Ruth's Real Ale Reviews

The Black Horse, Amberley 29th May 2011

2011-05-29T23:36:00.003+01:00

Another lovely pub in Amberley, this was huge and had an enclosed beer garden which was very pleasant on a summer's day.

Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): A decent brew, hard to beat.

Hop Back Summer Lightning (5.0%): Pleasant strong beer.

While a sandwich here sets you back almost £6, when it appears it's a large plate of food. The chips were the best I've ever tasted.

The Sportsman, Amberley 29th May 2011

2011-05-29T23:29:00.000+01:00

Today it was Black Dragon Morris from Horsham who were out dancing.

Langham Flor Ale (3.8%): Delicious hoppy bronze beer with floral flavour.
Hammerpot Shooting Star (3.8%): Lovely warming malty ale. Tastes a bit darker than it looks.
Langham Hip Hop (4.0%): Sweet hoppy drinkable beer.
Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): A particularly good pint of this great beer.

Four lovely beers at this charming country pub with views of the Downs. At lunchtime on Sunday they were serving plates and plates of good smelling food. And the dancers were given some free beer.

The White Horse, Maplehurst 25th May 2011

2011-05-25T15:19:00.004+01:00

This time I was out to watch Chanctonbury Morris Men at one of my favourite pubs.

Andwell King John (4.2%): An excellent malty beer with a very bitter hop taste. The first time I've tried a beer from this relatively new brewer.
Arundel Sting in the Tail (4.7%): Tastes good if you can get away from the unpleasant smell.
Welton's Pridenjoy (2.8%): Top marks to this stunning light bitter which stands up in flavour to beers twice its strength.
Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): A lovely pint.

Another good night out.

The Six Bells, Newdigate 19th May 2011

2011-05-19T15:25:00.018+01:00

Another Broadwood Morris evening.

Badger Googly (3.5%): A Hall and Woodhouse beer by another name (apparently it sells better) but still not great in my opinion. I couldn't finish my half pint.
Badger First Gold (4.0%): Slightly more drinkable ale.

A lovely evening at a lovely and surprisingly spacious country pub.

The Lamb Inn, Lambs Green near Rusper 12th May 2011

2011-05-12T13:47:00.007+01:00

Once again we followed the Broadwood Morris Men to a pub in the Sussex countryside. Well actually on this occasion we got there early as we had a small celebration of my son's first birthday (where did that year go?).

Dark Star Hop Head (3.8%): Lovely drinkable sweet beer with a huge hop taste. My first three pints in a long time!
Hogs Back Spring Ale (4.0%): Pleasant and light but quite bitter.

Lovely food, beer and staff at this off-the-beaten-track pub. Oh and we had a great music session as well. Perfect.

The Stout House, Horsham 7th May 2011

2011-05-07T17:30:00.015+01:00

As there was lots of morris dancing in the Carfax there was lots of drinking at the Stout House.

Welton's Broadwood (4.0%): Tasty malty decent bitter. A good local brew.
Welton's Magog (4.2%): Pleasant light coloured beer although I'm sure it used to taste more like wheat beer. Featuring me on the pump clip, oh the fame!

Come on Ray we want Black Dragon beer for Horsham's newest morris side! Talking of Ray Welton, you may be able to see him in the picture talking to Sam, a long-standing member of Broadwood Morris. Both checking the beer quality no doubt!

The Beer Essentials, Horsham 7th May 2011

2011-05-07T17:11:00.004+01:00

Brighton Morris perform outside The Beer Essentials

Possibly my favourite shop in Horsham, morris dancers were given free beer on Horsham Day of Dance today, arranged by Broadwood Morris Men.

Arundel Sussex Gold (4.2%): Well brewed amber nectar. Lovely.
Dark Star Victorian Ruby Mild (6.0%): Heavenly sweet strong dark mild, a beer to rival Sarah Hughes' best efforts at last! I really hope this is a regular beer as I could get very used to it.

Thank you Graham for organising such an enjoyable day for so many people, and thank you to the absent Gareth for the beer.

The Plough, Rusper 1st May 2011

2011-05-01T08:56:00.016+01:00

Celebrated May Day with the Broadwood Morris Men who danced in Rusper church, then had a drink at the Plough, then danced outside the village shop. They went on to The Star, also in Rusper, and then further afield but I had other commitments so I couldn't follow them any longer.

Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): A good but not excellent pint of this super beer.

They also had Sharp's Doom Bar Bitter but I didn't get to try it. These two beers seem to be everywhere at the moment but I'm not complaining because they're hard to beat. Even though I understand Sharp's has been taken over by Coors. Ho hum.

The Dun Horse, Mannings Heath near Horsham 30th April 2011

2011-04-30T03:13:00.039+01:00

Today is May Eve and we chose to kick off this year's dancing season with a meal followed by dancing and drinking at this excellent pub, as it is near where we practise. Later on we had some tunes and songs and generally welcomed in the summer in morris fashion.

Sharp's Doom Bar Bitter (4.0%): Lovely mellow, well balanced bitter.
Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): Another excellent bitter, with slightly more hop tones.

I love this pub and wish it was my local. Lovely beer, lovely food, lovely staff, nice customers, great atmosphere. What more could you ask for? Cheaper beer I suppose.

The Jolly Tanners, Staplefield 28th April 2011

2011-04-28T23:14:00.005+01:00

Came out to see Broadwood Morris Men's first stand of the season and discovered a beer festival.

In the bar:
Golden Valley Kenyon's Original Oatmeal Stout (4.7%): This was off and promptly returned to the bar, where it was easily exchanged for...
Kissingate Akira's Blonde (4.8%): This was the dregs of the barrel but having already changed it, I didn't feel I could do it again.
Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): A lovely pint. Pleased that finally something tasted as it should.

In the beer festival outside:
Elgood's Golden Newt (4.6%): Nutty and astringent decent pale ale.
Hogs Back Royal TEA (5.2%): Fruity and hoppy, a bit strong for the flavour.
Oakham Citra (4.2%): Glorious grapefruit hit. Extremely pale.
Rother Valley Wealden Bitter (3.7%): Stunning session bitter. I wish this were available everywhere.
Skinners Kate Loves Willy (4.2%): Pleasant bitter.
Thornbridge Wild Swan (3.5%): Disappointing weak beer from this usually excellent brewer.

They also had Dark Star Festival and Hop Head, Elgood's Black Dog, Grainstore Rutland Panther, Moorhouse's Black Cat and Woodforde's Wherry available, but since I've definitely tasted these before, I went for the others.

The Station Beefeater, Horsham 27th April 2011

2011-04-27T23:47:00.000+01:00

Oh what a shame, I locked myself out of my house and the only place to wait was the local pub with real ale and ice cream sundaes available.

Once I'd finished my large chocolate sundae...

St Austell Tribute (4.2%): Smooth pale ale with honey tones. Served on the colder side of "normal" but still within range.

A pleasant pub with friendly staff, fairly quiet on a mid-week evening.

The Anchor Hotel, Horsham 23rd April 2011

2011-04-23T23:16:00.005+01:00

This large venue was recently known as "Bar Vin" but has now reverted to its original name, "The Anchor Hotel".

Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): A super pint of bitter. Kept a bit cold for my normal liking but I was so hot this wasn't a problem.

Young's London Gold (4.5%): Cold, gold and sweet. Very refreshing drunk outside in the soaring heat.

They also had Bombardier available.

The Beer Essentials, Horsham 23rd April 2011

2011-04-23T22:57:00.003+01:00

Black Dragon Morris dancing outside The Beer Essentials
© Barry Dewdney - used with permission

We were out in Horsham today morris dancing to celebrate St George's Day and we started outside the Beer Essentials in East Street.

The proprietor, Gareth, supports the morris and was good enough to supply us with some light refreshment to maintain our spirits.

Hammerpot This England (4.0%): Delicious, well balanced bitter, very drinkable.

He always stocks a variety of real ales available straight from the barrel as well as many bottled beers.

The Greyhound, Tinsley Green, Crawley 22nd April 2011

2011-04-22T23:58:00.009+01:00

Here again for the World Championship Marbles that is played every Good Friday. This year there was a beer festival. In fact it's still on, it runs until Monday or until the beer runs out.

Cotleigh Buzzard (4.8%): A dryer, darker version of the Honey Buzzard. Tastes like an Old Ale.

Cotleigh Honey Buzzard (4.5%): Pleasant, strong bitter with a sweet aftertaste.

Cotleigh Golden Seahawk (4.2%): Smells like dark beer but is a beautiful orangey colour. Very bitter but very easy to drink.

Kissingate Storyteller (3.5%): Sweet, light and blonde. A lovely summer easy-drinking delight. The sort of beer people say appeals to women.

Kissingate Moon (4.8%): Tastes like a refreshing fruity soft drink, which at this strength is very dangerous.

Kissingate Warlock's Strong Ale (5.2%): Sweet, fruity, dark and strong. A decent pint.

Kissingate Black Cherry Mild (4.2%): Heavenly sweet dark mild. Can't pick out the cherry flavour though.

Adnams Broadside (4.7%): Delightful, strong and warming. A stunning drop of ale.

Fuller's London Pride (4.1%): Delicious rounded flavour with a lovely straw-hoppy taste. When it's good it's great, and this is.

Shepherd Neame Spitfire Ale (4.2%): Distinctively Shepherd Neame, this is too alcoholic for the flavour. Not one of my favourites.

Wells Bombardier (4.3%): A bit soft and woolly drunk straight after the London Pride. Still a decent pint.

There were three bottled beers (Shepherd Neame Tanglefoot, Marston's Pedigree and Wychwood Hobgoblin) and four draught ciders (Thatchers Cheddar Valley and the local JB's, plus two others), so for a first ever beer festival for this pub, it was a good range and I hope to attend many more. The beer seemed to sell well and the marbles crowd were pleased to have a variety of decent beers on tap.

The Holbrook Club, Horsham 15th April 2011

2011-04-15T23:48:00.004+01:00

This is a members' club in Horsham but there are often opportunities to visit, should you wish. Tonight there was a murder mystery play on so I thought I'd investigate.

King Brighton Blonde (3.9%): Mellow golden ale with a smooth mouthfeel and pleasant hoppy aftertaste.

King Spring Ale (4.1%): Pleasant and refreshing although maybe a little bland.

King Horsham Best (3.8%): Delicious straw hoppiness to this classy bitter.

There was also some Hammerpot (Woodcote Bitter) but it ran out as I got to the bar.

The club has recently brought in a two-tier pricing structure (members and non-members) so if you're going to drink here a lot it might pay to join! It's nowhere near the ambience of a pub but the beer is usually good.

The Dolphin, Eastbourne 18th April 2009

2009-04-18T10:18:00.004+01:00

This was a very busy "town" pub, absolutely jammed full of people. I stood by the bar as there was nowhere else to go and watched pint after pint being pulled.

Caledonian Raspberry Fool (4.0%): Stupidly sweet, this tastes like it has real fruit in it. Surprisingly it grew on me.
Castle Eden & Cameron's Nimmo's XXXX (4.4%): A decent malty brew.

There were also Thwaites and Harveys beers available.

I took several pictures of this pub but they all have these two men in. No, I've no idea who they are, they were just standing there and wanted to be in the picture.

The Terminus, Eastbourne 18th April 2009

2009-04-18T09:14:00.000+01:00

Was starting to feel the worse for wear by the time we left this pub and I knew there were several more to go. My photography skills were suffering.

Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): Well kept beer at this bar.

The Buccaneer, Eastbourne 18th April 2009

2009-04-18T08:29:00.002+01:00

After drinking gently for most of the day at the CAMRA AGM members' bar, come the evening I was persuaded to go on a pub crawl with the CAMRA Young Members group (just being young enough!). How wise this was you may decide after reading this and the next six entries...

Itchen Valley Pure Gold (4.8%): Cloudy but pleasant golden ale.

Also available was Youngs Bitter, Bombardier and Abbot Ale. The pub was large and had knowledgeable staff.

The Hurst Arms, Eastbourne 17th April 2009

2009-04-17T23:11:00.004+01:00

I was trying to get to the Star which apparently I was within yards of, but it was extremely dark and raining and I didn't fancy negotiating the adjacent supermarket carpark to find it, so I headed up the hill to the Hurst Arms.

This was a delightful local Harvey's pub, with a good variety of Harvey's beers and a good variety of clientele. Including, of course, a collection of CAMRA members.

Harvey's Dark Mild (3.0%): Tasty mild, very similar in flavour to the Sussex Best Bitter. I think it's the Sussex XX Mild by another name.
Harvey's Hadlow Bitter (3.5%): Just not strong enough to hit the spot, even after starting with the weaker beer.
Harvey's Armada Ale (4.5%): Pleasant bitter, very drinkable with a very bitter taste.

A very friendly and inviting pub. As I walked in the door, the lady behind the bar proffered a piece of kitchen towel to clean my glasses, as they were so steamed up. Exactly what a glasses-wearer needs at that moment! The service couldn't have been better and we happily stayed until closing.

The Counting House, Eastbourne 17th April 2009

2009-04-17T19:52:00.000+01:00

Just round the corner from the Lamb, this more genteel establishment was a bit more refined and calm.

1648 St George English Ale (4.5%): Strong hop character followed by a separate mellow malt taste. Ok. Dispensed straight from the barrel.
White White Gold (4.9%): Beautiful fruity initial taste and an interesting hop character.

Leather sofas, modern art and very good tapas.

The Lamb, Eastbourne 17th April 2009

2009-04-17T19:19:00.000+01:00

I was persuaded to go to the CAMRA Members' Weekend and AGM in Eastbourne, which necessitated doing a little research in the local hostelries.

On the Friday evening it was pouring with rain, but I managed to get to this large pub in the Old Town area.

Harvey's Olympia (4.3%): Pleasant but uninspiring golden ale.
Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): Served a bit cold. Considering how much they must sell here, not quite at it's peak. Fine beer though, one of my favourites.
Harvey's Star of Eastbourne (5.5%): I love Harvey's beers but they tend to suffer from all tasting very similar, and this is no exception. A stronger version of the Sussex Best.

At 9pm on a Friday night, with a ska gig upstairs and seemingly most of the 900 CAMRA members in town for the AGM on its premises, the pub was heaving. Too many people in one place for my liking but most of them seemed to be having a good time.

It took so long to get served that for the first time ever I ordered two rounds at once. I was drinking halves and it took less time to drink one than to order one.

Apologies for the dreadful photo, it was dark and raining heavily.

Private Party, near Bristol 11th April 2009

2009-04-11T19:06:00.000+01:00

There were three beers on at this annual event - the same three as last year so I think they must be someone's favourites.

Palmer's IPA (4.2%): Drinkable beer but without a distinctive flavour.
RCH Hewish IPA (3.6%): Nutty beer. Not hoppy or strong, so no idea why it's called an IPA! Pleasant.
St Austell Black Prince (4.0%): Dark beer but again without a big flavour. Good for drinking all night.

The Oak House Hotel, Axbridge 11th April 2009

2009-04-11T18:53:00.000+01:00

Managed to find this pub in lovely Axbridge selling both lunch and real ale.

Butcombe Bitter (4.1%): Served a little cold but warmed into a lovely well balanced mellow bitter.

A tasty if rather expensive plate of fish and chips. Would have liked to stay for another beer but my companions were set on returning to the Doom Bar at the previous pub.

The Crown Inn, Axbridge 11th April 2009

2009-04-11T13:37:00.002+01:00

Coming to this pub has turned into an annual event. In other years we've got a big plate of lunch but the new management hadn't got the kitchen going so after sampling the beers we had to find somewhere else for lunch.

Sharp's Crown Inn Glory (3.8%): Pleasant light coloured bitter.
Sharp's Doom Bar Bitter (4.0%): A good pint of one of my favourite bitters.
Cheddar Ales Potholer (4.3%): A huge bittersweet hop taste to this 'more exciting than most' golden ale. Almost an IPA.

The beer was so good we came back later for a top up and a take out. And the lovely sunny day meant we could take advantage of the large beer garden.

The Chequer Inn, Steyning 21st March 2009

2009-03-21T19:59:00.006Z

Stopped in Steyning on the way home to see what this grand looking pub was like.

Dark Star Best (4.0%): Drinkable but uninspiring bitter. I've tasted much better from this local brewer.

Other beers available were Arundel Sussex Gold, Fuller's Gale's HSB, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Fuller's London Pride.

This 15th century inn had two bars, one full of sports fans either watching loud rugby on a big screen or playing snooker in the back, and one laid out as a restaurant.

We had planned on eating but we didn't feel hungry enough, although the menu looked excellent and reasonable. There was also free Wifi which appeared to be in use on the table next to us, incongruous in such an old building!

The Selden Arms, Worthing 21st March 2009

2009-03-21T19:42:00.005Z

This was a small "local" pub, which we couldn't get into at first because the doorway was full of excited dog.

There was a bad smell inside, which may or may not have been connected to the presence of the animal.

Cottage Champflower Ale (4.2%): Decent, rounded bitter.
Vale Black Swan Mild (3.9%): A gorgeous dark, mellow, chocolately mild.

Both were served a touch too cold for my taste.

There were about ten locals watching the rugby in the corner of the bar, but it was not loud and didn't get in the way. A lovely pub apart from the smell.

The Swan, Worthing 21st March 2009

2009-03-21T19:28:00.004Z

As it was a sunny day and we had use of a car, we drove down to Worthing to see the sea and try some beer at a couple of pubs.

Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): Perfectly kept Harvey's, lovely.
Hop Back Summer Lightning (5.0%): Light, hoppy and strong. A bit sweeter than I remember, but great on a sunny afternoon.

A dark, cavernous interior well decorated with horse-brasses and swan ornaments, although the music was a bit loud.

The Three Legged Mare, York 7th March 2009

2009-03-07T22:54:00.000Z

Just a few yards from the Minster, this York Brewery pub was uninspiring from the outside, but felt very welcoming and friendly once inside. The bar staff were young yet knowledgeable about the beers, a rare combination.

York Wonkey Donkey (4.5%): Dark and smooth strong malty beer.
Tring Colley's Dog (5.2%): A distinctive mellow hop character to this strong deep red bitter.

Having run out of cash and not found a cash machine in the whole of York, I needed to pay by card and round up the price of a couple of halves to £5. The "tapas" menu sufficed and I had the most delicious bowl of cheese cubes and pickled onions for just £2.50.

Probably my favourite pub of the day (in spite of the electric pink toilet walls). I will definitely be back next time I'm in York.

The Blue Bell, York 7th March 2009

2009-03-07T21:33:00.006Z

I almost didn't make it into this pub as it was covered in "Private Party" signs. However having walked all the way across York (all of ten minutes) to get here, I went in anyway. As I was on my own they let me into the small front bar which was full of locals. I think the event must have been in the rear bar.

There was an impressive range of seven beers on offer, but after trying two I didn't want to outstay my welcome.

Ossett Silver King (4.4%): Pleasant, sweet, very pale golden ale.
Tetley Mild (3.3%): Delicious smooth and dark, not at all what I was expecting. For the first time I'm convinced that sometimes pouring beer via a sparkler can be beneficial.

An interesting small pub with a wood panelled interior. Well worth a visit but don't be disappointed if it's full and you can't get in. The friendly barman who served me said that this is the only pub in York which regularly has mild.

The Golden Ball, York 7th March 2009

2009-03-07T21:05:00.007Z

I was looking forward to visiting a few good pubs in York as I only had a couple of hours before heading back down south, so there wasn't time to do much else.

This pub was a good local with several beers on, although the choice was not what I'd call inspired.

Everard's Tiger (4.2%): Cold and smooth drinkable bitter.

The other beers were Ruddles County, Caledonian Deuchar's IPA, John Smith's and Shepherd Neame Spitfire. There were several small rooms off corridors and I don't think I found them all. The main bar was full of a birthday party.

Brigantes Bar and Brasserie, York 7th March 2009

2009-03-07T21:00:00.004Z

Came to York for a CAMRA meeting at this family-oriented pub.

York March Madness (3.8%): Very pale, sweet hoppy beer.
Leeds Special Session Bitter (3.5%): This tasted a little thin after the slightly stronger York beer.

It was good to see local beers available, and especially refreshing to see two session bitter strength beers on offer at the same time.

The Pied Bull, Streatham 25th February 2009

2009-02-25T21:02:00.005Z

Managed a midweek drink in London with some friends at this decent Wells and Young's pub in Streatham.

Young's Bitter (3.7%): A good session bitter.
Young's Special (4.5%): Creamy smooth and strong.
Young's Mixed: A delicious way to enjoy the flavour of the Special without the full strength - it's about half and half Bitter and Special, and works surprisingly well. Always my choice when both are available.
Young's Waggledance (bottled, 5.0%): The alcohol is very well hidden in this tasty but not exceptional beer, although I couldn't pick up the honey the bottle advertised. Shame it was kept in the fridge.

As the quality of the pubs in Streatham is not as good as it used to be, it's good to know about this large Young's pub near Streatham Common station.

Bottled beers 21st February 2009

2009-02-21T20:51:00.004Z

I wouldn't normally write about bottled beer here but the two I drank this evening were both local and both excellent, so I felt compelled.

Hepworth's Sussex (3.5%): Pale, crisp, hoppy and very bitter. A lovely beer with a bite, great with curry!
Welton's Sussex Pride (4.0%): Dark, warming and mellow. A hint of sugar but overall a very tasty mild style beer.

Both brewed in Horsham and although very different in style, neither had that unpleasant fizzy taste which is common in bottled beer. The Welton's was bottle conditioned, the Hepworth's not.

The Crown Tavern, Clerkenwell 15th January 2009

2009-01-15T02:18:00.003Z

Popped in for some lunch as I'd been told there was a good "pint and a sandwich" offer on.

Thwaites Nutty Black (3.3%): Pleasant but bland dark mild. The best thing about it was the jolly pump clip!

The hot steak and mushroom sandwich was excellent and I suppose I should have stuck with the Fuller's London Pride which was the only real ale in the offer. Still, a bargain at £5 and the offer runs until the end of the month, maybe longer.

The Mitre, Holborn 13th January 2009

2009-01-13T02:09:00.001Z

Continuing the theme of celebrating my birthday, I was taken to this amazing little old pub down an alley off busy city streets.

Harviestoun Haggis Hunter's Ale (4.6%): Citrus overtones to this crisp, tasty, golden ale.

The pub was in the middle of a Scottish beer festival, but as it was lunchtime and I had to go back to work, I was unable to try any more. Regular beers here are Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Adnams Best and Broadside. The pub is clearly very old, with a tiny front bar and a not much bigger back bar, a small alcove and a function room upstairs. It serves sandwiches and scotch eggs, which we also sampled.

And I didn't have my camera with me so it's a great excuse to come back in the near future, maybe with an afternoon to spare. This is truly one of London's hidden gems and I'd encourage you to try it, but get there early because it is very small.

The White Horse, Maplehurst 10th January 2009

2009-01-10T01:55:00.013Z

My first surprise birthday party, and it was held in the small front bar at this excellent pub.

There were four real ales on so I decided to sample all of them, starting with the weakest and working my way up.

Hogs Back HBB (3.7%): A good standard session bitter.
Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): Not quite as good as earlier in the week, but still a fine pint.
King Old Ale (4.5%): Pleasant old.
Scattor Rock Devonian (4.5%): Sweet and fruity strong bitter, great on a cold winter's evening.

The open fire made the front bar very cozy, and once I got my head around what was happening it was a lovely evening. Lots of food was provided and I got an opportunity to ask for the gingerbread recipe (see post from 5th January). And as most of my close friends are musicians there were some tunes played, as well as fantastic cake.

The Lynd Cross, Horsham 9th January 2009

2009-01-09T18:38:00.000Z

Elgood's Thin Ice (4.6%): Thick dark bitter with a chewy, tangy taste. A little past its best.

A nice quiet weekday afternoon drink to celebrate my birthday (in advance, two days to go!).

The White Horse, Maplehurst 5th January 2009

2009-01-05T21:50:00.001Z

Another regular feature in January is wassailing the apple trees at JB's cider orchard in Maplehurst, followed by beer drinking, music and merriment at the White Horse. All of which the White Horse does exceptionally well.

JB's Dry Cider (8.5%): Well you have to have some when you're wassailing. Mighty fine but dangerously strong. Tends to make you fall over.
Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): A perfect pint from a great brewer served at a fine pub.
Hepworth's Pullman's First Class Ale (4.2%): Zesty and fresh with a gorgeous light hoppy aftertaste. Another perfect (but very different) pint.
Ballard's Wild (4.7%): Tasty ale with a rounded caramelly malt flavour - is it a porter? Yet another excellent beer.
Hepworth's Classic Old (4.8%): Well balanced old, fruity without being too sweet.
Hogs Back HBB (3.7%): Slightly more sensible alcohol content in this tasty session bitter.

This year a special mention goes to the gingerbread which appeared part way through the evening. Wow, I've never tasted anything like it. I will be investigating the recipe.

Overall a really good beery evening at one of the best pubs I've ever been to.

The Dog and Bacon, Horsham 1st January 2009

2009-01-01T21:35:00.006Z

As has become customary in my household, New Year's Day means drinking at the Dog and Bacon in Horsham.

Badger King and Barnes' Sussex Bitter (3.5%): Reasonable mellow drinking bitter. Quite a decent pint considering this isn't one of my favourites.
Badger Pickled Partridge (4.6%): This winter offering from Hall and Woodhouse starts like its going to be a deep rich beer but doesn't quite have the flavour to back it up.

A jolly start to the year with morris men, sword dancing, a traditional mummers play and some tunes and songs to finish. I attempted to capture the essence of the play in the photo, but to properly experience it you'll need to go to Rusper village on Boxing Day or of course come here next New Year's Day.

CAMRA Beer Tent at Crawley Folk Festival 29th and 30th June 2008

2008-06-29T17:03:00.012+01:00

As usual I was at this festival mainly for the music, but that didn't mean I wasn't interested in the beer. This year I managed to taste every single brew on offer (except the ciders and perries...).

My beer of the weekend was the West Berkshire Maggs Magnificent Mild. Definitely magnificent!

Bowman Eldorado (3.7%): Delicate and fruity with a distintive elderflower taste. Lovely. 4
Castle Rock Harvest Pale (3.8%): Beautifully balanced pale yellow bitter. 4
Church End Grapefruit (5.0%): Disappointing. I couldn't detect any grapefruit in this strong beer. 3
Copper Dragon Black Gold (3.7%): Very fine dark fruity mild. 3
Dark Star Festival (5.0%): One of my all-time favourites, strong and perfectly formed, possibly not at it's best today. 3
Dark Star Summer Meltdown (4.8%): A very strong ginger taste to this popular beer. 3
Dark Star Summer Solstice (4.2%): Zesty and hoppy, perfect for a sunny afternoon. No wonder it ran out in record time. 4
Hammerpot White Wing (4.0%): Excellent fruity bitter. 4
Hanby Cherry Bomb (6.0%): Apart from the colour there's no clue this is actually beer. Very pleasant tasting cherry flavour drink. 3
Hepworth Iron Horse (4.8%): Another old favourite not quite at its best, a bit tangy. 3
Hepworth Summer Ale (3.4%): Zesty fruity golden beer. Lovely. 4
Hornbeam Black Coral Stout (4.5%): Dark, gritty and warming. 3
Humpty Dumpty Porter (5.4%): Decent strong porter. 3
Leeds Midnight Bell (4.8%): Rich and complex unusual mild. 3
Leeds Yorker (4.0%): A massive hop taste to this light-coloured beer. Very similar to Dark Star Hophead, but the Yorker is made with Slovenian hops. 3
Mighty Oak Simply The Best (4.4%): Fresh with quite a bitter taste. 3
Oakleaf Nuptu'ale (4.2%): Golden, sharp and hoppy. 3
Ossett Wot No England (4.3%): Pleasant drinkable bitter. 3
Pictish Alchemist (4.3%): Very sweet hoppy beer. 4
Purple Moose Madog's Ale (3.7%): A little sharp but with a lovely smooth malt taste. 3
Spectrum Light Fantastic (3.7%): Gentle bitter. A little earthy. 3
Spectrum Old Stoatwobbler (6.0%): Strong, dark, sweet and malty. 3
Thornbridge Brother Rabbit (3.7%): Good bitter, similar in flavour to a golden ale. 3
Vale Best Bitter (3.7%): Well balanced bitter; very light in colour. 3
West Berkshire Maggs Magnificent Mild (3.8%): Mellow and dark, exactly as its name suggests. 4
White White Gold (4.9%): Almost tasteless pale beer, although with a pleasant aftertaste. 2
Whitstable Wheat Beer (5.2%): Lemon and grapefruit hoppiness to this delicious wheat beer. 3

Some fine beers available over the weekend. This year the beer tent opened on the Friday evening of the festival, which meant there was not a great selection left on the Sunday afternoon. Good for keeping wastage down but not so good for thirsty morris men!

CAMRA Beer Tent at Crawley Folk Festival 29th and 30th June 2008 (copy entry)

2008-06-29T11:00:00.003+01:00

In order to index the breweries using the label field, I've needed to create a copy entry as I drank so much beer here they don't all fit in one entry. So all the text below is a direct copy of the following entry.

As usual I was at this festival mainly for the music, but that didn't mean I wasn't interested in the beer. This year I managed to taste every single brew on offer (except the ciders and perries...).

My beer of the weekend was the West Berkshire Maggs Magnificent Mild. Definitely magnificent!

Bowman Eldorado (3.7%): Delicate and fruity with a distintive elderflower taste. Lovely. 4
Castle Rock Harvest Pale (3.8%): Beautifully balanced pale yellow bitter. 4
Church End Grapefruit (5.0%): Disappointing. I couldn't detect any grapefruit in this strong beer. 3
Copper Dragon Black Gold (3.7%): Very fine dark fruity mild. 3
Dark Star Festival (5.0%): One of my all-time favourites, strong and perfectly formed, possibly not at it's best today. 3
Dark Star Summer Meltdown (4.8%): A very strong ginger taste to this popular beer. 3
Dark Star Summer Solstice (4.2%): Zesty and hoppy, perfect for a sunny afternoon. No wonder it ran out in record time. 4
Hammerpot White Wing (4.0%): Excellent fruity bitter. 4
Hanby Cherry Bomb (6.0%): Apart from the colour there's no clue this is actually beer. Very pleasant tasting cherry flavour drink. 3
Hepworth Iron Horse (4.8%): Another old favourite not quite at its best, a bit tangy. 3
Hepworth Summer Ale (3.4%): Zesty fruity golden beer. Lovely. 4
Hornbeam Black Coral Stout (4.5%): Dark, gritty and warming. 3
Humpty Dumpty Porter (5.4%): Decent strong porter. 3
Leeds Midnight Bell (4.8%): Rich and complex unusual mild. 3
Leeds Yorker (4.0%): A massive hop taste to this light-coloured beer. Very similar to Dark Star Hophead, but the Yorker is made with Slovenian hops. 3
Mighty Oak Simply The Best (4.4%): Fresh with quite a bitter taste. 3
Oakleaf Nuptu'ale (4.2%): Golden, sharp and hoppy. 3
Ossett Wot No England (4.3%): Pleasant drinkable bitter. 3
Pictish Alchemist (4.3%): Very sweet hoppy beer. 4
Purple Moose Madog's Ale (3.7%): A little sharp but with a lovely smooth malt taste. 3
Spectrum Light Fantastic (3.7%): Gentle bitter. A little earthy. 3
Spectrum Old Stoatwobbler (6.0%): Strong, dark, sweet and malty. 3
Thornbridge Brother Rabbit (3.7%): Good bitter, similar in flavour to a golden ale. 3
Vale Best Bitter (3.7%): Well balanced bitter; very light in colour. 3
West Berkshire Maggs Magnificent Mild (3.8%): Mellow and dark, exactly as its name suggests. 4
White White Gold (4.9%): Almost tasteless pale beer, although with a pleasant aftertaste. 2
Whitstable Wheat Beer (5.2%): Lemon and grapefruit hoppiness to this delicious wheat beer. 3

Some fine beers available over the weekend. This year the beer tent opened on the Friday evening of the festival, which meant there was not a great selection left on the Sunday afternoon. Good for keeping wastage down but not so good for thirsty morris men!

The Windmill, Littleworth, Horsham 5th June 2008

2008-06-05T20:28:00.003+01:00

Went out to see some dancing at this pub which once was my local.

Badger Tanglefoot (4.9%): Lovely well balanced strong bitter.
Badger King and Barnes Sussex Bitter (3.5%): Better than I remember, although tastes a bit weak after the Tanglefoot.

Very impressed with the Hall and Woodhouse "Badger" beers which usually I don't rate. Must be well kept at this lovely pub.

Sherlock Holmes, Dinan, France 27th May 2008

2008-05-27T14:56:00.008+01:00

At this very English style pub we found a beer expert who was able to discuss the finer details of French brewing in English, as well as try some interesting beers.

Lancelot Blanche Hermine (4.0%): Sweet, cold light-coloured beer with an elderflower floral smell.
Lancelot Bonnets Rouge (5.5%): Similar to the white, but with a distinct pink colour.
Brasserie Artisanale du Tregor Dremmwel Rousse (6.0%): Lovely malty beer with a definite bitter taste, although stronger, colder and fizzier than the traditional English variety.

We also managed to negotiate a visit to the local brewery, Brasserie Artisanale des Remparts, with tastings and lots of bottles to take home.

A La Truye Qui File, Dinan, France 27th May 2008

2008-05-27T10:19:00.004+01:00

Specialist beer research in northern France meant we came here and tried some:

Brasserie Coreff Stout (4.8%): As in the previous pub, this tastes like flat lager, but this time with stout flavouring added. Right consistency, no real flavour.
InBev Leffe Blonde (6.5%): Cold, refreshing and tasteless.

Still remain to be convinced.

Le Fitzcarraldo Pub, Dinan, France 27th May 2008

2008-05-27T10:13:00.003+01:00

My eagle-eyed husband spotted a hand pump while on holiday in Brittany, and of course this had to be investigated.

Brasserie Coreff Ambrée (4.7%): A definite malt taste to this brown beer but with the "dead" characteristic of say Newcastle Brown. Like flat lager with malt flavour. Disappointing!

And of course once we'd investigated this pub/bar, the two adjacent establishments needed the same treatment for reasons of equality and fairness.

The Malt Shovel, Horsham 10th May 2008

2008-05-10T09:56:00.003+01:00

Popped into my local for some more drinking after a family wedding.

Fuller's London Pride (4.1%): Pleasant and refreshing bitter without a strong flavour.
Hepworth's Pullman's First Class Ale (4.2%): A disappointment from this usually excellent brewer. An unpleasant hop taste.
Wadworth 6X (4.3%): Nicely balanced strong ale. Lovely.

Pic to follow.

"Mild Day" The Malt Shovel, Horsham 3rd May 2008

2008-05-03T09:05:00.004+01:00

My local mild event for May Mild Month. Lots of milds, lots of CAMRA members, morris dancers and a talk from the Director and Head Brewer at Harvey's brewery.

Arundel Sussex Mild (3.7%): Lovely open malty taste and a very smooth flavour.
Ballards Mildhurst Mild (3.4%): A traditional bitter mild.
Caledonian Deuchars IPA (3.8%): Unpleasant and soapy. Line cleaner or a clever ploy to get everyone drinking mild today.
Charles Wells' Courage Directors (4.8%): Malty well balanced bitter.
Dark Star Over the Moon (3.8%): A sweet mild with a 'best bitter' flavour.
Hepworth's Iron Horse (4.8%): Sweet, light coloured local bitter, not mild.
Marston Moor Matlock Mild (4.0%): Creamy and mellow; doesn't taste this strong.
Moorhouse's Black Cat (3.4%): Slightly more bitter than others; tasty.
Triple fff Pressed Rat and Warthog (3.8%): Almost a spicy taste to this very drinkable dark beer.
Wychwood Hobgoblin (4.5%): Strong and not much like traditional mild.

The talk by Mike Jenner, Director and Head Brewer at Harvey's, gave a good summary of how the brewery has stuck to traditional beers and respects its history, while embracing technology and changing tastes. It got quite technical at times with various salt contents in the water discussed (Lewes water is lower in sodium that London water).

The future at Harvey's sounds exciting with the creation of a microbrewery to use as a testing ground for new ideas and recreations of some historical brews.

CAMRA members from North Sussex, Western Sussex, Brighton and South Downs, Mid Surrey, East Surrey, Croydon and even as far away as West Kent were in attendance as well as the Regional Director.

The pub did themselves proud, a great day with nine fine beers out of ten.

Pic to follow.

Blog update

2008-03-10T17:16:00.002Z

Just wanted to let my readers know, I haven't stopped drinking or the blog...!

I'm getting married next month so I'm a bit busy right now, but I will be back blogging about beer very soon.

Ruth

The Royal Oak, Friday Street near Horsham 24th November 2007

2007-11-24T14:37:00.000Z

I got the opportunity to come back to this pub rather sooner than expected (see post before last), to celebrate the end of the landlady's first year.

Although the pub was again full to bursting with customers, today they were amicable, even jolly, and the atmosphere was good.

Dark Star Sarah (and Clive's) Birthday Beer (4.7%): Solid tasty malty dark bitter. Very pleasant although a bit strong to start the evening.

Dark Star Best Bitter (4.0%): Very bitter tasting dark malty bitter.
Surrey Hills Ranmore Ale (3.8%): Delicate flowery hoppy beer.
Dark Star Smoke (5.0%): Dark smoky malty beer. A bit odd to start but it grows on you.

There was a fantastic buffet, morris dancing, a birthday cake and a traditional music session.

I'm very glad I came back and reassessed my view. An excellent pub.

The BBC Good Food Show, Olympia 16th November 2007

2007-11-16T18:16:00.000Z

Managed to get a press ticket to this popular event.

The drinks section was branded "The fine wines, beers and spirits show", and I was looking forward to visiting the stands and tasting some of those fine beers.

Unfortunately there were no real ales present; no breweries, no CAMRA, nothing relating to real beer.

So the beers mentioned in the logo? Well there were three lager stands: Kingfisher, Singha (Thailand) and Cusquena (Peru). These were interesting to compare (the Singha was quite good for mass produced lager) but I'm now wondering if the adjective "fine" applied only to the wine.

There were some good whiskies available to try, but as neither my ticket nor any pre-publicity I'd seen failed to mention that the food stands closed hours before the drinks section, I managed to miss the whole of that section.

Overall badly organised and a disappointment. I was very pleased I hadn't wasted the best part of £20 for a ticket.

The Royal Oak, Friday Street near Horsham 10th November 2007

2007-11-10T00:11:00.000Z

I was really looking forward to visiting this haunt of Sussex beer aficionados.

Whether I happened to go on an unusually busy night I don’t know, but I was unprepared for the sheer rudeness of the customers. It’s a small pub with low ceilings and narrow doorways, which makes standing in them all the more stupid, in my opinion.

I tried twice to get to the bar and twice gave up. There was Cajun food available which was lovely, except for the fight to get a plate, the fight to get a place in the queue, and then the fight to get to the serving spoon.

When I finally reached the bar I found eight real ales and a cider on.

Grand Union English Wheat Beer (4.4%): Pleasant although a bit dishwatery. Very pale.
Grand Union One Hop: Progress (4.5%): Tasty malty light coloured beer with a long, strong hoppy aftertaste.
Surrey Hills Ranmore Ale (3.8%): Unprepossessing tasteless light coloured beer.
Dark Star Old Ale (4.0%): Tasty rounded malty old, with a slight tang.

The first time I was served I had to wait until every other person had been served around me, regardless of how long they’d been waiting. I asked sensible questions about the beers but was not offered any samples, even though others around me were. I was served a half in a lined but chipped pint glass, and was generally disenchanted by the whole experience.

I will give this pub another chance because so many people say how great it is, but I’m nowhere near convinced. The one thing I can’t fault is the choice of beers that was available. The beer quality was good but not spectacular.

The Britannia, Euston Station 20th October 2007

2007-10-20T06:05:00.000+01:00

With some time to make my train connection I thought I’d have a quick half in the pub on Euston station.

I was so shocked by the service I received, I didn’t even write down what beer I got. I asked for a half, and although I could clearly see empty and apparently clean half glasses behind the bar, I was served in an unlined pint glass. When I asked why my drink wasn’t in a half glass I was told that there was none available.

I then said that I was happy to drink what I’d been given but I thought it might be illegal to sell beer in this fashion. The bar man, whose English wasn’t great, looked at me with horror, thought I was causing trouble, and ran to get the manager. She appeared and told him that he should have served the drink in a half glass, waived one at him, and ignored me. The beer was close to undrinkable anyway so I didn’t see what difference it made. I didn’t drink it.

The Britons Protection, Manchester 20th October 2007

2007-10-20T05:03:00.000+01:00

Unprepossessing although not unpleasant on the outside, this pub is just stunning on the inside. This picture shows the front bar; the corridors have lovely tiling (if that’s your thing) but I’m not good enough at photography to show you those. This stunning interior is worth a visit even if you’re not into beer.

Coach House Farriers Best Bitter (3.9%): Very bitter yet creamy beer with a dense foamy head.
Howard Town Wren’s Nest (4.2%): A huge amount of elderflower and grapefruit in this immensely fruity flowery hoppy golden beer.

And if the décor and the good beer’s not enough, I counted 207 different types of whiskey behind the bar, although the bar man said they have 232. Maybe I lost count.

Although I spent 12 hours travelling for 5 hours in Manchester, I can’t help feeling that it was all worthwhile.

The Rain Bar, Manchester 20th October 2007

2007-10-20T04:53:00.000+01:00

Had to travel all the way to Manchester for a CAMRA meeting which was held in this large pub.

Lees GB Mild (3.5%): Complex nutty mild. Very drinkable.
Lees Bitter (4.0%): Very caramelly and smooth creamy bitter. Not quite what my southern tastebuds are used to!
Lees Ruddy Glow (4.5%): Delicious red mellow beer.

I didn’t get to try the Lees Moonraker, the other beer available, which was probably just as well at 7.5% with a long journey ahead of me.

Manchester was a long was to go for the afternoon so I was taken to sample some beer at another pub in town by others from the meeting who were stunned when I admitted I’d never been to Manchester before.

The Malt Shovel, Horsham 11th October 2007

2007-10-11T16:09:00.000+01:00

This is great time of year to be a real ale drinker in Horsham. First there’s the Horsham Beer Festival, then there’s the Horsham Old beer festival at Welton’s brewery (see various previous posts), then you turn up at the Malt Shovel and starting tomorrow there’s a five week long beer drinking extravaganza, with shirts and glasses on offer if you drink enough different beers. Lovely.

Today I tasted:
Brakspear Bitter (3.4%): Revolting, so I took it back to the bar where I was told there had been a problem with some of the glasses. It was willingly exchanged for more of the same beer in a different glass, and then it was the lovely crisp session bitter I expected.
Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter: (4.0%): A decent pint of this distinctive and hoppy beer.
Hepworth's Iron Horse (4.8%): Tasty strong bitter with a thick hoppy flavour from this Horsham brewer.

As usual I was here for the traditional music session. I even managed to get the musicians to pose for a picture this time!

Welton's Brewery "Old Friday Beer Festival" 5th October 2007

2007-10-05T10:21:00.000+01:00

Managed to get myself invited to this free event where brewer Ray Welton opens his doors (and barrels) for some beer drinking. I did too much chatting at the start and missed out on a couple of bitters than ran out early on, but still managed to get a taste of three different beers.

The event was in aid of Ray’s daughter Shirley’s forthcoming conservation trip to New Zealand and it is likely that about £400 was raised for this during the evening. Last year’s event (see Oct 06 entry) raised over £400 for a muscular dystrophy charity.

Welton’s Horsham Old Ale (4.5%): Rather better than I remember last year, this is dark and deceptively strong.
Welton’s Bodiam Gold (4.2%): Starts mellow and very bitter but soon sweetens in the mouth.
Welton’s Old Remedy (4.8%): A very sweet and strong, with a similar background taste to the Gold.

A great evening of drinking and chat, some with acquaintances from last weekend’s Horsham Beer Festival (see 29th - 30th September entry) which was topped off with the requisite Morris dancing and revelry.

Free beer at a brewery and it’s all for a good cause. What more could you want?

Beer blog anniversary 1st October 2007

2007-10-01T10:22:00.000+01:00

Today marks the first anniversary of this beer blog. If anyone would like to comment on any aspect of the blog, please add a comment to this entry and let me know if there are pubs you would like to see added, beer reviews you disagree with or anything else (constructive please!) you’d like to say, even just a “hello” from wherever you are.

Horsham Beer Festival 29th - 30th September 2007 (copy entry)

2007-09-30T16:25:00.000+01:00

All the below test has been copied from a previous entry. In order to fully link each brewer with a searchable 'label' I have had to create another blog entry, as there is a 200 character limit in the labels field. So for the full version, please go to the previous entry. If this means nothing to you, don't worry, just ignore this entry and read the one two entries below as it contains the same information.

Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby (6.0%): Wonderful. I always look forward to drinking as much as possible of this mild at this festival. One of my favourites.
Sharp's Doom Bar Bitter (4.0%): Well balanced bitter with a good hop taste and hints of caramelly malt.
Skinners Betty Stogs (4.0%): The name put me off a bit but this was a delicious fruity hoppy bitter. An excellent find.
Thornbridge Jaipur IPA (5.9%): A lovely delicate IPA with a big hop and honey taste.
Timothy Taylor Golden Best (3.5%): Darker than most golden beers, this was thick tasting and disappointing.
Titanic Stout (4.5%): Lovely dark, bitter, roasty stout.
Wadworth 6X (4.3%): Fresh and fruity; well balanced.
Welton's Percy Bysshe (7.0%): This tastes like it’s got apples or some other fruit in it, and is good but a little strong with a strange murky brown colour.
Westerham British Bulldog (4.3%): Smells of roasted malt and tastes like excellent bitter.
Wickwar Autumnale (4.5%): A hint of burnt flavour to this popular yet thick dark bitter.
Wells and Youngs Waggledance (5.0%): Warming honey tones with some hoppiness are present in this strong bitter.

Horsham Beer Festival 29th - 30th September 2007 (copy entry)

2007-09-30T10:18:00.000+01:00

All the below test has been copied from the previous entry. In order to fully link each brewer with a searchable 'label' I have had to create another blog entry, as there is a 200 character limit in the labels field. So for the full version, please go to the previous entry. If this means nothing to you, don't worry, just ignore this entry and read the one below as it contains the same information.

Goddard's Ducks Folly (5.0%): Caramelly strong bitter.
Green Jack Ripper (8.5%): Excellent sweet strong beer with enough flavour to carry the alcohol.
Hadrian and Borders Gladiator (3.8%): Very malty red bitter with a crisp hoppy finish.
Hampshire Pink Elephant (5.4%): Unusual beer with a hint of the taste of red wine but no pink colour. Somehow this was voted “Beer of the festival” by drinkers over the weekend.
Hart Ice Maiden (4.0%): Pleasant bitter but with no distinguishing features.
Harviestoun Ptarmigan (4.5%): Very pleasant beer with a light spicy and zesty flavour.
Hepworth's Harvest Ale (4.5%): An excellent beer with a sharp hop taste. Almost tastes like an IPA.
Hogs Back HBB (3.7%): Mellow citrusy tones to this pleasant bitter.
Hop Back Entire Stout (4.5%): A very palatable and easy drinking stout.
Leyden Black Pudding (3.9%): Lovely creamy well balanced mild.
Moorhouse's Black Cat Mild (3.4%): Tasty mild with a mellow roasted malt flavour.
Oakham JHB (3.8%): Very fresh and citrusy beer with bitter undertones.
Oakleaf Green Gold (4.3%): Pleasant ‘chewy’ hoppy golden coloured bitter.
Old Bear Hibernator (5.0%): Seriously smoky dark beer.
Orkney Dark Island (4.6%): Dark Scottish beer with a chocolatey burnt malt taste.
Palmers Copper Ale (3.7%): Pleasant and hoppy beer.
Ringwood Fortyniner (4.9%): Tasty strong bitter.
St Austell Proper Job (4.5%): Very sweet bitter.

Horsham Beer Festival 29th - 30th September 2007

2007-09-30T10:17:00.000+01:00

This year saw a larger festival than previously, with three sessions over the weekend.

As usual, I was serving behind the bar for all the sessions, which gave me the opportunity to sample every one of the fifty real ales on offer.

It’s always a great weekend and this year was no exception. I met up with people that I only ever see at the festival but at last I’m beginning to remember their names now, as well as lots of friends from different areas of life.

I had a tough time deciding on my beer of the festival, and in the end feel I have to mention four that particularly stood out. Skinners Betty Stogs was an excellent bitter, Hepworth's Harvest Ale was a good strong hoppy beer, and Essential Beers Festival Special was delightful golden and moorish. Of course the festival would not have been complete without Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby which is one of the best beers on earth (see picture).

After the event, Gareth, the event organiser who runs the Beer Essentials beer shop on East Street in Horsham (see link on the right), told me that about 4,100 pints were sold and only a little beer was left over from the 84 barrels delivered for the event. This is now being sold in the shop.

Acorn Old Moor Porter (4.4%): Traditional porter. Very good.
Adnams Bitter (3.7%): Lovely dry hoppy session bitter.
Archers Farmers Boy (3.8%): A bit sharp with a hint of smokiness.
Arkells Kingsdown Ale (5.0%): Very malt heavy; rounded and smooth.
Arundel Sussex Mild (3.7%): Gorgeous and creamy if a little sweet.
Bateman's Valiant (4.2%): Very pleasant bitter.
Bath Gem (4.1%): Lovely malty bitter. Tastes stronger than it is.
Brains SA (4.2%): Creamy caramelly taste to this bitter. Very good.
Burton Bridge Golden Delicious (3.8%): Mellow and not too strong. A good beer to drink all night.
Caledonian Deuchars IPA (3.8%): Hoppy but weak beer.
Cotleigh Barn Owl (4.5%): Strong with a bitter flavour which continues to the aftertaste.
Cottage Metropolitan (4.7%): Fruity well balanced mellow bitter. Good but not dark coloured as described in the programme notes.
Downton Red Hop (4.3%): Pleasant malty red coloured bitter.
Elgoods Black Dog (3.6%): You’d have to do well to find a better mild than this at this strength. Even people who profess not to like mild were happily consuming pints of it.
Essential Beers Festival (5.0%): As always an excellent pint. One of my favourite beers.
Essential Beers Festival Special (4.2%): This gorgeous beer was made for the festival by blending Dark Star Hophead (which it tastes similar to but a little stronger) and Dark Star Sunburst. Fantastic beer.
Everard's Original (5.2%): Far too much alcohol and not enough flavour.
Exmoor Gold (4.5%): Slightly citrusy golden beer. Very tasty.
Felinfoel Best (3.8%): A delicate hop flavour to this Welsh session bitter.
Fuller's ESB (5.5%): Good flavour which copes with the high alcohol content.
Garton's Liquid Lobotomy (8.0%): A challenging black beer with a smooth start and tangy aftertaste.
Goddard's Ducks Folly (5.0%): Caramelly strong bitter.
Green Jack Ripper (8.5%): Excellent sweet strong beer with enough flavour to carry the alcohol.
Hadrian and Borders Gladiator (3.8%): Very malty red bitter with a crisp hoppy finish.
Hampshire Pink Elephant (5.4%): Unusual beer with a hint of the taste of red wine but no pink colour. Somehow this was voted “Beer of the festival” by drinkers over the weekend.
Hart Ice Maiden (4.0%): Pleasant bitter but with no distinguishing features.
Harviestoun Ptarmigan (4.5%): Very pleasant beer with a light spicy and zesty flavour.
Hepworth's Harvest Ale (4.5%): An excellent beer with a sharp hop taste. Almost tastes like an IPA.
Hogs Back HBB (3.7%): Mellow citrusy tones to this pleasant bitter.
Hop Back Entire Stout (4.5%): A very palatable and easy drinking stout.
Leyden Black Pudding (3.9%): Lovely creamy well balanced mild.
Moorhouse's Black Cat Mild (3.4%): Tasty mild with a mellow roasted malt flavour.
Oakham JHB (3.8%): Very fresh and citrusy beer with bitter undertones.
Oakleaf Green Gold (4.3%): Pleasant ‘chewy’ hoppy golden coloured bitter.
Old Bear Hibernator (5.0%): Seriously smoky dark beer.
Orkney Dark Island (4.6%): Dark Scottish beer with a chocolatey burnt malt taste.
Palmers Copper Ale (3.7%): Pleasant and hoppy beer.
Ringwood Fortyniner (4.9%): Tasty strong bitter.
St Austell Proper Job (4.5%): Very sweet bitter.
Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby (6.0%): Wonderful. I always look forward to drinking as much as possible of this mild at this festival. One of my favourites.
Sharp's Doom Bar Bitter (4.0%): Well balanced bitter with a good hop taste and hints of caramelly malt.
Skinners Betty Stogs (4.0%): The name put me off a bit but this was a delicious fruity hoppy bitter. An excellent find.
Thornbridge Jaipur IPA (5.9%): A lovely delicate IPA with a big hop and honey taste.
Timothy Taylor Golden Best (3.5%): Darker than most golden beers, this was thick tasting and disappointing.
Titanic Stout (4.5%): Lovely dark, bitter, roasty stout.
Wadworth 6X (4.3%): Fresh and fruity; well balanced.
Welton's Percy Bysshe (7.0%): This tastes like it’s got apples or some other fruit in it, and is good but a little strong with a strange murky brown colour.
Westerham British Bulldog (4.3%): Smells of roasted malt and tastes like excellent bitter.
Wickwar Autumnale (4.5%): A hint of burnt flavour to this popular yet thick dark bitter.
Wells and Youngs Waggledance (5.0%): Warming honey tones with some hoppiness are present in this strong bitter.

The Alma Arms, Uckfield 16th September 2007

2007-09-16T10:13:00.000+01:00

We originally arrived at this pub early afternoon to find it closed, even though we had been told it didn’t close on Sunday afternoons, but we found our way back to it at the end of the day, and it was open then.

Harvey’s Sussex Pale Ale (3.5%): Tastes just like the Sussex Best Bitter from the same brewer but with a slightly lower alcohol content.

I was very pleased to get the opportunity to taste this beer as I haven’t seen it before.

All in all an excellent weekend where we discovered some good pubs and a few new beers.

The Abergavenny Arms, Rodmell near Lewes 16th September 2007

2007-09-16T10:08:00.000+01:00

Again, the bar man was friendly and chatty at this big pub on the main road. The cars were racing past so fast in the 30 mile an hour speed limit outside that I almost got run over taking the photo.

Hogs Back England's Glory (4.3%): Tasty well balanced light bitter with honey tones.

The Rugby World Cup is on at the moment but this beer was allegedly brewed for the Football World Cup, so I was a bit confused. It’s good beer though.

The Jolly Boatman, Newhaven 16th September 2007

2007-09-16T10:04:00.000+01:00

Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): Tastes a bit metallic and only slightly like it should.

This small, town pub was busy and full of loud people. The man behind the bar was enthusiastic and told us we had to come back, which was friendlier than in a lot of places, and the drunken customers I talked to were jovial. It was a shame that the beer let it down.

The Trevor Arms, Glynde near Lewes 16th September 2007

2007-09-16T09:58:00.000+01:00

One bar in this cosy pub was full of people while the rest of the pub appeared empty. The bar staff were friendly and chatty.

Harvey’s Longman IPA (3.5%): An interesting bitter citrus hoppy beer although far too weak to qualify as an IPA in my opinion. Very pleasant with the distinctive Harvey’s taste.

Never having had this beer before I was very pleased to get the chance to taste it.

The Cock Inn, Ringmer near Lewes 16th September 2007

2007-09-16T09:57:00.000+01:00

By the time we arrived here we were ready for lunch and we were not disappointed. Clearly a popular Sunday lunch venue, the pub and garden were full of diners.

Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): A good pint of this fine bitter.

The food was excellent although a little pricy and the staff were very helpful.

The Laughing Fish, Isfield near Uckfield 16th September 2007

2007-09-16T09:56:00.000+01:00

Arriving at lunchtime on a Sunday, this pub was full of the smell of roast dinners and although we weren’t eating here, the massive platefuls looked very appetising.

Greene King Swing Low (4.3%): Pleasant bitter without a strong flavour. Reminiscent of LBW by the same brewer.

The Fireman's Arms, Five Ash Down near Uckfield 16th September 2007

2007-09-16T09:36:00.000+01:00

A large pub with two bars, the customers were friendly and the man behind the bar was extremely helpful.

1648 Signature (4.4%): In the pub it was chilled and didn’t taste too bad, but by the time it got home it had warmed up to normal beer drinking temperature and was sour and unpleasant.

I'd like to give this pub another chance and try other beers at the pub.

The Station, Preston Park, Brighton 15th September 2007

2007-09-15T09:31:00.000+01:00

For the first time in any Sussex pub I felt distinctly uncomfortable walking in here. The customers at the bar were rude and made stupid comments, although the woman behind the bar did her best to be welcoming.

Arundel Sussex Mild (3.7%): Incredibly sweet mild. A little too sweet for me but good and smooth.

There was an unusual mural on the outside wall but I didn’t want to spend any more time at the bar, so I didn’t ask for any details. You can just see it in the picture above the bonnet of the white van.

The Neptune, Hove 15th September 2007

2007-09-15T09:26:00.000+01:00

This small local was very difficult to find and the parking was so bad I had to jump out of the car and take the container in on my own.

Dark Star Hophead (3.8%): Delicious seriously hoppy yet not too strong golden ale.

The customers gave the impression that they spend a lot of time in the pub and mid afternoon on a Saturday were quite vocal yet very friendly. They told me that taking away pints of real ale in a plastic container was no way to drink beer, which I agree with to an extent but it was the only way for a driver to taste it.

The Stanley Arms, Portslade 15th September 2007

2007-09-15T09:17:00.000+01:00

We turned up to find a beer festival in full swing. What a delight! There was also a barbeque in the back garden so we stocked up on sausages, burgers and salad which went down well with the beer.

Kemptown Kemp Town (4.0%): Just had to have a taste of this to make sure Wednesday was not a one-off (see The Hand In Hand, Brighton 12th September 2007) and again, it tasted bad. Not like off beer this time, but distinctly of fag ash. Maybe there’s a new secret ingredient.
Goddard's Ale of Wight (3.7%): A mellow yet hoppy pale golden ale.
Langham Hip Hop (4.0%): A very drinkable light golden beer but with far less hoppiness than the name suggests.
Langham Halfway to Heaven (3.5%): Pleasant bitter but slightly lacking in the flavour department.
Hop Back Hopfest (4.6%): The hoppiest beer I’ve ever tasted from the UK although not quite at the level of some of the new IPAs from America. Tasty and bitter but I’m not sure I could manage a whole pint.

This really is my kind of pub. The staff and management were friendly, the beer was good, the food we had was good and the standard menu also looked appetising. Of course a beer festival on the day of our visit may have enhanced my impression.

The Romans, Southwick near Shoreham 15th September 2007

2007-09-15T09:09:00.000+01:00

Harviestoun Ptarmigan (4.5%): Very sweet but slightly too strong for its fruity and interesting flavour.

An immense pub where most of the patrons were sitting outside on picnic benches eating.

The Downsman, Hove 15th September 2007

2007-09-15T09:04:00.000+01:00

In order to complete the “Brighton and South Downs Ale Trail” we needed to visit twelve more pubs, many of them not easily accessible by public transport. Our solution was spend the weekend driving to each one with a container for takeaway beer, which we could then drink at our leisure at home. As I can't drive, Dan who can was able to drink as well.

First stop was the Downsman.

Sharp’s Doom Bar Bitter (4.0%): Pleasant bitter with a delicate floral aroma.

The Mitre, Brighton 12th September 2007

2007-09-12T13:00:00.000+01:00

This pub was decorated more like a hotel chain than a local, with Edwardian style wallpaper, brown leather effect banquette seating and 1990s design curtains.

Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): Another stunning pint of one of the best beers around.
Harvey’s Sussex XX Mild (3.0%): A slightly gentler version of the Sussex Best with almost the same hop taste.

We managed to find a place to sit where we could not see or hear the televised football, although to get to the bar it was necessary to walk past a dog so friendly that I got both arms licked from fingers to elbows.

The Bugle, Brighton 12th September 2007

2007-09-12T12:59:00.000+01:00

Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): Possibly the best pint of Harvey’s in Brighton. Very smooth and served at exactly the right temperature.

The bar had “no football” signs up which was comforting and the locals, although fairly drunken, were friendly. The only downside was the cigarette smoke drifting into the bar through the open front door.

Just when I thought the music was too loud it was turned down. And my drunken companion Dan was pleased to discover they sold Peperami which he decided was the perfect bar snack.

The Horse and Groom, Brighton 12th September 2007

2007-09-12T12:58:00.001+01:00

Another large pub in Brighton, this was in a residential area near the town centre.

Hogs Back TEA (4.2%): A decent standard bitter.
White Heart of Rother (4.5%): A tasty bitter with an interesting malt taste, this was advertised on the pump clip as “Supporting St Michaels Hospice”.

An incredibly friendly pub with enthusiastic staff and jolly locals. It was great until they put on the football when we hurried our drinks and left.

The Greys, Brighton 12th September 2007

2007-09-12T12:58:00.000+01:00

The pub had a Belgian beer menu listing sixteen varieties of bottled beer as well as two on draught, alongside two British draught real ales.

Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): Another good pint of this excellent bitter.

Whereas two other pubs today looked the part but were let down by incongruous music, this pub looked wacky and trendy from the outside but was friendly with chatty pleasant staff, good beer and quiet easy listening guitar based music, which seemed to fit in well.

The Sir Charles Napier, Brighton 12th September 2007

2007-09-12T12:44:00.001+01:00

Down a residential street, this pub is a little off the beaten track and presumably is very much a locals pub.

Butcombe Bitter (4.0%): An excellent well balanced bitter. Lovely.
Fuller’s Discovery (3.9%): A sweet golden beer with honey tones, served fairly cold. Just right for those women and lager drinkers.

A pleasant old pub with a large collection of golfing memorabilia displayed on the walls. What on earth are they doing playing rap music?

The Hand In Hand, Brighton 12th September 2007

2007-09-12T12:44:00.000+01:00

I was really looking forward to this pub as the beer was great last time I came here.

Kemptown Kemp Town (4.0%): What previously tasted like a stunning bitter, today tasted like sour fag ends. I guess it was off. Revolting.

It is an unusually decorated pub, bright orange-yellow on the outside. Inside the ceiling has pictures of female flesh, old skis and a collection of ties allegedly cut straight off their original owners. What a mad pub!

The attached Kemptown brewery is currently for sale.

The Waggon and Horses, Brighton 12th September 2007

2007-09-12T12:43:00.000+01:00

Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): Very slightly tangy Harvey’s with its unmistakeable fantastic taste.

The interior of the pub looked traditional with red leather wing back chairs and painted glass windows, but the effect was tempered by quiet yet insistent pop music.

The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton 12th Septmber 2007

2007-09-12T12:42:00.000+01:00

We came all the way here looking forward to the unbeatable steak and ale pie, and were disappointed when it wasn’t on the menu. But the food we had was excellent, as was the beer.

Butcombe Bitter (4.0%): Pleasant standard bitter with a tangy hop character.
Fuller's Gale’s Seafarers Ale (3.8%): Mellow bitter with a good balance of warming malt and bitter hops. The pump clip informs us that 5p per pint goes to “Seafarers UK” maritime charity.

A lovely pub that was a pleasure to visit again.

The Brewers Arms, Lewes 5th September 2007

2007-09-06T09:16:00.002+01:00

Another of Lewes’s fine pubs, this is on the high street near the castle and serves a good pint.

1648 Lammas Ale (4.2%): A tasty, warming and mellow bitter. A good choice to contrast the Harvey’s I’ve tasted in most of the other pubs today in Lewes.

All in all a good day out and the accidental three mile walk part way through even meant that I got some exercise at the same time.

The Black Horse, Lewes 5th September 2007

2007-09-06T09:16:00.001+01:00

We were walking around Lewes to visit the pubs then returning home by train. We followed what seemed to be the right road on our map but ended up walking about three miles before finding this pub. So we were a little grumpy and very thirsty once we arrived.

St Austell Tribute (4.2%): The only non Greene King branded beer available at this Greene King pub, this was a tasty hoppy bitter with a delicate flavour and a strong smell of hops.

We sat in the back garden of this deceptively large pub with no one else to disturb us, and enjoyed the good beer.

The Elephant and Castle, Lewes 5th September 2007

2007-09-06T09:14:00.001+01:00

Never having been to this pub before, I was delighted to discover not only real ale, but also the cricket on a big screen.

Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%): Another excellent pint of Harvey’s.

The food was interesting and delicious, as well as being reasonably priced. The staff were friendly too.

The John Harvey Tavern, Lewes 5th September 2007

2007-09-06T09:13:00.002+01:00

Another Lewes favourite, this pub sells such good Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%) that we just could not resist drinking this and this alone while we were here.

The big disappointment of the visit was not being able to get food. We had been looking forward to homemade pie or fish and chips, but with several more pubs in Lewes on the day’s itinerary and an hour and a half until the kitchen opened, we had to give it a miss.

The Gardeners Arms, Lewes 5th September 2007

2007-09-06T09:13:00.001+01:00

A popular hangout for real ale drinkers, today we tried Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter (4.0%) which was excellent as usual, and Mighty Oak All Washed Up (4.2%), a pleasant fresh, light coloured beer with a hint of spices and citrus.

The Dorset Arms, Lewes 5th September 2007

2007-09-06T09:12:00.001+01:00

A pub crawl around Lewes started here at the Dorset.

Harvey’s Olympia Golden Ale (4.4%): A wonderful hop flavour to this slightly tangy golden beer.
Harvey’s Southdown Harvest Ale (5.0%): A strong chewy bitter, this has the colour of a standard bitter but tastes a lot more robust, with the distinctive Harvey’s hop flavour.

A pleasant pub with a large garden, although it looks out onto a car park with traffic noise from the main road.

The Windmill, Littleworth, Horsham 4th September 2007

2007-09-05T09:11:00.000+01:00

And back to an old haunt for some dancing and drinking.

Badger Tanglefoot (4.9%): Seemed ok to start with but quickly became chewy and tangy. Wasn’t bad enough to take back, but for a Cask Marque pub in the Good Beer Guide I’d expect better.
Badger King and Barnes Sussex Bitter (3.5%): A strong nutty caramel malt flavour and very little hop character. Very pleasant but nothing like it usually tastes!

Being in the garden certainly brought back memories. Until this evening when I stood looking at the spot where twenty years ago there had been a chicken shed, I’d forgotten that I had once been locked inside it, complete with chickens. Not the best childhood reminiscence!

The Dun Cow, Durham 23rd August 2007

2007-08-28T09:10:00.000+01:00

We managed to fit in just one more pub during our week in Durham.

Castle Eden Ale (4.2%): Uninspiring yet not unpleasant lightish bitter.

This cosy, friendly pub, which happened to have a traditional music session in progress in the lounge bar on our visit, is apparently very popular with students.

The Sun Inn, Beamish Open Air Museum, Co Durham 23rd August 2007

2007-08-28T09:09:00.000+01:00

It seemed only right to check out the beers at the pub in the 1913 town within the museum at Beamish as we were wandering round.

Bull Lane Nowtsamatta (4.5%): Caramelly hoppy bitter with a fresh bright taste and golden colour.
Bull Lane Ryhope Tug (3.9%): Bitter tasting beer, a good ‘ordinary’ bitter.

While supermarkets and other new ways of shopping have revolutionised the way we buy most things, the most striking part of the visit to this pub was how similar it was to pubs up and down the country today, almost a century on.

The Water House, Durham 22nd August 2007

2007-08-28T09:07:00.000+01:00

Managed to find the local Weatherspoon’s for a reasonably priced evening meal.

Jarrow Rivet Catcher (4.0%): Fresh hoppy beer but not quite ready.
Wylam Hedonist (3.8%): An unusual thin yet tasty flavour.

This was a large open pub with a friendly atmosphere which looked popular with different groups of people.

The Victoria Hotel, Durham 21st August 2007

2007-08-28T08:52:00.000+01:00

A beautiful old pub which was recommended as the place to go in Durham, The Victoria had an impressive array of real ales to try.

Big Lamp Big Lamp Bitter (3.8%): Interesting standard bitter with complex malt flavours.
Durham Definitive (3.9%): Sweet and fruity with citrus tones, particularly grapefruit. Very pale coloured with a good delicate flavour.
Big Lamp Old Durham Dark (4.0%): Gently rounded taste to this Moorish mellow dark beer.
Wylam Gold Tankard (4.0%): A golden beer without a huge amount of flavour and slightly more alcohol than the taste caters for.
Big Lamp Old Arthur (4.2%): Incredibly good hop character, this pale beer tastes like a regular bitter. Brewed in memory of a recently departed pub regular.

This was one of those pubs that when I walked in, I felt immediately at home. Each of the three bars was decorated in a different William Morris wallpaper with many pictures on the walls including several of Queen Victoria herself. With the wood panelling the effect was very cosy Victorian parlor.

I counted 52 whiskies including many interesting single malts at the bar. The only incongruous feature was a topless calendar!

The Shakespeare, Durham 19th August 2007

2007-08-28T08:51:00.000+01:00

On holiday in Durham and determined to try a few of the local pubs. The people I was with seemed sure that this was the place for us.

Everard's Tiger (4.2%): Pretty strong flavoured with a tangy hop taste, better when it warmed up a bit.
Caledonian 80/- (4.2%): Bitter with a warm malty taste in spite of being served so cold.
Caledonian Deuchars IPA (3.8%): Distinctive complex hoppy taste.

All the beers were served far too cold for my taste which was a shame as they might otherwise have been good.

An interesting old fashioned pub with several small rooms and a very unprepossessing frontage. The staff were great, the pub was lively and the singing was raucous once it got late!

The Wrotham Arms, Broadstairs 16th August 2007

2007-08-17T16:11:00.000+01:00

I was determined to return to this pub before the end of the week as it was my favourite by far in the town. Although on my previous visit the beer hadn't been great, the atmosphere and staff made up for this.

Shepherd Neame Canterbury Jack (3.8%): Slightly honey flavoured very weak tasting yet pleasant beer.

An acoustic duo called "Table Nine" were playing Simon and Garfunkel and Beatles covers as well as original material and we stayed for some time at the bar, as all the seats were taken.

The excellent barbeque was going at the front of the pub and we were offered chocolate mice by the bar staff (but declined). We had a good time chatting to the staff and locals, a pleasant change from some of the other pubs in town. And the beer was good.

The Pavilion, Broadstairs 15th August 2007

2007-08-17T15:31:00.001+01:00

Another gig, this time outdoors in the pouring rain with the wind gusting in from the sea.

There was no real ale available at the Pavilion Garden bar (pictured) so I got a John Smith's Courage Directors' (4.8%) from the main Pavilion bar upstairs. It was surprisingly pleasant and a welcome change from Shepherd Neame beers.

Ye Olde Crown, Broadstairs 13th August 2007

2007-08-17T15:29:00.002+01:00

Another Okee Dokee Band gig, this time there were two beers available, neither of which are ones I would choose to drink if others were available.

John Smith's Courage Best Bitter (4.0%): Just about drinkable bitter. Best avoided.
Greene King IPA (3.6%): Weak and tangy with a hint of hop flavour. Insipid and unpleasant and I was pleased I was trying someone else's.

The gig was good although the pub seemed a bit seedy. When I was served in a "plastic glass", I explained to the person serving that I was unlikely to "glass" someone as I didn't know how, but then a kind local at the bar described it to me in detail!

The Albion Hotel, Broadstairs 13th August 2007

2007-08-17T15:29:00.001+01:00

Again there were just Shepherd Neame beers available at this pub so I opted for the organic Whitstable Bay (4.1%). This was refreshing and pleasant and a good choice for a sunny afternoon.

The Wrotham Arms, Broadstairs 12th August 2007

2007-08-17T15:26:00.002+01:00

Came to see the Okee Dokee Band play, and they were great.

Shepherd Neame Master Brew Bitter (3.7%): Unexceptional bitter.

I also had a taste of keg Shepherd Neame Mild but it just tasted cold and fizzy to me as I haven't had a keg beer in years.

This is a lovely pub with really accommodating staff, who appeared to actually enjoy having music on, a seemingly rare treat in a pub which hosts live music.

The Neptunes Hall, Broadstairs 12th August 2007

2007-08-17T15:26:00.001+01:00

This time I chose the Shepherd Neame Spitfire Ale (4.5%) as I had the alternative on my last visit. The Spitfire was fairly strong drinkable bitter but without a hop taste.

Maybe the Shepherd Neame beers do really taste of hops and I was spoilt at the Great British Beer Festival with the strong hoppy American IPAs!

"The Good Intent", Concert Marquee, Broadstairs Folk Week 11th August 2007

2007-08-17T15:23:00.000+01:00

On this occasion the bar at the marquee was serving Shepherd Neame Mild (3.5%), which was a very pleasant smooth, easy drinking mild.

The bar did not advertise the strength of the beer and a quick call to the brewery revealed that this was a "one off" brew which is why it does not appear on their website.

As it's one of their best beers I've tasted, that's a great shame. I hope it sold out and they will consider making it as a regular beer in the future.

Harper's Wine Bar, Broadstairs 11th August 2007

2007-08-17T15:21:00.002+01:00

Found a plate of ham, egg and chips and a pint of Fuller's London Pride (4.1%) in this comfortable wine bar, a rare change from the Shepherd Neame served in most of the pubs in town. It was tasty, well balanced, hoppy bitter, although at £3.00 a pint, a treat rather than a good place to drink every day.