All about the beer 11
Copper Leaf and other fine ales
I have a free travel pass and I like beer. I travel around Greater London deliberately visiting pubs I have previously not visited to see what they and the beer are like.
Here’s another five.
The Victoria, Sheen (Rating 8.1) SW14 7RT
This is quite a large pub but if you sit in the snug by the bar it feels like a small country pub. They serve two beers, one being Landlord and the other Wimbledon Brewery’s Copper Leaf, which as the name implies, is a red ale. I have not really explored Wimbledon’s range and so I decided I would, this afternoon. I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the Copper Leaf (4.0% ABV) not least because it was served very well and in its branded glass (see picture). The atmosphere was very pleasant. I was sufficiently pleased by the experience of Copper Leaf that I have had it again at The Crooked Billet and Hand in Hand in Wimbledon.
The Dove, Hammersmith (Rating 9.3 ) W6 9TA
This is a small, riverside cottage arrayed over two floors. I went at night so didn’t get to enjoy the upstairs view out over the Thames but I have been to neighbouring pubs with a similar view. The decision to make is how many others do you want crowded into a small space with you to share the view. Being positive, I can tell you the pub serves four Fuller’s ales and if you have read any previous blogs, you may guess that I drank ESB. In my analysis of what constitutes a good pub, the temperature of the ale is critical. If it is so cold that I cannot finish the pint it rates 0 and if it is perfect room temperature it rates 10. This ESB was 9. In my view, 8 out of 10 is acceptable; 7 or less is too cold. It spoils the taste of the beer. I have only been to 24 pubs that rate 10, and 59 that rate 9, (out of 522) so this pub is pretty special in my opinion. It has good beer, well served, plus history, atmosphere and sometimes a view of Hammersmith Bridge.
The Ring, Southwark (Rating 7.8) SE1 8HA
The Ring is a small pub but it enjoys generous external seating and awnings. It is almost always busy and serves a reasonable variety of hand-pulled ales (often four) including Doom Bar (4.0% ABV) which I chose. The temperature was reasonable. One often has to stand up but there is a positive buzz about the environment and the bar is always well-staffed by cheerful and helpful people. It’s name comes from a famous historic Boxing Club in the neighbourhood. Partly because of its location between Waterloo and London Bridge and its rating, I have been here a hundred times or more.
Ye Olde Mitre, Holborn (Rating 7.0 ) EC1N 6SJ
The original building dates back to 1773 as a drinking establishment for the London employees of the Bishop of Ely. It has a good array of ales (four) including London Pride (4.0% ABV). The atmosphere is convivial indoors and outdoors. There may be two drawbacks – loads of tourists and the temperature of the beer. It was too cold when I visited. I have visited 22 pubs with an EC1 postcode. In my view, this isn’t one of the better ones but it is far from the worst. The three best in this postcode area are The Artillery Arms (Fuller’s), The Wilmington (Bermondsey Best) and The Two Brewers (Sussex Best).
The Dog & Duck, Winchmore Hill (Rating 7.9) N21 3LH
A small pub with single square saloon. It has three handpumps but only two were in operation, offering Young’s Original and Timothy Taylor Landlord. I had Landlord (4.1% ABV). The temperature was satisfactory and the ambience friendly for a no-frills establishment that caters mainly for its nearby residents between Winchmore Hill and Palmers Green. I have been to five pubs in this area and have two more to visit. So far this and the Little Green Dragon are my favourites.
Pint of the Week Shere Drop Canbury Arms, Kingston 13.4 Celsius