The Fox Goes Free, Charlton

Called in here in July.Didn't plan to eat, but did. Good but pricey-well it is next door to Goodwood. Beer excellent. As good as it was a couple of years back.

8 Aug 2011 21:57

The Salehurst Halt, Robertsbridge

This is a neat brick and tile built cottage by the church in a small rural community just away from the A21 and the bustling metropolis of Robertsbridge. Inside, traditional bare boards, low beams and open fires, together with an eclectic literary selection.
The Halt is renowned as a source of Dark Star beers, and today was no exception, with Hophead alongside Harveys Sussex Best, and Rudgate�s Ruby Mild, together with Biddenden Bushells Cider on handpump.The Hophead perhaps wasn�t at its peak:that wonderful citric hit seemed to be missing, but was still a grand beer. I hadn�t had the Rudgate�s Ruby Mild before, and was highly impressed with it; a luscious malty beer with a mouthful of dried fruit. A bit heavy for a traditional mild, but a classic all the same.
As a community pub, the Halt sources its food, as well as the beer, locally as far as possible. As a noted glutton, I found the beef pie very succulent, and the burgers looked good as well. I�m pleased to add that the beef comes from Sussex cattle.The rhubarb fool wasn�t bad, either.
There�s a pleasant garden , looking out over hopgardens in the Rother Valley. It seems to be a haven for dogs, though we left ours at home, it being the hottest day since last September. We�ll be back.
8/10

22 May 2010 23:48

The Rake, London Bridge

This was my first visit to this temple to beery delights. As I am the most untrendy man in the Weald, I�m afraid I must have stuck out like a sore thumb, however I was impressed with the businesslike attitude of the bar staff-I didn�t find them standoffish or patronising. I had a pint of Wolf�s Golden Jackal, which I found satisfyingly hoppy, and with more depth than most golden ales. Alongside on the bar, but not tried were an IPA form RCH , and some blackberry confection from Saltaire. Many of the punters were drinking exotic looking bottles from�abroad�. I�m not a brave drinker, so I passed these by, as also the imports on Keg dispense.
Not, perhaps a pub for the little Englander, but one I�ll return to on my infrequent visits to or through London. 7/10

2 May 2010 00:16