Pub Of The Month - December 2012
A pub is for life not just for Christmas
I felt I should contribute to this post as I actually visited a couple of pubs this week that weren't Spoons or the William IV in Leyton which is generally my pub of the month full stop.
I will give this award to the Cock Tavern in Hackney, the sister pub to the Southampton Arms in Gospel Oak. It's a beer and cider festival and the youngsters who were running the bar and I imagine the brewery were friendly and quite happy to accomodate the ramblings of an old soak (it was chucking it down that day).
Years ago I used to play darts in this area and clearly remember what a horror most of the pubs used to be.
I passed the entrance to The Old Ship after leaving here and I distincly recall darting in here and what a dump it was.
I don't recall ever going in here in those days, but like the Southampton it's the last place you would expect to see flourish under a completely new approach to sell just loads of quality real ale, obscure ciders and the most basic food. No Karaoke, third rate "tribute" acts, discos or big screen sports with the crowd of congenital morons "supporting" their team by blocking the bar and screaming vitriol and abuse at a screen while they consume the one drink they have bought before leaving after the match is over.
I would certainly return here if I felt flushed just to try more Howling Hops brews, but if you're not afraid of the non Spoons prices then I would certainly recommend it.
Moby and others should relax as I'm not going to nominate a Spoons any time soon. While I am a fan I can't help thinking that they are more giant continental Cafe/Bars rather than pubs.
It's really refreshing to see the return of the basic boozer although most of the ones I recall from my depraved younger days either sold a badly kept real ale or just rubbish keg.
Thank god for that.Originally Posted by Aqualung
"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer."
-W.C.Fields
the hanging bat
Hanging Bat An excellent addition to an area that was better known as a stag do rat run to and from Edinburgh's "pubic triangle".
Last edited by hondo; 19-12-2012 at 11:00.
"Do I know where hell is? hell is in hello"
My winner for this month The Final Whistle. Excellent pub and fantastic range of ales. Already looking forward to a return visit.
Last edited by Real Ale Ray; 21-12-2012 at 19:54.
Not ventured very far this month ,but a trip to Reading gave me Decembers POTM
The Nags Headwith stiff competition from the Alehouse.
"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer."
-W.C.Fields
Vine, Bursledon
The whole family, from young to old, really enjoyed an excursion to the Vine Inn at (Old) Bursledon - well worth delaying the Boxing Day lunch for.
This month, I'm going to nominate my village local The New Inn , Walton, Wakefield. The new(ish) couple managing the place have undertaken a major refurb and have brought real energy with them. Recently, the number of hand pumps has increased from four to seven and it is possible to suggest guest beers. I've already some doubts about the sustainability of beer quality, but I sincerely hope they pull it off.
'And where he supped the past lived still. And where he sipped the glass brimmed full' John Barleycorn, Carol Ann Duffy.
I'm going to vote for the newly opened Terrace Bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter.
Nicely decorated in a fairly minimal style with 6 handpumps. A gret addition to the N/4 pub crawl.
A pub is for life not just for Christmas
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote