Fenland folk forayed further afield recently in their never ending quest for fine ales in foreign lands with perfect pubs. The foreign land on this occasion being Derbyshire, the area visited Ripley, and in particular the Midland Railway with its steam engines, loco sheds and sidings with every imaginable engine and carriage in various stages of repair and dereliction. Buses through the ages and a special model railway exhibition had also attracted a full house.

On arrival and having being discharge from the coach most of the party made their way from Butterley Station along a pleasant walk above the railway track to Swanwick Junction. The chief beer detectors soon sniffed out the static carriage which housed the Wyvern Bar and the Leadmills beers, Mash Tun Bitter (3.6%), Swallows Return (3.7%), and Strawbeery Blonde (I think I know that girl, 4.4%) were eagerly sampled. The beers being served from polypins on the bar by the genial barman, naturally a steam enthusiast.

Dragging themselves away the beer barons then made their way up the road to Ripley and the Talbot Taphouse of Amber Ales fame, for some, the prime objective of the trip. The Taphouse, with its interestingly shaped building, did not disappoint with the beer range and quality on offer, and also price. Barnes Wallis (4.1%), Samuel Slater (American fit for a hero), EPA (4%), Original Stout & Chocolate Orange Stout (both 4% & very popular with our punters), Sterling Blonde (4%), plus Milestone's Shine On (4%), and Oakham White Dwarf. There is corner of the bar area devoted to traditional pub games such as bar billiards, darts, and bar skittles.

After sampling the complete range of the Amber Ales the party moved down the road to the George Inn, only to be disappointed by the lack of any Derbyshire beers on. On then to the market place and the Thorn Tree, a comfortable Marstons house with Wychwood Scarecrow, Cherry Picker, Hobgoblin, and Banks Bitter. The multi tv screens and flashing games machines did not detract the imbibers from their tasting tasks, which were very favourable.

The last port of call was the Wetherspoons Red Lion, as would be expected a bustling pub with just two staff behind the bar endeavouring to cope. However service was quite good and beers from the Ossett stable, Jaipur IPA and others (the reporter's scribbled notes seem to have deteriorated by this stage in the afternoon and so no further details on the beers can be retrieved).

Suffice it to say the quality of the brews was good. An excellent trip out and thanks are due to Joy, Richard, Ena and Malcolm for making it all possible.