A pub is for life not just for Christmas
As the end of April is rapidly approaching and there are no takers yet I am going to renege on a promise I made elsewhere and nominate the George at Wanstead (London E11). I know that some will be annoyed that it's a Spoons but it was originally a pub (Grotney's) and therefore doesn't suffer from the lack of light as all those horrible shop conversions do.
It's also a bit more expensive than the cheapest Spoons in the area (the standard guests are £2.29 instead of £2.15).
The fact is that on all my visits this year the beer has been superb, with a good selection and the service is about as good as you can expect in a Spoons, obviously depending on food and coffee orders. It has been considerably better than the GBG listed Walnut Tree on all of my recent visits. My last visit was the penultimate day of the Spoons fest and they had nine festival beers on (only one handpump was unused). I could have stayed there and gone through the card, and to be honest in some ways I wish I had, but this is one of the most awkward local Spoons for me to get to.
I wouldn't nominate this unless I felt very passionate about it. I suspect it got a new manager around a year or so ago.
Note that I haven't been here on a Friday or Saturday night.
If you go there by tube it is right in front of you as you leave Wanstead Station.
Sorry Moby!
POTM The George in Wanstead London E11
Income on the pub account has been pathetic this month, but a worthy winner at any time is the dependably wonderful Surrey Oaks near Newdigate.
"At that moment I would have given a kingdom, not for champagne or hock and soda, or hot coffee but for a glass of beer" Marquess Curzon of Kedlestone, Viceroy of India.
Only three to choose from this month, but all were of a high standard. If it hadn't been for the frosty service, I'd probably have gone for The Cover Bridge Inn, East Witton. Instead, I'm plumping for The Works, Sowerby Bridge. A fantastic conversion from an industrial property, with good beer, good food and the sort of chilled atmosphere that makes you want to drink the afternoon away.
'And where he supped the past lived still. And where he sipped the glass brimmed full' John Barleycorn, Carol Ann Duffy.
"Do I know where hell is? hell is in hello"
A time capsule in Wensleydale Victoria Arms
The Cellar in Chester.
Fairly recently converted to cask ale and new to the GBG2013.
A pub is for life not just for Christmas
My pub of the month goes to The Bluebell Inn this is a really nice pub with a good choice of real ales on the bar.
Cant argue with Mr Phat's nomination of The Organ Grinder in Loughborough,I had the pleasure of two visits,the second of which induced some over indulgence of Ape Ale from a normally sensible crew.However in the same league ,I will nominate The Southampton Arms,Gospel Oak at POTM,well known to southern based PuG contributors but well worth earmarking if you are visiting London intent on ale tourism..
"Good people drink good beer" Hunter S Thompson