D is for the Dove

This time we decided to head to the pub immediately after a game of five-a-side football. We (the Capital Glovers) lost 5-3, despite having about 18 times as many shots as the opposition. We made the short journey from Islington to London Fields and The Dove.

The Pub

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What to say about the Dove...? More of a pub for Lager Boy than for me, if based only on the beers. A large choice, with a range of lagers and a few ales on tap and pump, and a huge number of bottles available. I was somewhat disappointed with the selection of British/local ale available, but that isn't really what The Dove is there to do. More about the beers we sampled below. We were also there during the Belgian Beer Fete, which dictated the theme of our choices. Beyond the beer, generally a very good pub. Prices were reasonable, even for the strong Belgians we tried; the staff were friendly and helpful; there's a bit of an old pub feel, despite it being situated in 'trendyville'; there's plenty of seating; and there are loads of board games available for punters to play. Food is also served, although we only sampled a couple of bags of crisps from behind the bar, and the toilets are unisex - we couldn't decide whether that was a positive of not - views welcome.

In the menu there are various recommendations from a Marc Stroobandt, who is the Belgian Beer Ambassador to London. Lager Boy would be happy to take this role as and when required.

The Beer

• Mayfields Ducking Stool - Lager Boy, ever the historian, suggested this should really be a 'cucking stool', but regardless of that I initially found it to be pleasant and very drinkable, but by the end of the pint I wasn't so keen on the aftertaste I was getting.
• Jupiler - Not the best of Beligum, more day trip to Brussels than weekend in Bruges. Steady, but nothing spectacular.
• Crouch Vale Brewers Gold - Light, not too floral, but maybe lacking a little something, although I couldn't put my finger on what that might be. Fairly drinkable, but if it was really good it would've disappeared much more quickly than it did.
• Belle-Vue Kriek - 'summer in a glass' according to Lager Boy. Fruity, but with a good beery aftertaste, and not too sweet. Very drinkable, for one; but unlikely to return for a second.
• Delirium - good things come to those who wheat. I blame Lager Boy entirely for the terrible pun. His favourite beer of all the pubs so far was advertised in the pub as having been 'elected the best beer in the world', and he thinks it lives up to the billing. Also has a celebrity fan in Bradley Wiggins, so if it's good enough for the Maillot Jaune, it's good enough for us.
• Rosarda - It's fruit juice, no? Maybe fruit juice that's been left in the sun for an afternoon and then re-chilled.
• Orval - this trappist beer was so dry it gave me a bit of a shiver when drinking it. Brewed by the monks of Abbaye NotreDame d'Orval, it was strong and full-bodied, and certainly not displeasing. After three other beers, that's as much as there is to say I'm afraid.
• Duchesse de Borgogne - I would struggle to explain just how pleased Lager Boy was to find this available, but he was close to ecstatic. The Duchesse is brewed using traditional methods in west Flanders, and is very much an acquired taste. Lager Boy has acquired this taste, while I very much have not. He would describe her as 'quite the lady', and we both agree that once you try her, you'll never forget. An undercurrent of a balsamic taste is the make or break. I implore you to try it if you see it, to make your own mind up.

The Verdict

A wide selection of beer, good staff, good facilities, but a bit trendy. Generally we would consider ourselves fans of the Dove, with a caveat that the situation has to be right.