BITE profile - MeurglysIII # beerintheevening.com

This place continues to be a real delight. Regularly changing guest beers, a crew of jolly regulars, a very friendly landlady who knows her beer and some excellent staff. The only food is the occasional cheese or ham roll. I emphasise that the beer is always in very good condition given the apparent "quality issue" mentioned but dealt with below. The explanation by Davton rings absolutely true (I have only had one "end of the barrel" experience in over 2 years of regular attendance which was immediately changed) and shows that they care. All in all, excellent.

6 May 2012 09:29

I have had a number of pints in here recently that can only be described as duff. Disappointing as it used to be worth a look. As things are, I can't recommend it for the beer and the food is too expensive for my pocket.

6 May 2012 09:20

Things are bedding down nicely. Decent (not gastro) food and the new man in charge clearly cares about the beer - lines are being cleaned and quality checked reqularly. This is quite a sea change from before. Although Sheps ale is far from my favourite tipple, it was in absolutely top nick the last time that I was in here. The atmosphere seems much improved as well. Sadly, the fabric of the place is rather tired (the result of a number of botched makeovers) but that's surely work in progress. If the new team can make a go of it (and the signes are good), the brewery may give it a bit more of the tlc that it deserves.

6 May 2012 09:15

The Sussex Arms, Twickenham

It is under new management again. There'll be a new menu soon. All in all, a bit early to say how things will pan out but the early signs are good: the new managers have made a great first imression with the local community. Let's hope that they pull it off: this place should be the best pub in Hampton Wick.

14 Apr 2012 09:00

I have paid a few visits now. Trade is starting to be brisk and the amazing beer range seems more sustainable than on my first visit. It is doing everything right. - �3 a pint, loyalty cards, excellent looking food (yet to be sampled), friendly staff. Deserves every success.

23 Aug 2011 23:19

Visited on its "grand reopening". Frankly, I still have no idea what is going on here. Half of the lovely garden has disappeared, there is no "fabric" left in the pub and it is still not serving decent beer. How a CAMRA pub of the year can come to this baffles me. It's tragic. If you ever liked it, avoid it.

5 Aug 2011 22:57

The Priory Arms, Stockwell

Curious: only three beers on its four pumps (the fourth being cider). With one of these off on both my last visits, that left just two ales to choose from. Good beers but the contracting range is odd given that it used to have five pumps and that its sister over the river, the Boaters Inn, maintains a good range.

13 Jun 2011 18:37

Popped in with meurglys_IV the other night. Needless to say, I agree with his post below - but would add a note about the really charming service. This is certainly a pub to which I will now start to return once again.

19 Mar 2011 11:21

As the refurb nears completion, we old gits may well be more content: a new carpet, cutains and upholstery have balanced the bright paint job. And we can cogitate it all over a quite sublime pint of mild. Very well done.

15 Mar 2011 23:30

As the last post says, it does so much right. Great beer with the range developing as trade picks up - and deservedly.

But I too wonder about some elements of the refurb. Best to wait until it is all finished - but I did quite like the previous cosy unreconstructed darkness. Clearly I am another one of the old fashioned gits.

2 Mar 2011 19:50

It's reopened. It's going to reclose. Then it will be refurbished. On reopening (in March), it is going to be an English pub - but with a authentic French restaurant. Natural bedfellows. And there's already a dress code in place - smart casual. All of this strikes me as an odd strategy given the foundations of the pub's previous success. I hope that its days as a beer emporium are not numbered and that the restaurant is good.

4 Feb 2011 16:34

Had the same depressing experience as BeerGutt: this once great pub appears to have closed down. Although I have witnessed its decline from its glory days, it is to be hoped that someone realises its real potential and that it is reopened.

3 Jan 2011 09:29

If you like beer, this is now a rather briliant pub. They had increased the pumps to four on my last visit (regulars of Downton Quadhop and Sharpe's Own joined by Woods Quaff and Shepherd Neam'e Late Red). They also have some continental beer, a wide range of bottled beer and some real cider. And it's a place with proper character and proper characters. Becoming my favourite pub in the area.

21 Nov 2010 08:34

Spoke too quickly in previous post. Aside from the usual Twickenham beer found Hepworths Iron Horse alongside the always welcome Sambrookes Junction on last visit. That'll do me. And the last beer festival was brilliant as usual.

21 Nov 2010 08:30

The beer range has cemented over the past year into a selection from Twickenham, Surrey Hills, Sambrookes, sometimes with Hop Back Odyssey supplemented by London Pride, Bombardier and GK IPA. So its guest ales policy has become rather less interesting - but it still gets points for its festivals, the quality of the beer and the friendly dog.

19 Oct 2010 22:53

The The Old Monk Exchange, Westminster

I am not about to jump to attack the PT. But I can only speak as I find. I had been going here for 10 plus years before jumping ship, In my view, the beer range has become dull and the prices too high.

19 Oct 2010 22:49

It has its moments on teh real ale front but is a bit unpredictable, both in terms of range and quality. It could be better than it is.

19 Sep 2010 08:16

The Speaker, Westminster

I thought that I saw David in here well after his apparent departure. But maybe I had had one too many?

19 Sep 2010 08:15

The Edward Rayne, Raynes Park

I endorse the comment that this is one of the better Wetherspoons. That is not meant to be backhanded: the range of beer here is always good and well kept. At �1.95 a pint it is also, of course, good value; for CAMRA members using their 50p off vouchers, the cash price is madness, Certainly recommended on that basis.

19 Sep 2010 08:13

Under Gavin and his staff, this pub is regaining ground as a great place for real ale drinkers, now confirmed by a good beer festival this weekend: an interesting range in excellent condition served in rotation across 7 pumps. A whole lamb roast yesterday looked and smelled tempting. Well done - I hope that it has been a big suceess.

19 Sep 2010 08:06

Definitely one to watch. Covered in scaffolding for renovations but still open. Three well kept real ales on my visit: Sharp's Own, Wandle and Moondance. Only a few customers but a friendly welcome. Could well be a welcome adddition to the area.

27 Jun 2010 19:48

The Rifleman, Twickenham

Re the last post - any pub that puts off lager drinkers and people living off credit get's my vote. And on my last visit I had an excellent pint of Twickenham Spring Ale served efficiently and obligingly straight from a new barrel after the old one ran out.

21 Apr 2010 23:25

I'll agree with the last couple of posts - and so would my wife and children. Whichever way you look at it, something has been lost since Don and Myf departed some 2 years ago: it's looking tired, unloved and a bit run down. And I am afraid that the beer, although still good, is not enough to save it.

21 Apr 2010 23:21

Tremendous beer festival now in motion - 22-24 April. But far too quiet: local CAMRA members (and other alleged beer lovers) hang your heads in shame. This is another excellent effort by the excellent landlord, Rick. Use it or lose it, I fear.

21 Apr 2010 23:17

I too think that it has lost the plot.

9 Feb 2010 20:19

Seasonal beers are back. I am happy again!

9 Nov 2009 18:58

And credit where due - after refurbishment there is a fine selection of ale, well kept and well served also. I am a happy customer.

9 Nov 2009 18:57

Seems worse again.

19 Sep 2009 13:40

Foresters, Hampton Wick

I don't think that the Black Sheep is nice - which is a shame after they met my demand for a wider selection of real ale. Have concluded that food is teh thing there - and perhaps an expensive half of Leffe.

19 Sep 2009 13:39

And now nothing resembling a seasons for some months - only Gales Seafarers. Come on - we can surely fo better than that.

19 Sep 2009 13:37

An old favourite of mine - but it is starting to lose points for its les than inspired - though superficially extensive - beer range. In particular, an over-reliance on Green King and Wells and Young needs to be nipped in the bud.

19 Sep 2009 13:35

The Fox, Twickenham

How the mighty have fallen.

19 Sep 2009 13:32

The Ape and Apple, Manchester

I am not a plant - you can check.

This place is definitely on an upward curve and shoudl be supported. It is a shame that the mew landlord is saddled with the awful "upgrade" that Sheps inflicted on this place, particularly that carpet (getting rid of the net curtains was definitely the right move!).

The beer is ok (an interesting Sheps seasonal on at the moment in the form of Golden Harvest), the service improved but the star seems to be the food - tried the Ham hock the other day - put together with real skill. This deserves to succeed.

19 Sep 2009 13:27

I thought that this pub was excellent. Enjoyed my sampling of Holts - all at somewhere under �2 a pint which is something if you are used to London prices and particularly in the case of the 5% seasonal that they had on. I will be sure to return when next in the city.

9 May 2009 17:25

The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick

I think that the last post is unfair. The Railway has improved - and when it has real ale on, it is ok. The recent addition of a Twickenham beer is welcome within the Wick.

21 Mar 2009 08:56

Seems to be down to four ales. One is Twickenham; recent addition of Brass Monkeys is welcome. But the range does not vary sufficiently and the removal of a stronger beer is a shame.

21 Mar 2009 08:55

Seems better on the basis of my last couple of visits than I recalled. Adnams Old was good last time and a small beer festival (ending today) was excellent. Atmosphere seems improved also.

21 Mar 2009 08:52

It all went red . . . London Porter now seems to be up to �3.30 a pint. I wish I hadn't said any thing.

18 Jan 2009 09:39

The White Horse, Parsons Green

Prices have indeed been dropped down to the �3 mark. The range is better than earlier in the year but still does not offer the surprises that were a feature of the previous landlord's tenancy: does any one remember Fuller's Vintage on draft late December 2007, for example? A very hard act to follow though.

6 Jan 2009 22:10

Pick the right to come here and you won't be disappointed. A particularly good range of ale on when I last visited.' A bit pricey, perhaps, but worth it I would say.

6 Jan 2009 22:05

The Brewery Tap, Wimbledon Village

It's ok but I am not sure that it merits the walk from Wimbledon station as its heavy advertising in CAMRA's London Drinker might suggest.

6 Jan 2009 22:03

The Victoria Hotel, Durham

The sine qua non of Durham's pubs.

6 Jan 2009 22:00

The Shakespeare Tavern, Durham

The review below are a bit unkind: I would certainly visit this pub if I were in Durham. Ok - maybe only for one pint - but it has a huge amount of character. The last time I was there a chap asked if a neighbouring dog liked bones and duly produced a mammoth's jaw from an M&S carrier bag. That doesn't happen so often in pubs down south, particularly if they have carpets.

6 Jan 2009 21:59

The Half Moon, Durham

Another one to vist if you are in Durham. Try the offering from the local Durham brewery! Silver Moon was excellent on my last visit.

6 Jan 2009 21:55

Dun Cow, Durham

Definitely worth a visit if you are in Durham. My pint of Cumberland was excellent on a recent visit - but it is the Castle Eden for which the pub is justly famous.

6 Jan 2009 21:54

The Rifleman, Twickenham

I have revisted quite a few times and continue to be impressed. The landlord is, as a previous post says, a nice bloke and the beer range is decent, the quality excellent. This has all the makings of a cult pub - provided that people like me don't keep writing about it on BITE!

6 Jan 2009 21:47

The Willoughby continues to offer some really excellent and unusual beers of late. It may not delight all - but, if you are interested in good and interesting beer, it is great.

6 Jan 2009 21:43

I need to address my post of 15 May as prices ssem to have reverted to being more than reasonable: �3.15 for ESB on my last visit and �2.70 for London Porter. The latter is a bargain for so splendid a beer: I sampled the same in a Putney pub for �3.30. And the food, although not cheap, is also pretty good.

6 Jan 2009 21:40

The Roebuck, Hampton Hill

I would be delighted if someone were able to say that the "George gone" romour isn't true.

20 Jun 2008 00:17

Made my two yearly visit (well - ok - a bit more frequent than that) the other week. Was delighted by absence of Badger beers. Too much Sharpe's for my liking but, aside from Youngs Ordianire, there was Hepworths Sussex and a Bateman's seasonal. Really excellent!

20 Jun 2008 00:15

I have to say that I prefer the Landlord (whom I have always found to be fine) to the vicious ginger cat.

More importantly, this pub can be relied upon to deliver some good beer surprises, often when others in the area fail to: only three beers on on my last visit but, with one Vale's Gravitas, I was more than happy.

15 May 2008 23:40

Foresters, Hampton Wick

I wish that they would put some more exciting real ale on here. It is doing a lot right - but Pride as the only real ale choice is a disappointment.

15 May 2008 23:34

I know that beer prices have gone up but they are sky high here: I can get a cheaper pint in Central London. At one time, beer prices were relativelt reasonable here. The hike seems to be not unconnected with a recent change in local management.

15 May 2008 23:31

The overall feel of the new place is definitely a bit weird - and I wonedr how succsful it is - which is a shame as many of the important things are now right, particularly the beer quality and the choice, Recently, this has extended to seasonsals such as Dragonsfire and Early Bird. I would return for those and very much hope that they keep the seasonal beers on!

15 May 2008 23:29

Well - I have been biding my time and letting John, the new and clearly very experienced Governor bed in. But I have to agree with, and build on, the previous post: while reasonably happy with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it approach", the place is a bit stagnant, particularly the beer range. Apart from the absence of Twickenham guests, Brakspears Oxford Gold was the guest long after its sell by date and has now been replaced by Hobgoblin - which is nearly as exciting as the replacement of Abbot by Old Speckled Hen, the only other beer change that I have noted. Bearing in mind the pub's recent history, particularly the fact that I sampled Hepworths Old and a spectacular Fullers Vintage before Christmas, and the fact that May is Mild Month, things could be better - indeed, at one time, the guest changed weekly and was invariably from a micro. All I can say is that I am spending less money than I was there - which cannot be an entirely good thing!

15 May 2008 23:19

The Rifleman, Twickenham

I was very pleasantly surprised. The pub is currrently being repained and, although a bit spartan inside, is actually very clean and tidy. It is a locals pub and a drinkers pub - but a nice snd varied clientele and actually not unwelcoming.

Bar service was excellent on my visit - incredibly courteous with an enquiry as to the quality of the beer. As to which, the range was more than ok - two Twicks + Youngs Ordinaire and Courage Best. The beer I sampled was in very good condition.

All in all, this is definitely worth a look in, especially if you are taking in the Prince of Wales which is just round the corner. The two would do very well working hand in hand.

15 May 2008 23:10

The Adelaide, Teddington

I remember the landlord, Dermot, well from the Cheshire Cheese at 5 Little Essex Street in central London. Check put the past posts on that pub: he remains "the charming Irish landlord who is a gentleman". He has made this pub into a good one, with very nice home-cooked food. If only he could extend his empire and sort out the Swan in Hampton Wick!

6 Jan 2008 10:49

While agreeing with the posts below, it is time to get over it and just accept that this is no longer a pub but a hotel bar. But it has three Fullers ales, usually including the seasonal. The beer is almost always in excellent condition and, against the odds, the place is back in the Good Beer Guide. London Porter has been really excellent of late.

6 Jan 2008 10:39

On fine form at the moment. I particularly enjoyed the Adnams Old here the other day. An other less usual beer was 1648 Winter Warrant which was excellent.

6 Jan 2008 10:34

6 months on from my last post (and tehre shoudl be more of these), it is still great - even without a beer festival!

1 Dec 2007 15:16

The news of the owners imminent departure is a real blow. Let us hope that their successors are like minded.

In response to the posts below, I would not want this place to become more family friendly than it is but have to say that I have always found the landlady to be very pleasant to my children and to me. Perhaps it is badly behaved children/parents that she objects to? I have absolutely no problem with that!

1 Dec 2007 15:14

I went in there the other night. It smells of trouble. This does not reflect at all well on Shepherd Neame, particularly when just a few years ago the place was refined to the point of being at the other end of the spectrum. If there is to be a regime change, bring it on quickly. As it is, this pub's greatest contribution to the life seems to be the gaining of a CCTV for Hampton Wick - telling placed immediately outside this pub.

1 Dec 2007 15:07

Goodness - I had a half decent pint of Adnams Yuletide in there the other day. A shame then that the lack of any thing resembling service caused me to up sticks: so bad an experience that I shall not revisit. There is clearly an issue with management rather than with individual staff. Tried the Oak along the road instead: excellent service, an interesting Surrey Hills beer (though food rather expensive).

1 Dec 2007 14:59

The Royal Oak, Borough

A flagship within the capital for Harvey's beers - rather hard core real ale for some perhaps but quite brilliant in my book. The variety of ale on offer can usually sustain an entire evening. The excellent and genuinely home-cooked food helps things along. All in all, an excellent pub.

20 Jun 2007 23:40

The Roebuck, Hampton Hill

Regrettably I am waiting to experience a decent pint of real ale here - which is a shame as it has such potential. Service can be offhand as well. I am close to giving up on this one. Perhaps its lagers, wines and food are the key to its apparent success?

16 Jun 2007 10:58

I come here every two and a half years or so. I have no idea why I visit so infrequently as it is a very nice pub: good atmospehere, decent ales and a lot of charm!

16 Jun 2007 10:54

The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames

I admire a great deal of the ethic here. But this ends up being a pub (or restaurant?) that is partly directed at a grown up market and partly at kids. In the area, the two can go hand in hand but, for bears of little brain like me, it is all rather confusing - and reflected in the reviews below. They do try hard with their real ale but the quality is often not there compared to the other local real ale pubs. Food, when I have eaten, is excellent, however.

16 Jun 2007 10:50

I want to love the Willoughby - but there is something that stops me from going the whole hog. It never seems immediately welcoming to an infrequent vistor. The beer range can be really interesting but also limited on occasions. And beer quality can be a little variable - though more often than not it is excellent. If all that sounds unduly negative, I should add that it occasionally veers towards complete brilliance and is certainly well worth a look if you are in the area!

16 Jun 2007 10:42

Quite simply a local gem. Always a good range of real ale. Well worth seeking out.

16 Jun 2007 10:32

The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick

What were Fullers were thinking of when the wrecked this pub by turning it into a hotel with the smallest bar/dining room in the world? In complete agreement with the comments below, particularly as to lack of soul. As it is, it is not a bad place locally to sample a pint of Fullers - at least the beer is usually in good condition.

16 Jun 2007 10:30

I quite like the Railway. It has decent real ale and a nice garden at the back. It is true that it is a die hard locals pub but it deserves to do better and should be supported.

16 Jun 2007 10:26

The Seven Stars, Chancery Lane

Always charming but I had not visited for many years until the other night. Sampled the two beers from Dark Star (Mild and Hophead) which were excellent if pricey. Recommended in the area.

16 Jun 2007 10:22

Been coming here for some years. A bit expensive perhaps but you pay for what you get locally. Beer range (5 real ales) does not change quite as much as it once did but there is usually something of note. A slightly surprising winner of CAMRA London pub of the year 2006 to my mind but an excellent pun nonetheless.

16 Jun 2007 10:19