12/04/18
171. The Lamb Tavern, Leadenhall Market.
Quite noisy as we entered even at 9pm. Music on and lots of late drinkers inside and out. Large windows and historic feeling wooden panelled walls. Seems like this had been many a Londoners local for a long long time. In the cellar area called Old Tom's bar, there was a really nice slim bar and stools with pencil and engraved artworks sadly ruined by club music.
Beers:
Young's London Gold - unsurprisingly golden, hoppy to the nose, smooth, light to medium bodied, a beer on the defensive, not giving any secrets away.
Young's Special - malty aroma and amber colour, spice coming through, interest throughout, consistently flavoursome and spiciness dominant.
170. The Swan, Gracechurch Street.
A good find this pub, nestled between two larger buildings with an upstairs that creates the archway below. The main bar is a pretty little thing with ornamentation and many glasses above which we promptly filled with hoppy nectar. Upstairs is relatively plain but nice. The huge mirrors make it look much bigger than it is.
Beers:
Castle Rock Brewery Session IPA - very cloudy and yellow, flat, light and watery, little citrus on the edges, bitterness up front that continues throughout the tasting.
George Gale & co. Seafarers - light and very see-through, no nose, gentle, inoffensive, sugarcube sweetness, can taste the basic ingredients but no more.
169. The Sir John Hawkshaw, Cannon Street Station.
This 'spoons pub makes the most of it's position in Cannon Street station, serving reasonable food but at inflated prices. Same goes for the beer. Less choice than a normal Wetherspoons but was quite nice looking, had a view of the platforms out front and also had their big casks on display to one side.
Beers:
Windsor and Eton Brewery Father Thames - hazel brown, nutty aroma, flavour holds back and comes more at the end, citrus to begin and woody tastes coming in later, light bodied and very nice, bitterness lingers on.
Windsor and Eton Brewery Guardsman - light brown, clear, sweet aroma, some bitterness but not a huge flavour, pleasant to sip with food.
168. The Bell, Bush Lane.
A cute little wooden nook tucked next to much larger, glassier structures. Has charm and not a little history and on weekdays is spilling well out onto the pavement. Nice brass pots and hops galore on the ceiling. A wall written legend tells how the needle in a haystack phrase was born here before the great fire. Despite no longer being a haystack, the needle was still undetectable.
Beers:
Butcombe Brewery Original - dark oak appearance, mild start and dies quickly, no distinguishing flavour, flat, despite all this drinkable, not one that's going to take you upstairs and make your call it daddy.
Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter - maple coloured, rather heady, bitter hops dwell within, a bit of tang to it, medium bodied, smooth, nice ripple on the tongue and tails to more of a mild flavour.
