fifteen to twenty ales, leading members to conclude that they should just have spent the day there. The Society gave a good account of itself and tried nine halves of bitter before returning by train: Batemans Mystic Brew � distinctive, sharp; Isle of Man Shuttleworth � standard clear bitter; Beezone; Hook Norton Hooky � standard bitter; Jarrow Bitter; very fresh, aromatic; Highgate Dark Mild � bit heavy; Adnams Mayday; Westoe IPA � clean, crisp, full bodied, fruity; Banks & Taylor Two Brewers Bitter.

1143. 14.06.07 WEST SUSSEX � GATWICK AIRPORT: NLR; SAR+N, BS. The NLR convened a Field Trip to Tallinn and opened the Meeting with the SAR+N at the �METRO BAR� of Gatwick Airport, where they were soon joined by the BS. Prior to the impending prohibition of smoking in public places, patrons were taking advantage of their freedom to do so, however members could find nowhere else to convene a Meeting, and Boddingtons was consumed. Following the Meeting, free samples of Pimms were consumed by all; the BS also consumed free Southern Comfort but others declined due to the need to fill out personal details on a form.

1144. 14.06.07 ESTONIA � TALLINN: TBA; NLR, SAR+N, BS. After arriving at nearly midnight, the main party were received in their quarters by the TBA who had come on an advance party. He conducted the party to various venues which were not serving food and/or drink, such that Members eventually ate cold hamburgers and chips at a slow fast food venue. Members then consumed �A le Coq� at the �NIMETE BAAR� (�Bar with No Name�), where diverse TV channels were seen on screen and music was heard. Following the departure of SAR+N, the remaining members visited the �OASIS CLUB� (opposite Nimete). This was a much more peaceful venue with a woman eating her dinner near the window and table of young women near the bar. It transpired that members could have eaten here as they appeared to be serving food through the night. After sitting down and waiting to be served, the NLR went to the bar and one of the young women got up to serve him. After several rounds of �A le Coq�, members retired after 3am and noted that dawn had already passed and the sky was light.

1145. 15.06.07 ESTONIA � TALLINN: TBA; NLR, BS, SAR+N. �A le Coq� was consumed sitting on the front terrace of the �PIKA JALA�, looking up towards the Cathedral. Hot sunshine. Following the departure of SAR+N, the NLR and BS spotted 2 armchairs facing road at the �AFRICAN KITCHEN� and decided to wait for TBA with a couple of beers. NLR decided chairs not comfy while BS purchasing beers and relocated to roof terrace where Saku Kuld was consumed in the late afternoon sun. TBA joined after NLR sent SMS followed by 1 sec call to get TBA to look at phone.

1146. 15.06.07 ESTONIA � TALLINN: NLR; TBA, SAR+N, BS. By way of pre-arrangement, the Party purloined a table on the top floor of the �OLD HANSA� restaurant for the purpose of consuming a Medieval Banquet. In low candlelit environment, Members consumed a variety of food introduced sequentially by the waitress � �this is Elk, this is Boar, this is Bear, this is Rabbit�, etc. The meal was accompanied by spiced Red Wine to the tune of 2.25 litres. �SCHLOESSLE HOTEL�. The party spotted the sumptuous entry hall of this small leading hotel of the world and asked for a round of �Schnapps�, while inspecting a book about 100 famous Estonians, and debating the merits of consuming Schnapps before and after meals. Previous residents include Status Quo, Pet Shop Boys, Alice Cooper & Ozzy Osbourne. All signed guest book and included photos. It was clarified to the SAR by the receptionist / waiter that what the party had consumed was, in fact, vodka. Following the departure of SAR+N, Russian Standard vodka was also sampled by means of comparison. A return visit to the �OASIS CLUB� was warranted as this was the TBA�s final night in Tallinn. This time, members sat near the window and noted that the outer pane of glass had been recently broken. After several rounds of �A La Coq�, members retired to the apartment to consume the bottles of beer that the TBA had purchased on arrival.

1147. 16.06.07 ESTONIA � PIRITA: NLR; BS, SAR+N. At the instigation of the NLR, following an investigation of the �Kumu� Estonian Art Gallery in Kadriorg Park, Members took a bus along the coast to Pirita and walked towards the Beach. A large white building was located there, inside which were two eating and drinking places. The meeting convened at an outside table at the �VELVET� where Cherry Beer was mainly had, and a Club Sandwich shared. Members watched the sun project across the sky. Following the departure of SAR+N, more Cherry Beer was sampled and the BS indulged in some late afternoon sunbathing.

1148. 16.06.07 ESTONIA � TALLINN: SAR+N; BS, NLR. �BOSSA NOVA� Brazilian restaurant. Members met in the Main Square, sitting at a table by the window. N. consumed Brazilian Red Wine and Steak, the others �Saku� Beer and large thin pizzas. A multiply refracted shark in the aquarium was noted and the only Brazilian feature was the guitar player. Following the departure of SAR+N, the BS and NLR continued to the �KARJA KELDER�, a pub built into the cellar of an old building. Saku Original beer was half the price of the restaurant.

1149. 17.06.07 ESTONIA / FINLAND � TALLINN / HELSINKI: NLR; SAR+N; BS. Members caught the 10:00 Hydrofoil to Helsinki. On board, the party received 3 cans Saku Beer and 1 bottle Red Wine. The NLR and BS opened the meeting by consuming said Beer, while other members kept it till later. The party were somewhat nonplussed by music from �Titanic� being played on the boat�s intercom. After a circumnavigation of Tram 3T conducted by the SAR, taking in the principal sights, namely the Underground Church (closed), Sibelius Monument, Olympic Stadium and Statue of Bear and Anthill, the NLR led Members to �DFM�. Here they partook of Beer, served in exceptionally short measures, starting Outside but moving in due to rain. Once inside, Members went on-line, taking advantage of free internet connections, and read magazines which were available to patrons. Further investigation by Metro led to the northernmost point of the expedition, the vast Basildon-like Ostra Centrum shopping complex. The SAR entertained members with a recital of the Seven Deadly Finns, after they had struggled to name ten famous Finns. Returning downtown, the �MANHATTAN� Steak House was located after Members trooped around in the rain to find somewhere to eat. An agreeable meal was had accompanied by good service and unidentified beer. Members arrived early for the Ferry back to Tallinn and thereby took of Koff IV and Bear Beer in plastic cups in the �FERRY BAR�. Once on board ship in the exclusive prow section, Members once again partook of Saku beer in cans. The BS raided the fridge on two occasions to acquire further supplies, despite this not being permitted by the Rules. Once the hydrofoil lurched into full speed, the prow suddenly rose upwards and a number of items shot off the table onto the seat behind. Thanks to the quick reactions of the BS, no drinks were spilt. Another passenger was not so fortunate and spent the following ten minutes glaring around, waiting for the stewardess to appear so that he could complain. Following the departure of SAR+N, as the �AFRICAN KITCHEN� was on the route back to the apartment from the ferry terminal, the BS and NLR decided to pop in for some more Saku Kuld. The BS discovered the �Tiger� bar but it took the NLR several minutes to realise that the entire rear wall was painted as a tiger face.

1150. 18.06.07 ESTONIA � TALLINN: NLR; BS. The BS�s flight home was preceded by an Estonian Buffet and Saku at the �EESTI MAJA�. Excellent timing meant that members arrived just before the restaurant was inundated by several large coach parties.

1151. 18.06.07 ESTONIA � TALLINN: NLR; SAR+N. �MAIASMOKK� Marzipan Museum and Caf�. Largely an opportunity to take coffee, salads and cakes and await the rain passing after despatching the BS, Members spend 1.5 hours in this historical tea room and their repast was accompanied by the local liqueur, Vana Tallinn. �BEER HOUSE�. Members went out the back which resembled a road, but was all under a roof. Starting with the locally brewed Pilsner Gold and Medovar Honey Beer, members moved on to the Maerzen speziel and Premium brews to accompany a Trip of Sausages and Hock. Despite symbols prohibiting photography, pictures were taken. �AFRICAN KITCHEN�. On returning from the Beer House, Members consumed a Banana Cocktail called Congo, a Saaremaa vodka, a glass of water and Pancakes in this colourful venue, which was relatively empty. Leaving at 23:40, the presentation of gifts took place to the NLR at 00:00 on the occasion of his 50th Birthday, accompanied by Beer and Wine. Having opened his presents, tired members abandoned the meeting, disposing of surplus Beer and Wine down the sink!

1152. 19.06.07 ESTONIA � TALLINN: NLR; SAR+N. After taking breakfast and coffee near the tourist office, the NLR partook of a Beer, the SAR+N juice, outside the �RESTORAN KARL FRIEDRICH� in the �Main Square�, enjoying their final sun before departure. After some confusion by the NLR in finding the right Bus Stop to go to the Airport, the party got there, checked in and had a valedictory Saku in the �COCKTAIL LOUNGE�.

1153. 23.06.07 LONDON W1 � SOHO: NLR; BS, Sec, GR, SOS, Charlie, Terry, Jarlath. The NLR convened the meeting at the �DOG AND DUCK�, Bateman Street, to entertain members who had been unable to visit Tallinn, and arrived with a party of guests after taking luncheon at the nearby Gay Hussar restaurant. The party whiled away the afternoon and early evening in the small and uncrowded upstairs bar, which managed to maintain a traditional cosy corner pub atmosphere despite the proximity of many trendier outlets. A variety of real ales came and went until only one was left, the Society presumably having drunk the pub dry of the rest.

1154. 03.07.07 LONDON NW1 � MORNINGTON CRESCENT: NLR; BS. Members convened for a pre-concert drink. The NLR arrived first and conducted preliminary research, ruling out the nearby �Hope and Anchor� and �Crescent� on grounds of lack of beer, but noting in passing the smell of stale lager, B.O. and wet dog which had replaced cigarette smoke. He guided the BS to the �COBDEN ARMS�, Camden High Street, where members had Greene King IPA and Thai food. Service was friendly and excellent and the BS relished his Phat Prik Sod. The main entertainment was held at �KOKO�, an excellent concert location with a warren of hidden corridors and stairways into which the BS darted like a ferret to procure VIP Sofa seats and a front row balcony view. An outstanding musical event by Ash was witnessed, accompanied by preposterously expensive Fosters.