Advice on Writing Pub Descriptions
Entries should have descriptions of 80 words maximum and not less than 50 words.
When carrying out a survey look for unusual features inside and outside the pub, such as windows carrying the motif of a long-defunct brewery or special architectural, design or furnishing features, such as wood panelling, beams, inglenook, hops above the bar, and old settles. Has the pub been knocked through or does it have a traditional layout with separate bars? If the beer entry says "Beer range varies", you can mention some unusual or rare beers that are often available. Does the pub have an interesting range of imported bottled beers, such as Belgian specialities? Seek out the history of the pub: some pubs of historic interest often have printed information available. Is the pub near places of interest, such as castles, museums, including transport museums? Detail food available: the pub may employ an award-winning chef, or it may specialise in curries, Thai food, organic or vegetarian dishes. Are there special facilities for families? Are traditional pub games played and does the pub attract special interest groups such as quiz, darts, cricket and football teams? Are dogs welcome? Has the same family run the pub for several decades or more? Below are some ideas for entries. (some symbols omitted due to font limitations)
ST ALBANS Blacksmiths Arms
56 St Peters Street AL1 2DZ(north end, on roundabout, junction with Hatfield Road
$ (01727) 855761 0 11-11; 12-10.30 Sun.
Boddingtons Bitter; Flowers IPA; Marston's Pedigree; Wadworth 6X; Whitbread Abroad Cooper; guest beers Large, bustling city-centre Hogshead with an imposing, half-beamed exterior with wooden beer casks, on a gallery and hanging baskets. The split-level interior has polished wood floors, settles and benches, with a fascinating mix of old photos of St. Albans and tools from the blacksmith's trade. One area of the pub is now no-smoking. As well as the regular beers, there are frequent festivals offering spring, summer and winter ales from small regional and craft brewers.
Farmers Boy
134 London Road AL1 3HD
$ (01727) 766702 0 11-11; 12-10.30 Sun. Adnams Bitter; Verulam Special, IPA, Farmers Joy; guest beer
A cheery and welcoming little pub with the air of a country local. It has been brilliantly restored to its original style after several dismal years as a 'Wine and Ale Cafe' and now houses the small Verulam Brewery at the back, which supplies most of the pub's ales: it even brews an occasional house lager. American hops are used in the IPA, which give the ale a magnificent tart flavour.
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Farriers Arms
35 Lower Dagnall Street AL2 4MJ(off A5183) $ (01727) 851025
0 12-2.30, 5.30-11; 12-11 (may vary) Sun. Draught Bass; McMullen AK, Country, Gladstone
Wonderfully unspoilt, classic back-street boozer that time - and the brewery - forgot the pump clip for AK still calls it `Mild'. The split-level interior has a small, cramped area fronting the bar, used mainly by stand-up drinkers, while the back room is more spacious with plenty of comfortable seating. Darts are played to the side of the front area, card schools regularly meet here, and the pub is the watering-hole for many sports clubs: it even runs its own cricket team.
Garibaldi
61 Albert Street AL1 5XD
7r (01727) 855046
0 (11 Sat)-1 1; 12-10.30 Sun.
Adnams Bitter; Fuller's Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB, seasonal beers; occasional guest beers
Delightful back-street pub with an awesome view of St. Albans Abbey from the entrance and the small beer garden to the side. The Garibaldi has an inn sign depicting the great unifier of Italy; his connections with St Albans are not known though the city has a large Italian community. The Fuller's pub, with a vigorous guest beer policy, is dominated by a central bar with standing room and seats all around.
STEVENAGE Fisherman
34-36 Fishpool Street SG1 6CF $(01727)855669
0 12-2.30, 5.30-11; 12-11 Sat; 12-3, 7-10.30 Sun.
Black Sheep Special; Fuller's London Pride; Oakham JHB; guest beers L] Everything is genuine about the Fisherman: genuine beams and great log fires in the two 17th-century bars, and a genuine free house with a good range of frequently-changing beers that feature ales from craft breweries rarely seen in the South-east. Annual beer festivals are held on May Day and August Bank Holiday. The bars, connected by a central servery, have half-timbered walls and comfortable red seating.
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