A waxing gibbous moon followed us on our journey from Bentley to Alton as the sky slowly turned from a dusty shade of pink through a velvety mauve to end a dusky purple.
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
| Anchor | Lower Froyle | GU34 4NA | Comment |
| After settling on the benches outside, our discussions centered the relative merits of KOC’s hand drawn ‘map’ and the Ordnance Survey Sheet 186 brought along by PV and which to follow. The pub, although now firmly gastro, does maintain three real ales all local to the area. The beer quality was not quite up to last year’s standard but was still good. | ||
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andwell | Gold Muddler | 3.9 | £2.80 | 3.5 | Refreshing after the ride |
| Andwell | King John | 4.2 | £2.90 | 3.0 | - |
| Hogs Back | HOP | 4.6 | £3.00 | - | Not tried |
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
| Hen & Chicken | Upper Froyle | GU34 4JH | Comment |
| As we got to this pub, the decision must have been in favor of OS mapping. This was a new venue for Mengo who were slightly disappointed with the Lemony Cricket. Met up with some fellow cyclists who were returning from their evening excursion to Basingstoke. Lightweights really; one had taken three days to do the London to Brighton – his only excuse being he had cycled up to London one day, did the Run the next and cycled home on the third. | ||
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hall & Woodhouse | Badger | 4.0 | £2.95 | 3.5 | Very good |
| Hall & Woodhouse | Lemony Cricket | 4.4 | £3.20 | 2.5 | Slightly disappointing |
| Hall & Woodhouse | Tanglefoot | 4.9 | £3.20 | - | Not tried |
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
| Queens Head | Holybourne | GU34 4EG | Comment |
| During the landlord’s holiday, the organizer of the Alton Beer Festival, Peter had stepped in to cover. It turned out that the favorite tipple at this year’s summer festival was John O’Gold - a 4.5%, four year old single variety cider. There is no accounting for taste, which was apparent from the high gravity guest beers available at this Greene King tie. Still, the landlord is to be commended for actually having some non GK beers, | ||
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brains | The Rev. James | 4.5 | £3.10 | 3.5 | No comments |
| Stonehenge | Great Bustard | 4.8 | £3.10 | 3.5 | Best on offer |
| Tom Woods | Bomber Country | 4.8 | £3.10 | 3.5 | Cloying |
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
| Eight Bells | Alton | GU34 2DA | Comment |
| The barmaid had all the attributes we like – pleasant demeanor, provided efficient service and put on a nice breast display. Fortunately the landlord remains unchanged and PV reckoned the Swift One to be on top form. | ||
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowman | Swift One | 3.8 | £2.70 | 4.0 | Excellent beer |
| Bowman | Wallops Wood | 4.0 | £2.70 | 4.0 | Excellent beer |
| Flowerpots | Goodens Gold | 4.8 | £3.00 | 4.0 | Excellent beer |
| Pub | Location | OS Map Ref |
| Railway Arms | Alton | GU34 2RB | Comment |
| The barmaid had all the attributes we like – a pleasant demeanor, provided efficient service and put on a nice, if fully covered, breast display. Fortunately the landlord remains unchanged and ROC reckoned the Alton’s Pride to be on top form. Informed us the brewer, Graham Trott, had abandoned Pressed Rat and Warthog as a regular beer (it will now only appear as the Mild for May) and the spare capacity created used for more seasonal offerings – at the moment Halleluiah. | ||
| Brewer | beer | % | Price | Mark | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triple fff | Alton’s Pride | 3.8 | £2.60 | 4.5 | On top form |
| Triple fff | Moondance | 4.2 | £2.70 | - | Not tried |
| Triple fff | Halleluiah | 4.5 | £2.80 | 4.0 | Halleluiah indeed |
| Triple fff | Dazed & Confused | 4.6 | £2.80 | - | Not tried |
| Vale | Wychert | 3.9 | £2.60 | 3.5 | Nice session beer |