BITE user comments - THUNFAN007
Comments by THUNFAN007
Hi, been a regular here again for the last year, beer standard good (try before you buy offered ) prices £2.50 guest ales upto 7.2% good range reliable food, a big "dont queue walk upto the bar" sign installed. dedicated eating area helps corral children & their unruly parents hehe so overall very good pub.
11 Apr 2018 12:25
hi popped in for the bank holiday beer and cider fest, prices and range good ,friendly staff and great thai food,
11 Sep 2015 22:35
The Full House, Hemel Hempstead
always has a good range of quality beers at low prices , monday there was 6 beers at £1.85 and 2 more at £1.99. they have beers from the spoons list plus local brewers red squirrel/ tring/ concrete cow and haresfoot. the foods very good and always hot. staff are helpful and keep the place spotless including the loos. easy disabled access and just 2 minutes from the bus depot.
18 Jun 2015 09:34
The Full House, Hemel Hempstead
very good pub, choice of 15 ales at £1.85 a pint plus regular beers , polite staff , good manager, very clean, interesting and surreal interior,mixture of clientele and no chip shortage like some pubs. just a moments walk from the bus depot and shops.
21 Oct 2014 09:14
The Land of Liberty, Peace and Plenty, Heronsgate
hi, nice pub, beer range and quality good, prices ok , clean and tidy.
30 Mar 2014 17:04
very good pub, landlord pulling through beer as soon as one runs out, plenty of food served from lamb shanks to cheese platters, good mix of clientele, i think my 5.9% wolf beer was £3.75 so not too bad.
30 Mar 2014 17:00
hi, normally the words charles wells put me off but this pubs a gem, knowledgeable friendly staff, must be 10+ hand pumps of interesting beers from 3 to 7% ( £3.30 ) as well as some wells and b&t regulars, good decor and very clean, great chip shop next door.
30 Mar 2014 16:55
ciders tried were very good ( £3.75 ) beer range fairly standard, football day so everyone has to have plastic glasses.
30 Mar 2014 16:46
Hi, great pub very clean with friendly staff, all beers tried were spot on and reasonable prices, range of ciders also good, tidy large garden and some parking. wish this was local.
30 Mar 2014 16:40
this place looks rough like a rock pub but when you see the range and quality of the beer ( in the top 2 of the 8 pubs tried )
27 Oct 2013 11:44
interesting interior, cheap beer, very clean but all the beers tried could have been better and cooler.
27 Oct 2013 11:40
i liked the pub but the 6 guest ales our group tried were all 6/10 or lower.
27 Oct 2013 11:37
good pub, polite and helpful barmaid, 3 guest ales tried all very good.
27 Oct 2013 11:33
had an excellent curry with a cracking guest ale for £6. 3 more handpumps fitted so currently 12 ales on, much improved.
25 Oct 2013 22:32
clean pub with different areas for dining etc 2 guest beers tried were ok, young staff not very attentive
25 Oct 2013 22:26
well worth a visit, spotless , great beer, interesting interior,good staff.
25 Oct 2013 22:23
Beer festival this weekend very well organized ,good prices and quality, tasty food, friendly landlord and staff, get some food and beer in and watch the barges pass by.
31 Aug 2013 13:27
clean pub with 3 standard beers , helpful staff , has a pewter bar top very unusual.
3 Jul 2013 10:49
The Carpenters Arms, Harpenden
wonderful display of hanging baskets and tubs and well maintained garden leads you to the friendly staff who serve you well kept if standard range of beers in a very clean and interesting pub.
3 Jul 2013 10:44
interesting guest ales , food looked good with unusual items, clean pub with tidy patio area.
3 Jul 2013 10:40
decently quality but standard range of ales , good food , clean pub.
3 Jul 2013 10:35
Tried 8 different third of a pint samplers today and all were good. 11 handpumps 3 ales were from banks and taylor . staff very helpful and the pub was very clean, good mix of clientele.
16 Jun 2013 17:15
it was good to see the garden full for the 1 day beer festival and a great hog roast ,a dozen beers and ciders on offer. a nice clean pub back now with proper management fills a gap between upper town and st.micheals at the lower end.
14 Jun 2013 22:31
Had 3 very good beers here 2 were brewed on site at about 3 quid each then a lovely all day breakfast including proper bread and black pudding.
14 Jun 2013 22:08
The Strathmore Arms, St Pauls Walden
cracking range of beers on today , Danny is a great landlord always quick with a joke and banter, good homecooked food and then samosas to keep you going through late afternoon, dog/horse/tractor friendly pub, reachable on 2 hourly bus from st.albans to hitchin via the villages, beer fest in june; has a good upto date website.
4 May 2013 18:12
nice clean pub, good range of ales at reasonable prices, friendly staff, does 6 mixed thirds for 6 quid, lots of ciders available, try it.
4 May 2013 18:03
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
Had an excellent value 3 course Christmas dinner for £16 with beers from thornbridge, red squirrel and arbor ales all in great form as usual, the staff are attentive and very helpful . Still st.albans most reliable choice of quality ales.
12 Dec 2012 23:21
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
Cracking range of beers on today 3.6 - 6.5% and pale to stout ,best kept range i have tried in this town, had the fishermans platter for lunch very good indeed.
22 Nov 2012 23:37
hi, in the barn today; from the festival list liberation rouge springhead leveller avery 3.5 wadworth blunderbuss browererij blonde and bruin banks howling hook norton lion and off normal list vale special growler dapper orkney raven brains sa adnams southwold batemans xxxb old bear goldilocks adnams broadside 6 percent beers still only 2.30 , cheers .
24 Oct 2012 08:19
Visited today for the beer festival, about 30 beers and 10 ciders on ,everything from both racking and bar was in very good condition. prices about �3.20 upto �3.75 for 6.5 percent. food looked good,bar and toilets very clean. bus drops off almost outside from st.albans/sandridge/wheathampstead/whitwell etc so a nice addition to a crawl.
20 Oct 2012 13:38
back a year later for next beer fest but this pub has priced its self out of the market at �3.80 for standard beers ( same price would get oakham black baron 8.8% at the nearby blacksmiths arms or �3 for more interesting ales )
5 Oct 2012 22:52
beer festival on til sunday night ,20 beers on with coolers,all the ones i tried excellent and the double cheeseburger for �5 was superb, helpful staff,clean bar and loos ,great beer tent setup. prices good for the area especially if you like strongrer brews, also an 8th pint free card reduces prices . will be back.
15 Sep 2012 17:52
Very good quality beers today including a new oakham, cotswold, 2 hambletons , citra and a porter plus loads of ciders. prices good when compared to beer quality, still take wetherspoon vouchers 1 per visit.
14 Sep 2012 09:55
great pub for a pint and a read during the day very quiet but with good well priced food cooked in sight of the bar. had 7 beers on including kernel brewery,oakham,tring,magic rocks and 2 from their on-site verulam brewery viewable from the patio garden were they have several beer festivals. has a late licence and gets packed for its 3 times a week live music. a good pub crawl is blacksmiths-mermaid-farmers-white hart tap-white lion-boot.
28 Aug 2012 10:27
this pub made a real effort with their beer festival;marquees and cooling jackets for the beers outside, a variety of curries,sausages and roast dinners on sale.tidy garden with plenty of seats.beers tried were all good.
28 Aug 2012 10:14
great bank holiday beer festival with all day music on the monday , 50 beers and ciders, superb hog roast and bbq. garden has masses of tables and is well planted, friendly staff and helpful landlord.
28 Aug 2012 10:10
good range of beer ,far too warm with no condition but helpful male staff member offered tasters so at least it could be made into a cold shandy ( needs must on a hot day ) for the price needs to try harder before the waterend barn soaks up all the dissatisfied ale drinkers.
19 Aug 2012 13:58
now does a sunday and wednesday carvery 3 meats and help yourself to veg and gravy etc for �6.50 including a drink which on the ales was abbott reserve, old empire, old thumper, batemans xxxb, ringwood fortynine , adnams 2 beers, abbott and ruddles, both beer and food were excellent . also air conditioned. cider and beer fest coming up end of september to coincide with st.albans fest.
19 Aug 2012 13:51
we were in town for the scarecrow festival so popped in as they had a beer festival on ,beers were very good and served by volunteers outside but the regular staff inside the pub seemed slow and easily confused by any request.
19 Aug 2012 10:06
excellent burger deal today came with abbott reserve ;also on an oldershaws beer,pale rider,2 adnams,2 others all 1.49 .good level of staff and a sunday carvery now introduced.
9 Aug 2012 00:01
in the barn today , they have now enhanced the lighting so even the the small print on the menus can be read. essex beast ,old growler ,old thumper, broadside,old empire all �1.99 also 2 rebellions,2 adnams plus usuals. also a projector type tv for sports has appeared. clearer flat 1 sheet menus now replace the plethora of stand up menus that cluttered the tables. more staff now used and roy the manager always to be seen working the floor area keeping an eye on the place. i hope the standard will stay high as this is currently the best quality for price in st.albans.
21 Jun 2012 19:06
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
saturdays beer range went from oakham citra very light 3.6% through 8 other ales to the mighty death or glory at 7.2%. loyalties cards still in use .new menu looks good and large garden very well planted.
17 Jun 2012 21:20
good quiet place for a sunday lunch -chicken/pork/lamb shank etc under �9 good service plenty of seating ,food deals and a decent pint.
17 Jun 2012 21:14
beers on good form today all at �1.75 ,more staff in here now and tables cleared quickly , took just 7 minutes for steaks and gammons to arrive at the table cooked just right, polite staff and new manager keeps out some of the rougher element. lighting is to be improved shortly in the main area although the smaller barn is an ideal place for a quiet meal and has seperate till and table service for drinks and is better lit. a good mix of locals ,family,young and old.
17 Apr 2012 17:01
beer fest today all beers in good nick from the outside bar.
8 Apr 2012 23:21
cider and beer fest this weekend all at 6 thirds for�6 all in good condition, clean pub, helpful staff, give it a try.
8 Apr 2012 23:16
very good quality of ales over the bank holiday weekend beer festival all at �3 ,the food looked good value for a fiver too, friendly helpful staff, clean pub,range of seating and areas ,dartboard ,large garden and parking. will be a regular.
8 Apr 2012 09:29
good place for a quiet drink or read a paper during the day, 3 real ales normally on ,ale and food good at the price especially puddings ,helpful staff. goes mad in here friday /saturday night .
19 Mar 2012 23:36
A GREAT SHAME THIS PLACE IS CLOSING VERY SOON DUE TO EXPIRY OF THE LEASE, 9 beers on today ;incl 4 festival ales at �2.25, food good and friendly staff.
19 Mar 2012 23:24
the chains owner has staff in until a landlord can be found, has been refurbished, offer of �6 for 6 thirds at present.
13 Mar 2012 22:27
Good range of quality beers and friendly staff and locals but i have to agree about that stink near the front door.
13 Mar 2012 22:12
Great boozer , reasonable prices and choice of good ales ,friendly staff.
13 Mar 2012 22:10
good pint of fullers black cab and itchen godfathers, friendly staff, bit of a hillclimb there.
8 Jan 2012 22:03
6 harveys beers on in good form, traditional front bar area with a smart modern back area, helpful landlord.
8 Jan 2012 21:55
nice clean interesting pub,good tim taylor ,pleasant staff, if your out of shape catch the bus here as the hills a killer.
8 Jan 2012 21:52
beer quality always rough some promising beers ruined by dirty lines ( old peculiar,vale,purity etc none tasted as they should have ) maybe just too many beers for what seems like a lager/bottle pub. otherwise well presented,clean pub,regular music .
15 Dec 2011 10:34
The Partridge, Partridge Green
very good beer range and quality, tasty food,good service,nice clean pub.
6 Dec 2011 11:46
GREAT OAKHAM BEERS IN HERE SATURDAY,GOOD PORTERS AND A RANGE OF STRENGTHS.
27 Nov 2011 13:37
DARK ALES FESTIVAL ALL BEERS IN GREAT CONDITION WILL RETURN SOON
27 Nov 2011 13:34
this is a nice looking,clean pub that has good looking food, but i have not ever had a really good beer here;always flat and tired even though its from decent breweries usually . just hope new landlord will settle in and resolve this.
24 Nov 2011 23:34
in today, 4 guest beers on including there exclusive house ale;prices reasonable for location and camra discount here. friendly helpful staff,food looks good,nice place for a read or chat.
24 Nov 2011 23:20
in here saturday afternoon a few locals present,very smart pub but the beer was ropey; doombar /hooky /2 others i gave up and asked for a newcastle brown and was told they did john smiths which is the same thing!
23 Oct 2011 16:02
we tried all the beers and they were not spectacular,the food was good but at �10 for a steak burger you would expect that, clean and tidy inside and out, very picturesque,
23 Oct 2011 15:53
fantastic beer and cider range good prices,clean and tidy plenty of seating, very welcoming,
23 Oct 2011 15:43
Crown and Sceptre, Hemel Hempstead
great pub superb beer very clean reasonable prices lovely food.
23 Oct 2011 15:39
went in today for their 1st beer festival and the choice and quality were good,new friendly landlady ,decent food.prices right for the area,very clean. short walk out of town past station or bus 3 times an hour,give it a try.
19 Oct 2011 07:26
beer and sausage festival here this weekend;food very good and beer well kept 16 ales on, very clean , good friendly staff, mix of clientele, will return as i heard good things about sunday roasts.
7 Oct 2011 16:05
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
excellent days drinking here today,beer fest at end of month. comments amuse me;if beer is great and service is great how can a pub be just ok ,those are the 2 main factors for a good pub(lack of salad in a pub is a plus point surely)
18 Sep 2011 00:07
fantastic beer fest on over the weekend,40 beers +bar everything i tried in great condition.wonderful bbq ;had the burger/wedges/salad combo a really good meal for the price,too full to try the venison roast that came on later, all the beers had cooling jackets so no warm offerings here; 2 more days of this fest including music on monday,
27 Aug 2011 21:01
i like the feel of this pub,the nice mix of furniture and areas tv if you want it or a stack of games, good mix of beers/cider etc. very quiet until mid evening .i wish it were possible to open up the middle of the bar so the front bit didnt feel so small and isolated,the landlords a great guy and it would be nice to see him pulling more pints as imo a good chatty landlord/lady does make a pub.
4 Aug 2011 23:26
popped in last week and was pleased to see adnams/brewdog and 2 other beers on ,had old rosie cider �4.20 a pint;price made up for though as i got to sit in a gold throne whilst drinking it in the back bar and stared at a suit of armour as others had cream teas.
4 Aug 2011 23:07
The Strathmore Arms, St Pauls Walden
here today for the beer fest quality very good indeed ,friendly crowd,good food,good prices,well worth the trip.
17 Jun 2011 21:46
well this pub was going quite well ;beer at �2.40 and food pretty good, but the shift manager has a policy of suddenly taking beer/s off sale to sell next day rather than sell that one out and have to put on a fresh one ;so yesterday with 9 handpumps only ruddles/abbott and 1 guest were left on for the after work customers.
4 Jun 2011 09:23
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
hi,more beers than i can drink today and big plates of food passing by, highly recommended
11 May 2011 20:13
Hi, went to the easter beer fest. about 20 real ales on ;everything i tried was top quality and reasonable prices also 20p off for camra members, superb hog roast followed by bbq which i know from previous days is always good NO iceland burgers here . pub and garden always clean and tidy.already looking forward to the bigger august weekend beer festival.
29 Apr 2011 16:32
beer fest going strong quality good, place has been cleaned up,fewer wonky chairs etc. hope they can keep up the good work.
8 Apr 2011 14:13
First day of the wetherspoons beer fest , 5 beers on racking food was good as usual.
24 Mar 2011 12:29
First day of the wetherspoons beer fest so the staff were in costume with a band playing outside a much better atmosphere than usual. good range of beers ;light / dark / hoppy / ginger and normal bitter all �2.05
24 Mar 2011 12:26
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
in early today 10 beers on mainly light but tasty oakham/brewsters/bombadier/dr.mortons . �5.95 pie and pint deal. continually great beer and service;still 7th pint free.
11 Mar 2011 22:58
went in mid afternoon and a barrel of essex beast had just gone on and it was gorgeous with curry on special at �3.99 very nice.
11 Mar 2011 22:49
beer range looked good today but on trying to purchase beer it turned out 3 handpumps had nothing connected, also the hsb was tires so that just left pride and abbot so off to the blacksmiths for a choice of 10 beers all on form.
11 Mar 2011 22:46
Great pub, there last night for the jam session,5 brodies beers at 2 quid each and 2 guest ales on, cheese burger and chips 4 quid very nice, good mix of people and very interesting decor ,beer fest in april;check their website it gives good beer info.
4 Mar 2011 10:01
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
hi, great selection of beers again this week from brewdog 3.2% to oakham 5.5% light/ dark/nutty/malty/bitter/fruity they have al sorts. beer fest at the end of the month.
12 Feb 2011 18:43
went in last week,very clean,staff friendly,hsb very nice,discount for camra members,very quiet at lunchtime so thats a bonus if you need a lunch break meal,has about 4 sections away from the bar so quite cosy.
7 Feb 2011 23:27
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
HI,SEASONS GREETINGS, fantastic selection of ales on christmas eve both light and dark ,weak and strong. had the turkey roast for 7 quid very nice. good atmosphere plenty of laughter ,friendly landlord and staff.
28 Dec 2010 20:03
cider fest recently,good range of beer today, mini fest on 25th sept. curries very good in here, sensible amount of staff.
18 Sep 2010 19:30
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
yet again great food and large choice of ales with polite staff.
18 Sep 2010 19:25
hi, went to the beer fest here last year and it was superb quality ale,this years is 4-6 nov.
14 Jul 2010 14:17
The Strathmore Arms, St Pauls Walden
great pub ,superb beer range ,wonderful ham egg and chips and jacket potatoes ,house beer one of the best ever ,great landlord ,fun regulars, 2 beer fests a year, regular bus route or large car park, nicely redecorated ,range of belgium beers too .
14 Jul 2010 13:57
the last 7 times i walked out again because they used to have 6 pumps with 2-3 true guest ales then they installed 3 more pumps and now can barely manage 1 at a time ;plenty of coming soon and abbott and unnamed. sticky carpets and tables,rickety chairs and long queues . on the bright side the toilets are spotless. the big beer fest here is always worth visiting but only on the 1st 3 days.
14 Jul 2010 13:44
i drink in this pub every saturday around lunchtime and ive noticed both the beer quality,range and temperature have improved also seems like slightly more staff as well ; the shift managers are helpful if you are not sure what ale to have, the foods good for its price although i have yet to find a spoons that has mastered the humble chip.
14 Jul 2010 13:30
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
hi,i drink regularly in the blacksmiths and some of the comments here are confusing 1-the landlord is not a very young man ;but is a very experienced landlord. 2-beer choice of at least 8 ales usually from 3.6 to 5.7 percent ,sometimes upto 7.5 . 3-light beers only ;often a dark beer available but sales of these in summer will not be that high so who would overly stock them;on a similar note their beer is always the right temperature . 4- if you want to suggest a beer or beer style then just write a note or use a "pump action ticket" and they will see what they can do. 5- the 7th pint free card to use anytime is great making the average abv about �2.45 which is great. the food is always good and hot and served all day ,draught real ciders are now being introduced. i think this pub fills a great need in st.albans between the historic overpriced/under quality pubs and the cheap but unreliable wetherspoon waterend barn.
14 Jul 2010 13:14
O'Neills, St Albans
Closed years ag now a steakhouse
22 Dec 2019 13:04