No Sign Bar, Swansea

From Stephen H, who found an excellent bar in Swansea which deserves comment. The No Sign Bar, Wind Street. Apparently the oldest bar in Swansea and once frequented by Dylan Thomas.

The mamagement rotate the guest ales on a regular basis, the three currently on sale are, Polar Express 4.3% by the Cottage Brewing Company Somerset. Rev James 4.5% by Brains Brewery Cardiff and Santa's Little Helper 3.7% by the Caledonian Brewery Edinburgh.

Ale o'clock on St Stephen's Day

Just saying, Ale O'Clock ;-)

Happy Christmas Day at The Dolphin, Hastings.

OK, as I slept for much of late yesterday, a benefit of separation from one's wife, as is going to the pub whenever you want, providing it's open and you've the spare cash, following my Christmas Day lunchtime at the Dolphin, I didn't manage to post anything anywhere yesterday.

So, my Pub of the Day has to have been the Dolphin, in Hastings 'Old Town' opposite the local fishing industry that has the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe. And it was a great few hours, mostly drinking the very quaffable Dark Star Hophead, my usually ale at the Dolphin, though they did have 5 other ales, including the very drinkable Young's Winter Warmer and Harvey's Old Ale.

Anyway, I can now wish you a Merry St Stephen's Day :-D

Pub of the Week - Leinster Arms, Bayswater W2

On Wednesday, I was drinking at the Leinster Arms, 17 Leinster Terrace W2 3EU, which sells 5 ales, including the ubiquitous Fuller's London Pride and Sharp's Doom Bar as regulars, and a 5.5% Christmas ale from Skinner's, Jingle Knockers (the names people come up with!), an old favourite from my days in Sheffield, when I worked for a while at the brewery, Kelham Island Pale Rider, which I have brewed in the past, and a newer favourite of mine, Dark Star Hophead, which I now regularly drink at my new ‘local’.

In addition to good ales, there is a not too expensive menu on offer, including a variety of sausage and mash at £8.95 a meal, eg Cumberland, Beef & Guinness, Wild Boar & Apple or Veggie sausages with mash of your choice from 'Simple Seasoned', Mushroom, Parsley & White Wine, Tomato, Basil & Parmeson or Chive & Spring Onion. Whoever said 'mash' was boring?!? In addition, they still provide a 'traditional' pie of the day, salads, Ploughman's Lunch, sandwiches, puddings, and bar bites! This is a very friendly place and wasn’t too busy on visit.

The bar looking towards the front of the pub.

16th December - Pub of the Day, Roebuck, Richmond Hill

The Roebuck is a 200 year old pub at the top of Richmond Hill overlooking Petersham Meadows, painted a few years ago by Turner, and, consequently, known worldwide. Below is the view from the front of the pub, ie behind me in the photo above :-)

The Roebuck sells good food and has 4 real ales available, being a free house. Richmond is really the land of Youngs (still!), but the Roebuck had 4 ales on and no Youngs, but did have Fullers London Pride (ubiquitous on the other side of the Thames); the fruity and hoppy Red Squirrel RSX 3.8%; the pale and hoppy White Horse Village Idiot 4.1%; and a dark rich and roasted malt 'stouty' (complicated) Downton Winter Solstice 4.6%.

There are a number of Youngs houses down in the centre of Richmond, a few I would recommend, and Fullers is available down there too, but the Roebuck has that great view and provides you with more diverse ale... and it's close to the gate to Richmond Park, if you are coming from, or going, there. Enjoyable visit!

White Rock Hotel, Hastings

The White Rock Hotel in Hastings, virtually opposite the pier, sells 4 real ales, usually at £3.00 a pint, up to 5% in strength.

Today, they had the trusty, and always very tasty, Dark Star Hophead, Hastings Best Bitter, Beachy Head Legless, and the very seasonal Harveys Christmas Ale.

I love Hophead, but thought I'd give 2 of the others a try, so started with the 5% (£3 a pint) Legless, a pale-ish bitter, but with a sweet first taste, a little fruity and bitter, orangey, a little like a Belgian beer, but with a Weiss beer type consistency. Interesting and enjoyable...

Then, though £4 a pint, I tried a half of the Christmas Ale at a mighty 7.8%! This is truly a Christmas pudding of a beer, with a dark, deep reddish colour, sweet, fruity, and a dry finish. Worth the cost!

The Six Bells, St Albans

Stephen H reported on the 6th December that he had a few excellent pints in The Six Bells that evening, and he recommends Oakham JHB and Three Witches. Oakham are a cracking brewery and produce excellent ales, so always happy to support such a recommendation. 

Seasonal photo ;-)

The Six Bells is located in St Albans at 16-18 St. Michaels Street, AL3 4SH (tel: 01727 856945), close to Verulamium Park. The pub dates back to the 15th century and provides a wide selection of real ales. The pub has wooden beams, a ‘real’ fire, loads of character, and real ale, many thanks Steve.