GAVIN AITCHISON decides to take it more slowly as he joins the pack of pub hunters.

IT’S that time of year again. The pub hunters are out in force.

If you’ve not spotted one already, you soon will. They’re in a whole raft of pubs in and around York, some alone and some in packs. Seen an unfamiliar face in your local this week? It’s probably a hunter!

Your pub hunter, for any novices out there, can be readily identified by some tell-tale signs. They’ll be clutching a folded piece of card; they’ll have a look of fulfillment and satisfaction on their face; and instead of a packet of crisps or some dry-roasted peanuts with their pint, they’ll be asking the barman for a sticker.

The stickers, you see, are what it’s all about for the hunters. Or rather, I should say, for us hunters because yes, I too am part of this motley crew.

We’ve been pacing and prowling around York and its outlying villages for eight days now, trying to bag pubs along the way. And not just any old pubs, for that would be much too easy. Nope, we’re after a pre-set list of 24.

It’s all to do with the York Camra Ale Trail, now in its third year and something of a scavenger hunt for beer lovers.

The main aim is to publicise the York Beer And Cider Festival, which takes place on Knavesmire in September, and there are incentives of free entry and beer for those who clock up 12, 18 or all 24 of the pubs.

I’ve made a strong start, clocking up 15 in the first eight days (a half pint in most, so nothing excessive) and it’s been really good fun.

The trail has reintroduced me to a fair few places I’ve not visited for a while (such as the Beeswing in Hull Road and the Charles XII in Heslington), but more satisfyingly it has taken me to some altogether new venues.

Like The Spotted Ox in Tockwith, a cracking little pub right in the heart of its village with a homely welcome and fantastic beer. I had Black Sheep’s Golden Sheep, served to perfection, and there were a couple of other cask ales on too.

And The Derwent Arms in Osbaldwick village, a pleasant community boozer just a stone’s throw from the proposed Derwenthorpe housing development. I had a pint of Abbot Ale there, eavesdropped on the bar-room banter, and pondered staying for another.

I didn’t, for I wanted to get to the Fulford Arms too, and as I cycled onwards I realised that therein lies the one flaw in the trail. Or, at least, in the approach my competitive friends and I adopted last week.

See, if you’re not careful, you end up rushing to tick pubs off, rather than enjoying them for what they are. Or, in our case, you choose a darkened pub over a sun-kissed beer garden, simply because the latter isn’t on the trail.

I’ve learned my lesson though. From now on, I’m taking it slowly again. I’ll mosey along to Wilberfoss or Cawood, stay a while longer, and enjoy the catch as well as the hunt.

That is, of course, unless any of you fancy a quick half at The Plough before lunch? No? Okay then. Happy hunting!

• Trail cards are available in all participating pubs. If you can’t find one that’s taking part, feel free to email me on gavin.aitchison@thepress.co.uk or phone 01904 567131.

Reddy and willing

YORK Brewery has launched the latest in its special limited edition series (see picture above).

Micklegate Ginger, unveiled at Micklegate Bar Museum, is the third in a set of six beers created by the firm’s individual brewers. It’s an excellent beer, including Challenger and Cascade hops and with an ABV of 4.5 per cent.

Its creator, Alan Hardie, said: “It is slightly reddish in colour, malty and dry with a subtle ginger flavour and hint of toffee.”

Shorts

• The Ackhorne in St Martin’s Lane, York, is now free-of-tie on one handpump and has a suggestion box on the bar, if people want to requests certain beers.

• The Shoulder of Mutton, Heworth Green, is hosting the York Pork Pie Festival next Saturday.

• Restoration work has begun at the Volunteer Arms, Holgate. It should reopen in a month or two.

Follow Gav at twitter.com/pintsofview for beery news, views and chat throughout the week.