PUB-CHAT is likely to be dominated by one thing and one thing only for the next few weeks – the World Cup in South Africa.

But whether you love football or loathe it, the tournament can be an enjoyable time for beer drinkers.

Breweries across the country have been producing special ales to coincide with the tournament, meaning that you don’t need to be Geoff Hurst to get lucky when you hit the bar.

Perhaps the shrewdest of the breweries is Batemans, which has come up with England Expects, an amber ale at four per cent ABV.

Keen to hedge their bets, Batemans have provided pubs with three pump clips – one for while England are still in the tournament, one for use if England triumph, and another to be used if and when they are knocked out.

That beer is one of a range that will be on offer in the Waggon and Horses in Lawrence Street, York, as the tournament progresses, with four on at any one time.

Others include Holdens Goalden Glory, Downton’s Golden Boot, Hopback’s World Hop Medley, Two Halves from Leeds, Mordue’s Lion Heart, Lion’s Roar from Ossett and, from our own doorstep, York Brewery’s England’s Pride.

The last of those will also be on sale in Brigantes in Micklegate, along with Twenty 10 from Moorhouses, England’s Dreamin from Acorn Brewery and hopefully others as the competition continues.

Manager Kev Jones is also working on a South African themed food menu, including springbok casserole, impala steaks, chargrilled zebra, ostrich burgers and the national dish, Babotie.

Similar plans are also being cooked up at the Evil Eye in Stonegate, while both it and its neighbour, the House of the Trembling Madness, hope to also have Robson’s Durban Pale Ale available for those looking to really embrace the South African theme (see below for more on the latter bar).

I’d like at this point to wax lyrical about a few of the aforementioned beers, and give my recommendations but, alas, no can do. At the time of writing, the beers are still in the cellars rather than on the bars so my only tip is this – try a good variety if you can, and enjoy!

CHANGES are afoot at one of York’s most established real ale pubs, The Ackhorne in St Martin’s Lane.

Ron and Elaine Cooper have retired after just over three years and been replaced by Paul Smith and Morisa Gibb, who have moved from the Tap and Spile, in Darlington.

The couple plan to add two extra real ale hand pumps to the existing six and say there will be a broad selection to appeal to all tastes. They have also started doing food again, with homemade meals available at lunchtime and early evening.

On top of that, there are also plans to put a TV in the outside area to the rear.

I MENTIONED, above, The House of the Trembling Madness, which opened in Stonegate a couple of months ago.

Regular readers will know how impressed I was with this place – but unfortunately it’s had a bit of a licensing problem.

After a random spotcheck by council officials last week, it emerged that the current licence only allows beer to be served to customers who buy food. An application for the correct licence is currently going through the system and should be resolved within a few weeks. Watch this space.

SHORTS • Well done to the Ferry Boat Inn at Thorganby. Just weeks after scooping the prize for Best Outdoor Area in The Press Pub Awards, it has now been named York Camra Pub of the Year 2010.

• In case you missed it in The Press earlier this week... The Beeswing in Hull Road has reopened following a refurbishment inside and out. Ales on tap are John Smith’s Cask, Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and Black Sheep Best. Sadly, though, the Half Moon in Strensall has closed until further notice.

• The newest issue of York Camra’s Ouse Boozer is in pubs now.

• Calling all landlords – if you have an event to publicise, email gavin.aitchison@thepress.co.uk