1052a. Fri 18/9/20: The White Hart, Arundel

Beer: Harveys Best 4.0%

Day trip to Arundel from our holiday base in Chichester. Everything’s posh down this way, though there’s no denying Harveys Best is a solid, decent pint. 

The White Hart is charming and has made the best of what looks as if it was either an old car port or drive round to the back. It’s now a more than acceptable garden space, and for a mid afternoon on a Friday, there’s a pleasant ambiance, aided by the informative bartender.

A break between the castle and train journey home. Anj’s phone is telling us there are no trains for at least two hours. I could see the damned things walking down the hill. Who’s the smart one, eh? Me or Samsung?

I keep the question to myself.

Otherwise, the highlights of the visit are the aforementioned bartender, who rushes out to one of the punters with a bag of barbecue stuff he – the punter – had left indoors. Presumably at the bar. And there’s an Irish fellow, smoking a fag, checking dinner arrangements and sorting out a £30 on a 3/1 bet in the last race at Newbury.

(I checked. The last race’s favourite seems likely to be Irish’s horse. Inclyne’s betting closed at 11/4, though the horse finished in third place, two lengths behind Pledge of Honour and a length and a half behind second placed Kattani).

1428d. Mon 28/11/22: The Black Horse, Findon, Worthing

Beer: Harvey’s Best 4.0%

Attending a wake for a friend of mine. 

I can’t reminisce too much , as I only seemed to meet Darren a few times; but he was a truly lovely fella. It felt like I knew him much better than I did and it was always a pleasure to hang out with him.

The pub met the requirements for a wake – it needed to be big. Round the side was a lovely bowling alley.

1453. Sat 21/1/23: The Royal Oak, Borough, London

Beer: Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter 4.0%

From Gatwick to London and into Borough Market which was too horribly packed to dwell in. We wander rather aimlessly, south, on Borough High Street… I’m looking at the markers on the pavement stating which old coaching inn used to be here. Only The George remains – and that’s too near the hubbub – my wandering vaguely takes us toward where Chaucer’s Tabard once stood. Can’t see a sign but it must’ve been Tabard Street and, anyway, it’s 1pm, let’s have a drink before we meet the others (for AW’s unofficial birthday bash) in Holborn.

Charge up the GBG app on my phone to direct us to The Royal Oak. I’m sure we’ve been before – until we get there, and it’s new to me. It doesn’t, on approach, look open. It is though.

There’s about a dozen blokes in. We assume they’re football fans. Millwall aren’t at home, nor Charlton… Newcastle are at Palace later – they don’t sound like Geordies. Whoever they are, they’re quite nice and reasonably quiet – nay bother – other than (one of) the couple over the way. I suppose the most vociferous individual in a quiet pub is always going to seem a loudmouth… turn it down a bit though, mate, eh?

We (try to) ignore him.

What a bloody lovely pub this is though. Victorian fittings, central bar. No juke box (on) and no tellies (that we could see). I’ve heard and read folk waxing lyrical about Harvey’s Best but this – weak, bright and brown – is exceptional stuff. There are several decent boozers in the area, and nearer the river, but this place is surely worth the extra few minutes walk.

There’s a picture of Kiera Knightley in here, looking glamorous in period costume (forties, I’d suggest) on the wall. Several minutes internet search while typing this visit up has failed find which film/series it relates to.

Anyway, wonderful pub. Lovely beer.

1083. Sat 19/6/21: The Harp, Charing Cross, London

Beer: Harveys Sussex Best 4.0%

My birthday short weekend in London is somewhat underbaked. Not really knowing what it’d be like during covid restrictions hasn’t helped, but we’ve not made any proper plans. We did wander towards The National Gallery, to see what it would be like without tourists.

Turns out there are tourists aplenty. The gallery is more packed than I’ve ever seen it and, with masks on and all, it’s horrible and hot – and it’s nice to get out.

The Harp is busy too – but not too bad. We find a couple of stools at the back.

This is a great pub. Having been underwhelmed by The Blackfriar an hour or two back, this place restores my faith in the London boozer. There’s a fine variety of beer available too – which makes a huge difference. I go for the Harveys, which may be a bit of a cliché, but it’s wonderful stuff.

The wider clientele seem somewhat strained. Two tables back are a group of beer bore types – most seem ok, but their number includes one vociferous old lag. He’s loudly airing his about modern-day slavedrivers, in a manner which seems to belie a racist undercurrent. “Hang the Romanian mafia” he suggests. Well, quite.

A table or two in front of us are a group of middle-aged Scots (in town for last night Euros match – 0-0 against England). Scotland didn’t lose against the auld enemy, and that’s seemingly good enough for them. Scottish fans are generally regarded as a far more amicable bunch than their stereotypical thuggish English counterpart. This lot are chatting to a couple on an adjacent table; or rather flirting with the wife/girlfriend. It seemed generally good natured, a little cheeky maybe… made me skin crawl a bit, I felt for the poor bloke. 

Meanwhile the right-wing gobshite behind tells his mates that everyone in England should be issued with a gun. His mates, who had been trying to quietly talk him round, seem to be getting increasingly exasperated as his diatribe goes on and on…

Anyway, apologies, this write-up sounds a bit negative. It was telling that most folk in the idiot’s earshot seemed entirely dismissive of what he was ranting on about. His mates had him in hand anyway. The Scots were fine, really. The ambiance in the pub was generally laid back and convivial and, again, the beer was exceptionally good.

1124a. Tue 14/9/21: The Robin Hood, St Albans

Beer: Harveys Best 4.0%

Pre-gig at The Horn. Last time I was here, it was pre-gig at The Horn. The Harveys is a draw, as is being in a pub in St Albans which isn’t ‘up itself’.

The Robin Hood doesn’t disappoint on either count. The Best has a funny taste at first, though I think it’s me, not the beer. My tastebuds – never particularly reliable – are having a wobble. I wander past the bar and a natty looking jukebox. The middle of the pub is set up for football. There’s a European clash being screened. Man Ure are playing some team or other. Some team or other are holding Ole’s greats 1-1. Not sure if the commentators know whether to goad, patronise or panic. If Sporting Part-time FC knock out Ronaldo’s Reds, the back pages will melt down for a week or so. It won’t be allowed.

The big jars of pickles which were here last time have been replaced by big boxes of cider. I’d’ve preferred the pickles, but wouldn’t dare go for either.

At the bar, some of the locals are talking about the latest British tennis phenomena. I listen out, but there’s no whiff of nationalism. Alpha male dismisses the idea of the group’s bar bants being turned into a podcast, but then warms to it. Junior Alpha male tries to get into the conversation, by jokingly telling someone to ‘shut your back door.’ Sounds wrong. Junior male realises this, so follows up with ‘shut the back door.’ 

The change from possessive pronoun to definite article brings a huge sense of relief. Sadly, however, Alpha male has talked through, owned and is now talking about the podcast as a ‘work in progress.’

1154. Thu 11/11/21: The Kings Head, Horley

Beer: Harvey’s Best Bitter 4.0%

Back in pre-Gatwick-flight Horley. Back in a pub owned by the pubco from whose employment I was unceremoniously dumped a year ago. I’m not bitter (aside: I’m very bitter). Anyway, any criticism of the place would seem like sour grapes. There’s nothing too much to criticise anyway. The place seems somewhat overlit, and there’s far too much Christmas tat about – which will be largely down to company edict. Doom Bar is at the bar, obviously, lamentably, but so is Harvey’s Best.

The Harvey’s Best is very good.

The Kings Head is big and bright and airy: and, as is always remains the case, whatever I think, I’m pleased to imagine there could be loads of people who absolutely love The Kings Head and are – right now – pining for their next visit to their favourite pub/restaurant in Horley, where they can down a lovely pint or three of glorious Doom Bar.

832a. Sat 12/10/19: The Globe, Luton

Beer: Harveys Best Bitter 4.0%

On the way to The Bear. I usually head for The White House, though take a diversion into South Luton and The Globe. JDW in town (The aforementioned White House) is having a beer festival. Their beer’s been very good for a while, though I’m after a change of pace and the thought of a busy bar at The White House is terrifying.

The choice of beer here is Doom Bar and GK IPA. And, thankfully, Harveys.

After the rain outside, it’s nice and warm indoors and there are some nicely turned out people down the bar. Nearer me, things are more drunken, until a resplendent older couple come and sit close by. A Fosters for the gent. The lady asks for a Stella, then asks the barman to put a ‘fluffy top’ on it.

Highlights of England’s match against the Czech Republic are showing. A group of blokes, reasonably well into their cups and who I take to be regulars are talking about the match and about the Extinction Rebellion protests in London, while on the other side of the pub, another fellow is explaining, to anyone who’ll listen, how to fix a Vauxhall Vivaro.

959c. Mon 3/2/20: The Lion and Lobster, Brighton

Beer: Harvey’s Best 4.0%

Brighton on a Monday night, and I’m here to catch up with my chum D. He’s suggested The Lion and Lobster. A good choice, even though there’s a bit of a dust up while D’s away having a fag.

D tells me a few colourful stories about the pub and its previous owners. It’s a place he’s very familiar with. Other than that, we talk about how stupid people make it onto the news, the fortunes of our respective football teams (plus Brighton and Crystal Palace). 

There’s a pub quiz going on round to the side near the loos. Every team seems to look like every team in our local’s pub. Which is heartening.  

Notwithstanding the near thing with punchy bloke (no punches actually thrown), this is a terrific pub. Cosy, communal and with a nice pint of Harvey’s into the bargain.

453c. Sat 21/7/18. The White Horse, Fulham, London

Beer: Harveys Best Bitter 4.0%

Parson’s Green has a green. I never knew. If someone had said ‘name a feature you’d imagine might feature in Parson’s Green’, I might have said “a green”. But until now I never knew. It could, after all, have been a ‘Wood Green’ situation. No green. It wasn’t. Parson’s Green, like nearby Turnham’s Green, has a green.

As it’s a glorious late Saturday afternoon/early evening, said green is full of people who, if it wasn’t so ruddy hot, would be doing sports. There’s been a wedding.

This is posh country, in and around Fulham and Putney, so I have little hope of understanding the menu. I ask for the vegan option. It’s something which sounds ridiculous, and I’m looking forward to hating it.

Turns out it’s really nice.

Which is more than can be said about the clientele. They’re not horrible, individually, but collectively, present ghastly confidence and flashy wealth. Tall people with expensive teeth. I’m enjoying this trip out with my cine-enthusiast chums, but imagine this foray into the land of the beautiful is very much a one off.

218. Mon 13/11/17: The Feathers Hotel, Merstham, Surrey

Beer: Harveys Best Bitter 4.0%, Reunion Ales Vanilla IPA 4.9%

The night before we fly to Czech, we’re staying at the Premier Inn at Gatwick and the best of “our boys” in the area is the above establishment, which is about twenty minutes on the train back out from the airport.

It’s a nice looking building, traditional interior… but why is it so COLD in here? Several small fireplaces, stacked with logs, resolutely unlit, adorn the walls – apparently serving as decoration and/or a way to mock customers who aren’t taking coats off. Nearer the bar, staff huddle around little fan heaters.

The beer’s very nice though. It’s “Cask Monday”. The food is good. The staff, and very few customers, seem affable too.

Normal passing customers, we suggest, might be attracted in by the cask deal – but would take advantage of the chilly atmosphere by keeping coats on and leaving after the first pint. People would not stop to have a meal. Apart from us, nobody is stopping to have a meal.