BITE user comments - Hudge
Comments by Hudge
Yesterday, slipped into the MOTH (no aroma of chunder...yet) I tried a pint of CAINS FINE RAISIN BEER 5.0%ABV brewed in Merseyside. The last time I tried the scousers favourite the strong raisin flavour was very sickly and one pint was enough. However, this time they seemed to have toned it down and I agree with the tasting notes It could be enjoyed with red meat. Mind you how much of the tasting notes is Bullxxxx, I don�t know.
I also sampled WELLS BANANA BREAD BEER 4.5%ABV brewed by Wells and Young...Surprise, Surprise it does taste like Banana. If you don�t notice the colour you could be drinking a Banana milk shake. However, both pints went down a treat.
14 Nov 2009 07:56
On Monday 2nd November I popped in and as a regular I enjoy the comfortable, relaxed and clean surroundings of this pub.
Not being a real ale aficionado i thought I�d wet my whistle and sample the wide selection of ales.
I settled for a COTLEIGH LONG EARED OWL 4.9% by the Cotleigh brewery in Somerset. Very nice pint, described as an amber coloured beer. However, I didn�t taste any citrus mentioned in the tasting notes.
Tried a pint of THWAITES LIBERATION ALE 4.5%,Thwaites brewery Lancashire. Described as a chestnut coloured beer, didn�t get too much of the flavour mentioned in the book either but still a delicious pint.
Visited again on Tuesday and sampled GREEN KING BOSS HOGG 4.1%coloured ale with a distinctive taste of malt.
Then had the TOSHi�s AMBER ALE 4.4% brewed by Toshi Ishimore. I would say it was a Red coloured ale. The flavour reminded me of Saki, or was it herbs I could taste still very nice.
On Wednesday I tried the MOORHOUSES BLACK PANTHER4.8% from Lancashire. A very dark ale with aroma of chocolate but failed to detect the caramel.
Then I sampled the ANKER GOUDENCAROLUSAMBRIO 8% from Belgium. CAROLUS is dark and more copper in looks and went down nicely. Sadly, only sold in half-pint glasses. I bought two half�s a and asked for a empty pint glass but was refused. . Four halfs later and i felt at one with the world and at peace with god. I also felt I could take on David Haye, the Boxing champion, with one arm tied behind my back. Don�t remember the journey home.
Friday had two pints of PIER ALE 5.% RCH Brewery in Somerset. Billed as an amber ale(I�d call it amber noir) an easy drinking beer which is consistent with all the ales I have sampled so far.
The MOTH is an excellent venue to enjoy hot food and a few pints. The service is good and the staff seem to handle it well during the busy times. Be warned, on Friday and Saturday evenings any attractive young girls (glamorous young things)will be served before any middle aged men.
At lunchtimemid week, the family area does consist of elegant middle aged ladies with children and grandchildren and office staff enjoying the Thursday curry.
There is a small cobble stoned smoking area which is very popular except with those sitting near the open door on a cold evening. There is seating outside at the front of the pub. It is spacious and even has a beer garden at the family end of the pub. In general, the MOTH is cleaner than most spoons pubs
Sometimes late on Friday its full of glamorous young things who enjoy a pre club drink. However, I was informed that the vague aroma of chunder near the bar, was due to the glamorous young things returning from Chicago�s having been thrown out for being too Elephants trunk. So they return to the MOTH for more drink or just to be ill.
14 Nov 2009 07:34
Sampled CAROLUS at 8% from Belgium in The Ship of Fools. This ale was a dark copper, delicious, with a nice head only sold in half pint glasses. I bought two half�s a and asked for a empty pint glass but was refused. . Four half�s later and i felt at one with the world and at peace with god.
Slerpy...... If you�ve ever worked behind the bar in a busy pub you will know it never gets stressful enough to be rude to the paying customer.
12 Nov 2009 21:46
I wish to withdraw my last comment as it unwittingly appraises and supports slerpys toadying remarks to colonelflay
12 Nov 2009 21:25
After a disappointing start to the evening in The George, in George street we sat down to sample O�Hanlon�s Red Ale 4.5%. It has the ruby red colour mentioned in the tasting notes, but only just caught the fruit flavour.
The award winning Kings old Ale 4.5%, brewed by WJ & King had a dark Smokey flavour and an excellent choice for a Firework night party.
Blackcurrent fruit flavoured Iron lady 4.1% was another we tried, from Batemans brewery...... defiantly good taste.
2 Nov 2009 02:34
We popped into the Sour faced arms the other day better known as The George. Apparently this pub IS in The Good Beer Guide.
As usual, it was packed at the bar with drinkers who had already been served. The bar staff, with attitude, were present once again.
I had to queue for a drink and was served by a manic smiling barmaid. I took a mouthful of twangy flavoured London pride as she took my money.
On closer inspection I noticed bits floating in the pint. With some effort, I managed to get my pint changed.
To glean some idea of the attitude of this place, read slerpys bitter and twisted comments to bacardiandcoke, four reviews down.
He gives you the perfect example of what to expect from the bar staff when you are served by them in The George.....slerpy has got to be one of the barmaids who works there Saturday evening.
We decided to ventured to The Ship of Fools, (apparently NOT in The Good Beer guide)to sample more Real ale in more spacious environment.
The good Beer guide is only a GUIDE. There are other pubs (than the Sour faced Arms) to drink in, with a wide selection of ales and staff giving better service.
2 Nov 2009 02:23
This pub can get a little crowded at times and still employs sour faced staff who feel they are doing you a favour when serving you. It�s very competitive pub when trying to buy a beer and the bar staff can�t differ between who�s been waiting and who�s just walked in. The bar at the back is usually too busy anyway, with people ordering food and coffee.
I asked for a pint of the guest ale, Jaypure, I think it was. I was given a Tuborg instead by a very grumpy bar maid who blamed me for not stopping her make the mistake in the first place. This pint of Jodhpurs or Jay cloth, whatever the xxxxx thing was called, tasted foul. The words, wrestlers, Chinese and jockstrap sprang to mind. When I thought It couldn�t get worse, I purchased a pint of Naked lady.....The evening was only saved by a glass of the Porter Stout, which was excellent and a beer somewhere else.
At one point we considered ordering something to eat. Last time I ordered food here, we waited so long that I thought the cook had gone out to sea to catch the fish himself.
18 Oct 2009 05:07
It�s a convenient pub with the bookies just opposite and a bustop nearby. It looks daunting from the outside as the spit and a drag brigade block the doorway. Don�t let us put you off. Any boisterous regulars are usually kept in line by Cathy who sees all on her CCT.
The clientele is varied, mothers with children, shoppers, couples and lone drinkers. A family area at the back is spacious, great food a wide selection of ales and the service is quick...most times.
After our game of pool earlier, we decided to visit the Ship to sample a couple of pints of Tongham�s OTT. A Strong black beer at 6%ABV.......delicious. On the wine front, the Rioja and Tryst can be purchased by the glass but the if you enjoy something more palatable the Ch�teauneuf du Pape is available only by the bottle.
We decided on some food and I ordered the Ship�s new line of Large fish (which overlapped the diameter of the plate) with chips and peas. Our food arrived just in time to study form for the next race.
They had a curry tasting night there recently to promote some new dishes and the Thursday curry club is very popular and recommended.
The toilets are poorly signposted and the Gents loo still floods.
18 Oct 2009 03:56
The Porter and Sorter, Croydon
The chicken club sandwich on brown is recommended in the porter with a pint of fortyniner. I noticed a drive to recruit new staff in there now. Saturday evening was empty. I noticed that all Wetherspoon pubs, in comparison, tend to attract a high volume of young males and females on Friday and Saturday evenings, having a pre-club drink.
The Porter could easily accommodate that sort of Clientele, It has the capacity it has music. All they need to do is resurrect the sale of cocktails by the jug to entice the young lubbers.
I�m flattered that some people are concerned with broadening my drinking horizons. They shouldn�t worry. I�ve compiled a small selection of pubs in Croydon I visited over the years.
During the week I may have a beer in either the Moon on the Hill, The Treasury ,All Bar One or sample a speckled hen in pub next to Sutton station, then The Ship of fools for a glass of Pilgrims progress and a London pride in The Porter and maybe a beer in the George.
I also occasionally visit the Builders Arms , The Alma Tavern, The Oval Tavern, The Cricketers,The Beehive, The Cherry Orchard, The Glamorgan, The Windmill, The Bedford,C.R.O. (when it was open), Pals (when it existed)Swan and Sugarloaf, The Tree house, The Skylark, The ship(owned by same company as the Porter),The Goose on the Market, Spreadeagle, and Lloyds bar, The Old Brief, Gun Tavern, Arkwrights Wheel (where i occasionally play pool),The Fox and .Hounds and The Ship of fools where i enjoy a couple of glasses of Benchmark.....every few months i meet up with old friends and we have a few either around London bridge, Soho, South Ken, fleet street,Brick lane..etc..etc...
11 Oct 2009 11:43
The Porter and Sorter, Croydon
Customers feel relaxed and comfortable in the Porter and Sorter environment as they welcome everyone regardless of race, culture, creed, ethnic or national origin, gender, religious or political belief, or sexual orientation.
The pub is owned by Marstons so you would expect a fine selection of ale from their own brewery.
There are Four screens showing sport in the main bar and a restaurant area at the back (with table service)for those who want something to eat . There is a comfortable smoking area ( is legal i checked with council, it�s not classed as a room) provided at the very back of the pub and a partial covered area outside.
It�s a very popular pub and a meeting place for postal and office workers, those returning from the races, or a resting place for shoppers or those waiting for a train.
Palace supporters are regular customers and enjoy a few pints in the Porter before they go to the match with family or friends. Most are well behaved but sadly, a minority insist on disgracing themselves in front of their friend s and staff.
Regarding the short measures 5% head is standard practice but you should ask if you wish your beer to be topped up.
The staff at the porter are a team, they work extremely hard and are friendly and attentative to all customers.
They are impartial and will serve both regulars and none regulars with equal importance.
The pub kitchen has a Gold Award from the company and has an excellent varied menu from wraps and sandwiches through to main meals and delightful deserts.
They also serve customers who moan about the beer, think they�re ale aficionados and have more than the 5% head, up their own backside.
Regarding drinking up time. The rule states that when the bell rings at 11pm, customers have 20 minutes to finish their drinks. For those who don�t know, twenty minutes is not 45 minutes or an hour.
The male toilets are pretty grim by late evening but do some men have a problem aiming percy accurately at the porcelain and do they need toilet training?
There have been cut backs and the place may need a few repairs and a lick of paint. But I�m sure the d�cor will improve in time.
After all, you wouldn�t visit your friend, accept his hospitality, drink his beer then slag off his shoddy paintwork because he�s fallen on hard times ....would you?
19 Jul 2009 14:32
The Skylark, Croydon
I haven�t been in this pub for a while so I popped in on firework night.
The Skylark is a typical spacious spoons pub. The waist high tables lead to a wide staircase and an upper level. A beer garden towards the back which has heaters for those chilly evenings. Not too many curry enthusiasts for a Thursday but glad they got rid of the chap in the Gents loo encouraging you to use his knocked- off aftershave.
I tried the DAVENPORTS LAST MINUTE by Highgate brewery west midlands 4.5% billed as a golden cask larger. Had a smooth taste but seemed like flat larger. I had another pint, this time BOSS Hog a bronze coloured ale with a distinctive taste of malt. Didn�t get the refreshing zest or underlying spices ...certainly wouldn�t Hogg my attention too long.
I tried a of Pint of DARK ISLAND 4.6% brewed by Orkney brewery. A dark colour, like Guinness with a frothy head and the taste was acceptable with a hint, i thought, of chocolate.
14 Nov 2009 09:38