The Dolphin, Eastbourne 18th April 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.