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BITE user comments - The_Greene_King

Comments by The_Greene_King

The Castle, Holborn

I'm seriously impressed with the ale selection in here, 8 constantly rotating beers that are very well kept and a list of what's coming next. Haven't tried the food yet, but it sounds good and it's all locally sourced from Borough and Smithfield markets. Only downside is it's not the most comfortable of pubs but it would be OK if you preferred standing or sitting on high bar stools! Despite this, it still comes highly recommended.

13 Aug 2008 17:09

The Rake, London Bridge

A tiny little pub hidden away round the back of Borough market. Two changing ales on pump plus four other taps that usually contain continental lagers, ciders or perries. Also, a large selection of bottles in two fridges behind the bar. All part of the Utobeer shop that is actually in the market which is also well worth a visit. Highly recommended when it's not busy.

4 Aug 2008 17:26

The Oakdale Arms, Harringay

Finally got around to visiting this place and you definitely cannot complain about the beer! A fine selection from the Milton brewery (tried the Nero, Sparta, Dionysus and Pegasus) plus a guest. My only minor grumble was that the place was absolutely dead on my visit aside from a few locals which gave it a slight ominous atmosphere until I settled in. I'm sure it's fine though when there's a few more people there and I'll definitely pay it another visit soon. Recommended.

4 Aug 2008 17:08

The Carpenters Arms, Marble Arch

Decent little back street pub with six handpumps serving a good variety of rotating beers. I have tasted beers better kept than they were here on my visit, but it was still perfectly acceptable nonetheless. Recommended if you're in the area as there aren't that many places like this round here.

2 Jun 2008 12:02

The Princess Louise, Holborn

The interior Princess Louise is nothing short of magnificent. You have to praise Sam Smith's as they've gone for restoration instead of refurbishment and spent a lot of money on restoring this pub to it's original layout. There is certainly less space than before and at busy times it's harder to move around but you'll be able to forgive this fact. If you want space, find yourself a nice open plan All Bar One.

I've always found Sam Smith's beer to be a bit better than average (I've tasted far better, but I've also tasted far worse) and there's no difference here. You can't complain at paying less than �2 a pint for OBB though, even if I did move onto the far superior (but more expensive) bottled Oatmeal Stout once bored.

Overall the pub it's definitely worth a visit, even if it's just to have an explore of wonderful interior!

3 Apr 2008 18:01

The Junction Tavern, Kentish Town

Usually visit on a Monday or Tuesday evening for a pint or two in the evening on my way home from work. Four very well kept ales always on, with Caledonian's Deuchars being a regular. A relaxed enough atmosphere so you can sit there and read for a couple of hours.

Regular beer festivals in May and August are well worth visiting, but get there early as they usually run out quite quickly!

Highly recommended.

4 Mar 2008 12:19

The Fox and Anchor, Smithfield

I'm not sure what this place was like before the refurb, but it can't have changed much as the interior is listed. It's obviously had a polish and a clean and this, for me, takes away a bit of character. The atmosphere is nice though, mainly because of the small booths and candles for lighting. Still, the ale selection was very good and very well kept, but I have to say that I find the whole pewter tankard thing a little gimmicky. The food was very good, if a little overpriced.

Despite my minor gripes, this place is still well worth seeking out and is one of the best pubs in the area. Recommended.

3 Mar 2008 12:34

The Wyndham Arms, Salisbury

A typical Hop Back pub, so it instantly acquires a high rating. A near full range, a seasonal plus a couple of guests, all in excellent condition. Local clientelle who just sit there and let you get on with the business of drinking. Highly recommended!

12 Feb 2008 12:16

The Mucky Pup, Angel, Islington

Excellent, comfortable little pub away from the hussle of Upper Street. Great atmosphere, good jukebox and three well kept ales - Sharps Eden Ale as a regular plus two guests. Highly recommended!

6 Feb 2008 17:44

The Rosemary Branch, Islington

Fairly inoffensive pub with a good range of well kept Fullers beers plus one guest. Seems to house the local clientelle. Has a fairly decent jukebox, DJs on certain nights and a theatre upstairs. Worth a visit if you're in the area.

28 Jan 2008 16:00

The Compton Arms, Islington

Considering this is a Greene King pub it's pretty good. The usual Green King selection plus one guest (a nicely kept St. Austell's Tribute on my visit). Overall, a nice, small and almost traditional place that is a welcome getaway from all the soul-less places along Upper Street.

Btw, JohnBonser, Olde Trip is now brewed by Green King, not Hardy & Hansons. It is a common trait that Greene King adopt in their pubs - not to update the pump clips to make it look like they're selling guest beers. If you think it tastes good now you should have tried it before GK got their hands on it - infinitely better!

23 Aug 2007 12:27

Ye Olde White Bear, Hampstead

Been here twice now and each of the six pumps have had different ales on each time. This is exactly what kind of selection most places should have. The beer is well kept and the atmosphere is relaxing. Definitely worthy of repeated visits.

23 Aug 2007 12:14

The Lansdowne, Primrose Hill

Exactly what you'd expect from a pub in this area in terms of clientele and decor. The churlish bar staff also leave a lot to be desired, although you can get an occasional friendly one. Two well kept ales on offer here that are usually Wells Bombardier and Jaipur from the Thornbridge Brewery. There are however, occasional guests that replace one or both of the regulars, so worth checking out for that reason alone. Like most places in this area, worth visiting if you're nearby, but don't go out of your way to get here.

5 Jul 2007 13:31

The Princess of Wales, Primrose Hill

Probably the only pub in Primrose Hill to have a 'local feel' to it. Three reasonably well kept ales on offer with London Pride and Adnams Bitter being regulars plus one regularly rotating guest. Worth a visit if you're in the area, but don't make any specific effort to get here.

5 Jul 2007 09:33

The Duke of Hamilton, Hampstead

Fairly inoffensive pub with a comfortable 'local' feel to it. On my visit they had two fairly well kept Fullers ales (London Pride and ESB) plus at least one guest and a cider. Worth stopping off here if you're on a crawl of the area, but not worth going out of your way for.

5 Jul 2007 09:26

The Holly Bush, Hampstead

An excellent little pub located around the back streets of Hampstead. Four well kept ales always on offer (they've always been Adnams Bitter, Broadside, London Pride and Harveys Best Bitter on my visits) and very nice food on offer (especially the pies). Overall the place has a nice ambience about it and is well worth repeated visits. Recommended.

1 Jul 2007 18:39

Quinn's, Camden

Quinn's used to have a superb range of Belgian and German beers, but recent visits has seen the selection gradually decrease. It's a shame because it was the only real reason for going here. Four reasonably well kept real ales are served, two regulars (Greene King IPA and Abbott) plus two guests that aren't always available. Worth at least one visit, but be warned, it can get packed if there's sport on the TV!

30 Jun 2007 16:25

The Alehouse, Reading

If you're into Real Ale, then it's worth a little excursion to this place. A fine selection of constantly changing, well kept beer makes the �15 train fare from London more than worth it. Nice secluded little booths out the back and more beer mats on the wall than you can drown in. Highly recommended.

26 Jun 2007 09:26

The Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell

A good pub and the only one that St Peters still owns, hence the near full range of their own beers in bottles (save for the seasonal ranges). The only down side is that whatever they have on cask can be a bit hit and miss at times and it is usually packed solid so it's best to get there in the afternoon or late evening! If you like St. Peters beers then you'll love this place, if not you won't, simple as that. Definitely worthy of repeated visits though.

25 Jun 2007 17:13

The Harp, Covent Garden

Good pub, there aren't many places like this around the area. The upstairs is usually pretty quite but the downstairs can get packed. A range of four or five Real Ales with Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Black Sheep Bitter as regulars. The guest beers aren't particularly adventurous at times, but at least they change regularly and are nicely kept. Recommended.

25 Jun 2007 16:24

The Evening Star, Brighton

If you like Dark Star beers then you will not be disappointed with the Evening Star. One of only three Dark Star pubs and if the others are as good as this then they're onto a winner. Serving seven real ales (Usually four Dark Star selections and three ever-changing guests) along with a wide selection of bottled conditioned ales and imported beers. Nice atmosphere, even when it's full of Brighton supporters on match days! Very highly recommended.

25 Jun 2007 14:36

The Seven Stars, Chancery Lane

I highly recommend seeking this place out if you're in the area, in fact, it's probably even worth a journey out of your way to find it. A good, changing selection of well kept beers with Brewers Gold (which is probably one of the best golden ales you'll ever try) and an Adnams beer seeming to be the regulars. Definitely worthy of repeated visits.

25 Jun 2007 13:47

The Three Tuns, Finchingfield

Judging by the choice of beers I'm guessing this has been taken over by Greene King. Only IPA and Ale Fresco on offer plus the usual lagers, ciders and bottled stuff. No sign of the 'excellent choice of local beers'. In fact, the only sign of a local beer was bottles of Ridley's Old Bob, which is brewed by Greene King now anyway. I have never visited this place before and it's a decent enough pub, but if they did used to serve local beers then it's another in the long list of pubs that Greene King have taken our choice away from. Disappointing.

25 Jun 2007 13:14

The Wenlock Arms, Hoxton

Easily the best pub for Real Ale in London. A constantly changing selection of beers with at least one mild always on offer and they are always well kept. Great salt beef sandwiches and the occasional 'interesting' local. Have always felt comfortable on my many visits here - could happily make this place my second home!

25 Jun 2007 11:57

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