White Hart, Congresbury

Dropped in for a Sunday lunch today with a friend after a somewhat bracing local walk. Very welcoming crackling real fire.. and welcoming staff too (even though we hadn't reserved at an obviously very busy time).

Have to admit that the pint I ordered (not one I've had before) did taste a bit odd, a bit sharp, so I went back to the bar to ask if that's the way it was supposed to taste. Rather than fob me off, the landlord insisted that I come to the back room to see how the kegs were kept and to try some straight from the keg.. and then some fresh from a new keg. And indeed all of these tasted the same - certainly not the case of old beer being off.. just a slightly strange beer (to my taste buds anyway). At this point the landlord suggested I might prefer one of the darker beers and served up a pint of Tanglefoot (his recommendation, at no extra charge) which indeed was much more to my taste.

Must admit I was slightly embarrassed, but he was very good about it all and remained very friendly though the rest of our stay (and not in an obsequious manner.. quite cheeky at times really!) Clearly someone who had a passion for his beers, his pub and his customers. The roast leg of lamb was very good too.. with vegetables cooked suitably al dente rather than the mush I've had at so many village pubs. Very nice and crisply topped home-made fruit crumble too, even if I was pining for slightly thicker custard (but then in my book custard isn't thick enough until you can stand your spoon up in a jug of it!)

31 Jan 2010 23:20