Round Ten

23/05/16

Light it up! Light it up!

40. The Ship, Hart Street.

Much awaited pub on a good street for pubs. Just looks nice, feels nice, serves beer. Barrels preserved for tables, a very old and attractive interior. Barman appreciated the interest in the taps.

Beers: 

St. Austell Brewery Proper Job - mild sweet aroma, medium cloud, a little ripper, lingering bitterness, reasonably pleasant.

Caledonian Deuchars - quite flat, dull dark, light bitterness, emptiness in the middle, hints of a whiskey taste.

39. The Crutched Friar, Crutched Friars.

Really great and different pub, standing out from many in it's layout. Flower baskets are well kept outside and the central brick-floored and arched entranceway is nicely lit, extending into a choice of left or right bars and dining areas. Quite possibly a former stables. Convincingly and lovingly now serves ale.

Beers: 

Woodforde's Norfolk Wherry - tickles on the tongue throughout, slightly cloudy, ambery orange, pleasant, appears denser than it tastes, nutty.

Robinson's Trooper - darker amber orange, no distinguishable smell, very sweet, summery berries within, sits around on your tongue for a while.

38. Still and Star, Little Somerset Street.

Nice pub with the promise of sandwiches and good bar snacks to be washed down with a nice though not huge selection of cask ales. Like the display of flags above the bar.

Beers: 

Sambrook's Wandle - darkish amber, bitter finish, placid texture, smooth and light, pleasant whilst not landing too many punches.

Adnam's Lighthouse - dark amber, rounded nose, mild, tasty, smokey, pleasant, nearly rounded, full bodied.

37. The East India Arms, Fenchurch Street.

Lovely pocket-sized public house full of hops, malt and barley with a touch of yeast. Full of city drinkers and clearly not designed for large parties. Leather back wall benches were great.

Beers: 

Shepherd Neame Spitfire Gold - golden, fruity nose, intense beginning, slopes off in the middle and end, watery, lacking continual flavour .

Shepherd Neame 1698 - very fizzy, reddish amber darkness, strong flavour, citrus sweetness, especially at the end, every gulp is like an adventure.