CAMRA - National Pub of the Year and Southwark pub crawl

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?aid=283006&id=256056404862

Definitely included this pub on a couple of our London pub crawls in the past, just round the corner from the Chandos (Museum Ale) if my memory serves me correctly. I'm sure its a worthy winner!

If its London pubs then these days I always seem to end up around the Southwark area. The list of decent real ale pubs is really worth considering:

I add the Royal Oak mainly because of the food I had there, Roast Rabbit with mash, but the beer was excellent too.

The best pubs here would probably be:

Market Porter: Excellent pub always with at least 6-8 real ales on, which they constantly change!

George Inn: For it history ... and its beer!

Westerham Brewery

http://www.westerhambrewery.co.uk/

Possibly the nearest brewery to my home. The Crown in Old Oxted always seems to have one of theirs on tap.
On Friday night it was the SPA, which a bit light on taste, but still pleasant none-the-less, I had two pints of it so I must've approved to a degree! Funnily enough the SPA is another light citrus tasting beer, not normally what I go for, but there you go!


From the website:
SPA: A hoppy, citrus flavoured golden ale made with hops from the Scotney and Finchcocks' hop gardens of West Kent.


Personally i've always liked the British Bulldog “BB” 4.3% Best Bitter

Again from the website:A rich, full bodied best bitter in the traditional Kent style. Finest Maris Otter pale ale malt and crystal malt for colour and richness. Hopped with local Kent Northdown and Finchcocks' Whitbread Golding Variety hops for a full flavour and aroma.

Chef and Brewer pubs - Cask Ale Festival - 6 Weeks. 22 Ales

Week 1
http://www.chefandbrewer.com/chefandbrewer/events/cask-ale-festival/week-1/c

Some fairly big companies in this festival not giving it quite the same appeal as, say, a Wetherspoons beer festival which is a bit of a shame, but some independent brewers can be found for example during the first week
Brains - Bread of Heaven (4.0% ABV) and the Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted (3.8% ABV)

Both of these not on in the Old Bell Oxted on Friday night ... humph ... had the Hobgoblin, which isn't one of my favourites!

Badger - bottled beers

From Hall and Woodhouse

Golden beers are not my favourite, and this one follows suite, it says on the back brewed with Elderflower and thats very apparent in the taste. I'l stick with the Fursty Ferret from now on I think!

Badger - Golden ChampionStrength: 5.0%
Colour: Light almost golden
Taste: Fragrant aroma!
Other brewery alternatives: Badger First Gold, Tanglefoot, Poachers Choice, Golden Glory, Englands Gold
Other Seasonal alternatives: Fursty Ferret

Panther Brewery

http://www.pantherbrewery.co.uk/

Had to comment on this new brewery (opened 2010). I've never had the beer, as it only been around for a short while, but I think I might order some! However, I really am taken by their branding. Whilst they've kept a traditional look and feel, that'll work well as both a beer mat and hand pump sign, they've also made it look really modern and eye-catching. I approve. So well done to both the brewery and to whoever designed it. I hope the beer is as good. I'll let you know!

Valentines Day

http://www.barnsleybeercompany.co.uk/html/beer.php?id=104

Not had this myself, was emailed a link via a friend, but couldn't resist a little plug for them, today of all days!

Sole Bay Inn the pub opposite Adnams Brewery

Do you know I can't be exacty sure what pint this was now, shame on me! All I definitely know is it wasn't Broadside or the Bitter. It was six years ago now. The picture is very pleasant though!