Round Forty Nine

07/01/19

Jubilation on the streets of London as the publads strike a double landmark of 400 unique beers and 200 pubs. Street parties and fireworks abound as many a pint is spilled during the merriment 🤪🍻🎊🎉🌃

202. Edgar Wallace, Essex Street.

This pub completes a stellar evening of pubbing. A pub that takes care of itself and does its own thing. XL wooden soldiers stand at the entrances and once inside, the eyes are suddenly dazzled with all kinds of semi-eccentric collections. The ceilings are scattered with thousands of beer mats from its past, vintage posters and artefacts are all around the room. This pub was well attended but not loud. Regulars played cards and chatted with the bar staff, and no music was playing. A lovely and different feel to our visitations and a great pub.

Beers:

Woodforde's Tundra - darker golden appearance, a bit of tickle as you sip it, spicy aroma, not so spicy to taste but pleasant.

Crouch Vale Brewers Gold - clear and light golden coloured, lovely flavoursome arc at the start decorated with hoppy goodness, settles nicely on the stomach.

201. The George Tavern, The Strand.

A terrific little number this one. Looks very old but not as old as one might think, going back to the mid-Victorian era. A pleasure to sit and muse in and a great choice of ales even offering a plank if you can't make up your mind. Food served upstairs and friendly bar staff to boot.

Beers:

Greene King Headless Cavalier - medium amber, clear, sweet to the nose, medium bodied, sweet, headless as stated, maltiness rises through the nasal cavity and fills the void of hovering over your taste buds.

Wimbledon XXK Winter Ale - reddish brown, flat headed, sharp up front, rich and fruity like a melted mince pie, smooth, milky texture in the middle, nice.

Sambrooks Powerhouse Porter - reddish tinge this very dark and bleak midwinter ale, smokey nose, one of the sweeter porters, a few roasted coffee beans chucked in for good luck.

200. The Knights Templar, Chancery Lane.

A Wetherspoons with some character. Formerly a bank, this grand building was converted to a fine drinkery with lots of ale choices and several points of interest. A sculpted templar knight guards the bar and several charcoal-like images of knights and their associations surround the main room. Lovely high windows and a more private space at the rear.

Beers:

Banks and Taylor Santa's Slayer - clear and very amber, like being whipped by a damp rag, not gonna slay much, limited flavour and no punch, having said that, not unpleasant, a tinge of hoppiness within.

Mordue Brewery Winter Tyne - dark hazelnut appearance, nutty taste too, cocoa notes, very light fizz, lasting flavour, Northern.

199. The White Swan, Fetter Lane.

An altogether quieter pub and much more into its brass surfacing. A very high ceiling and a very fine array of taxidermy if you like that kind of thing, including a white swan in a commanding position above the entraceway. An also fine collection of tankards hung above the bar. Slightly short on the ale choice.

Beers:

Sharps Doombar - bready, wholesome and reliable.

Adnams Ghost Ship - misty and ghostly, translucent and dark nutty amber, a perplexing beer, bitter but not sharp, punchy, woody, mysterious like a ghost ship funnily enough.

198. Inn of Court, Holborn.

This Fullers pub secured a grand opening to the nights proceedings. Much interest was shown in the layout and general aura of this ale house. A high ceiling met us at first where the bar was situated, with crests and ornaments and framed pieces adorning the shelf above. Further inside a low ceiling took over for a more snug atmosphere and a small upper chamber could be accessed at the rear. Dark wood surfaces all around and an abundance of thirsty souls at the bar. Wonderful.

Beers:

Fullers Wise Men - very light in colour, quite clear, citrus notes on the nose, rests on the tongue quite nicely, pleasant.

Fullers Figgy Pudding Milk Stout - darker than Scrooge's prospects post Christmas, smells like a timid Christmas pudding, very flavoursome, can taste the currents and even could imagine it drenched in brandy sauce, a terrific milk stout.