BITE user comments - drinkingdad
Comments by drinkingdad
Is this a "marmite" pub?
Usually a ubiquitous ale selection when I go in.
They don't charge for the scowl from the barman either.
I don't like marmite
8 May 2014 10:46
Want a warm and cosy pub with well kept Fullers ales and a small but perfectly formed menu with specials on a board?
Come here but you may find it difficult to leave.
Strongly recommended.
8 May 2014 10:37
This didn't do it for me on my first visit.
Absolutely rammed and I could not hear myself think.
I reserve judgement until next time hopefully when it is less busy which given the beer selection of cask and craft may be difficult.
Do visit if you like your ales.
8 May 2014 10:22
Mightily impressed with this place.
Superb cask beer selection when I visited.
There was also a "craft keg" selection also.
I stuck to the Kent Brewery Altered States and Cobnut. Tried a Mallinsons Cascade before leaving.
All beers well under £4 each and in superb condition.
I now know where to come on my next London pub excursion.
8 May 2014 10:13
Lovely pub and an excellent man crèche while the better half goes shopping.
Beer prices can be a bit high but I don't always mind as the beer is always in fine fettle.
Never eaten there but from what I saw it looked appetizing.
Recommended
8 May 2014 10:03
I usually have to search for a beer here.
Selection often dominated by Oakham which is OK if you like your hop forward citrus ones.
Do ask about the bottled beers available
8 May 2014 09:40
Fast becoming my favourite place to drink in St. Albans. Varied selection of ales and cider always on. Usually a dark mild and brown bitter on. Makes a change from citrus flavoured beer. Handy for St.Albans F.C.home games in Clarence Park nearby. There is a selection of Belgian bottled ales behind the bar too.
8 May 2014 09:32
The Windsor Castle, Carshalton
Called in and discovered a beer festival going on.There's a stroke of luck we thought. The beers were from the barrel and mainly local micro breweries. Can't remember much apart from the big friendly boxer dog in the garden. Food available and more beers inside. I tried the Longman Best Bitter and enjoyed it.Another good pub on our Carshalton visit
7 May 2014 22:24
Came in here after The Hope for a first visit to Carshalton. Yeah nice...Dark Star American Pale consumed then onto the Windsor Castle's beer festival. Nice place
7 May 2014 22:17
I went here with a group including my son who recommended we visit here for the first time. Well it won't be the last for sure. A delightful pub with friendly regulars and staff together with a classy beer selection of Windsor &Eton Knight Of The Garter and Downton New Forest Ale both in superb condition. One of the group mentioned (my son in law) this was the best Knight Of The Garter he had ever tasted and he's had some practice! These superb beers are regular features here I was advised. Also Kent Brewery Altered States was available together with Brodies Sunshine (ithink) and Magic Rock Cannonball amongst others. As we all got here from St.Albans on groupsaver rate....we'll be back. I really recommend a visit here and there are ciders and lagers available from Belgium and Germany. Little wonder this pub is rated so highly.I didn't get to look in beer fridge but a bottle of un haman cannonball was purchased by one of us. Lastly they even had Magic Rock Highwire on.
7 May 2014 22:12
Usual joy here on my umpteenth visit. I had Buxton SPA followed by a half of Lagunitas IPA at a not unreasonable £2.50 a half considering it had to cross the pond to get here.
I live in St.Albans with a wide selection of real ale pubs to drink in but would I like to see a bar like this there?
You bet I would!
7 Jul 2013 14:02
We called in on the way to the Mumford & Sons gig at Stratford. My second visit here after fleeing The London Fields Queuing Festival recently.
1st visit good 2nd visit bad.
The pub was strangely empty on a hot day too at around 3 (ish)
Could the reason be £5.80 a pint for the keg Magic Rock High Wire complete with oversized heads on each of the three supercold pints served. And no extra charge for the surly barman tried rather badly to justify the price by saying "Well it is KEG!"
Well it was a goodbye from me and hello Tap East forthwith
7 Jul 2013 13:50
The Salisbury, Leicester Square
Lovely Victorian pub right slap bang in the middle of Theatreland/Chinatown.
I was taken here by my son who was keen to show me this...in his words " Nice friendly pub in the middle of London that cheerfully served good ale in a magnifcent oak panelled (or was it mahogany) interior."
He was not wrong...I have been here several times since and always got the same old friendly prompt service and well kept ale.
Why have I been several times since? Easy...because once you enter time slows up and you just don't want to leave. Currently my favourite London pub...no contest.
2 May 2011 17:35
I read good things about this pub.
You know the type of thing...prompt friendly service god choice of interesting well kept ales. So much so it was voted CAMRA's pub of the year 2010/11.
Was it so much hype?
Emphatically NOT!
This is a little gem....an essential visit when in London and only a stone's throw from Trafalgar Square.
As Arnie says...I'll be back!!!
2 May 2011 17:20
My son likes this pub a lot and try as hard as I can (several times)...sorry it is just not for me.
Here's the positives..good ales several choices invariably in good condition.
But maybe I am developing a complex....look I am 61 years old so why do I always get scowled at whenever I go in? Am I too much of an old fart for here?
My attempts at conversation to the bar staff invariably fall flat.
This is a sister pub to the White Lion nearby and they are friendly always..period.
Having said that it is popular and busy so do go in...might be the place for twenty plus somethings to visit that deem themselves too old for the town centre circuit bars and like to drink real ale.
2 May 2011 17:04
I'm beginning to believe this is where to go to try ales in their best taste and condition. i.e. drink it here and then see if anywhere else compares. If they do.....good, but don't be surprised if they do not.
The cellarmanship here must be superbly tuned to demand and turnover as I can't remember what decade I last got an inferior pint here.
Furthermore Isambard Lombard's review below succinctly describes this pub to a tee.
As he rightly says who could ask for more!
If you are reading this during opening hours and can get there...what are you waiting for?
A truly superb pub...impeccable.
2 May 2011 16:49
Went in today lunchtime and was received by friendly bar staff.
Six handpumps plus a cider available. For lager drinkers I saw Bitburger and Staropramen on the bar. Also some bottled Belgian beer on display behind the bar.
I had Buntingford Porter and Tring Brewery Side Pocket For A Toad both in excellent condition.
A proper pub and an absolute gem. Definately recommended.
15 Oct 2010 19:28
I always get a well kept Ale whenever I go in here. Say what you like about Spoons pubs and people do...but I like the amount of change I get back after paying.
10 Oct 2010 20:54
Don't know why but there is no atmosphere here.
Strange because it is a listed old coaching inn reputably haunted.
The staff are friendly the beer always good and my wife considers it her favourite pub in St.Albans so why is it half empty whenever I go in? Anyway when in St.Albans do go in and if you live here please visit....you will not be disappointed. Deserves to be more popular.
10 Oct 2010 12:35
A fine town centre pub ideal to relax in whilst shopping or just relax in period. Interesting selection of ales available. I even got a seat on market day! (Saturday) Worth a visit no doubt.
10 Oct 2010 12:24
As ever a good range of well kept beer available. Friendly lady behind the bar. My requested pint of JHB bitter coughed and spluttered whilst being pulled and was replaced by a pint drawn off from another barrel in the cellar That is good service. My beer and the Oxfordshire Ales Pheasant Bitter purchased were superb.I noticed a draught perry and a cider were available as well as several other microbrewed ales. As I left I made a mental note to come back (several times)
10 Oct 2010 12:18
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
Now laying claim to be a must visit when in St. Albans pub. Serving a selection of real ales usually including a draught cider it is a haven for the real ale drinker. Microbreweries are well represented here and are continually changing due to demand. I had a pint of Brewdog 5 AM Saint here....what a hop bomb that was!
10 Oct 2010 12:04
Good honest pub handy for St.Albans football club which is where I was heading for after here. I wouldn't complain if the kick off had been postponed. It is the sort of pub it is difficult to leave. Friendly people inhabit the large public bar here and they come from all walks of life. Good beer I had Charlie Wells Eagle Bitter.....when in St. Albans go to this pub. there are unobtrusive TV screens for the footie and a decent food menu here. Any pub crawl of Snorbens ought to include this one.
10 Oct 2010 11:55
Called in for one on the way to watch St.Albansfootball club play. I thought I had broken in to someones house uninvited. A very underwhelming welcome was given to me. Still the AK was in good condition and most enjoyable. After finishing that pint I headed off to the Jolly Sailor forthwith.
10 Oct 2010 11:41
The Princess Louise, Holborn
Went in one door and out the other...shame as absolutely packed.
Next stop the Holborn Whippet instead and luckily got a seat.
Oh yes it is beautiful inside but I have been there before.
8 May 2014 10:53