It was one of the coldest days so far this winter, but the sky was clear and the sun was shining, so an ideal day for walk around Ivybridge.
We gathered in the Exchange from 11.30, by the time everyone was present there were over 20 of us. The Exchange was offering a choice of Tribute, Proper Job and Doom Bar, the first two seemed the popular choices.
Next venue was just down the road, the Old Smithy Inn where the choice was either Jail Ale or Pedigree. Our next should have been Ivybridge Brewery but, after a short conversation, they were in the midst of brewing, had nothing to sell to us and the brewery was clearly too small to accommodate the 20+ of us, we moved on to the Duke of Cornwall.
The beers here are served straight from the cask in the cellar, Salcombe Devon Amber and Doom Bar were on offer, the Devon Amber proving very popular!
The Imperial had appeared to be closed, but a quick phone call found the doors of Ivybridge's only GBG entry, open for us! The choices here were Tribute, Legend and Tavistock Master Ale, the latter being new to most of us so proved to be popular.
We were now at the bottom of town and had our longest walk of the day back up, past our previous pubs, to reach the Trehill Arms. Bath's Gem, Jail Ale and Doom Bar were the choices here.
Our final call in Ivybridge would be the Sportsmans which didn't open until 3pm and then to a convenient bus stop opposite to catch the Gold bus to Bittaford and the Horse & Groom, one of Plymouth CAMRA's award winning pubs. here there were three handpumps, the choice being between Dartmoor's Jail Ale and Dragon's Breath plus Summerskills Bittabeer.

This was our last call and the Gold bus was popular to ferry members back to Totnes or Paignton with many having to catch further transport from there.
I think it was adjudged to have been a good day out, although Ivybridge is quite close to our area, many had not ventured there previously. The beers, although perhaps for some members, not too exciting, were generally good and the pubs warm and welcoming. Our thanks to all the licensees for their hospitality.

Our next Mid Week Social is on 21st February, to Chagford, details here

Exchange Bar The Old Smithy In the Horse & Groom Horse & Groom