When CAMRA’s South East London branch issued a challenge to members to get out there and judge the four finalists in the branch Pub of the Year competition, I thought it would be a great opportunity to try some places I hadn’t been to. As we had to visit all four pubs to a deadline, there was no slacking off with just doing two or three. The transport planning wasn’t too difficult thanks to Google maps and the like and we managed to fit in all four in one Sunday afternoon and evening. This is my personal viewpoint of the trip.
We started with my local in Plumstead, the super micropub and beer shop the Plum Tree. It is a fairly recent addition to the local micropub scene and is the first one in Plumstead. It is thriving alongside other locals such as the Star (great pizzas), the Old Mill and the Lord Herbert (doing very well and nicely refurbished). On the day of our visit, the TV was on for the rugby, there was a busy but relaxed vibe (dog and child friendly), and super fresh toilets; just what you’d expect for Sunday afternoon. With both cask and keg (and cider) on offer, everyone’s a winner. I enjoyed the Verdant Lightbulb Extra Pale and the Tiny Rebel Hank Golden while my partner enjoyed a Titanic Plum Porter from his home town of Stoke-on-Trent.
Suitably refreshed, we thought we had better move on, jumping onto the 53 bus down to Deptford and a quick trot down the High Street to the Dog & Bell. Things were very busy here, Sunday roasts and naughty nachos with Irish folk music on a bit later. This is a pretty big pub, so there was plenty going on: bar billiards, TV for the rugby and quite a lot of younger groups meeting up with friends. This wasn’t my favourite pub but I can see why it is popular. There are plenty of beers available!
Time to switch to the train from Deptford Station and up to London Bridge. From there it’s no distance to walk to the Royal Oak, although if you’re feeling lazy you can jump on a bus. Here you will find the Harvey’s range, an excellent selection of cask ales, but also available was the scrumptious Goose Island IPA. Not surprising that this was South East London branch’s Pub of the Year (see the last edition of London Drinker). On this visit there was a nice, relaxed Sunday vibe. It’s also very visibly a CAMRA supporting pub. Hurrah! It is a great traditional pub; clean inside and out and with glasses polished to perfection. It can’t be described as cosy, despite the nice little snug area because the décor is quite bright. We could have lingered here but had to move on!
Our final stop was the Ivy House in Nunhead. This took a little longer to get to (all the way on the 343 bus) but it was worth the journey. The pub had a great selection of local beers from both Brockley Brewery and Brick Brewery plus Lambeth Walk porter from By The Horns. They also had Southwark Brewing’s London Pale Ale which was so nice that I just stuck to that. They also offer free tea and coffee which is great for non-drinkers. This is a community run pub and it shows. There are things going on that are not beer related (and there is a stage for music etc), but there is definitely potential for more CAMRA involvement and support. It is family friendly and attracts a diverse crowd in terms of age ranges; I’d certainly go here if this was my local.
In short, great beers in all four pubs. However, all pubs need to pay continuous attention to maintaining their standards on the basics such as clean glasses and clean toilets at all times, as well as their enthusiasm for beer.
Cheers!
Maria Freeman