BITE user comments - beer_monster_smudge
Comments by beer_monster_smudge
Stayed the weekend just gone here. It seems to be the hub of the local area with restaurant, rooms, live music and a good range of ales and cider served by young but enthusiastic staff. Tribute and Otter Amber Ale good but Dartmoor Best was as flat as a kipper's dick and was well past its best. To be fair this was acknowledged by the staff and a new barrel put on. Weekend went by in a bit of haze but there's a great vibe about this place! Will return...
8 Oct 2012 10:23
Visited on Saturday just passed. Friendly efficient staff and a decent pint of Tribute on tap. They also had Doom Bar and one other I can't remember. Watched the football and had a pretty decent session in a nice environment.
8 Oct 2012 10:16
I've been coming here on the way back from football matches for years and I do love this place! It always seems to have a good selection of well kept ales and the service has always been fine, even when the place gets packed, which it sometimes does on a Saturday early evening, particularly when there's a match on the box. You could spend weeks trawling the sporting paraphernalia on the walls and ceilings here - must be a massive fire risk, but it's great fun!
10 Sep 2012 14:54
The Northcote, Clapham Junction
Paid a brief visit here last night. Had a excellent pint of Sambrook's Wandle but the Sharp's Atlantic IPA was a little 'dead'. I noticed another chap get some ridiculously short measures on a couple of pints so service may be a little mixed. Decent buzz about the place though, and obviously popular with the 'well to do' local young clientale!
30 Aug 2012 14:16
Went here to cool down in the afternoon having taken Mrs Smudge and the kids to the Olympics on 9th August. She was sweltering by late afternoon and needed to cool down so this was handy being right outside Southwark tube. I had a fine pint of Ringwood Best and a pint Worthington Red Shield, both superbly poured using the right labelled glasses (I quite like that touch!) The family all had soft drinks which seemed expensive, but I'd certainly go back to sample again.
28 Aug 2012 15:21
Visited on the Saturday afternoon before last. The Withies down the road was inexplicably shut on probably the hottest Saturday of the year! Anyway a dozen or so of us settled in the patio area round the back and quaffed a few beers. They had Tribute and Hog's Back TEA on and the Tribute was fine, if not as exceptional as it can be when perfectly fresh. The bar was a bit pokey without much elbow room but service was pretty good. Nothing special really was my takeaway...
28 Aug 2012 15:14
Bankes Arms Hotel and Country Inn, Studland
Paid two separate visits last Saturday, pre and post beach. Bit of a tourist trap understandably but great beer garden overlooking the bay and it's own Isle of Purbeck micro brewery on the side of the pub wofting the malty aroma over the patio area, which wasn't enjoyed by all. Wasn't so keen on the home brew personally, but really enjoyed the Milestone ale in the afternoon. Fine old building and worth a visit.
3 Aug 2012 08:47
Classic old boozer with raggedy garden and ales straight from the barrel. Wadworth 6x was a bit limp and flat last Sunday. They also had Speckled Hen and Abbot I think but couldn't try those because the place shut at 3.00 p.m, which seemed bizarre on a sunny Sunday with a garden full of people! Would give it another go but the beer would have to improve...
3 Aug 2012 08:40
Usually visit this pub when in the locale and did so whilst camping last weekend. Dorset Brewing Co Jurassic was excellent as was the Doom Bar. A big group of us enjoyed the garden for a couple of hours in the sunshine. Friendly service but soft drinks for the kids seemed pricey. Hey ho. Didn't try the food although quite a few people were. Inside is smallish and laid out a bit like a restaurant.
3 Aug 2012 08:36
The Stag on the River, Eashing
Mrs Smudge treated me to lunch today and we'd never tried this place before. Awesome outdoor location on a lovely day. Well pricey food led us to the (still pricey!) sandwich menu, although they were very nice indeed. I guess you pay for the location. More restaurant than pub inside which is a bit of a shame, but Hog's Back TEA, Surrey Hills Shere Drop and Stag's own brand Spring Ale (Marston's brewed apparently) on tap. I tried the Spring Ale and the Shere Drop and they were both very good. A very pleasant couple of hours spent outside by the river. Just the lumpy prices lets it down.
30 Mar 2012 18:23
The Catherine of Aragon, West Byfleet
Visited last night after disappointment at Corkers! Huge interior of fairly recently done out station pub. It looks and feels a bit stark and souless. Having said that, service was friendly and London Pride and Doom Bar were both in pretty good nick. Sky TV to watch football on a massive screen available. Food ok but nothing special.
28 Mar 2012 09:17
Been here (Corkers) a few times and always a little disappointed. Ale is generally unreliable (Doom Bar was not too fresh last night) and toilet facilities are inadequate! Dreadful and intrusive music last night as well to boot. Perhaps just a bad night at the office... Could be quite a good venue.
28 Mar 2012 09:13
I sometimes use this pub for watching football and dropped in on Saturday lunchtime. London Pride and Bombardier were on tap and the Pride was in fine condition. Food looks a bit cheap and cheerful and too many kids running around for my liking, but generally friendly and great for people watching...
27 Mar 2012 14:27
Quick lunchtime visit last week and the place was deserted. Had a very nice pint of Brain's 'Bread of Heaven' and sat in front of the fire. I imagine it's very busy in the Summer and probably to be avoided at busy times, but a great location and good outside area to watch the sun go down.
8 Mar 2012 08:39
I don't think it's got the famed curry house addition anymore but I have to say I liked this place on a quick visit last week. Marston's Pedigree was excellent and service friendly and accomplished. Nice open fire blazing and the food looked ok and remarkably reasonable. I didn't tray it, but quite a few people were enjoying meals in the bar area.
8 Mar 2012 08:36
Payed a quick visit last week. Very food oriented and less of a pub than it looks but menu looked very good (didn't try it though!). Had a lovely pint of Templeton Wildebeest but didn't try the Rev'd James that was also on draught.
8 Mar 2012 08:32
Ok place with cosy snug area by a quirky 'heath robinson' wood burner, which was a great place to warm up! First pint of St David's Ale wasn't up to much but the Felinfoel Double Dragon was very acceptable. Service too slow for my liking.
8 Mar 2012 08:27
Visited last week. Good location for the coastal path and Felinfoel Double Dragon and Evan Evans Warrior sampled which were ok but perhaps not exceptional. Turn over maybe a problem this time of year. Having said that the place was reasonably busy at lunch time and the food was ok. Quirky, but interesting decor, although a proliferation of laminated signs and posters rather upset the effect. Worth a visit though.
8 Mar 2012 08:22
Visited last week on a couple of occasions. Great location overlooking the beach with great fire and wood burner keeping the place cosy. Draught Bass was very good but didn't try the Rev James also on offer. Food is a tad pricey but had one exceptional meal there on my birthday! Service accomplished and friendly, but this was very much 'out of season'!
8 Mar 2012 08:17
Tried it last night to watch the Chelsea match on TV. Doom Bar and Brain's SA were very presentable as was the pizza we ordered and the place was surprisingly ok. Woking town centre has a dearth of decent pubs but I'd probably visit again midweek. Friday or Saturday night might be a different kettle of fish though...
22 Feb 2012 10:56
Dropped in for a couple of pints last night. The Pride was in good nick and this pub always seems to have a pretty good buzz about it. Good for sports viewing and watched the end of the cricket followed by some football. Badly located (and unnecessary?) fruit machines caused a bit of a blockage between bars but a generally reliable boozer. Better with the switch from Marston's to Fuller's.
22 Feb 2012 10:50
The Lamb Tavern, Leadenhall Market
Dropped in one evening last week. Busy as ever but Young's always reliable. I do remember when it was about the only thing served here. Lager drinkers have slowed down the service over the years but still a great city institution. I look forward to some Summer evenings standing outside!
20 Feb 2012 08:12
Popped in whilst passing the other day. Exterior looked promising from a distance (without my glasses on!), but there was a complete over proliferation of those nasty blackboards with chalked offers of fish 'n' chips etc. which rather ruined the effect. Anyway it was quiet with a mixed clientele which I guess you could expect from the location outside Gloucester Road tube. Staff were friendly enough though and I had a couple of pints of Young's Gold which I have to say was very good. They also had Pride, Spitfire and Morland Hen on offer.
16 Feb 2012 12:48
The Three Horseshoes, Thursley
Went for a long walk in the snow around the Devil's Punchbowl from Thursley on Saturday and stopped off at this pub on our return for a welcome beer and some sustenance. Unfortunately we got there at about 2.30 after the kitchen had closed, so missed the food, although a dessert order was taken on the table next to us in the bar area 10 mins after we'd arrived, so perhaps a sandwich could have been accomodated. Either way, I had a pint of perfect TEA followed by a similarly perfect pint of Shere Drop by the wood fire, which made up for any food shortages on my side. Mrs Smudge and junior had a bag of crisps each. I think it's got a Surrey Dining pub of the year accreditation now, so I assume the food is good but will have to wait and see. Menu looked pretty good. I also assume the place will become pretty busy on the back of the above, but I'll give it another try at some point!
14 Feb 2012 12:00
Dropped in for a post work pint last night. Quaint Fuller's pub with tiny downstairs bar and bigger upstairs bar serving beer which was in good order. Hook Norton Hooky bitter was the guest beer and this was in good nick as well! Worth a visit, but not in a big group (downstairs anyway!).
9 Feb 2012 13:12
The Duke of Cumberland, Henley
Visited yesterday for a friend's 50th and although it was cold and dark outside, a warm welcome awaited us and the ales were all excellent. Langham's Halfway to Heaven, Hip Hop and Best were all on as was Harvey's Sussex. All were drawn straight from the barrels racked up behind the bar. This is a classic Summer pub from memory but sitting by the real fire was also a delight in Winter. The food we had at the function was very good and I expect we'll go back when we can in future!
3 Jan 2012 11:43
A colleague had a leaving do here last night. The place was pretty busy with a good vibe about it. There was a vast array of mainly Christmas ales and I had a few pints of Welton's 'It's Christmas' which was pretty good and well served and presented throughout. The interior of the place is quite spectacular if you take a close look at it. My only complaint would be that the bar area seems a little too small for the size of the place and I had to wait a while on a couple of occasions to be served. Pretty good for a 'Spoons though and worth a visit. Prices kean as you'd expect.
20 Dec 2011 08:42
Dropped in on Saturday late afternoon, having visited occasionally over several years. This is a cracking little old fashioned boozer with lots of charm and a friendly atmosphere to boot. I had some lovely Courage Best and there were three other unusual or local ales on draught as well, although I didn't sample. Shame the fire wasn't lit, but I think it usually is at this time of year.
19 Dec 2011 14:54
Oh dear... A misguided ex colleague of mine decided to have a gathering here last night to celebrate his 50th. I understand it was Happy Hour from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. with half price drinks, but the background (the irony!) music started too loud and got louder. Of course I got my round in after 7.00 and paid a stonking �4.40 for my Adnams, which was flat and bland. The coup de grace were the additional pints of Becks Vier to go with it, weighing in at a staggering �5.30 a pint! I don't mind paying a level of premium for undeniably attractive staff, but good grief! Dreadful place - don't be tempted.
15 Dec 2011 14:13
Popped in early one evening last week for a couple of pints. Had a pint of Brentwood Blonde and 'Top of the Hops', which were both excellent and pretty good value. Service was also good and the place had quite a nice feel to it, with perhaps just a whiff of fried food which might put some off. This is the best pub in Woking town centre these days. Sadly there is little competition!
13 Dec 2011 12:34
Friendly old fashioned local which felt and looked a little tired on Saturday just past, but it was a proper pub! Doom Bar was good with Otter Ale and a third ale which escapes me now also available. Friendly service but perhaps worryingly quiet for a Saturday night...
5 Dec 2011 15:58
Had a couple of pints here last Saturday evening. The place was busy with good atmosphere and a well designed and appointed lounge and bar area. The Courage Best wasn't as fresh as I think it needs to be but the Tribute was lovely. London Pride was the other beer on offer. This place is more of a good restaurant than an outright pub, but they are one of the few places to have reasonably successfully separated the two, meaning you can have the best of both worlds here. I have eaten here before and would say the food and service were really very good.
5 Dec 2011 15:55
Popped in early evening last Saturday with some chums and the place was mainly laid out as a restaurant with groups at tables in paper hats etc. eating their dinners, which was a bit of a shock to the system. Not therefore really that pub atmosphere that I like. Having said that, the Shepherd Neame Kent's Best was in excellent condition and we spent a pleasant hour at the bar. Probably more foody than pub these days but that seems to be the way we're headed...
5 Dec 2011 15:49
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
Stopped here with sibling Smudge the week before last and it hasn't changed a jot since my previous visit a few years ago. The Samuel Smith's bitter was excellent and there was a warming coal fire in the grate. Dark wooden bar areas and a labyrinth of stairs and different rooms are part of the package. It wasn't too busy and I have to say I very much enjoyed the visit!
5 Dec 2011 15:43
The Craft Beer Co, City of London
Dropped by last week having heard a lot about this place. A plethora of mainly boutique beers were available and the atmosphere was buzzy with an eclectic crowd of wannabe beer connoiseurs in attendance. The Dark Star Hophead I opted for tasted more bitter than I remember but I was after more of a session beer at the time rather than a tasting session. Nothing wrong with the place but perhaps just not my bag.
5 Dec 2011 15:36
The Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell
Olde world pub which is something of an institution offering the range of St Peter's beers. Beer was excellent and atmosphere good as well, although conditions were somewhat cramped last Friday, when a group of us descended for some pre-prandials! Probably not the best choice for a biggish group but I'd definitely recommend this place.
5 Dec 2011 15:29
Ye Olde Watling, Mansion House
Dropped in earlier today for a couple. Proper old fashioned bar area with old beams and sloping floors, supplemented with good views of some of the local office workers out of the windows... Both the Woodforde Wherry and the Tribute were excellent, although the seemingly standard eastern European Nicholson's bar staff need to learn to fill the glass up to the top. There was no problem with this request though. Nice atmosphere and good beer, although this place will get busy at times, with service suffering accordingly. Several other ales available but I only tried the two, albeit twice!
16 Nov 2011 15:58
Visited last night for an early retirement do. Nothing special about this place and dark, dingy and hot at the back end! It's a Greene King pub but I noticed Mean Time London Pale Ale, which didn't taste at all good so I switched to London Glory which was ok. Later on someone got me the Mean Time again by accident and it was lovely (assume a barrel change?) so I stuck with it. The spread of food was bland at best and the manageress rather surly and by my reckoning partial to munching on the odd rug...
1 Sep 2011 08:45
Had a meal there last weekend. It's a restaurant first and foremost but has a rather soulless bar area as you enter. The staff were very friendly and welcoming and I had a pint of Sharp's Cornish Coaster as an aperitif, which I have to say was lovely. The food was also very well executed and presented and it was one of the nicest meals I've had for some time. Great wine list as well, if a tad pricey. Food pricey as well but recommended for the occasional treat. Can't really rate this as a pub though!
22 Aug 2011 08:21
I can't really make my mind up about this place. It's not really a pub any more but a M&B top of the range gastropub. Food good some days and average on others, whilst the beers (Pride, Youngs Ord and Bombardier last time) taste ok, they are too cold, as if they're being pulled through a cooler or something. Mrs Smudge likes it anyway which I guess accounts for something!
17 Aug 2011 14:43
Visited during the rain affected cricket yesterday. Busy but with a nice atmosphere. No Youngs on, but the Bombardier was fine with Green King IPA the other option. Quick service from friendly bar staff, although beer selection somewhat underwhelming.
29 Jun 2011 15:06
Not really a pub any more by my estimations, but a noisy gastro emporium. St Austell Tribute was off on Monday but the Tongham TEA was very good. Food was pretty good for those interested in such matters, but could do with more soft furnishings to deaden the noise of clanking cutlery and crying babies...
1 Jun 2011 11:07
Dropped in last Sunday whilst on a longish walk. It was a bit like stepping back in time and the place looks very tired at best. Having said that, the welcome was friendly and the Courage Best in good order although that was the only beer available. Great old photos of the place on the wall which I like, but no atmosphere as the place was virtually empty.
1 Jun 2011 10:18
Dropped in with Mrs Smudge a couple of Sundays ago after being dragged out shopping, having heard that it had changed hands and been revamped. I had a very approachable couple of pints of St Austell Tinners (sorry can't remember the other beers on!) I remember the pub fondly in years gone by as one of the few real pubs left in Guildford, with decent beer and live music. Too early to say how it will fair this time, but no problem with the ale!
25 May 2011 08:51
The Walrus and Carpenter, Monument
Caught a lunch time beer in the hot weather a couple off weeks ago. Not enough bar staff on and so annoyingly slow service. I had a pint of White Horse Village Idiot which I had to ask to be topped up as it was a rushed pour. Sadly the hapless barman went straight to the Fosters tap for the top up, on which the wag next to me said 'I think you've found your village idiot'! Not a good visit, but I do use this place quite regularly and the beer is usually very well kept and service friendly, so I'll put this down to a 'blip'.
25 May 2011 08:46
The Abinger Arms, Abinger Hammer
Dropped in with some mates on Sunday to catch the Premiership finale. Courage Best was well kept and barmaid welcoming and friendly, doing us some chips at half time! A few locals in situ but not much else doing. Not sure where this place is headed, but with a bit of work it might be great. Moorhouse Black Cat was the second ale on, which was also good, although not my personal cup of tea!
25 May 2011 08:39
The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo
Dropped in to meet a mate for a couple of quick ones before catching the train earlier this week. The place looks tired at best (!) and you might not take your girlfriend there, but the Young's was excellent and the atmosphere buzzy for a Tuesday night. Good place to meet up with mates before moving on.
14 Apr 2011 12:25
The Chainlocker and Shipwrights, Falmouth
Popped in for one on the recommendation of my hotelier. Busy place with lots of locals and a nice atmosphere, but the Cornish Knocker wasn't as good as at The Front 50 yds away... Great views in the day time I imagine!
6 Apr 2011 11:45
Popped in last Thursday as the chalkboard caught my eye. Disorganised looking place inside but the Skinners Cornish Knocker was superb, as was the Hopback Summer Lightning drawn stright from the cask. Quirky but interesting and well worth a visit for the ale list alone.
6 Apr 2011 11:42
A regular haunt and it was as reliably charming as ever last night, even with the scaffolding up at present. Hopback and Boondoggle were excellent as the beer always is. A gem of a proper London boozer.
6 Apr 2011 11:37
Splendid pub popular with walkers, cyclists etc. Excellent Badger ales and dependable Sunday roast. Fantastic location on a bright Spring Day!
29 Mar 2011 10:16
Visited on a warm May evening and they had Tribute on as the special (third) ale which was exceptional. The Shere Drop was also drinking beautifully and I have to say I've never had a bad pint here, although recent price hikes means that I don't visit as often as I'd like. The recent decor change is not to everyone's taste, but the pub is well worth a visit for the ale quality alone.
29 May 2009 13:35
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Red Barn, Woolacombe
Visited on the Friday just passed and whilst the exterior didn't promise much, I was impressed with the place. As a group of blokes we were advised of their policy towards 'stag' groups at the outset which was just fine. The beer was in good nick with Dartmoor Best, Black Sheep and Tribute all drinking well. We ate there as well and the food was ok pub grub and perhaps not much more. One chum of mine had the halibut which was declared very gay! They also had a band on who were very good. It's good to see pubs supporting live music when they have the ability to host it! Nice feel about this place and I'd return again!
8 Oct 2012 10:33