Archive for October, 2009
Salisbury Pub Crawl – Part 1
Oct 22nd, 2009 |
Recently Jon and Richard and I made a return visit to Salisbury for a Saturday afternoon pub crawl. This post covers the first part of the day when we got to the following Salisbury pubs: The Village, The New Inn and The Market Inn. It also mentions the Rai D’Or and the Frothblowers Arms which we didn’t get to.
The Village
Having got off the train we headed first to the Village on Wilton Road, just north of the station.
Frankly, the Village is a bit scruffy but you go there for the beer rather than the plush furnishings. Perhaps just like a village it’s the people that are important. The locals obviously all feel at home and for strangers the atmosphere is welcoming.
If you’re a railway enthusiast you should definitely come to the Village as the pub is crammed with photos of trains and other railwayana.
On this visit I was drinking the Quadhop from the Downton Brewery – a beautifully tangy, hoppy pint.
The Village would be a good start to any pub crawl.
The New Inn
From the Village we strode along Fisherton Street into the centre of the city and chose the New Inn as our next destination.
The New Inn in New Street was by far the busiest pub we visited in Salisbury that day – they must be doing something right. We did get a seat eventually in one of the many rooms.
The New Inn is a Hall & Woodhouse pub and I was pleased to see that the Lemony Cricket was still available. This pint has a definite hint of citrus but not too much (like the Grapefruit beer at the Jerusalem Tavern in Farringdon).
We grabbed some lunch here like most people were doing. The food was good and reasonably priced.
This pub used to be Salisbury’s non-smoking pub before the ban came in – not of course a unique selling point any more. There’s a large garden out the back with a view of the cathedral which is great for sunny days – not a gloomy October afternoon.
We tore ourselves away from this excellent pub after a couple of pints as we had a lot to get through.
Rai D’Or
The Rai D’Or in Brown Street looked good from reviews on Beer In The Evening but unfortunately does not open until 5pm on Saturdays. So we won’t be going there then.
Frothblowers Arms
Jon and I visited the Frothblowers in 2008 and we were looking forward to reacquainting ourselves with this small cosy pub. but this one was shut as well – despite the advertised opening hours on the door.
The Market Inn
The Market Inn is situated perhaps not surprisingly on the market square and is a pub that is more inviting than it initially looked. I’d certainly come here again.
There were 3 beers on: Ringwood Best, Sharps Doom Bar and Box Steam Golden Bolt. The last one was a tasty golden beer – very moreish.
Bizarrely food is only available from 3pm on Saturdays.
Read a write-up of the second part of our trip including the Wyndham, Deacons and a return to the Village.
The Bell Pub, Bush Lane, London EC4
Oct 12th, 2009 |
The Bell in Bush Lane is just around the corner from Cannon Street railway station. It’s one of the small Red Car Pub chain and is a cosy pub with a locals feel in the middle of the city
Whilst it doesn’t boast the extensive beer selection of other Red Car pubs such as the Castle in Holborn or the New Wheatsheaf in Southwark, the beers they do carry are kept well. Harvey’s Sussex Best is a permanent fixture along with Courage Best. There are usually 2 or 3 other guests available – St Austell Tribute, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Young’s Bitter were options on my last visit.
This small pub gets busy at lunchtimes and after work – don’t be surprised to see people on the pavement outside, even on winter evenings.
Inside the Bell the decor is spartan with few chairs and tables – it’s mainly standing room.
An occasional toilet aroma pervades, but apparently not much can be done about that – and you shouldn’t be put off as it’s a great little pub.
The Crosse Keys Pub, Gracechurch Street, London
Oct 9th, 2009 |
One of the many Wetherspoon’s pubs in central London, the Crosse Keys is situated in Gracechurch Street opposite the entrance to Leadenhall market.
Many Wetherspoon’s pubs are located in buildings that used to be used for something else, and the Crosse Keys is no exception – being a cavernous old banking hall.
Some ‘Spoons pubs have a limited selection of real ales but the Crosse Keys always has a good selection – usually between 8 to 10, and they’re well-kept.
The bar itself is an island in the centre of the pub and it is necessary to do a full circuit of the bar to see the full selection of beers on offer. Although a small monitor listing all the beers available was a new feature on my last visit – a bit like a station waiting room, and it’s only visible from a small area. Somehow handpumps give a better impression.
The service is generally pretty good but the pub does fill up in the evenings and a good ‘bar presence’ can sometimes be required.
The food menu is the standard Wetherspoon’s selection and whenever I’ve eaten at the Crosse Keys the food has been ok – but you wouldn’t come to a ‘Spoons pub for cordon bleu cooking.
When empty, the pub can feel a little soul-less. But it’s a good place to try out some different beers, and to be awed by the vastness of the space. If it’s not booked out for a special event the commanding view from balcony is good too.
The Harp Bar, Covent Garden
Oct 5th, 2009 |
I recently revisited the Harp in Covent Garden, London after a break of a couple of months and unbelievably the pub has got even better. I’m told this is due to the fact that the landlady has bought the pub outright from Punch and now has complete control over how it’s run and what beers to stock.
I was a late convert to the Harp some 2 – 3 years ago but now when in the rea it’s a must visit pub. It used to be one of the smokiest pubs in London, but that’s all changed now and the atmosphere is just people enjoying themselves.
The pub is extremely narrow inside and when it’s busy (seemingly all of the time) it can be a struggle to get past the bar to the slightly larger open area at the back. There is a quieter room up the narrow stairs if you need a bit of peace and quiet. Be aware though, the stairs are almost as precarious as those at the Seven Stars in Chancery Lane.
The beer selection will never disappoint as there are 8 different beers on at any one time. The selection varies constantly apart from the two staples and on my last visit the list comprised:
- Harvey’s Sussex Best – a regular here. Almost as good as being in a Harvey’s pub.
- Sambrook’s Wandle – Hoped it might taste like the Wandsworth brewed Young’s ordinary but it’s a different beer completely. Similar colour but much fuller in taste, and maltier. It calmed down to a subtle caramel flavour.
- Dark Star Hophead – As good as you’d expect it to taste but slightly glazed.
- Dark Star Original – Such a deep, dark beer but not as intense as the Espresso.
- Morrisey-Fox Blonde – My first opportunity to try this on draught and much better than the bottles. It’s a strong golden ale – not unlike Summer Lightning but somehow richer.
- Timothy Taylor Landlord – Not tried, but another constant I believe.
- Holden’s Will O Wisp – Not tried
- St Austell Tribute – Not tried
If you’re hungry there are various sausages in a roll to eat assuming there are any left – they’re very popular. These are cooked for you behind the bar.
Update: The Harp now has a website.
Cornish Beer in Covent Garden
Oct 3rd, 2009 |
If someone asked you where in central London you could find five cornish real ales consistently available, what would your answer be?
A good answer would be the Cove Bar in Covent Garden. It’s a pub that has been a favourite of mine for many years but still seems to be a bit of a secret.
To find the Cove you should head for the north west corner of the Covent Garden piazza and look for the West Cornwall Pasty shop. Behind this shop there is a small staircase – head upstairs and you’ve arrived at the bar – decked up to look like it’s a boat. Do you remember when other pubs used to do that – or am I just showing my age?
Five beers are regularly available at the Cove:
- Skinners
- Cornish Knocker
- Betty Stogs
- Ice Blond
- St Austell
- Tribute
- Proper Job
The quality of the beer is usually goodand the Cornish Knocker (my favourite) was excellent – a hoppy, floral beer.
It can’t be denied that the Cove is expensive – most beers are £3.80 a pint, but I guess that’s because of its location.
The interior of the pub is very wood and brick with two small rooms as well as the area in front of the bar. There is also the balcony which is a great place to watch the acts performing on the piazza – but don’t be surprised to be asked to contribute to the acts’ pot after they’ve finished.
Food is available too – most people seem to order off the pasty menu from downstairs, and they bring it up to you.
In my view the Cove is far superior to the nearby Punch & Judy