S is for the Southampton Arms

A Tuesday evening jaunt across North London on the Overground to Gospel Oak and the Southampton Arms. This pub came well recommended and seemed to be our sort of place based on the website. Just don't mention Pub J!

The Pub

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A fairly small building just a short walk from Gospel Oak station, that was remarkably atmospheric as pubs go. Almost continental in decor, it brought to mind Café Rene from 'Allo 'Allo!, with a range of vintage pictures of varying quality and interest. Additionally, the comedy/brusque approach taken on the website was continued in the signage around the pub, which we appreciated. A reasonable space was given over to a piano, which was played by a reasonably good pianist from around 8pm - a strong addition to the evening. We noted the male dominance in the pub, although this did not appear to be deliberate, and the ladies that were there didn't seem unwelcome.
The staff were friendly and helpful, particularly to Lager Boy, who had a more limited selection to work with given his tastes. They could have perhaps been a bit more cheerful at times, but in fairness there were just two of them, and they were very busy - and despite this they were quick to get to customers to serve them. The Ale and Cider selections were very good, with varied options. Lager Boy was a bit less well catered for, but he was aware of that in advance and was prepared to experiment this time. The prices were reasonable, and standard across similar beers, which is helpful to keep track of spending, and to anticipate the cost of a round.
The bar snacks available were good value, tasty, and worth a short wait to reach the table. Lager Boy was particularly enamoured with his pork bap.
There is a nice outside space at the back, but it was too cold to be appreciated during our visit. The gents were off this courtyard, and were also very cold, and a bit smelly. Like a number of previous pubs, they were also reminiscent of the toilets that would be found at a primary school.

The Beer

• Buxton American Rye - not what I was expecting. Very hoppy, and much like the Hops and Mops from pub B. Lager Boy thought it was like dishwater, although I was happier with it, but not overawed.
• Moncada Notting Hill Blonde - at first Lager Boy was disappointed, but was more satisfied as he got further through this one. Started out rather hoppy, but mellowed as he drank it.
• Darkstar The Art of Darkness - very dark! Tastes lighter than it looks, but with a bit of an edge. This was very easy to drink and most enjoyable.
• Thornbridge Halcyon - an utterly leftfield choice from Lager Boy with this 7% IPA. He said the strength of this made it more palatable, without being too hoppy or floral. He wasn't overwhelmed with joy, and it very much tasted like a 7% beer by the final third.
• Truefitt North Riding - proper beer. Almost treacly and a bit sweet, but with a bitter aftertaste. Enjoyable, but I probably wouldn't have more than one.
• Dancing Duck Gold - the stand out performer of the night. An absolute delight. Light, fairly clear, and almost honeyed. A cracking finish to the evening.

The Verdict

A more than satisfying evening, the Southampton Arms is a delightful little pub. The beer selection is good, and the atmosphere more than matches. Affordable drinks and snacks, and a generally contented feeling, so a successful visit.

R is for the Rake

A Saturday afternoon in early March saw us make our way to the Rake, a small pub nestled at the back of Borough Market, that was in the midst of a Welsh beer festival in a nod to St. David's day.

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.

Q is for the Queen's Head

The Queen's Head was always high on the list of choices for pub Q, and we were only more keen to visit after our Sussex-based friend suggested it was his favourite newly-visited pub of 2012. We were meeting a friend for drinks before her departure to Australia for an undetermined length of time, and various guests meant there were several beers sampled.

The Pub

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The pub itself is not huge, but well laid out so there's a reasonable amount of space. The decor is very much shabby chic, and is not overdone. Towards the back there is a fireplace that looks old at first, but it clearly gas. Partly due to said fireplace, on the cold evening of our visit it was fairly warm, without being roasting hot. The staff were good at knowing about the drinks on offer, and some more experienced staff members were evidently teaching some newer ones while they worked. The beer was generally served well, and prices, barring one notable exception, were reasonable. We had a couple of platters of food which were tasty and not badly priced. Particularly good piccalilli, and also pork pie (looked as though it could've come from Sainsbury's deli) and various meats. The toilets were awkwardly positioned at the back, and were much colder than the rest of the pub. The hot tap in the gents appeared to be just for show and the tiles were a bit seventies. All of this made them reminiscent of an old primary school toilet block.

The Beer, etc.

• Camden Pale Ale - Tastes like an IPA. Happy that it's local. Could be served a little cooler, seemed a little lacking in freshness.
• Darkstar Hophead - Light, delicious, although maybe a little bit on the 'thin' side.
• Kernel IPA - This was the expensive one, seemingly a lot more so than any of the others, even though it was only about 1% stronger than these others.
• House Red Wine - Passable, but fairly generic, as expected from a house wine. Certainly drinkable, but served a bit cold.
• Windsor and Eton Conqueror - Treacly, but somehow also a bit watery. A first black IPA, and not disappointing, but lacking a bit of body.
• Wildcard Jack of Clubs - Dark, but not over the top. Easy drinking, but nothing really special.
• Harviestoun Schiehallion - A crisp and refreshing lager, served in a chalice. Similar to euro-lagers, and enjoyed by Lager Boy.
• Licher Weizen - Like a Hoegaarden, but better, although the large head did seem to attract a lot of fluff.
• Mikkeller Something (no idea exactly what it was!) - Dark and peaty, definitely not enjoyed by Lager Boy. I can't say I was much of a fan either if I'm honest, a bit too much like drinking a puddle.
• Kernel Export India Porter - Almost like drinking a cup of coffee, very drinkable, but wouldn't want more than one, as it's very dense and rich.
• Lilley's Bee Sting Pear Cider - Not too sweet, easy to drink. Very good.

The Verdict

The Queen's Head is definitely a good pub, and I wouldn't hesitate to visit again. Although it seems a little bit off the beaten track, it's only a short walk from King's Cross tube. Generally a relaxed place to be, and a wide range of well-served beverages to choose from.

P is for the Powderkeg Diplomacy

We tweeted a fair bit from this one, the Powderkeg Diplomacy near Clapham Junction, and have replicated the tweets as our review:


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Arrived at Powderkeg Diplomacy. Initial thoughts: more restaurant than pub. But staff good and beer list extensive. Tasters on the way!

Lager Boy's Canberra

Lager Boy has chosen the Canberra, a break from the norm.

I've got a delightful Citra from Oakham Brewery. Proper glasses, and Roast Beef on the way. Hungry.

Quite trendy, but not oppressively so. Feeling quite welcome at the Powderkeg Diplomacy.

Roast Beef dispatched, excellent, and a good portion too. Well done @BaronPowderKeg

Vintage tennis rackets adorn the walls in the gents. Interesting choice.

On to a fifth @WindsorEtonBrew in three days. Lager Boy has a Republika, and is 'ready to go'

Republika and Seven

Meanwhile, I have a @BrisBeerFactory Seven which is bitter but has all sorts of toffee notes. A delight.

Asked to move to the 'booth area' to allow others to sit and eat. Happy to do so, staff very appreciative.

Big lunch and two beers a piece, and this time we're calling it a day. Thanks @BaronPowderKeg

O is for the Old Red Cow

A Thursday evening trip to the Old Red Cow for pub O. Situated between the Barbican Centre and Smithfields Market, everything we had heard about this pub pointed to it being a good one for us.

The Pub

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The Old Red Cow was smaller than I was expecting from the comments we had heard and the small amount of research I had done on their website. There were, however, a reasonable number of tables both upstairs and down, although all were occupied on arrival. We managed to commandeer a small standing space, which met our needs until we managed to pinch the end of a tall table later on.
The beer was perhaps a little expensive, but this is close to the City. The members of staff we dealt with were all helpful and informative, and clearly know their beer. The beer selection seemed a little out of season, with a larger number of 'summer' beers than was ideal for a cold evening late in November. The beers were also generally served a little on the cold side, which appears to be a storage/dispensing issue, which possibly can't be helped based on the logistics of the building. Food was available, and we were tempted by a sausage platter, but we chose not to partake this time. The toilets were sparse but clean and functional.

The Beer

• Windsor and Eton Windsor Knot - Floral, but seems to be a proper beer too. Dark but clear, and very enjoyable.
• Stiegl Goldbrau - Good lager, and a good receptacle. Amber in appearance, and fairly sweet. Something for other lagers to aspire to.
• Windsor and Eton Knight of the Garter - A heady, summery, amber ale which took a reasonable time to settle. Very bitter, with a long, lingering aftertaste. A good light ale.
• Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted - Citrus and punchy, but develops to a honeyed aftertaste. A beer for Lager Boy, and not just because it looks a lot like a lager. However, it is very summery, and not really for this occasion.
• Old Red Cow House Lager - Almost a wheat beer, this one was very active and maintained its head throughout. A pleasing lager.
• Sandford Orchards Devon Red - A delightful 'proper' cider in which the taste of apples was prevalent. Very well balanced, managing to be neither too sweet or too sharp. Reminded us, and our guest, a fellow Exonian, of summer days at Double Locks.
• Titanic White Star - Weird. Not sure what it's all about. Almost a metallic taste, but sweet. Wheaty at first, becoming much more bitter to finish. The most confusing beer.
• Windsor and Eton Canberra - Autumnal ale territory, in taste and colour. Rich and almost a little bit creamy, making it enjoyably smooth. A dessert beer, perhaps? We couldn't decide whether it reminded us most of Christmas pudding or chocolate cake. 
• Camden Pale Ale - Very floral and hoppy, definitely not seasonal. I could have several on the right summer evening, but there's not a lot more to say about this.
• Camden Ink Stout - Troubled by the aroma which, like the appearance, was reminiscent of river water. Tasted a bit earthy at first, developing into a smoky taste, almost leaving the mouth dry, but not unpleasantly. The odour faded, and we were left with thoughts of chocolate and barbecues.

The Verdict

A good little pub, with a good selection of beer, even if not as seasonal as might be preferred. Good staff, and not a bad location. A good amount of seating, perhaps at the expense of standing room, and a bar that shows off all that is on offer. Beer served a bit too cold, but could be overlooked on pretty much any visit.

N is for the Nags Head

Having visited Lager Boy's 'local' for pub F it was my turn for pub N, so we headed to the Nags Head in Walthamstow Village for a couple of post work beers on a Thursday evening.

The Pub

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The first of our pubs that we had both been to on more than one occasion previously, so we largely knew what to expect. The beer was served well, there were velour tablecloths, there was pizza (and possibly other Italian food) available - a diversification for this pub, it's generally a bit kooky, the cat made me jump, and there were a pleasing number of Walthamstow Wackos knocking about. Staff were quick to serve and friendly without being overly chatty. There are a few tables out the front, and a reasonably sized beer garden out the back, with a covered and heated area used in the winter. Reading this back makes it seem like a pub I wouldn't normally be that keen on, but I must say I have a soft spot for the Nags Head.

The Beer

• Timothy Taylor Landlord - An ubiquitous tipple across the capital, but not one I can remember ever having before. I enjoyed it very much, and I'm not surprised it's so popular. Taking the primacy effect into consideration it's probably fair to say the Landlord is a fairly middle of the road beer, done very well.
• Lager shandy - Lager Boy wouldn't even tell me what lager had gone into this, but he chose it as he was driving, and felt thirsty. It was served cold, and the lemonade was well mixed, but it was still a shandy.
• Brains Merlin's Oak - Lager Boy chose this one, which is a crazy choice. However, he knows what he doesn't like, and he doesn't not like this. Very peaty, and more ruby than dark, almost matching the burgundy tablecloth.
• Colchester AK Pale - A weaker ale, that looks like a lager. Not much else to say about this one.
• Wychwood Hobgoblin - A move much darker, to a stronger tasting beer that seems much more real.

The Verdict

Local (to me at least!), and one that I would normally put in the 'not for me' column. The Nags Head manages to charm in some way, and is an enjoyable place to while away an evening.

M is for the Market Porter

Birthday drinks in order for pub M, the Market Porter, as I reached the grand old age of 30 21! Unfortunately, after a surprise week in an amazing house on the edge of Dartmoor, we were riddled with the lurgy. Hopefully this hasn't affected our view of the pub too much.

The Pub

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The Market Porter is situated immediately next to Borough Market, and opens early in the morning to cater for traders for a couple of hours. Having been to this pub a couple of times before, this was the quietest I had ever seen it, although previous visits had been summer, a weekend, or both.
Five of us in attendance - a special occasion after all! - but just a couple of drinks each as all had some degree of the lurgy. We also wanted to eat, and since the pub serves food during the day only we had to go elsewhere to satisfy our hunger.
While appearing to be a bit of an 'old man boozer', the Market Porter has maybe lost a bit of the charm it once had, although it has doubled as a bookshop in one of the Harry Potter films. We couldn't quite put our finger on why we felt this way, but it does point to a bit of a refurb that hasn't quite done the pub justice, and left the whole place feeling a little sparse. There were apparently, however, some entertaining animal facts to be found by reading the graffiti in the ladies.
Part of the sparse feeling came from the relative lack of seating for the amount of space, although having seen the pub when it's heavingly busy it is understandable that as much space is kept available as possible.
Prices were as expected, if not a little cheaper, for the area, and the staff were very good in answering questions about the beers, and dealing with a disjointed round as we all arrived at separate times. A good number and range of beers were on offer, and they were served well.

The Beer, etc.

• Bateman's Yellabelly - Darker looking than it tastes. Fairly floral at first, but a much deeper taste develops the more of it is drunk.
• Pontypridd Otley O1 - An intriguing aroma, a little like a farmyard. However, taste was refreshing, with floral notes. My notes from the day say 'limericky', but I have no idea why. Otherwise not a lot to say about this one.
• Lime and Soda - Fairly standard, but very strong on lime.
• Gin and Tonic - Like a Gin and Tonic.
• Market Porter Autumn Ale - Chosen since it is Autumn. Surprisingly refreshing, and a pleasing colour. Inoffensive, but at the same time unexciting.
• Red Wine (house) - Considered to be 'alright', but smelled 'a bit rank'.
• Ilkley Wit Marie - One for Lager Boy, we thought. We were not quite right. He didn't hate it, but certainly wouldn't go back again. It was a bit limp, needing something to pep it up. A little bit like a Hoegaarden that's been left out for a while.

The Verdict

The Market Porter is certainly worth visiting, and you're almost guaranteed to find a beer that's for you amongst their selection. The downside is that the atmosphere is maybe lacking something. Was this because we were afflicted? Try it, and let us know what you think.

L is for the Larrik

On a Monday back in October we headed to the Larrik, tucked away just to the west of Marylebone and just to the east of Paddington. An early evening start this time, as I had unusually been working in central London for the day.

The Pub

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As I was strolling towards the Larrik I was expecting to find a busy pub, as I was arriving at the end of the workday. Clearly nobody has told the workers of Marylebone/Paddington, as when I arrived there were only a handful of other punters in evidence, and it turned out half of them were staff who appeared to be planning a menu change or somesuch. Surprised, and almost a little disappointed, that I could immediately wander up to the bar, I perused the relatively meagre selection of ales, made a choice and requested it. The barman was not particularly upbeat or talkative, which might have made me feel more at home, but I paid (almost £4 for a pint of standard ale) and went to take a seat and wait for Lager Boy.
While waiting I took in the surroundings. The pub was pretty much one large room, very open, although around a quarter of the floorspace was curtained off, which made sense while it was so quite. Everything seemed very clean, with pale wood furniture, candles on the tables and fairy lights around the not unsubstantial windows.
Once Lager Boy had arrived he informed me that one wall of the pub housed a big screen for rugby matches, and the pub attracted quite a crowd for those. We also observed the music being played at a sensible volume, adding something to the ambience. The pub also started to fill up a bit, although was by no means busy at any stage. At one point a few children with masks and collection receptacles came in to 'trick or treat' everyone - ten days early and a complete lack of effort. They were soon turfed out by one of the staff, who remained friendly with them, avoiding too much of a scene.
We also had some food, which we were both pleased with, and was good value for money for a London pub.

The Beer

• Sharp's Doom Bar - This was my first, and I was a reasonable way through it without really thinking about it, and it was only when Lager Boy arrived that I realised it wasn't quite right. It stayed a bit cloudy and almost tasted weaker than I would've expected. Not quite right.
• Staropramen - As expected. Refreshing for Lager Boy after a long day at work. Well chilled and had a suitable amount of liveliness.
• St Austell Tribute - Initially served short,  my request for a top up was well received and the barman was much more talkative and friendly on this visit to the bar. Cleared much better than the Doom Bar, although a reasonable amount of sediment remained at the end of the pint. A sweeter beer, feeling very smooth at the same time, slipped down fairly easily.
• Beck's Vier - Standard delivery of a standard lager. A safe choice, especially considering it's a school night.
• Leffe Blond - A choice out of 'leffe-field' as the ale selection had been exhausted already. Not a regular choice of mine, but it was Lager Boy's round and I had allowed him free reign to choose. A good finisher on this occasion with a strong, almost orangey taste. Very enjoyable.
• Budvar - A pragmatic choice for Lager Boy's final tipple. A classy Czech number, which is a non-standard standard lager.

The Verdict

A surprisingly quiet pub, which appears to look after lager better than ale. Staff were a bit hit and miss, but the food was good, and reasonably priced. Not the place to seek out new talent, drink wise, but a place to nestle with old flames.

K is for the King's Arms

K was a surprisingly difficult letter to find a suitable pub for (cue abuse for missing 'obvious' choices!), and we were hosting a vegan and wanted to eat, so after a quick search we found ourselves heading south of the river to the King's Arms on Roupell Street, close to Waterloo

The Pub

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Tucked away on a Victorian street, the King's Arms is just far enough away from Waterloo to be missed by the masses, but near enough that a discerning visitor to make the short walk to a 'proper' pub. Removing the cars from the street would make it feel like a century ago, and entering the pub almost feels the same at first. It would seem that the front part of the building has not changed much for many years, and the dark furniture and plentiful décor adorning the walls made it seem homely and welcoming.
It was very busy when we visited, but we even managed to find a table, and didn't feel too cramped even though four of us had squeezed into a small corner. Studying the bits and pieces on the walls led us to learn that numerous Hollywood celebs are 'regulars', so we kept our eye out for any of them too, but didn't manage to spot Kevin Spacey or Ben Affleck.
Service at the bar was fairly swift, despite the number of punters, and the staff were knowledgeable and friendly. There was a reasonable selection of standard lagers, and a good selection of ales, maybe a touch on the expensive side, but certainly not surprisingly so. A couple of them weren't served quite as we would have expected, but there was nothing so drastic that we needed to complain about it.
After a first drink we headed through to the back of the pub, where a large room also serves excellent Thai food. South-east Asian cuisine in London pubs has become something of a cliché, but the offerings here were both excellent to eat, and reasonably priced.

The Beer

• Theakston's Black Bull - I started with this, and found it a little bit dull, and lacking in depth. A little bit soapy rather than fruity, giving rise to comparisons with dishwater. It did, however, improve as it went along, although there was very little prospect of me ordering another pint.
• The Theakston website features a very clever set of sliders, to help you find the pint that would be best. An interesting novelty.
• Truman's Runner - Chosen by our guest, Kate, for two reasons; the low ABV (4.0%) and the picture of a large bird on the pump clip. An autumnal ale that had a hint of berries, was mild without being bland, and wasn't too overpowering. Fairly dark, and all in all a good balance. It also seemed to be an ideal choice for this pub.
• Pilsner Urquell - Lager Boy had to plump for something we have already covered, so see our entry for the Island Queen. This time served in a more traditional nonic glass.
• Dark Star Partridge - A delight. Beery, but not over the top, could be called a 'proper' beer. Eminently drinkable, I feel as though I could happily sit and drink this all day.
• Sharp's Ale of Kings - More of a bastard prince, and not as good as brewery-mate Doom Bar, and a bit wishy-washy. Also served a little bit cold, and was more lively in the glass than anticipated. Too many condensation nuclei perhaps.
• Brains Rev. James - Lager Boy chose this for origin reasons. Having eaten a Thai curry he struggled to really give a review, so described it as 'fairly middle of the road'. With a hint of citrus, the Rev was not disappointing, but also nothing special.
• Lime and Soda (not a beer!) - Our other guest, Sophie, was on the wagon for the evening, so had a soft drink. The lime and soda was served with lots of actual lime (almost a whole lime's worth of wedges) and wasn't too strong on the cordial, which was a positive. There was also no scrimping on the ice, so it stayed cold to the end.

The Verdict

Having taken a bit of time to make a choice about where to go for pub K, we were very satisfied with the King's Arms as our eventual choice. Good beer, good food, good staff and a good pub provide an excellent combination. Will definitely consider returning either when using the station, or for drinks with friends who work in the area.

J is for the Jolly Butchers

A Monday evening saw us arrive at the Jolly Butchers in Stoke Newington with a couple of guests in tow, and full of enthusiasm as the pub was highly recommended. Pub J also saw us move back towards the North, following a few more southern jaunts.

The Pub

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Two words: TOP TRENDY. Not that being trendy is any sort of problem here. A great beer selection meant we were immediately very happy with the Jolly Butchers. The staff were knowledgeable and friendly, without being pushy, and the prices at the bar were reasonable. The pub itself is a very open space, which is definitely a positive, but if we were really picky it maybe lacks the intimate corners of a more traditional pub. Despite this, it felt atmospheric, and a bit bohemian. I was personally not convinced by the illuminated Brooklyn Lager signage on the wall behind the bar, and the whole group were a bit disturbed by the moon-faced woman adorning one of the walls, but we are being picky here. One of our group commented that a bit of music would be a good thing, although we agreed that it probably wasn't the right sort of room for it, as the noise level was fine to have a conversation. The toilets added a certain something in terms of the fixtures and fittings, and were clean and tidy. On the Monday evening of our visit there was an eclectic clientèle making the place feel busy, but not rammed, which was helped by the reasonable amount of seating available, with a range of table sizes. We commented that a couple of sought-after sofas were almost expected in this sort of establishment, but the lack of them didn't lessen our experience at all. On this occasion we also partook of some food from the open plan kitchen in the corner of the room. This was an excellent decision, and we were impressed by the standard and value of the couple of platters we shared.

The Beer (and Wine)

• Kent Brewery Beyond the Pale - 'Top of the Hops!' A light and fresh beer, although taste-wise it's clear that it's on the strong side. Very much enjoyed, but certainly not for Lager Boy.
• Hacker-Pschorr - 600 years of brewing excellence have been put in to produce this classic example of Teutonic efficiency. Lager Boy referred to this as Franz Beckenbauer.

A side point here: if Lager Boy and I were to go on a double date, the Beyond the Pale and Hacker-Pschorr would be our ideal partners.

• Bavo Pils - A crisp and clear Belgian Pilsner, which regular readers will be aware meant it was right up Lager Boy's street. At 4.2%, he suggested it wouldn't be a bad choice to stick with for a session.
• Arbor Ales New Zealand Pale Ale (not listed on the link) - A little bit limey and extremely floral, with a dry, almost chemical, aftertaste. It was served clear and cool, but is not my favourite offering from Arbor.
• Glass of House Red - a good choice of house wine,approved by both of our guests.
• The Kernel IPA Scanners - Served very cold, which was a surprise that I never became completely convinced by, the Scanners is a strong (6.9%) IPA that has a hint of fruitiness, but remains dry and crisp. A big tick for this one from me, although I wouldn't want too many at this strength.
• Hopf Helle Weisse - very wheaty, and almost a bit sweet. Certainly a good one for Lager Boy, who enjoyed this cloudy German offering very much, but equally not for me. David Hasselhopf?
• Glass of Chilean Red - Not as good as the house red!

The Verdict

We were very happy with the Jolly Butchers as our choice for Pub J, and left disappointed that we had chosen a weeknight for our visit, as there were several more beers that we would have liked to sample, and it was an ideal place to do just that.

I is for Island Queen

It was a more difficult to find a suitable I pub than we were expecting, but the Island Queen fit the bill. We headed there unaware that Tuesday night was quiz night, so we have no idea whether it is always as busy as we found it, but the fact that it was heaving was no bad thing. The Island Queen is also, apparently, a unique pub name in the UK.

The Pub



Trendy photo taken from the outdoor seating
area just after sunset

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We found the Island Queen to have a trendy clientele and staff (with the standard(?!) Aussie barman and Irish quizmaster. A very leafy location, with the canal just around the corner, and a number of tables and chairs out the front that were well used throughout the evening by us and others. Tables and chairs aplenty inside too, although none to be had when we were there, so we sat at the bar once we moved indoors. Prices were a little on the steep side, especially with a couple of other decent looking puns just around the corner, but this part of town is probably generally a bit more expensive than most. The quiz, which we did not participate in officially, but joined in with nonetheless, was actually a pretty good one, and wasn't dragged out. We didn't partake in any food beyond a packet of posh crisps, but those who did appeared to be satisfied. It appeared that they stopped taking food orders when the kitchen got really busy, and started again later in the evening, which may have been irritating had we planned to eat, but did seem like a reasonable solution. The beer was well served, although one of my beers was a bit colder than I would have liked. The staff were all very good, and took care to check around the busy bar to make sure nobody was waiting. They also had an 'IQ likes' board up above the bar, which we were amused by, despite thinking it was perhaps a bit cheesy.

The Beer

• Ilkley Mary Jane - A light beer, Mary Jane goes down fairly easily. It's quite floral, but that gives way to a pleasant bitter at the back of the throat, and is an enjoyable journey.
• Pilsner Urquell - Need we say anything? A trendy rocket-shaped glass, a top pilsner, served cold and consumed to the delight of Lager Boy.
• Sharp's Doom Bar - Fairly ubiquitous, along with its neighbour Tribute, which I think I prefer, although this is also very good. Definitely a proper beer, and my kind of beer too.
• Veltins - A quality beer, and a good one to return to when needing or wanting a safe haven.
• Fuller's Honeydew - Win! Clear honey aftertaste, refreshing and a delight to drink, although served a bit cold for me. I also think the bottled version (as drunk here) is sweeter than the keg version that I have enjoyed previously. This is also an organic beer, so well done Fuller's.
• Stella Black - Very smooth (just like silk!). Lager Boy felt sophisticated drinking this, in a very trendy glass. We agreed that we wanted it to not be Stella, as we would have then enjoyed it more.

The Verdict

We were very happy with our visit to the Island Queen, and would happily return to give the food a go, take part in the quiz, or just have a couple of drinks. We would be even more likely to do so if it wasn't 'off the beaten track', although this is perhaps part of what makes it a good pub.

H is for the Harp

The final stop on FGH day was the Harp. I had been looking forward to getting to letter H as soon as we started this little adventure, as I had heard good things, and all signs were positive. Off the really beaten track, it's still nestled between Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, so I can't imagine it's often quiet.

The Pub

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Having been looking forward to visiting the Harp, unfortunately we were left somewhat disappointed and underwhelmed. Before I carry on, however, there is a need to caveat this. We arrived at the Harp at around 5:30pm, on a very hot day. We had already visited pubs F and G, consuming the beers listed on those blogs, and made the tube journeys between them. We did agree on the way home that after considering all of these things we may have been disappointed with any pub at that stage.
Anyway, the pub itself is a very narrow building, that isn't without charm, but felt fairly cramped inside. The bar is a little difficult to access, which perhaps contributed to the pub not seeming particularly welcoming. The selection of beer was OK, but I think I was expecting a little more variety than was on offer. The beer itself was served fairly well, on the basis of our pints, and observations of others. Prices were a bit steep, but not unexpected considering the location. There weren't enough tables for us to find a seat, so we ended up stood in the alleyway running behind the pub, which had been made relatively pleasant with the addition of some foliage and the odd 'shelf' to rest beers. Unfortunately there was an odour not dissimilar to nail varnish that pervaded the area, which wasn't ideal. Lastly, the Gents were on something of a precarious stairway, but were fairly clean.

The Beer

• Dark Star APA - Not a great deal to this, feeling a bit lacklustre with no punch at all. Our guest also had this, and wasn't enjoying it by the end, but that is partly due to his tastes.
• Apple and Pear Cider (poor notes mean that we have no idea where this was from) - This, whatever it was, was very cloudy, and very heavy. The odd sip was not bad, but none of us would have wanted a whole pint really.

The Verdict

So all in all an uninspiring visit to the Harp. Summed up by the response to the suggestion that we stay for another pint; a resounding 'No!' Perhaps the Harp is a victim of its own success, or it was all down to our frame of mind when reaching the third pub of the day, but we felt it didn't really live up to its reputation. Will we return to give it another chance? Quite possibly, but the time would have to be right.

G is for the George

After the Faltering Fullback we headed to the George, partly on guest Gary's recommendation. Just a little way down Borough High Street from London Bridge, this is a National Trust property, and the last galleried coaching inn to remain in London.

The Pub

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Being an old coaching inn, the George seems to go on forever, but the bar is relatively small considering the size of the pub. There are plenty of tables both inside and out in the large courtyard set back from the road. The courtyard has good views of the Shard, which led to a number of puns from both Lager Boy and guest Gary - the best/worst of which was something about shard-enfreude.
The staff were good, serving punters quickly and in order, and swiftly sending packing the couple of less-than-salubrious characters who made their way into the courtyard to panhandle. The drinks were slightly on the expensive side, but that is unsurprising given the location, and the popularity of the George as a post-work drinking venue. More disappointing was the relatively small selection on offer, especially considering the potential capacity of this pub. Lager Boy particularly struggled...

The Beer

• Bulmers Cider - Lager Boy was unsure what to go for with a limited selection, and ended up going for something known and refreshing, since it was such a hot day. Apples, that is all. Guest Gary and I were keen to point out that it was not an Estrella.
• Greene King George - A guest beer, that was maybe served a bit cooler than normal on a hot day. This was a real beer, strong but refreshing. definitely a solid performer, and served well. Guest Gary, having frequented the George in the post-work crowd on occasion, described it as an old friend.
• Growler (not sure of the brewery, and Google has not been my friend in finding out) - Refreshing for an ale, this is definitely a 'one with lunch' beer rather than a session beer. A lingering toffee aroma and taste are not unpleasant, but maybe limit the number of these one would want in one sitting.
• Greene King London Glory - Not for Lager Boy, and somehow not as enjoyable as I was hoping. Maybe too bitter a bitter for me, especially on this day.
• Estrella - Quite simply Spain's best lager.

The Verdict

Generally a pleasing pub, ideal for a revisit when in the area, although perhaps a bit disappointing in terms of the beer selection. Good for a big group, and possibly even as a date venue,

F is for the Faltering Fullback

The first location on our treble pub day was the Faltering Fullback. Apparently a bit of an institution in Finsbury Park and the surrounding area, and is close to Lager Boy's flat, so was chosen as the starting point, particularly as I had never visited.

The Pub

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Where to begin with the Fullback? From the outside it looks like a fairly small corner boozer but once inside it resembles a TARDIS/Mary Poppins' Bag/Narnia in the back of a cupboard, being huge. Part of the size is given by a large room that resembles a garage or youth club, with screens and a serving hatch for Thai food and the terrace at the very back that wouldn't be out of place on a Thai beach. The rest of the pub is equally eclectic, with various local and sporting memorabilia displayed on the walls. Partly due to this, and partly due 
to the weather, our guest Gary suggested that it reminded him of the bar in a foreign hostel, and that it was maybe busier than it strictly deserved. Prices were fine, and the service was pretty good, and in hindsight I think the Fullback was a better pub than I thought at the time.

The Beer

• Hoegaarden - served with a double slice of lemon, Lager Boy favours a Hoegaaarden, and on this occasion described it as "summer in a pint glass".
• Fullers/Gales Seafarer's - Both our guest and I went for this initially, and found it very easy to drink, even on a hot day. Fairly middle of the road, but certainly a good opener, it retained its head, and ended with a fairly zesty taste, which suited the weather perfectly.
• Peroni - Our guest went to get a beer for me and him, while Lager Boy popped home, and this is what he returned with. We all know a Peroni, but it did provide a freshener on a hot day.

The Verdict

Although we would agree to an extent with our guest's comments, there is definitely something about the Fullback that seems to encourage a return visit, so they must be doing something right.

FGH is for... something in Uzbek?

Three pubs in one day a couple of weeks ago so blogs coming up for:

• The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park
• The George, London Bridge
• The Harp, Covent Garden

We visited them on a very hot day, and that probably had an effect on us and our reviews, as did the travelling between them, as minimal as that was.

We also visited some pubs that reduced Lager Boy's options somewhat, as the offerings did not provide anything new and interesting for him.

In the next couple of weeks we'll be heading to the Island Queen and the Jolly Butchers.

F, G and H blogs all coming in the next few days.

E is for the Euston Tap

Following an overwhelming victory in the recent vote on the Blog, the Euston Tap was the venue for pub E, with Monday night chosen as the time so that we could celebrate Lager Boy having handed in his most recent essay.

The Pub

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So, the Euston Tap... in one of the old gatehouses almost on The Euston Road, with sister pub the Cider Tap in the gatehouse just opposite. The gatehouse itself is a building with character, but does the pub no favours in terms of practicality (one unisex toilet led to a lot of queuing and the odd awkward moment), although they do make good use of outdoor space with a terrace. It took longer than I would've liked to get served on my first visit to the bar. This, along with the slightly incongruous upstairs room (accessed by a spiral staircase that would be 'interesting' after a few too many), initially left me somewhat disappointed. However, the Euston Tap very much redeemed itself with its selection of beers, reasonable prices and excellent staff (current and former).
Firstly, the beer selection. 20 keg and 8 cask, plus what must be into the 100s in bottles, there's surely something for everyone.
Next, the prices. In a city where anything out of the ordinary gets ramped up in price far too often, especially when pubs think punters will forget it only comes from down the road, the prices were very reasonable, and even the most niche offerings were fairly priced.
Finally, the staff, which is where the Euston Tap really excelled. Several things to say here. On one visit to the bar I asked for a number 4, and a number 25. There was no problem, and a bit of a chuckle when 4 pints of number 25 were poured by the barman by mistake, having misheard the order. Recent experience has taught me would not be the case in every pub, so a bonus point there. I'm not always a fan of non-working or former members of staff hanging around the bar, but on this occasion a former member of staff was very helpful in recommending what we should choose next, and definitely didn't prevent those actually working from doing their jobs. The staff were all cheerful, helpful, and even put Kate Bush on for us when we gave an only slightly tongue-in-cheek reply when asked if we had any requests. Essentially, almost every punter appeared to be treated as if they were regulars, which made us feel very comfortable.
We missed out on Famous Ray's Pizza, as it is not available on Mondays, and didn't sample the bar snacks, although the crisps did look pretty tasty.

The Beer

• Redemption Trinity - Lager Boy's opening choice, which was not his finest move. Even for my tastes it was too too flowery and lacked body.
• Moorhouse's Pride of Pendle - Ordered partly to celebrate "Queen" Victoria Pendleton's Olympic performance, but I wouldn't quite give this a gold. A good solid beer, that I would've happily gone back to a couple of times, but not spectacular.
• Jever Pils - A return to form for Lager Boy, who described this as clean, clear, crisp and consistent. Enjoyable, and the sort of lager we'd like to see available much more widely.
• Tyne Bank Monument - A punchy number at first, but then mellowed into a lightly hoppy aftertaste, that makes the next taste a little more punchy again. Very enjoyable, and an experience to drink.
• Schneider-Weisse Tap 7 Unser Original - Chosen on the recommendation of one of the former staff members by Lager Boy, he was certainly not disappointed. He hadn't sampled a Schneider-Weisse before, but was happy with the wheaty taste and relatively crisp finish.
• Blackjack The Blind - Cleverly listed as number 21 on the beer list, this one was definitely a bit of a gamble. Little or no head, and for the whole pint I couldn't get over the initial taste of blackcurrant and soda, that gradually got more bitter throughout the mouthful each time. Odd, but not displeasing.
• Mikkeller not just another wit - The story of this small Danish brewery is a lovely one, and Lager Boy enjoyed expanding his wheaty horizons further. A success.
• Liverpool Organic Best Bitter - This was my stand out beer of the night. I'm confident I could drink it all day and not get bored of it.
• Weihenstephaner - Yet more of the wheaty stuff for Lager Boy. Partly due to the number consumed prior to this the only note I have is, 'ideal'.
• Magic Rock High Wire - Again, limited notes when on to a fifth beer, this IPA style beer was a bit hoppy, even for me, but not unenjoyable.

The Verdict

Well, thanks for voting so well on our behalf. After initially being a bit unsure about it, we think we've found a friend in the Euston Tap. As mentioned above, we were made to feel like regulars, and the beer selection is extremely broad. The staff are knowledgeable, helpful and friendly, which leaves the Euston Tap just needing  a couple more toilets to tick yet another box.

E is for Everyone else chooses

So, Lager Boy has been to the Balkans, and will be providing a bonus Balkan beer blog shortly. In the meantime, there is now a vote over to the right, and it's up to you, our readers, to choose which pub we'll visit on Monday (13th August) to form the E in our alphabet.

The contenders are:

• The East India Arms
• The Edgar Wallace
• The Eleanor Arms
• The Euston Tap

Get voting!

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.

C is for Clapton Hart

Pub C, the Clapton Hart, marked a departure from the hitherto standard Friday night approach, and a first foray into alphabetized school-night drinking. It's fair to say the location was therefore influential in our decision to choose this pub for C, despite myriad other suggestions having been put forward. Various positive reviews from a number of sources made it almost a no-brainer.

The Pub


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The Clapton Hart is Antic's relatively new addition to the East London pub scene, having opened in the former White Hart Hotel (boarded up for as long as almost anyone can seem to remember) only in early May. Sitting in an area that appears to be devoid of decent pubs, the Clapton Hart could well become a beacon for ale drinkers some distance around.
The pub itself is situated on the fairly busy Lower Clapton Road, but that hasn't prevented a few benches being placed out the front. If I'm honest I'm not convinced I'd want to sit there on many occasions, but there were a few hardy souls and smokers making use of them on a drizzly Tuesday evening. Inside it's very open, and the high ceilings made it seem fairly light and airy, despite the aforementioned weather. The plentiful furniture is an eclectic mix that could be described as faux-distressed and wouldn't be out of place down the road in uber-trendy Hoxton, although the sofa I sat on was actually a little bit worse for wear.
Accompanying music was a good selection of mainly older indie, generally at a sensible volume, and prices were as would be expected.

The Beer

• Blindmans Brewery Russian Roulette - Lager Boy took a gamble on this one for two reasons: name and origin (Somerset). Cue many puns about whether he dodged a bullet, and him really taking his life into his own hands. The consensus was that this was fairly pleasant, with a chocolatey after taste that was fairly pleasant.
• East London Brewing Company Pale Ale - I seem to be creating a trend of starting our visits with a fairly safe option, and this was certainly that. An easy drinking pale ale, that's fairly middle of the road, but certainly refreshing.
• Sandford Orchards Devon Mist - Lager Boy decided that this fairly clear, almost still Cider was a good next step, and I was inclined to agree that this would go down very well on a warm, sunny day, especially while watching some cricket. A fairly medium cider that had an excellent balance to it, neither too sweet nor too tangy.
• Windsor Knot from Windsor and Eton Brewery- At first I thought this one was a bit too flowery for my liking, but I grew into it as I drank and became more accustomed to the citrusy aroma. It did appear to be a little cloudy too, which was a marked change from the very clear ELB Pale Ale.
• Cotswold Wheat Beer - This is more like Lager Boy's bread and butter, giving rise to the quote, "wheat is where I'm happiest, not hoppiest". Certainly a tasty wheat beer, and not so overpowering that one would avoid a second, as some can seem.
• Devilfish Apachi - One taste told me that this would definitely not be for Lager Boy, and to be honest it wasn't really for me either. Very flowery (serves me right, some would say) and almost a bit of a chemical after taste that almost gave me a shiver. Unfortunately a disappointing end to proceedings.

The Verdict
Once again, a lot of boxes ticked here, although possibly a less well-received set of beers. Are we already becoming harsher critics, or was it just the fact that the drizzly Tuesday even had dampened our mood? There is certainly a lot going for this pub, and the location means I am very likely to return to sample more of their wares, and maybe even have a bite to eat. Particularly pleasing was the willingness of the staff to serve ASAP at the bar, meaning there was no waiting whatsoever. It will be interesting to see at some point whether this is also the case on a busier Friday or Saturday.

B is for the Bull

Having spent too much time over the past couple of weeks playing football rather than drinking beer, Friday evening was finally the time to reach 'B' in our ramble around the alphabetic pubs of London.

The Pub

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The Bull is a tremendous brew-pub nestling slightly off the beaten track in leafy Highgate. On the Friday evening of our visit, it was comfortably populated, resulting in a pleasant atmosphere, a choice of seating and quick, friendly and informative service at the bar. The football was being shown on a screen in the corner for those that were interested, but sans sound so as not to be intrusive to footballaphobes. The evening was accompanied by a good indie music selection being played at a volume that still allowed conversation. The prices, especially for the Bull's own, were reasonable, to the extent that I even got change for a tenner for a three-pint round, which is definitely a London rarity.

The Beer
Several beers brewed on the premises, which is a definite positive for us. A couple of strong guest beers on offer too.

• Cornish Orchards Cider - consumed outside and solo by Lager Boy, before the arrival of the rest of the team. Still, sweet and dangerously appley, only experienced men of apples would dare take on too much of this potent brew.
• Hops and Mops - this 3.9% pale ale very much split opinion. Lager Boy said it was very much not his cup of tea, the dominant taste was of fairy liquid: more fail than pale. I however enjoyed the hoppiness that made the Hops and Mops the most refreshing of the ales sampled.
• Beer Street was described by our guest as 'a bit thin', to the complete disappointment of the staff. It's fair to say that our guest and I did both enjoy this one, and mine disappeared remarkably quickly, which speaks volumes about my enjoyment of it.
• Routemaster red ale was next on board. Bustling with flavour, it marked a significant departure from Lager Boy's usual route. We both enjoyed this one, which was full-bodied and well accompanied by a couple of bowls of the excellent house chips, which were almost on a par to the legendary Moysey family chips. High praise indeed.
• Veltins (website in German) had previously been sampled at the Crown and Vic in Tintinhull, back in the Somerset homeland. Lager Boy finds this very much to his taste, and knew what to expect from this classy number that he feels should be more prevalent in our pubs.
• Dark Star Festival was the heaviest of the beers sampled this time, and was maybe a touch too 'meaty' for my tastes. That said, it grew on me as I drank it, so the initial response may have been tainted by following the much lighter Hops and Mops.
• When Lager Boy asked for a surprise, I went to the bar to investigate the lagers on offer, and the barmaid very helpfully suggested the Anchor Summer Beer that wasn't yet even advertised. We all agreed that this was a fantastic suggestion, as the Anchor was crisp, refreshing and delightfully drinkable. Lager Boy suggested that this alone could be reason enough to return to The Bull.
• A half of the Raspberry Wheat Beer was provided 'sur la maison', and was chosen as the only one of those brewed on the premises that we hadn't sampled. Surprisingly beery, with more than a hint of Raspberry. Certainly not really to the taste of any of us, but not at all unpleasant. We did, however, end up playing coins to decide who should finish it off.

The Verdict
So, all in all a very successful evening. Our guest, Tim, said, "what a bloody enjoyable experience this has been!" The pub ticked a lot of boxes, the beer was generally enjoyable, and the staff were very good. We also got some assistance from another punter regarding possibilities for that awkward 'X', although there are 21 more letters to get through before we reach that.