So much for the new year resolution ...

I have been berated in the pub by Pete H for the lack of attention I am giving to the blog. He is an unforgiving soul, but rightly recognises that I whinge on often enough about other people not keeping their websites up to date when I have difficulty maintaining my own momentum. Fair play.

What I should have been enthusing about lately was the quality of the Coastal Brewery's (Redruth, Cornwall) Angelina (4.1%). This is a terrific golden hoppy beer that disappeared in six hours when It made an appearance at the Star during a CAMRA branch meeting in the last week of January. A second cask from the same guile has just been seen off with similar rapidity. Brewer Alan Hinde clearly has a magic touch with hops.

Last night I was delighted to see Lizard Brewery partner Richard Martin turn up for a couple of pints with his better half, Tone. He was able to sample a snifter of Lizard Helford River (3.6%), one of those rare session beers that packs a huge amount of flavour into a low-ABV brew. And it was in excellent condition.

If you get a chance to try a Lizard beer, do so: I rate them very highly.