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
Village Inn, Salisbury
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
New Inn, Salisbury
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).
The bar at the New Inn, Salisbury
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
Market Inn, Salisbury
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 |
This pub near Cannon Street station is now reviewed here.
The Crosse Keys Pub, Gracechurch Street, London
Oct 9th, 2009 |
The pub review for the Crosse Keys in Gracechurch Street can now be found here.
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.
Harp, Covent Garden
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 |
*** UPDATE *** Unfortunately the Cove Bar closed at the beginning of 2011. See: So Farewell to the Cove in Covent Garden
If someone asked you where in central London you could find five cornish real ales consistently available, what would your answer be?
Cornish Beer in Covent Garden: Read the full post »
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