BITE user comments - BeerManiac
Comments by BeerManiac
One of the best pints in Harpenden at the moment. Three beers from Purity, Tring and Fullers - all in good nick and 3.10 a pint
Pub is very restauranty but the front bar seemed to be drinkers only on my visit - keep that up - with diners in a seperate section/restaurant.
Vast improvement from my last visit. Staff were friendly and efficient.
4 Jun 2011 16:51
I see the Woodman has just been voted CAMRA Hertfordshire pub of the year so well done. Certainly an excellent pub with excellent beer. I will be paying this weekend's beer festival at the pub a visit.
4 Jun 2011 16:42
Quite a nice pub and worth visiting for the interior features. Beer range for seven hand pulls totally unimaginative though: Pride, Old Peculier, Abbot, Youngs, Landlord, etc . Landlord not in bad nick although a top up needed to be requested.
8 May 2011 10:14
The Pheasant, Shefford Woodlands
Very near the M4 (great) but what a disappointment -
Two Lodden beers plus 6X. I tried both the Lodden beers and they were both as flat as pancakes and freezing cold. The landlord also had his hand right round the top of the glass form where I was about to drink which really bugs me! I certainly wouldn't put this pub in the Good Beer Guide
As regards the food. I agree with one of the previous postings when I asked for the lunch time menu the only thing on the menu was a cheese and tomato baguette with chips (�7.00 or �7.50 can't remember which) so I opted for the fish and chips �12.50. I was expecting an enormous portion for that price but it was fairly small by pub standards although it was perfectly cooked and it did arrive quickly.
At the end of the meal I was presented with a bill where the service was included on all items including the drinks. What a cheek. I will not be returning.
The landlord was grumpy too and infront of his customers chastised one of the girls serving. Not very proefessional
3 Nov 2009 13:38
The Gari is (was) one of my favourite pubs in St Albans. I went in Tuesday night and the beer was barely drinkable. Contrast that with the previous governor who kept a fantastic pint. He would have given a lot of of Fullers publicans a run for their money. The pub needs an enterprising couple to get the pub back on its feet, and it will be an up hill battle, with so many good pubs nearby. Therefore, pay some REAL attention to the drink first. No one goes to the pub to drink poor quality beer and play bingo and karaoke. My advice to the current governor is get the beer right before turning your attention to karaoke and pub games. Best of luck.
17 Jun 2009 20:59
The Carpenters Arms, Harpenden
Thought I'd give this pub a look in after some of the mixed opinions aired. Beer range tonight was Crouch Vale Brewers Gold, Harveys Best, Greene King Abbot, Adnams Bitter, Courage Best. I had both the Harveys and the Brewers Gold. Both in excellent form. The food that was being served looked good too - a starter plus steak and chips and a starter for �9.95? Pub was busy not surprisingly. I liked it and the staff were friendly and efficient. Locals seemed like a good bunch too.
5 May 2009 21:37
This pub is not shut. Only Adnams appeared to be on when I visited. There was no one in the bar at all. I waited 5 mins to be served and no one turned up so I left.
4 May 2009 14:50
Certainly agree with the last posting. This palce is really a restaurant. No real ale on at all on visit - something to do with the pipes! Bar man was friendly enough offering a pint of John Smith's smooth instead. I made my excuses and left.
4 May 2009 14:47
Very much improved since that South African governor left. The beer has been spot on when I've visited recently. The food is good too. Very nice pub
4 May 2009 14:39
Fantastic discovery this. Popped in during the week and some CAMRA presentation for Pub of the Year (runner-up) going on. Excellent pub with reasonable prices no wonder CAMRA like it. Friendly staff - will be back.
4 May 2009 14:33
I agree with MisterX last two times I've been in the Windmill beer range very mediocre. I specifically went there for the Pitchfork but it hasn't been there on my last two visits. Looks like it not coming back?
12 Apr 2009 18:23
The Black Horse, Clapton in Gordano
Beautiful pub full of atmosphere. Friendly bar staff too.
Very unimpressive range of real ales most of which could be found elsewhere - the guest beer was not on. Apparently it was not ready. Fair enough so I tried the Butcombe. It was completly flat. Not being over enthusiastic on the other ale brands I tried the Black Rat cider which was OK.
Great pub but I won't be rushing back
12 Apr 2009 18:01
Excellent pub - the beers Deuchars, Golden Pippin, Pride and Landlord all in superb form on my visit and in lined glasses too. Very impressive. Don't see that very often apart from Beer Festivals. Food was good too - huge portion. Will be visting again very soon.
12 Apr 2009 13:51
The White Swan, St Albans
If you like real ale then this ain't the place to be. The beer was sour and undrinkable.
11 Jan 2013 16:41