The Sir John Oldcastle, Farringdon 2nd February 2007

Tried a few pubs in the area for a quick after-work drink but this was the only one we could find with space for three more people on a Friday night.

Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted (3.8%): Sweet, mellow and dark. Slightly hoppy and very pleasant. Not entirely convinced that the beer I was served WAS the beer I was told it was, but tasty all the same.

Itchen Valley The Sir John Oldcastle (4.5%): Unusual hoppy bitter. Served cloudy but it did eventually settle in the glass. A day or two past fresh but not quite off.

What a surprise, Weatherspoon's beer served cold! Actually it wasn't as cold as in other pubs. Maybe someone has finally got the message.