Round Fifty One

05/03/19

212. The Jugged Hare, Chiswell Street.

A long awaited ale outlet this one. Quite probably winning in the race to become the most taxidermified pub of the Odyssey. Not only hares adorn the walls but geese, badgers, deer, ducks and more are all pristinely preserved. A smart set up too with shirt and tied bardudes and dudettes, a nice sheen to the bar and their own self-titled brew on tap. Thumbs up.

Beers:

Sambrooks Brewery Scrumdown - dark and reddish, a hint of danger to the nose, just like Bill Beaumont, a lot of sophisticated earthiness, a taste of mahogany, very pleasant.

Jugged Hare - amber, little head, odourless, extremely mild, pleasant, dulcit tones like Moira Stewart.

211. The Whitecross Tap, Whitecross Street.

This one was in fact a substitute for the pub we expected to be here. Not an altogether appreciated place. A little over burdened by sound and too much bright stuff going on. A bit of a sports bar. Nevertheless beers were served and the lads were well watered.

Beers:

Wadworth Dirty Rucker - dark brown, plenty of mud drifting around in this, like Jeremy Guscot a bit fruity, a hint of bitterness, a bit disappointing.

Crafty Dan 13 Guns - rather translucent, dark amber, slim bodied, a little tickle on the tongue, a little bitterness coming though, decent.

210. The Two Brewers, Whitecross Street.

Bustling and bursting, a popular pub. A dart board hung from the far wall although it was difficult to see anyone having the space to play it. Nice long bar and an appreciation of pottery and some strange images on the walls.

Beers:

Jake's Saffron Beer - super fizzy appearance, heady, very light coloured, coriander flavoured, spicy and reasonably exciting, a decent beer.

The Rat Brewery The Rat - pale, yellowish, feeling a spicy background, not super exciting, possibly diseased.

209. The Artillery Arms, Bunhill Row.

A Fullers pub. Many of the hallmarks of a top drinkery. Slightly pokey but great high windows giving sight to the excellent central bar. Hooks on the bar underside and stools were much appreciated. A small fireplace in one corner and a stack of boardgames in the other. Evidence of former snob screens was also present. A nice beer hole this.

Beers:

George Gale and co. HSB - oaky, tough, a woodman's beer, dark and woody, smooth, medium bodied, all around delicious, if it were a woman it would be Dame Ellen MacArthur.

Fuller's ESB - dark, piney, like a silken lake, a rounded citrus flavour, a bitter hop tucked in there, celebrity comparison, Michael Gambon.

208. Old Fountain, Baldwin Street.

A lovely start to the evening in some well attended rooms. Many many beers were available on tap. A plain plain in terms of its decor but well kept. Decent dishes available and what looked like a chippy bar in one corner. Beer certainly central to these people which can only bode well with these beer lads.

Beers:

Gipsy Hill Wurlitzer White Grape IPA - sporting a fantastic column of fizz down the middle, heady, light fizz, rather sweet, brass coloured, sweet smelling, substantially grapey.