Date: 12 August 2009 - A Game of Two Halves
Sampled by:
FN, KOC, TM, RN, ROC & PV
With FN back from Wooly Wales, as a special treat for him, we ventured into deepest Farnborough. The first problem encountered was our favorite little cut through opposite the Tech had been closed and those not conversant with the northern half of Rushmoor had to risk the A327 to regain the route. The next difficulty was the road works outside the pub. PV was concentrating so hard on getting through the lights without getting mown down by a PT Cruiser he totally missed the pub. Fortunately, on the way back we had the Farnborough Scout to guide us.
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
|
| Thatched Cottage
| Farnborough
| GU14 8NU
|
Comment | | As England was demonstrating to Holland that football is a game of two halves, this pub is also distinctly divided into two. The Prospect Road end entertains the estate crowd with large screen TV whilst the Town end tables are set for dining. Whatever side you on, the beer range usually has something interesting to try. This time it was a very nice Woodforde’s Sundew and an attempt by Saltaire at a German beer, Bavarian Gold. It is a trifle unfortunate that last week we had been trying the real stuff at the GBBF and had a recent memory for direct comparison. The verdict was; a valiant attempt but not quite there.
|
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|
| Courage
| Best
| 4.0
| £2.70
| -
| Not tried
|
| Adnams
| Broadside
| 4.7
| £2.90
| -
| Not tried
|
| Morland
| Old Speckled Hen
| 4.5
| £2.95
| -
| Not tried
|
| Saltaire
| Bavarian Gold
| 4.2
| £2.92
| 3
| Woody (1)
|
| Woodforde’s
| Sundew
| 4.1
| £2.92
| 3.5
| Very nice
|
| Hogs Back
| Hop Garden Gold
| 4.6
| £2.97
| 3.5
| KO enjoyed it
|
Although we tried The Old Courthouse, there were only a couple of beers on so we moved on.
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
|
| Alexandra
| Farnborough
| GU14 7PH
|
Comment | | This pub is divided by time. The lunchtime trade is food for the office workers and the sofas are to make the women feel comfortable, whereas in the evening the trade is drinks for the boys and the TV football is to make them feel at home. The London Pride was undrinkable and swapped. The Spitfire divided opinion; the early devotees thinking it was quite nice while the swappers gave it another woody vote. Two woodys in one evening: time to event a scale. At first it was difficult to tell who was whistling, RN or the parrot, but in the end it turned out to be KO.
|
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|
| Wadworth
| 6X
| 4.3
| £2.90
| 3
| PV enjoyed his half
|
| Fuller’s
| London Pride
| 4.1
| £2.90
| 0
| Undrinkable and swapped
|
| Shepherd Neame
| Spitfire
| 4.2
| £2.90
| 2
| Another woody (2)
|
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
|
| Swan
| Farnborough
| GU14 6TL
|
Comment | | The food service was winding up and the nice serving girls left almost as soon as we arrived. No change there then. Obtain their beers from the Enterprise Inns SIBA list and the two guests they had on were very nice indeed. So nice, a race back to the GG seemed pointless and the Aldershot boys stayed for another pint.
|
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|
| Hammerpot
| White Wing
| 4.0
| £3.10
| 4
| Excellent, no wood here
|
| Twickenham
| Naked Ladies
| 4.0
| £3.10
| 4
| Definitely no wood
|
| Fuller’s
| London Pride
| 4.1
| £3.10
| -
| Not bothered
|
Woody scale of taste; 1 Twig 2 Branch 3 Bough 4 Trunk 5 Oaky