RTW 2015

Date: 19 December 2015 Round the World

Sampled by:

PV, ROC, KOC, TM, RN, PC & JA with special guest Shredder

With no other suggestions it was ROC’s choice to again visit London – this time starting out from West Brompton. After meeting up with JA at West Brompton, we set off on the 30 minute walk to our first destination in Fulham Road. Why we did not change at West Brompton and catch the tube to Fulham Broadway or even Parsons Green only ROC will know.

Pub

Location

Post Code

Octoberfest Pub

678-680 Fulham Road

SW6 5SA

Comment

This is styled on the Bavarian beer halls but lacks the atmosphere or beer tradition of the originals. Although it had the usual uncomfortable trestle tables and benches, it served several German beers out of keg fonts rather than one tied beer out of a barrel, and with the large TV screens, resembled a typical UK Sports Bar more than any Gasthaus we have visited. To its credit, it did have the Hofbrau Festbier, available in a large pitcher. PC also spotted an unusual bottled beer from Unertl Weissbier Brauerei at Haag in Oberbayern. This was a lovely dark special Weissbier.

Beer

Country

%

Mark

D/B

Comment

Hofbrau Festbier

Germany

6.1

3

Keg

Well conditioned but gassy

Unertl Erinnerungstrunk

Germany

5.8

4

Bottle

Munich Dunkel Weissbier

Then it was a relatively short walk to Parsons Green

Pub

Location

Post Code

White Horse

1-3 Parson’s Green

SW6 4UL

Comment

PV & ROC had been to this pub for TC’s 40th Birthday Party but it must have had a makeover in the intervening years as there was nothing it the pub they recognized. Chelsea were playing at home and on arrival around 2.00 pm it was four deep at the bar and no unoccupied seating. Half an hour later the pub was nearly empty. Although the pub is well known for its foreign beer list, only PC imbibed overseas. The pub must sell a shed load of Pilsner Urquell as they have their own 200 litre tanks in a corner of the pub.

There was some doubt over the Twickenham beer served – the board listed Treacle Toffee Stout whereas the pump clip was for Sticky Toffee Stout and the beer more like a Milk Stout?

Brewery

Beer

%

Mark

D/B

Comment

Clarkshaws

White Out

4.1

3

Cask

Nearly white session IPA

Twickenham

Sticky Toffee Stout

4.7

3.5

Cask

Flavoured with muscova date

It was then onto the Tube for Charing Cross and a visit to a well liked (by PV) pub.

Pub

Location

Post Code

Harp

47 Chandos Place

WC2N 4HS

Comment

Although this pub was well known to PV, it was new to the rest of Mengo. PC again retained the spirit of RtW and went abroad whereas the rest tried some of the unusual guests available in this Fuller’s tied house.

Brewery

Beer

%

Mark

D/B

Comment

Kew

Richmond Rye

4.3

3

Cask

Sharp and tasty

Hammerton

Oyster Stout

5.5

3.5

Cask

Lovely smooth dark beer

Pub

Location

Post Code

Porterhouse Brewing Co

21/22 Maiden Lane

WC2E 7NA

Comment

This large pub is on many levels and although busy it was possible to find some seating in one of the out of the way alcoves. Nick was in good form by now and started chatting to the group whose table we had crashed.

Brewery

Beer

%

Mark

D/B

Comment

Crate Brewery

IPA

5.8

3.5

Cask

Interesting ‘craft’ IPA

Porterhouse

Plain Porter

4.2

3

Keg

Not bad at all

The itinerary then called for us to travel further east to Tower Bridge, but as it was getting late we decided to get something to eat (German sausage fitted the bill) and walk to Waterloo. The food market by the Festival Hall also provided some sustenance.

Pub

Location

Post Code

Hole in the Wall

5 Mepham Street

SE1 8SQ

Comment

This well remembered watering hole is even more of a doss house than before. The toilets are awful and set the tone for the whole place. Don’t think we will ever bother again.

Brewery

Beer

%

Mark

D/B

Comment

Southwark

Bankside Blonde

3.8

2

Cask

Urhh

Cottage

Gold Rush

5

1

Cask

Truly awful