Let’s be more crisp with pub snacks

The hanging basket-adorned Cross Keys pub in Endell Street in Covent Garden was a regular stop-off point for me before heading for an Indian meal at the sadly long-gone Neel Akash restaurant (replaced by Sainsbury’s in Hanway Street). Another plus point was that it also stocked the rarely seen roast turkey and stuffing crisps from…

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Good news for pubs 

Whenever my family and I venture out into the country on short breaks, my priority when booking the accommodation is the close proximity of a pub. This caused slight issues on our recent cycling trip, as the lovely Horse & Jockey in Manton, Rutland, was about 50 metres away from the Airbnb that I’d booked,…

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Czeching out new Czech bar

Having previously been involved with a London-based Czech lager brewery that left a sour taste in my mouth it has not put me off the country’s lovely lagers. It was therefore enjoyable to visit The Stranded bar on London’s The Strand where Bloomsbury Leisure Group has opened a new venue dedicated to serving Czech lager…

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No boring beers at The Mall Tavern

All too often pubs like The Mall Tavern in Notting Hill can disappoint. They look attractive on the outside but their ability to easily attract tourists can lead to sloppy practices and an uninspiring beer list. Andy and Nati Perritt have ensured this is not the case at the pub they’ve been running for around…

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Good things come in small glasses

While enjoying a beer in the Horse & Groom in Belgravia, another male customer walked in and ordered a bottle of 4.5% lager while his female partner went for a 250ml glass of wine. The exercise was repeated for the next round, with the result that he had consumed a modest three units of alcohol…

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Brewing up history and modernity

Visiting Barcelona for tours around the enormous modern Damm facility at the El Prat brewery next to the airport and then the original Old Brewery in the centre of the city, the two experiences could not have been more different. In the former the use of cameras and filming devices is strictly off limits for…

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