All about the Beer 24

Some uncommon tastes this week

The Plaquemine Lock, Angel (Rating 8.0) N1 8LB

This pub sits adjacent to the Regent’s Canal on the South side, not far from The Narrowboat (my favourite pub in N1). It is small but very pleasant with a significant Southern States vibe. The murals are great and the beer I had (Hammerton Brewery’s One More American Pale) was delightful. The temperature was 12.5 Celsius, which is too cold.

One of the most interesting pubs in the N1 postcode. The second pint available is Beer Street Bitter. I will try that on my next visit.

The Elderfield, Homerton (Rating 8.5) E5 0LF

This pub is on a street corner in a quiet, residential area between Homerton and Lower Clapton. It serves Harvey’s Sussex Best and Landlord. I had the Landlord and it was very good. It was modernised in 1935 and the interior seemingly hasn’t changed since, which gives it character. It regularly serves a wider range of beers, I’m told.

Of half a dozen other pubs I have visited in the vicinity, The Elderfield is my second favourite after the Anchor and Hope.

Churchill Arms, Notting Hill Gate (Rating 9.0) W8 7LN

I went here for the very first time in August 2023 with a good friend and drinking buddy. It is apparently very well known and has won a number of awards. It offers a good range of Fuller’s ales including my favourite, ESB. The beer was served well and the atmosphere was buzzing. The pub dates back 200 years and its interior is special, possibly quirky.  

This is the best pub in the Notting Hill Gate area, followed by The Hillgate.

Ganymede, Victoria (Rating 9.5) SW1W 9QU

I am moseying about in Belgravia on a Tuesday afternoon, as you do. Correction. 'As one does'.

I have been to the Orange Hotel (just round the corner) and had a lovely pint of Allsopp's IPA and am happy. I now am at Ganymede, some six minutes walk hence. I am sitting outside at a pavement table sipping a pint of Butty Bach from Hereford.  It has travelled further than me, but it’s in great condition and is served at 15.0 Celsius. The Bar Manager was engaging and very pleasant. I now just need to afford a house locally and I'm in heaven. (Ha ha).

I have visited seven pubs in the SW1W postcode area and, with one exception, they are all good. This is the best. The Fox and Hounds and The Antelope are also very good.

Southwark Tavern, London bridge (Rating 8.6) SE1 1TU

This pub is on the outer edge of Borough Market and as such gets mobbed because it the first pub that tourists see. It serves four ales, none of which I recognised. That is a surprise as I have a list of 93 ales I have tried. As I was standing at an angle to the hand pump badge, I could only half read it. I saw 4.4% so chose it only to discover it was Mild. I'm not sure I have ever drunk Mild before. This one from Rudgate Brewery in York was quite tasty and it was served at 14.8 Celsius.  The brewers describe it as nutty, deeply rich and satisfying. I won’t argue with that. The pub allegedly also offers Harvey's but I didn't see it. There again there's a lot I don't see. In my defence, further investigation suggests that the Mild was on instead of the Harvey's. 

Pint of the Week: Wainwright Amber (ABV 4%) as imbibed in Hampton Hill at The Star. 15.0 Celsius. Wainwright is not often served in London pubs. I have had it at The Eagle in Farringdon, at The Swan in Claygate (though that’s not in London) and at The Star.

I have now reviewed 120 pubs over 24 blogs. The top 10 are: The Builder’s Arms SW3, The Pride of Spitalfields E1, The Princess Royal W2, The Mayflower E16, The Hand in Hand SW19, The Mitre TW9, Ganymede SW1W, Hunter’s Moon SW3, Mad Hatter SE1 and The Antelope KT6.

The beers I had (in the same order) are Allsopp’s IPA, Fuller’s ESB, Allsopp’s IPA, Hog’s Back TEA, Cellar Head IPA, Courage Directors, LBF Fortitude, Butty Bach, Butty Bach, Fuller’s ESB and Allsopp’s IPA. That should bring a smile to Jamie.