January's Social started in the Carre Arms Hotel, where the beers were Draught Bass, Fuller's London Pride and Timothy Taylor Landlord, although the latter had run-out before most members arrived. After a couple of pints, the group headed along Southgate, calling in at the Nags Head. The pub was quiet, and served a good pint of Bateman's XB, spoiled only by the use of plastic glasses. As we left, the bouncers were arriving, suggesting that the place was about to become somewhat different, and explaining the glasses.

On to Northgate, passing the Packhorse, the local Wetherspoons, which was heaving around the bar area, and into the Marquis of Granby, which was also standing room only and served GK Abbott and Well's Bombardier. The more hardened drinkers then tried the Barge & Bottle in Carre Street. The beer range has been reduced from nine to six real ales, mostly national brands. Finally a visit was made to the Packhorse, which by 11pm was somewhat quieter. Apart from the normal national brews, the pub usually has four guest ales from smaller breweries, but there was only a limited choice, following a very busy night.