The lads are back on tour! Ladding returns to the laddish towns of Kelvedon and Witham to experience a whole new world of beer!
270. The Sun Inn, Feering Hill, Kelvedon.
A cute and rather old wooden sort of pub with a lovely warm appearance and good atmos. Comfy leather seating and a couple of inviting fireplaces make this a top destination for a winter brew, and during summer, a nice outdoor space too. A very well done mixture of old and new.
Beers:
Shepherd Neame Spitfire - a little fighting beast of a beer with all of the usual knobs in all the right places, vrooooommmm.
Shepherd Neame Bishops Finger - dark brown, bitterness, complex flavour,
269. The Railway Tavern, High Street, Kelvedon.
An interesting pub on the river with a great outdoor drinking space. Modern in many senses but with enough tradition in place to please young and old.
Beers:
Greene King Absolute Screamer - lighter amber, frothy, Wheaty on the nose, old fashioned ale, light bodied, quite average, like an old sock, back of the net!
Green King IPA - brown, reliable, quite mild, smooth,
268. The Woolpack Inn, Church Street, Witham.
Not a scene from Emmerdale, a very nice local with all the regulars who were very interested to know who we were. Quite compact when full, tankards above the bar, some daring ales on tap. Well worth visiting.
Beers:
George's Checkpoint Charlie - up front flavour, medium bodied, bitter but not overpowering, refreshing.
Witham Brewery No Name - very dark, smokey like a stout, brown, smooth, chestnutty, autumnal, like a colourful forest.
Witham Brewery Scruffy Mild - dark with slight red, no real aroma, slight chocolate taste, sweet with a deep fruity taste.
267. The White Horse, Church Street, Witham.
A nice open plan type pub with a sporting nature suitable for large gatherings the like of which have been out of question very recently! Pub games including a pool table available, goodlong bar and good people.
Beers:
Adnams Ghost Ship - slight froth, medium amber, spooky aroma, citrus notes, does not offend, slight bitterness, steady.
Courage Light Ale - dark and courageous but yet light, fizzy, grapey, has a bit of bite.
266. The Railway, Chipping Hill, Witham.
Another lovely traditional wooden beamed drinkery with a few different areas providing privacy as well as being quite a sociable place. A really nice place to chill. Needs one or two extra options at the bar.
Beers:
Caledonian Brewery Deuchars - a strong hit on first taste, fruity, juicy, very hazy, zesty, an interestingly acidic beer.
265. The Red Lion, Newland Street, Witham.
Lovely old pub with a dartboard and a feisty landlady. Once clearing security and clearing the air, tis a nice place to drink. But dare I say it, not many ale options.
Beers : (served with attitude) did it look like there's any more real ale...?
Sharps Doombar - reliable, deep, mild, as before.
St Austells Tribute - hazy, perhaps more than usual,
264. White Hart Inn, Newland Street, Witham.
Really tidy and well looked after old inn. Plenty of nooks to find and a good choice at the bar. The barman was able to fill us in on the history of the ale we were drinking.
Beers:
Mighty Oak Brewery Kings - light amber, small bubbles, quite clear, medium bodied, refreshing and sweet, very bitter to the other lad however and difficult to finish.
Mighty Oak Brewery Gorgeous George - dark amber, bittersweet taste, soapy, bitter, probably 4 hopped, not too bad.
263. The Swan, Newland Street, Witham.
Pool table and darts board available, but unable to use as the pub was already over-full as per covid requirements! Fairly plain indoors but fortunately a free bench awaited us outside.
Beers:
Adnams Broadside - dark caramel and stormy to the eye, cannot see the other reduce for puckle gun smoke, smokey smell like someone fitted off a 45lbs-er, caramelly, smooth with a sweet note, a hint of cherry, deep and moreish.
Adnams Southwold - quite dark amber, light head, piney, like the light support ship behind the 1st rate ship of the line, flavoursome but lighter next to the broadside.
262. The Battesford Court, Newland Street, Witham.
Good ol' Wetherspoons picked a good'n here. Very nice old wooden beamed and wooden pillared structure. Nice high ceiling and well kept. Provided good fills as well as good beer choice as ever.
Beers:
Loddon Dragonfly - amber, very light head, little prickle, smokey like a simmering BBQ, deep, good flavour, medium, hint of spice (coriander/pepper).
Ramsgate She Sells Sea Shells - yellow hue, light floral aroma, a bit heady, biscuits, full bodied, tastes lingers, quite bitter, like standing in a farmer's field, a good start.
