The Pub
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The Rake is tiny, but that should not fool you, it is more than adequate as a drinking establishment. There is a huge selection of beer, mainly bottled, behind the bar. Inside I would say 30 people would feel cramped. There is an outside space with some good patio heaters and a large gazebo type roof structure that more than doubles the available space. This outdoor area also has excellent summer drinking potential, and was well used by us on this cold Saturday.
We had chosen a non-sporting Saturday, which may have contributed to the level of custom that the Rake experienced. There was a fairly diverse group of punters, representing many nationalities, and a large proportion of the clientele were 'hooray Henry's', most likely stopping in after sampling artisan bread and rare olives at the market.
The staff were efficient, knowledgeable and friendly enough, although sometimes a touch indifferent. Prices reached the steep side of trendy, but nothing shockingly so, and all clearly marked so there were no surprises.
The toilets appear to be public, and are well frequented by market shoppers, leading to a bit of an outdoor whiff. They also resemble primary school facilities.
The Beer
- Celt Bleddyn 1075 - almost aggressively hoppy, very bitter with a citrus taste to it. Definitely improved throughout the pint as it was perhaps a bit too bitter to kick off with, but I was still ready to move on after one.
- Veltins - Lager Boy chose this as a livener to open with. Likened to opening with Alastair Cook before moving of to something a bit more like Kevin Pietersen.
- Waen Festival Gold - A mixed reception from the pair of us: fairly standard. Limp and insipid. OK, but not a lot to it. Feckless.
- Celt Castell Coch - A darker tasting beer than it looks. Appears to be a fairly light, straw coloured beer. Has a deeper flavour than expected, with coffee notes and a lingering outdoorsy feel. Very easy to drink too.
- Otley O2 Croeso - Even easier to drink, although not a lot more to say about it. Light, very standard tasting with no stand out flavours.
- Fordham Wisteria Wheat (bottled) - Very wheaty indeed. Lager Boy, the wheat beer fan, was certainly approving of this one, and suggested he would search it out again.
- Goose Island 312 (bottled) - Suggested for Lager Boy by the barman based on the previous drinks he had chosen. Almost a bit like a Sprite with citrus notes and very easy to drink.
- Partizan IPA (bottled) - From just down the road in Bermondsey, and exactly what I think of when I think of a good IPA. A triumphant end to proceedings.
The Verdict
Nothing here not to like. A popular little pub, well placed for a rest after a meander around the market. The selection of beers is probably what really makes it, but it also has a certain something about it in terms of character. A thoroughly enjoyable Saturday afternoon.
