Eastbourne 21-22/03/2011

Eastbourne 21/3/2011 my first holiday of the year with my Mum and Dad. Dad who by the way is my favourite drinking partner! We started in the Lamb Inn, an 11^th Century building which is one of the oldest pubs in England. It is a Harvey’s pub, like most in Sussex. The building was very impressive and did feel historic and old however the pub did not have a good atmosphere. There was something unwelcoming that didn’t make you feel very cosy. It is a shame as it could be an amazing pub. It scores 7/10 for the building alone.

Next was the theatre pub the Buccaneer.  I liked this place, it had a good atmosphere and a friendly vibe. It had a few ales to choose from and friendly staff. There were quite a few people in and I had a very pleasant Doom Bar. I would definitely return. A solid 7/10.

Our next choice was the Eagle. It had several beers on tap and a few groups of people in. It had wooden interior which was nice but to me felt a bit studenty. There were nice candles on the tables though and cards and games available to play with. We had a quick game of Chase the Ace! I think Mum and Dad preferred this pub to me. 7/10.

Our last stop before walking home was another Harvey’s pub, the Victoria. This is a large roomy pub with friendly staff and a hotel upstairs. I think it might even be Victorian going by the name! I suspect that dad likes it here as it took me here last year but me and mum preferred the others so it gets a 6/10.  It is a proper pub though.

22/3/2011 Still in the Eastbourne area we took a drive to the famous Star Inn in Alfriston which is a lovely old pub with oak beams and real fires. No need for the fire on this evening but the bar and pub was nice. In fact all the pubs in the village of Alfriston looked lovely and well worth a trip back. Only one ale on tap so I had a wine! It wasn't fine wine at that either Dad! A good solid historic pub it scores a 7/10.

We went on into Eastbourne for our last drink to the Hydro Hotel. This place was like going back in time. There was a special hotel rate on so the place was packed with OAP's having their post dinner coffee's. It was a funny place and felt very Agatha Christie. I was waiting for someone to shout 'There's been a murder'! No real ale here again but for shear comedy and Agatha feel it gets a good 8/10.

London Fleet Street 5/3/2001

London 5/3/2011. I met up with the lovely Sarah and Louise (former Derby girls) in the Princess Louise a Sam Smiths pub dating back from 1872. This pub was amazing and one of the most ornate and spectacular pubs I have been to. I recommend anyone in this area of London to pop in and admire the decor. We found a nice booth to sit and chat in and lager (yep still can’t handle Sam Smith bitter!) went down well.  A solid 9/10.

Next we headed to another historic and Sam Smith pub Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese in Fleet street, dating back to the 16^th Century. I liked this pub for its various rooms and distinctive character. It seemed fairly touristy but then it deserved to be as it is an historic pub. I had a bottle of IPA I believe it was, which was pretty good and the ladies seemed to enjoy their wine and soup! Jenny joined us here too. I liked the Cheese as it felt as you were in a jail! I would definitely return. 9/10.

The Seven Stars was our next call. It was a relief not to have any more Sam smith beer and the pub was very pleasant with a European feel. It even had the obligatory pub cat! I stuck to lager and had a Litovel Czech. The place from fine but it seemed nothing special after the other two! 7/10 nice but not special.

Last of the afternoon was the Cittie of Yorke. Yes another Sam Smith pub with history! This was a large pub with nice booths and high ceilings. I didn’t like it as much as the others though as it seemed a bit too large and not as attractive. The carpet was a bit scruffy etc. It was certainly better than your average pub though! I opted back for the Pure Lager which was fine. 8/10.

This was a brilliant pub crawl, not often will go to so many pubs with so much history, nor with such good company! I think I will need to return to this area again to visit some of the pubs only open in the week.

Oxford Winter 2011

Oxford with Anna was next on the real ale trail with Cousin Phil joining us for parts too. We met in the Bear a famous Fuller pub with its walls covered in ties. Here I opted for a refreshing Honey Dew on draught. I was a little disappointed with it however as it tasted quite flat. Still the pub was cosy and had a roaring fire but it is a bit touristy. A solid 7/10.

It was a walk over the river to the Folly Bridge for our next pint. This was quite a locals cheap and cheerful pub but quite scruffy. It had a Henrys IPA and Bishops Temple on draft neither that brilliant and drinks were consumed quickly to move on! You get what you pay for a suppose. 5/10.

A proper ale pub the Royal Blenheim was next port of call. It had a whole host of ales, many of which i had not heard of. The decision was too much and the friendly barman assisted in making our choice. I had a Norwegian Blue which was fine. I quite liked the pub it was large with quite a lot of sitting areas. I would go there again. 7/10.

The famous Turf Tavern was next on the agenda. Another fairly touristy pub with its Morse connections but always has an excellent selection of ales and I like the quirkiness of the building. Strangely I went for a Blue Moon here to remind me of happy times in New York. The pint was not as good as I remembered! Still an excellent pub scoring a high 8/10. Favourite of the day – especially for cousin Phil!

Last one of our trip was the Wetherspoons pub Four Candles. A new pub which for a Wethers was quite nice. Obviously hasn’t been open long enough to be ruined! I do though respect Wetherspoon pubs for its good value and excellent selection of ever changing ales. Hobgoblin was the drink of choice here and went down a treat. 6/10 for the Four Candles.

Another success ale crawl!

Birmingham Early 2011

So I back date my crawls to the start of the year with a trip to Birmingham to see my good friend Vicki who looked after me when I was alone for the weekend. After meeting at Snow Hill Station we decided to venture to the Jewellery Quarter. First stop was the Lord Clifton. It is a modern gastro pub but friendly and had lots of Ale choices (and premium lager). Both Vicki and I opted for their own brew UAB King of Bling. A lovely pint and Lord Clifton scored a solid 8/10.

It was then on to the Red Lion, a sister pub to the Clifton. This wasn’t as nice as the Clifton and did not have the same ales or friendly atmosphere. It did have a few ales on and was fairly pleasant however.  A Wye Valley Butty Bach slipped down nicely and the Red Lion scored a 7/10.

Next stop the Prince of Wales near the canal. Always a favourite for a good old fashioned pub with well kept ales. A St Austells Tribute was thoroughly enjoyed and scores a 7/10.

For a random choice because we have never been there before we thought we would try the Shakespeare. This was a poor choice and only had one ale on which was left over from Christmas. We had to resort to having a lager! I believe that this place has been refitted since our visit though so would be interesting to go back one day. We marked the Shakespeare 5/10.

Our final stop before getting the train home was Bennetts. A rather large but impressive building, the pub/bar is pretty average although does serve a Hobgoblin ale. I don’t mind Bennetts despite it not being a proper pub and give it a 7/10.  

So that was Birmingham Part 1. Thanks for a great afternoon Vicki!