Posts Tagged ‘Harvey’s’
Party at the Dispensary, Aldgate
Nov 29th, 2009 |
I’ve written about the Dispensary in Aldgate before in my Aldgate lunchtime series. But on Friday 20th November I left my last job and had my leaving party there. The turnout was very good as you can see from this picture.
Annie, who runs the Dispensary, always keeps the beer well and I was sustained for the evening by pints of Dark Star Hophead and Harvey’s Best. I didn’t try the Itchen Valley Gold or the Dark Star Porter but I’m told they were good too.
If you are ever in the Aldgate area I do recommend the Dispensary for a fine pint – it’s a bit cheaper than some pubs around as well. They put out complimentary nibbles on a Friday evening too.
The Bell Pub, Bush Lane, London EC4
Oct 12th, 2009 |
This pub near Cannon Street station is now reviewed 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.
The Royal Oak in Borough
Sep 9th, 2009 |
The Royal Oak, Borough
The Royal Oak in Tabard Street, Borough is Harvey’s only London pub. That’s not to say that Harvey’s beers are not available elsewhere in London – most notable at the Dispensary and the Peacock in Aldgate, and the Harp in Covent Garden. But the Royal Oak is the place to go to see how it should be done.
The Royal Oak in Borough: Read the full post »
Aldgate Lunchtime Options No3 – The Peacock
Sep 2nd, 2009 |
Situated in Minories, the Peacock is a spacious, open one-room pub in a superb old art-deco building.
The Peacock, Aldgate
Even though it’s very close to where I work the Peacock had been completely off my radar until fairly recently, but a team social after work changed that.
Three to four real ales are generally available with Harvey’s Best and Ringwood Best being regulars. The beers always seem well kept.
Bizarrely for a lunchtime recommendation the Peacock does not actually sell food at all. But they are happy for you to bring in your own sandwiches or whatever, and many people do. So head up to Kelly’s, or the Pret nearby and then pop in here for a pint.
Food is available however for pre-booked social gatherings when you can use the games room upstairs – featuring a pool table and a couple of dart boards. There’s also a table football machine but you do need to give a bit of notice for that.
Previous posts in this series:
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