Round Fifty Seven

26/02/20

Jubilation heard nationwide as the odyssey lads batter through the 500 unique beer barrier!!! Yet another heroic tale to captivate future generations from the warmth of the pub rocking chair.   

🎉 🍺 👴🏻

Guest star Cathy and her barrel of bitters join the lads on the road to salivation.

243. The Blue Posts, Newman Street.

The familiar patterned Sam Smith bar that does well to preserve its traditional old pubs and the glories within. A dart board can be utilised near the doorway and was being so this very eve. The usual low point of a Sam Smiths pub being the lack of new beers. 


Beers:

Sam Smith's Alpine Lager - standard mountainous fizzy hop-water. 

Sam Smith's Old Brewery Bitter - bitter is better, a nice ale but ultimately nothing to write home about.

Sam Smith's Cider - an illegal drink on this odyssey and there will be no further mention of it.

242. The Newman Arms, Rathbone Street.

A really great little stumble upon. Narrow and attractive and even with a few quirks. Swollen light bulbs hang above the decent Trumans beers and beefy bagels are available at a little hot counter in the corner. The pub even opens out to accommodate more in the basement. Also has a brilliant side passage which was handy for hot-footing to the final beers of the evening.


Beers:

Trumans Fire Starter American Red Ale - a darker reddish amber colour, still, no real spice as expected but tinged with a nice warming, even fruity tone, not a real fire starter but steadily drinkable.

Trumans Lazarus Very Pale Ale - certainly pale, slightly hazy yellow, looks a little thin, refreshing and a little zingy, not bursting with flavour but another steady safe beer, would be particularly good for washing down such things and beef bagels.

Trumans Roller IPA - amber, gentle head, gentle aroma, bitter hoppy start, mild flavours of stoney fruits, flat like the tulipped fields of the lands of nether.

241. The Marquis of Granby, Rathbone Street.

Nice pub, why the pop music? Seemingly a recurring issue this evening. Fairy lights throughout. The bar was well positioned for serving many a man, woman and their dog simultaneously, which was necessary on this particular outing. 

Beers:

Five Points Brewing Company Citrus Pale Ale - medium bodied, little tail, very citrusy, like washing up liquid, not too much to say.

Sharps Doombar - brown, quaffable, smooth, not too strong, middle of the road and drinkable.

Cornish Winter Milk Porter - bitter aftertaste, super dark, no head, a sweeter porter with a pleasant taste, reasonable. 

240. The Jack Horner, Tottenham Court Road. 

A lovely looking pub with terrific leather benches and a reasonable selection of ales. Rather let down by the terrible music. Nice chandeliers and attention to decoration in the form of artwork and taxidermy, either hung or stuffed into cavities in the lowered ceiling.

Beers :

Scourmont Abbey Chimay - very European head, dirty water appearance, full, like a cloud, unsure of the flavour, sweet and pleasant, unusual, cakey. 

Einstök Olgere Arctic Pale Ale - snowstorm appearance, frothy, light coloured, fizzy, citrus, floral to the nose. 

Fullers Vintage Ale - dull brown ale, small froth, unclear to say the least, tastes like Christmas pudding, smells of the past, brandy sauce all over it, strong, very sweet, so much dried fruit. 

239. College Arms, Store Street.

Cute but rather noisy like most colleges, very wooden, perhaps a little too much like a fish and chip shop. Respectable beer selection and in favour of sport.

Beers:

New River Brewery Twin Spring - clear and Amber, a little bitter, citrus flavours, very drinkable, would go nicely with a roast. 

New River Brewery Blind Poet - very heady, dark as our chances of surviving coronavirus, milky, very smooth. 

Wimbledon Copper Leaf - reddish, no real head, thicker, a little malty, mealy, flavour comes in the middle, pleasant, smells fruity and sweet. 

238. Rising sun, Windmill Street.

A long pub with a row of mini snob screens and inflatable rugby posts. Football on TV. A high ceiling allowing for an airy feeling and great high windows. Nice lantern style lights around the place. An enjoyable ale house. Heating all is probably quite high here though...

Beers :

Portobello Star British Bitter - slightly unclear, keeps its secrets in its ample bosom, a little watery and vacuous like Kim kardashian, slightly dark Amber, slightly hazelnutty. 

Portobello APA - light Amber, rather clear, non offensive, minor froth, starts off like it might be bitter but pales mellow obscurity.