When I come down to London for work – I sometimes find myself in the Harp pub in Covent garden
As one of my work mates smokes – so we stand outside at the back of the pub in the “beer garden” that is on this great lane – it’s called Brydges Place and is apparently London’s narrowest alley – the The London Coliseum backs onto it as well – and you sometimes see thespians walking up and down but mostly it’s real ale fans from the pub showing off their beards.
anyway I always take a photo of the lane – as it has a great spooky atmosphere about it and not it’s a ritual every time Iam there to take a few snapshots – Click on them to see a bigger version
OK that’s just my opinion and I only visit the City a few times a year, but hey –
I was down that London for a meeting about something else I do…
And after recommendations from Twitter and Rob, in fact he said I had to go, so not wanting to make a ‘port boy angry.
Before I headed back to Wales (and the impending snow doom) I jumped on the tube and went to Euston, but it took me 10 mins to find the pub as I had no idea it was in a Grade II listed West Lodge right at the front of Euston Station but you can’t really miss it – but being a slow Welsh boy..
Its a tiny pub with great looking bar and the beers served from taps behind the bar, both Keg & Cask with two large fridges with various bottles of unique beer, there is a tight stairs which leads up to a small lounge area and toilet (since changed)
There was about 6 people in there when I got there, and I can see it getting very busy with commuters so will get full very quickly, but its a great looking pub and the beers are great.
The barman was very helpful & friendly (should have asked his name) and we had a chat about Welsh Beer and the brilliance that is Odell labels!
I only had four halfs before I had to get to Paddington.
My photos are a bit blurred and I never write down what I have as I normally take photos of the clips:(
Thornbridge – Winter brew (Merry?)
Marble Porter (McKenna’s Revenge ?)- wonderfully brilliant! I would love it in bottles
Ossett Big Red (4.0% ABV) – very good…
Marble Best – a great one to end on..
I will be revisiting the Euston Tap and will try and sample some of the 150 bottles beers sometime in the new year and its currently my favourite pub in London – usurping the Jerusalem Tavern
If you like beer and are visiting London then give some time and divert over to Euston.
I spent the day in London on Friday doing lots of radio interviews for Shed Week, I did managed to have a pint later in the afternoon with my fellow interviewee Dr Wood at the wonderful St Peters Jerusalem Tavern, its a pub us non Londoners can only dream about old, nothing fancy great little sitting areas and brilliant beer straight from the barrels.
I only managed a pint of their excellent mild but next time Iam down the smoke I will go out of my way.
Rob over at Travels with beer has some great photos of the pub..
The previous night after I had traveled down to the smoke I went to a nice pub Pakenham Arms in camden for some food and a couple of pints, the Adnams Stout was great.
Before my train back to Cardiff, I did manage a half of fullers discovery Victoria Paddington another pub well worth a visit.
I had a nice day in London on Tuesday meeting some people about something to do with shed week, can’t say anymore 😉
I did have a few hours to spare so here are my random shots from various pubs around London (Soho mainly)
I went to the Duke of Argyll & John Snow both Sam Smiths houses – nice extra stout, The John Snow had a great Glass half door..
Also went to the Wonderfull De Hems Dutch Cafe Bar Soho and had a half of maredsous blonde – if it was not for the prices I think I could live in that pub.
Then to the Mad Bishop and Bear Paddington Station (for the first time ever) a nice pre train bozzer.
Iam not up to the number of London pubs that Rob has done but It’s a start.
2010-02-16 18.03.33
2010-02-16 14.14.05
2010-02-16 13.15.45
Duke of Argyll
John Snow
Fuller ESB Mad Bishop and Bear Paddington Station
Fullers Discovery Mad Bishop and Bear Paddington Station
Fullers Discovery Mad Bishop and Bear Paddington Station
I visited the big smoke that is London for a few days, if you care why you can read about it on the shedblog, otherwise I will just list the few beers I had (it was not not a big session) which was a shame.
Thursday evening started well after getting off the steam engine from Cardiff and settling into to our palatial top floor suite 😉
A pint of Youngs in Marylebone train station pub Victoria and Albert – it was closest pub to the hotel. and we need to get tickets for the next day, but half decent for a train station pub.
Next pub was The Perseverance a small local boozer not bad but the misses said the loos had a lot to be desired, the London pride was drinkable.
Final pub before going back to hotel was this interesting pub at the top of Baker street The Volunteer – real ales & ciders plus Belgium/German on tap – a bit trendy for me but perfect if you are that way inclined, nice pint of Tribute and mrsUW had a half and it was in a nice handles glass.
Friday I was busy all day, but met up with Mrs later in the day and we went for some food at the lovely Cafe Below under St Mary-le-Bow Church on cheapside – had a bottle of Meantime – London Stout, lovely and went well with the Lamb stew I had, sorry for the photo but it was in a crypt of a church!
Walking back (we did a lot of walking round) we popped into the St Stephen’s Tavern‎ by Big Ben for half decent pint of Badgers Pickled partridge, never had it before.. the mrs had a half of Badger Bitter, decent pub but some over exuberant (ie pissed) office workers.
That was it really not a great amount of ales, I had a bottle of Chinese lager on the Saturday as we eat in China Town.
