BITE user comments - wee_jock
Comments by wee_jock
Trafalgar Freehouse, South Wimbledon
Cosy free house with 6 real ales always on and live music on Saturday evening, ( an impressive Frank Sinatra tribute act on our visit) , and Sunday lunchtime. The beer range is usually Dark Star Hophead plus 4 other guests (�2.80) and a specially brewed house beer called Market Ale from Ascot Ales (�2.60). The Hophead and Market were very good, with the Market popular with the locals. They also had Riegele German lager on tap and in bottles, which weren't tried, but were nice to see.
Although it's a bit of a trek from Wimbledon town centre, (it's not too far from the Sultan, so a visit to both makes sense), it is fairly close to South Wimbledon tube station. As has been stated below, it is very small, making it very busy on the Saturday evening we visited and a bit awkward to get through the crowd to the toilet and back, but all in all this pub is one to visit if you are a real ale fan.
11 Mar 2010 14:09
What a fantastic pub. Visited on a Saturday night and it was in full swing, with the TT beers flowing along with 2 guests, (Phoenix and Abbeydale). The Dark Mild was superb and only �1.86 too!
29 Jun 2009 14:08
Fantatsic TT pub, not too far from the train station. Tiny inside, but spotlessly clean, serving up very good beer, (the Golden Best and Dark Mild were sampled and enjoyed). Also sells cask cider - a must visit pub when in Keighley.
29 Jun 2009 13:59
Fairly basic ale house within walking distance of the city centre, with a good selection of ales on tap. Supping the tasty Moorehouses Black Cat while watching a band playing to a small (but enthusiastic) crowd in the back room was a very pleasant way to finish off a Saturday night in Leeds.
29 Jun 2009 13:53
Modern bar serving 3 Leeds beers in very good nick, if a tad cold. The presentation was enhanced by serving the half pints in lined 'balloon' glasses. Popped in as we were on the way to the nearby Cross Keys, but actually preferred here.
29 Jun 2009 13:43
Not much to add to Gann's description other than they now have a small micro-brewery upstairs producing a lager called 'Leodis', which sadly had just ran out when we visited. Tried the Leeds Pale and Samba and both were fine. The two non-Leeds brewery beers were from Osset. Very handy for the train station.
29 Jun 2009 13:28
Prompted by previous posters' comments, we made our first visit to this pub, to find a jazz session in full swing, which was a nice surprise. (They plan to have these sessions every Sunday night). The pub itself comprises 2 bars, decorated in a modern style to a very high standard and the toilets were impressive too.
4 real ales were available - Wye Valley HPA and Butty Bach plus 2 guests - Vale Black Swan and a Phoenix beer. We tried the Phoenix and HPA - both were good, so we had some more, while listening to the music. Recommended.
1 Apr 2008 14:14
Don't know if this pub is normally open on a Sunday evening, but it was closed at 9pm when we passed by, so we took the advice of others on the board and visited the nearby Lord Clifden, which was indeed very good.
1 Apr 2008 13:46
A bar over 2 floors with, as the name suggests, a cow orientated theme, (cowboy film posters, horns etc). Under the same ownership as the nearby Seven Stars, with a similar range of drinks on offer, (Adnams, Harveys, Bitburger, Aspells etc).
On the Saturday evening that we visited, almost all the tables were reserved for diners, (though there were stools at the bar to sit at), so it's really aimed at diners rather than people popping in for a casual drink. The Harveys Best was OK, if a little warm, but I can't see that I felt like staying for more than one.
29 Jan 2008 09:15
The frontage of this pub looked so enticing as we passed by that we couldn't resist popping in for a look. What we found was a traditional, friendly, one roomed boozer with a few locals watching the Saturday afternoon horse racing on the big screen TV and having a laugh with the landlord.
On the beer front there were 3 real ales, (Adnams Bitter, Deuchers IPA and St Austell Tribute). We tried the St Austell (�3.00/pint) and it was excellent. Nice to see a good old-fashioned pub thriving in Fitzrovia.
28 Jan 2008 13:53
The Fox and Anchor, Smithfield
First visited this pub on Saturday night, (26/01/08), and I must admit I was very impressed. The splendid tiling outside leads to a long thin bar with a further room to the rear with 4 intimate little booths. The features are classy - dark wood panelling and stained glass abounds and the atmosphere enhanced by candles on the tables.
On the beer front there were 6 real ales on, (3 from Nethergate), plus a selection of bottled British beers including St. Peters and Grand Union. The beer was served in pewter tankards - even the half pints. The Nethergate Barfly (�3/pint) and Old Growler were both very good. (The keg fonts did not specify what was on, but from reading another BITE comment it appears that Meantime Helles is available). Well worth seeking out.
28 Jan 2008 09:44
Received an email today from the people at CAMRA's National Inventory to say that the pub will now re-open on 3rd January, (the original date was 14th December).
Apparently they were informed of this by Sam Smiths, so I assume that it is accurate.
6 Dec 2007 13:07
Superb Harveys pub selling their full range of ales. The Mild (�2.40) and PA (�2.50) were in excellent condition on Sunday afernoon, and the food looked very nice too. One not to miss when in the area.
20 Aug 2007 09:24
Popped in on Sunday afternoon, (it opens 12-4), to find a friendly bustling back street pub full of locals enjoying themselves. 4 real ales on tap - Youngs Bitter, Spitfire and 2 frequently changing guests, (Coach House Summer Sizzler and Arundel Summer Daze on my visit), with the Arundel in good nick, (�3.15/pint). A pleasant surprise, with fresh flowers on every table and no TV, music or fruit machines. Note the pub is closed on Sunday evening and all day Saturday.
20 Aug 2007 09:06
Only previous visit was on an Autumn evening when it was busy and had a good warm atmosphere, selling a nice drop of Deuchers IPA. Re-visited on Saturday afternoon, (14/07/07), and found it pretty empty and the Twickenham 'Naked Ladies' beer far too warm to enjoy. Given it was �3 a pint, I was expecting a lot more. Overpriced and disappointing, probably one to avoid on warm Summer afternoons.
16 Jul 2007 09:09
Popped in on Saturday lunchtime to find an excellent selection of real ales available from West Berkshire brewery, (4 different beers), along with Dark Star APA, Purity Gold and Taylor's Best Bitter. The barman provided generous samples and all 4 beers bought were in good condition. Very impressed - will call again.
16 Jul 2007 09:00
The Waggon and Horses, Halesowen
Famous ale drinkers pub which was very lively the on the Friday evening we visited. It comprises a long thin bar with two wider rooms at either end. 15 real ales available, mainly of the light hoppy variety but at least one dark one usually available. Quality was pretty good, but as with most pubs with such a large selection of ales, reducing the range by a couple would sharpen it up a touch. Also has Liefmans Kriek and Framboise on draught.
10 Jul 2007 09:59
Thriving free house comprising several rooms. A main bar area, (somewhat dominated by the pool table), a smaller, quieter room around the other side of the bar and a lounge area to the side. A good choice of real ales was available, (8 or so), and the quality was very good. 5 minutes walk from the Waggon & Horses.
10 Jul 2007 09:30
Brewery tap for the adjoing Windsor Castle brewery, which produces Sadler's ales. The pub is clean and bright, although the seating seemed more geared up to diners than drinkers when we visited, (a Friday evening). 7 Sadler's beers and a guest, (Okells), were available on handpump and the quality superb. Food not tried but looked good. Will definitely visit again when next in the West Midlands.Handy for bus and train links too.
10 Jul 2007 09:08
Usually has 3 or 4 guest real ales available at �1.79/pint, which is very good value for the area. Quality is good, but the ale is generally served too cold. If you are after decent real ale in Woking, then Sovereigns and Wetherspoons are the places to visit, but be aware 'Spoons can get very busy on Friday and Saturday night.
27 Feb 2007 14:21
Been in this pub a few times recently and usually 6 real ales are available, (Deuchers IPA is the permanent beer with 5 constantly changing guests). Last night I tried the Wychwood Dirty Tackle which was in excellent nick and have tried equally good pints of Oakham JHB and Caledonian XPA on previous visits. They also have tasting notes on the beer and give samples before you buy, so all in all a top beer pub in my book. Recommended.
27 Feb 2007 14:07
Modern bar with attached (visible) microbrewery just off Oxford Street. Had reserved signs on almost all tables on Saturday night, (we just sat down at an empty one anyway - nobody seemed to mind), and tried a sample tray of 4 beers for �3.20. I thought the quality was pretty good, with the Blonde and dark lagers being the best. Worth popping in for a quick drink, but this is not really the kind of place I'd personally want to stay all evening.
26 Feb 2007 12:32
The White Horse, Parsons Green
Visited on Saturday evening to find the pub surprisingly quiet. Tried a pint of Oakham JHB (�2.50) which was disappointing, so switched to the excellent selection of Belgian draft beers, priced between �3.50 - �4.00 per pint, which given the quality and strength, (from 7.5 to 10% abv), seemed fairly good value. Also have Meantime IPA on keg, which was also very good. Will definitely visit again.
26 Feb 2007 09:35
Visited during their Yorkshire beer festival (24/02/07). Pub was packed with beer drinkers, Fulham supporters and Morris men. Good selection of (30) beers and the quality was superb, but some of the prices were OTT, (even for Putney).
26 Feb 2007 09:27
Town centre pub spruced up and revitalised by enthusiastic landlady. Now serving 3 reals ales - Bass (always on as it's an M&B pub), along with 2 guests (e.g. TT Landlord and Hogs Back TEA on a previous visit). Currently running a mini beer fest(13 ales) till the end of March, with 3 on at any one time and samples available before you buy. Beer quality on two recent visists has been very good and the food looked good and reasonably priced, (but not tried).
26 Feb 2007 09:19
Visited on Saturday lunchtime to be told that all real ales were off due to "a problem with the gas"! When I asked which gas, I was told "Nitrogen"(?) According to a friend a similar thing happened to him in the Crosse Keys in Gracechurch Street. Not impressed. Is there something dodgy going on in Wetherspoons' cellars?
26 Feb 2007 08:56
The Crown and Sugarloaf, Bride's Lane
A lovely liitle pub just off Fleet Street selling the usual Sam Smiths range. The real fire gave the pub a nice warm atmosphere on a cold night. Whatever you think of Sams beer, you have to commend them for the effort they've made with this place. Recommended.
12 Dec 2006 13:37
A good selection of 5 real ales available here on Friday night (08/12/06) - Belhaven Fruit beer, 2 from Grand Union, a Cottage beer and EPA - a house beer brewed for them by Nethergate. Tried a Grand Union and Belhaven both of which were fine.
As a pub, the decor isn't very inspiring and a large screen TV somehat dominates, but it's worth a visit for the beer.
12 Dec 2006 13:25
The Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell
Four draught ales available on Friday (08/12/06). Tried the Mild which was very good and the Suffolk Gold which lacked condition. Good selection of St Peters bottled beers available so we tried the Winter Ale (6.5% - �2.90) which was OK.
It looks like they have a real fire but it wasn't lit - which is a pity - as the pub had a cold feel to it, despite the fact it was packed.
12 Dec 2006 13:07
Popped in for a pint early on Friday evening (11/12/06). The pub was packed both inside and out, but luckily managed to get a seat in the small front bar.
4 ales were on offer - Deuchers IPA, Adnams Bitter, Broadside and Everards Sleighbells priced around the �2.75/pint mark. Tried the IPA and Adnams Bitter both of which were on good form.
Outside gents and food is limited to snacks, (toasties seemed reasonable value at �1.50). Will definitely go back, but maybe try and find a quieter time to visit, (unfortunately it's shut weekends).
11 Dec 2006 14:31
The Wibbas Down Inn, Wimbledon
Large, above average, (for real ale choice and quality), Wetherspoons, with 2 separate bars at either entrance.
Visited during the Autumn beer festival and found 18 real ales on handpump, and all the ones we tried were in good nick. Since then we have been back several times and the range and quality is generally very good, (one minor quibble is that the ales on the 'main' bar are a bit too cold at times).
11 Mar 2010 14:26