The Skylark, Croydon

I haven�t been in this pub for a while so I popped in on firework night.
The Skylark is a typical spacious spoons pub. The waist high tables lead to a wide staircase and an upper level. A beer garden towards the back which has heaters for those chilly evenings. Not too many curry enthusiasts for a Thursday but glad they got rid of the chap in the Gents loo encouraging you to use his knocked- off aftershave.

I tried the DAVENPORTS LAST MINUTE by Highgate brewery west midlands 4.5% billed as a golden cask larger. Had a smooth taste but seemed like flat larger. I had another pint, this time BOSS Hog a bronze coloured ale with a distinctive taste of malt. Didn�t get the refreshing zest or underlying spices ...certainly wouldn�t Hogg my attention too long.

I tried a of Pint of DARK ISLAND 4.6% brewed by Orkney brewery. A dark colour, like Guinness with a frothy head and the taste was acceptable with a hint, i thought, of chocolate.

14 Nov 2009 09:38

The Moon on the Hill, Sutton

Yesterday, slipped into the MOTH (no aroma of chunder...yet) I tried a pint of CAINS FINE RAISIN BEER 5.0%ABV brewed in Merseyside. The last time I tried the scousers favourite the strong raisin flavour was very sickly and one pint was enough. However, this time they seemed to have toned it down and I agree with the tasting notes It could be enjoyed with red meat. Mind you how much of the tasting notes is Bullxxxx, I don�t know.

I also sampled WELLS BANANA BREAD BEER 4.5%ABV brewed by Wells and Young...Surprise, Surprise it does taste like Banana. If you don�t notice the colour you could be drinking a Banana milk shake. However, both pints went down a treat.

14 Nov 2009 07:56

The Moon on the Hill, Sutton

On Monday 2nd November I popped in and as a regular I enjoy the comfortable, relaxed and clean surroundings of this pub.

Not being a real ale aficionado i thought I�d wet my whistle and sample the wide selection of ales.

I settled for a COTLEIGH LONG EARED OWL 4.9% by the Cotleigh brewery in Somerset. Very nice pint, described as an amber coloured beer. However, I didn�t taste any citrus mentioned in the tasting notes.
Tried a pint of THWAITES LIBERATION ALE 4.5%,Thwaites brewery Lancashire. Described as a chestnut coloured beer, didn�t get too much of the flavour mentioned in the book either but still a delicious pint.

Visited again on Tuesday and sampled GREEN KING BOSS HOGG 4.1%coloured ale with a distinctive taste of malt.
Then had the TOSHi�s AMBER ALE 4.4% brewed by Toshi Ishimore. I would say it was a Red coloured ale. The flavour reminded me of Saki, or was it herbs I could taste still very nice.

On Wednesday I tried the MOORHOUSES BLACK PANTHER4.8% from Lancashire. A very dark ale with aroma of chocolate but failed to detect the caramel.
Then I sampled the ANKER GOUDENCAROLUSAMBRIO 8% from Belgium. CAROLUS is dark and more copper in looks and went down nicely. Sadly, only sold in half-pint glasses. I bought two half�s a and asked for a empty pint glass but was refused. . Four halfs later and i felt at one with the world and at peace with god. I also felt I could take on David Haye, the Boxing champion, with one arm tied behind my back. Don�t remember the journey home.

Friday had two pints of PIER ALE 5.% RCH Brewery in Somerset. Billed as an amber ale(I�d call it amber noir) an easy drinking beer which is consistent with all the ales I have sampled so far.

The MOTH is an excellent venue to enjoy hot food and a few pints. The service is good and the staff seem to handle it well during the busy times. Be warned, on Friday and Saturday evenings any attractive young girls (glamorous young things)will be served before any middle aged men.

At lunchtimemid week, the family area does consist of elegant middle aged ladies with children and grandchildren and office staff enjoying the Thursday curry.

There is a small cobble stoned smoking area which is very popular except with those sitting near the open door on a cold evening. There is seating outside at the front of the pub. It is spacious and even has a beer garden at the family end of the pub. In general, the MOTH is cleaner than most spoons pubs

Sometimes late on Friday its full of glamorous young things who enjoy a pre club drink. However, I was informed that the vague aroma of chunder near the bar, was due to the glamorous young things returning from Chicago�s having been thrown out for being too Elephants trunk. So they return to the MOTH for more drink or just to be ill.

14 Nov 2009 07:34