BITE user comments - slimgym
Comments by slimgym
Was just trying to recall how many beers they actually have on here, I think it's Abbot, IPA, then four guest real ales, but I think on occasions there have been more. I have never seen such an atmosphere of anticipation as one real ale went off, another was put on, connected up and sampled. The atmosphere was almost electric as the beer clip was attached and everyone had the opportunity to sample one ale more than there were hand pumps! Rarely see the same ale in there for very long, although Abbott Reserve has been on since before xmas and is justified in this long performance :)
To please the non-real ale drinkers there are three lagers, guinness and a cider on tap, plus the usual selection of wines. There is a lunchtime food service and the woodman closes in the afternoons as per old licensing hours.
Another village to aspire to live in!!
29 Feb 2012 20:29
Been open over a year now. Three hand pump real ales - two guests and one London Glory/IPA type. Guests from Tring, Buntingford and Red Squirrel and others plus several bottled ales. The ales really well kept - probably because it's run by the same people as The Woodman just along West End Lane. Not so much a real ale pub as The Woodman, more concentrated on the food, which is excellent. There is a daytime bar menu and daytime/evening restaurant menu with daily specials, all prepared to perfection by a very talented chef and service definitely with a smile! Excellent deserts and coffees. Creative menu, not overly expensive. Though the real ales may be few compared to The Woodman, to me, they are likely the best couple The Woodman would serve.
29 Feb 2012 19:58
True about the The Engineers Arms comparison to The Crown, but they're two different markets. The Crown is a very good food pub and having two pubs doing the same thing so close wouldn't work well anyway.
There were three real ales (Broadside was one, can't recall the other two) and �3.40 a pint so 40p more than the engineers. But the food was excellent, faultless, clearly all home made (even the burger bap, tomato sauce), and the service pleasant, efficient, polite and prompt. The place was busy during the week lunchtime too. A nice place to start a trip to The Engineers and I think if they tried to make it more a beer pub the only way it would work would be to dilute trade from The Engineers which isn't a likely scenario!
29 Feb 2012 18:35
Brilliant pub, would love to live in Henlow to take advantage more regularly, but it deserves a regular trek to remind you what a pub should be like! Since our last visit, the tables and chairs have been replaced and it gives a newer feel. There may be more refurbishment as scaffolding is up.
Today no less than 8 hand pumped ales on offer, and as others have said, the third of a pint taster glasses (you get 6) for �5 is a brilliant idea and lets you try nearly the whole board.
Now how much are houses in Henlow?
29 Feb 2012 18:21
The Central Bar, Shepherds Bush
Always had good service here, typical Wetherspoons - very reasonable priced food and increasingly getting better in quality ingredients. About 4/5 real ales with guests at good prices. Sunday lunch is good. Shame though if you go in for food the place is full of saddos sitting on their own occupying four seater tables, often very hard to get a seat. Shame as the food is tons better than the other pubs in the area.
10 Mar 2008 20:59
The Defector's Weld, Shepherds Bush
It doesn't claim any more than a "tarted up boozer on shepherds bush green" and that's all it is. Expensive beer, expensive food. Thinks highly of itself but not exactly sure why. Staff re-stocking or too busy chatting when they should be serving. Would go the Green across the road instead, and that's not great either, but least you'll save a few quid!! I'm giving it one and that's only because they had real ale on tap when the green were "awaiting a delivery!" Definitely one built for the BBC lovies.
10 Mar 2008 20:53
Only just about ok, food is very basic stuff, wraps, sandwiches and the like. Anything else is going to be deep fried. Not a lot of choice around there though, better than the defective weld across the road. Not so many real ales on and lots of excuses about deliveries not turning up. Tend to go to wetherspoons instead, at least it's consistent.
10 Mar 2008 20:49
This pub has a great "local" feel in an idylic setting in a small village. Good freshly cooked home made and adventurous food with a very welcoming landlord. About six real ales available, very good turnout. Can't fault it really, they'v managed to retain that local feel when it's such a world-famous pub now. Brilliant :)
10 Mar 2008 20:43
The Crooked Chimney, Welwyn Garden City
Food seems quite reasonable but hard to say whether it's brought in or actually cooked from scratch there. A bit characterless but consistent, food is pretty good, only two real ales on show.
10 Mar 2008 20:40
Sadly owned by a large company but on the plus side really good pub food and a brilliant restaurant. Not entirely sure how much of the food in it is prepped there or brought in but the sunday roast is very good and the other meals are good fare at reasonable prices. Only three real ales, Directors, Youngs and something else. Certainly recommended for the restaurant, good value for money.
10 Mar 2008 20:39
Been here a couple of times recently - really great to see a pub with genuine home cooked food on offer rather than the usual pre-prep stuff. Had chicken pie which was genuinely like you'd make yourself at home (and full of chicken!) also jacket potatoe was great and a rump steak and chips. Will deffo be going back, nice atmosphere.
McMullens pub with AK & Country on tap plus another guest beer, was �2.35 a pint if I recall, makes a change from London prices where you don't get two beers for a fiver anymore!
6 Mar 2008 19:29
The Two Brewers, Northaw
A Charles Wells pub so some of that groups ales (I think three real ales). Food deserves a mention, a varied menu and clearly home prepared. Had traditional pie mash and liquor, very authentic and just what you'd expect from proper london pie & mash shop :)
29 Feb 2012 20:42