Best score I gave in this restricted year was an 8 and at least four pubs got it.
Kraft Beer Mayfair got the vote due to the stunning setting in an old church.
Praise the Lord! I have been converted.
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Best score I gave in this restricted year was an 8 and at least four pubs got it.
Kraft Beer Mayfair got the vote due to the stunning setting in an old church.
Praise the Lord! I have been converted.
Considering I visited a Sheffield United-esque record-low 14 new visits in 2020, the field is pretty spartan. The below were the highlights:
The Faltering Fullback, London, N4 – pub that has appeared on several 'Yet Another List' PuG lists of London boozers, so finally managed make a visit in the February of last year.
The Vat & Fiddle, Nottingham – Castle Rock tap just outside the main city centre that had a superb array of ales on tap. I could have stayed here for hours.
The Horse & Cart, Peasmarsh, East Sussex – not a world-beater, but a warm welcome and well-kept local ales made a weekend-away Sunday afternoon more than pleasant.
Waterworks, Rye – quirky micropub located in former public conveniences, with an array of bric-a-brac all for sale. Interesting local ale selection and pleasingly busy on a weeknight stopover in this charming East Sussex harbour town.
POTY: Beacon Hotel, Sedgley – I'm a sucker for a Heritage pub and a business meeting in nearby Wolves gave me the opportunity to pay this pub a visit for a swift lunchtime half (of Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild nonetheless). Multi-rooms, serving hatches, muzak-free and quality beer served in dimpled jugs; marvellous.
February probably not the best time of year to appreciate the pub's famous 'Ewok Village' beer garden?
Halfway House Consistently brilliant. Excellent home-cooked food, first class ales, good company and no nonsense. Sensible approach while obeying the covid rules. Can't wait for it to reopen.
I could well agree about the Halfway House, but this one!
Magic Rock Tap - Huddersfield, on the first weekend in January. Our usual post-family-Christmas lads trip away for the FA Cup third round. Excellent beer from a company I've since supported through these illiberal times, with proper American-style burgers from the van outside to accompany.
Other honourable mentions to Lytham's Craft House, the Grocers in Irlam, Hope&Union in Stockton, and the York Tap.
Favourite new ticks this year:
The Ackhorne - friendly, common sense approach to Covid, warm cosy atmosphere, great beer.
Cafe Rene - I always love finding somewhere totally unique, especially when the beer is good. It was very hard to leave.
Cheshire Lines Inn - the pub is nothing spectacular, but it was my first pub after lockdown 1. A few hours sat in the snug with very chatty regulars, it reminded me of everything I had missed in the preceding months.
Colonel Porter’s Emporium - last pub of my first visit to Newcastle- another one that was very hard to leave for its unique atmosphere. And free popcorn!
Crown Posada - just a perfect classic pub, in every possible way. Let’s hope it gets back on its feet soon.
Like everyone else not a lot of new pubs this year but the best was The Little Taproom- Aigburth, Liverpool. Pleasant little micro which, unfortunately for them, opened just over a week or so before lockdown in March.
similar story with my selection The Angry Parrot