24/08/16
Cigar reward - 60 not out!
Very old traditional pub with low bar and wood panelled interior said to be built by Christopher Wren. Excellent stained glass window out front that stands apart from the surrounding street.
Cigar reward - 60 not out!
60. The Old Bell, Fleet Street.
Very old traditional pub with low bar and wood panelled interior said to be built by Christopher Wren. Excellent stained glass window out front that stands apart from the surrounding street.
Beers:
Sambrook's Wandle - strong raspberry flavour peaking in the middle, sweet smell,
Purity Gold - yellow, citrusy, lemon throughout, medium to low bodied, fizz at the start giving way to slight bitter lemon finish, light.
59. The Crown and Sugarloaf, Bride Lane.
A narrow pub with a large array of mirrors and a screen at the front. Mosaic floors. Sam Smith's own brews hog the bartop.
Beers:
Sam Smith's Nut Brown Ale - reddish, dark, heady, nutty, fizzy, medium to low body, walnut flavour is coming through.
Sam Smith's Old Brewery Bitter - heady, medium amber, no distinguishable smell, full bodied, smooth finish, more flavoursome at the end, bitterness coming through, multi layered.
58. The Punch Tavern, Fleet Street.
Beers:
Marston's EPA (exceptional pale ale) - sweet smelling, medium cloudy, amber, inoffensive beginning, spikes in the middle, stale ending, no major flavour.
Revisionist Craft Stout - mild chocolate smell, darker than Darth Vader, very heady, semi sweet, full body start, dissolves on the tongue, not a strong chocolate flavour but a dark chocolate undertone.
57. The Black Friar, Queen Victoria Street.
A long admired pub. Refurbished but honouring the old decor and the heritage it has. Really fascinating to look around at all the carvings, decorations and writings around the various rooms. Very popular and rightly so. Plenty of overflow space outside to enjoy the fine selection of ales on offer.
Beers:
Fine Ale Revolution Rev James Gold - lightish, not too heavy, not too fizzy, smooth throughout, medium bodied, refreshing, tails off to a slight bitter finish.
The Great Yorkshire Brewery Yorkshire Blackout - darker than the night sky, smells chocolatey, "the best beer I've tried" - Andy, stout finish, chocolatey taste, just lovely, superbly balanced against the alcohol content.
Hopback Brewery Summer Lightening - not a significant start, possible elderflower taste, lingers on the tongue a little, clear, amber,
56. The Cockpit, St Andrew's Hill.
A taller pub than it is deep. Cute bar and well worn carpets and chairs. The upper balcony is now closed but was once the viewing point for rowdy punters to enjoy the cock-fighting down below. Banned now it seems. Shame. Beer not banned, so we had some.
Beers:
Courage Directors Bitter - sweet smell, vanilla flavour, smooth finish, slightly heady, quite dark and a little cloudy.
Courage Light Ale - very fizzy, quite clear, quite dark and reddish, sweet, possibly bland.
55. The Centre Page, Knightrider Street.
Good corner pub tucked away a little. Compartments for sitting or open tables. Surprisingly small bar.
Beers:
Fuller's Montana Red - light, fairly empty bodied, darkish, crisp finish, sharp sensual middle flavour.
Morland Old Golden Hen - inoffensive, bitter notes, medium bodied, sweet, not exciting but nice.
54. The Seahorse, Queen Victoria Street.
Admittedly trendy and not traditional but worth a dip in. Dart board saved it.
Beers:
Timothy Taylor's The Landlord - pleasant, flavoursome, bitter nose, medium light amber, clear, spiky beginning, mellow middle, spiky aftertaste, dances on the tongue for a while afterwards.
Tiger Lager - nice lager.
