Round Forty One

29/03/18

167. The Great Eastern, Glenaffric Avenue.

A multi-faceted broad inn with separate entries for bar and lounge. The bar is well kept and is mainly issued with bar stools. A good choice of beers is available at the bar. In the lounge area there's space for eating and also just enough space to throw a few darts and shoot a few pool balls.

Beers:

Goose Island Goose IPA - amber, clear, bittersweet aroma, very bitter, gives way to a sweetness later on.

Fuller's Front Row - dark, caramel brown, clear, reasonably mild, smokey finish, a nice beer worth drinking even after the bell tolls.

166. The Ferry House, Ferry Street.

Ugly exterior but quite characterful, this pub claims to be the oldest pub on the island. The front room feels welcoming and homely in many ways, with books to read on the window ledges and very still, remarkably well behaved dogs on the staircase. A gas fireplace can be found with leather armchairs in the next room for cosier lounging.

Beers:

Brewdog Punk IPA - bitter but not too much, like a glacier cherry, slight fizz, good beer.

Camden Pale Ale - bittersweet smell, light and clear, up front fizz, bitterness that tails off sharply.

165. The Lord Nelson, Manchester Road.

This pub itself was nice, clean and spacious with Nelson's spirit all around. Two dartboards and a pool table present. Clientele entirely noisy middle aged men who turn their heads whenever an unknown face walks in.

Beers:

Morland Old Speckled Hen - quite clear, quite red and dark, quite bitter up front, mealy as it gradually rests on the tongue, mild fizz, pleasant.

Shepherd Neame Master Brew - medium brown, slightly translucent, woody aroma, heading for stouty flavours, nicely textured head, like walking through a wet woodland on a rainy autumn day, authoritative.

164. The Ship, Westferry Road.

Slick looking exterior and varied seating options in a snug pocket building. Obvious seafaring ornamentation on the walls and slightly moody inside in it's lighting.

Beers:

Well's Bombardier Pale Ale - amber, pale, sweet, inoffensive, wheaty but quite mild overall.

Brutal Brewing Piston head Flat Tyre - fizzy, faint, pale, hoppy, un-incidental, sweet.

163. The George, Glengall Grove.

A pub of two halves nestled on the corner of a residential estate under the gaze of Canary Wharf's skyscrapers. The front a greasier purely drinking bar full of noisy male types, the rear a foody saloon which was more than half under an attached conservatory. The saloon section was the nicer of the two with more pleasant and interesting decor and being naturally brighter too. The conservatory approach is not always one approved by the lads however. Too plastic. 

Beers:

Redemption Big Chief - light and clear, a bit yellow, grapefruity aroma, very smooth, very bitter, leaves a lingering but aftertaste, medium bodied.

Meantime London Pale Ale - clear, amber, micro fizz appearance, no hint of an aroma, little tickle coming from the bubbles, smooth at the end, quite bitter but leaves a sweetness on the tongue.

Round Forty

05/03/18



162. The Prince Albert, Broadway, Bexleyheath.

The feeling of a friendly local with some nice attractive touches such as the commendable beer bottle table displaying Shepherd Neame brews, simple fairy lights and the pub pooch. Ended up spending considerable relaxation time here, appreciating the footy on TV and generally letting our eyes wander.


Beers:

Shepherd Neame Spitfire - good beer as always.



161. The Furze Wren, Broadway Square, Bexleyheath.

A fairy typical Wetherspoons layout but long and noticeably popular. A reliable selection of ales and a friendly barmaid always helps. Not unclean.


Beers:

Lancaster Bomber - clear, red tinted, fruity smell, prickly, underlying warmth, bit spicy, very tasty, could find yourself drinking it all evening.

Evan Evans Grand Cru St David's Ale - so welsh you can almost smell the wool, medium amber, holds a nice head, barley aroma, initially smooth but gives way to an pine taste, full bodied and enjoyable.



160. The Rose, Broadway, Bexleyheath.

Not as pretty as the name suggests. Very much a lived in pub, both for the landlord and the patrons. Still decent and probably fairly crowded at peak times given the warmth and entertainment the pub provides.


Beers:

Caffrey's Mild - cold, creamy head, a very creamy beer, no bitterness whatsoever, pleasant but wouldn't write home about it.

Take Courage Best Bitter - dark amber, clear, not much aroma, bubbly smooth texture, very mild flavour-wise, like brown bread, quite enjoyable.

Round Thirty Nine

03/03/18


159. Rose of Denmark, Woolwich Road.

Not by any means attractive but an enjoyable pub with sports on TV and ale on tap. Probably run by the same people for many years as photos and certificates of past sporting triumphs suggest, including a tribute to a regular passed-on. Good friendly honest drinking pub.


Beers:

Guinness Golden Ale - clear, attractive mahogany appearance, mild sweet aroma, a honey sweetness, and smooth texture that slips down the gullet lovely.

Battle Brewery Abbey Ale - light amber, slightly cloudy, smells and tastes quite fruity, sweet rather than the bitterness you might expect, lingers a little after.



158. The White Swan, Charlton Park Road.

Really nice open feeling tidy pub with a fireplace (always a point scorer) and a good selection of ales. Pub quiz on offer for Mondays, dining area to the rear and military regiment badges on the bar overhang; a nod to the military heritage in the area. Good pub!


Beers:

Westerham Audit Ale - translucent, brown, sludgey, contentful, warming, wintry, would go well with a pie, bitter but not too much throughout.

Roosters Ragged Point West Coast Stout - woody aroma, darker than Michel Barnier's view of Brexit, full bodied, traditional bitter notes throughout, prickly up front, liquorice, leaves a lingering aftertaste.

Wild Weather Ales Hero Factory Ekuanot IPA - stormy lemon curd appearance, strong aroma, medium to full bodied, strong bitter flavour with a background of lemony sweetness, most strange.



157. The Bugle Horn, Charlton Park Road.

A nice starter pub for today. Always liked the name of this place. Teetering between traditional warming drinkery with it's fireplace and timber decor and a working man's (and Charlton fan's) drinking hub. Not as many ales as advertised sadly.


Beers:

Marston's The Charlton Ale - light amber, keeps a good head, clear, damp, a dip of bitterness through the middle but mostly an easy beer to drink.