Disappointment of the week

[Bucking Fastard]

A few people have mentioned the recent deterioration of Nicholsons pubs, and I hoped it would be a temporary Covid thing. But sadly not, it appears. my latest visit to the Philharmonic saw all 10 handpumps in action - but every single one serving boring standard national beers. Not a single local or even regional ale in sight. At this point, I'm thinking it must be a change in company policy. The rubbish piped music seems to have gone several notches louder too. Not sure I'll bother with it again for a while.

Nicholson's have a lot of pubs in and around London,and I would say that the dumbing down of the ale selection has been company policy since well before Covid.Once they got St Austell to brew their Nicholson's Pale,the offering often seems to be another St Austell ale,Tribute along with Sharp's Doom Bar and Fuller's London Pride.In London you may find a guest besides these regulars ,or you may not.

My last visit to the Philharmonic was in 2019 and the ale selection and conditioning was dire.I didn't update my review ,assuming that being an occasional visitor I just got unlucky on the night.Maybe not from what you have said.

[london calling]

I was in the Railway richmond .They had about 10 pumps with 8 with London Pride clips.Did not linger.

[Tris39]

I was in the Railway richmond .They had about 10 pumps with 8 with London Pride clips.Did not linger.

I can hear Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings playing.

[Quinno]

two of the three Sams pubs in west London I tried to tick of yesterday were shut!!

[Tris39]

I suppose disappointments are relative: went to The Wenlock Arms to find the bar blocked by seated barholes. When I finally managed to see what was on offer, there were 7/10 pumps in use (eight if you count the one used disrespectfully as a kitchen towel dispenser) almost all with beers below 4%, the plus being Redemption's Fellowship. I left and popped down the road to The Old Fountain and despite there being standing room only, there were just two out of five pumps in use: Oakham Citra and Five Points Railway Porter.
Some salvation came in the form of The Earl of Essex with three quality cask ales on; I hadn't realised that cask had been reintroduced and the place is vastly improved for it too.

[sheffield hatter]

I suppose disappointments are relative: went to The Wenlock Arms to find the bar blocked by seated barholes. When I finally managed to see what was on offer, there were 7/10 pumps in use (eight if you count the one used disrespectfully as a kitchen towel dispenser) almost all with beers below 4%, the plus being Redemption's Fellowship.

I was there on Thursday evening (27th) between 20:15 and 21:05 - exactly the same situation. Bar blockers not content to just sit and talk but actually leaning towards the hand pumps as if deliberately obscuring them. And a rather disappointing Redemption Fellowship Porter 5.1% - very bland. I also had Block Best Bitter 4% (brewed on the premises) and Mighty Oak Captain Bob 3.8%, which were ok but unspectacular.

[Mobyduck]

I was there on Thursday evening (27th) between 20:15 and 21:05 - exactly the same situation. Bar blockers not content to just sit and talk but actually leaning towards the hand pumps as if deliberately obscuring them. And a rather disappointing Redemption Fellowship Porter 5.1% - very bland. I also had Block Best Bitter 4% (brewed on the premises) and Mighty Oak Captain Bob 3.8%, which were ok but unspectacular.

Almost ended up there last Friday, glad I didn't now, Instead opted for the Southampton Arms followed by The Kings Arms, both were excellent as usual, I don't think either have ever let me down.

[london calling]

Good to see the Earl of Essex has again got cask.Used to be a must visit pub when I was in the area.

[london calling]

two of the three Sams pubs in west London I tried to tick of yesterday were shut!!

The Gazebo Kingston was shut yesterday .Another Sam's pub.

[london calling]

When drinking at home I always have a dark beer to finish but tonight's beers was a pale reddish/pink.i had bought a pavlova pastry sour rather than the pastry stout I thought it was.Drat!