ST.ALBANS

Beerhound is in little serious doubt that St.Albans is top of the cask ale league among Ryman Premier clubs. This town was the 'birthplace' of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale and still houses its HQ, and an active local branch keeps research up to date! Excellent rail links (Thameslink) and a pleasant ground adjacent to a mature park make this an attractive venue all-round for an awayday, with ample choice of hostelries to offer a good apres-match trawl too. The city is full of pubs for the indiscriminate, but we have restricted ourselves to half a dozen of the best plus a couple of good out-of-town options

City station is less than 10 minutes walk from the ground, and equidistant is the MERMAID* (1), 98 Hatfield Rd and close by the college, is a rare outlet for Everards beers in the Ryman region, with lunchtime food available.
Just up the road by the roundabout is the Blacksmith's Arms (2), now one of the Hogshead chain, but much improved recently.
Walking in the other direction from the station down Alma Rd brings one to the London Rd and the excellent FARMERS BOY* (3) at no. 134. This old cottage style one bar pub is the home of St Albans' new micro-brewery, Verulam, and would be Beerhound's choice if you only go to one St Albans pub. A range of their beers should be available (the IPA is superb!!). Home cooked food is served all day. Be warned though that on my last visit a sign behind the bar said that groups of more than six would not be admitted on grounds of size! So split up before you go in!
The WHITE HART TAP (4) at 4 Keyfield Terrace is just off the London Rd.(drop down the hill by another pub whose name Ihave forgotton on the corner) It has a range of beers inc. Deuchars IPA and is worth a try. Lunchtime food.
Beyond the market place lie more good options:- the small FARRIERS ARMS*(7)in Lower Dagnall St is a pleasant small and largely unspoilt McMullens' local with lunchtime food also available; and nearby in Fishpool St is the larger LOWER RED LION*(6); something of a St Albans institution, the 'Lower Red' is an old coaching in with a changing range of interesting guest beers as well as London pride and Oakham JHB; and finally worth trying is the FIGHTING COCKS (8) at the bottom of Abbey Hill Lane, where beer range and quality has reportedly improved, although the interior of this historic pub has taken a severe battering over the years.

Coming in by road, and very close to the M1/M25 intersection at Potterscrouch is the HOLLY BUSH*, Bedmond Lane, off the A4147, Grid Ref. 116053, a Fullers house with the full range of their beers. The pub goes back to the 18th century and is furnished appropriately. Luchtime snacks are available. Less accessible at Amwell near Wheathampstead to the north east of the town is the ELEPHANT & CASTLE* (Grid Ref.167133). Here you will find a deep well in the bar, open fires in season and food-a-plenty. Finally, the *GREEN MAN, Sandridge (B651 to north east of the town) has Green King IPA on handpump, and on stillage, GK Abbot, Adnams Broadside and Batemans XXXB. Worth checking out!

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St Albans City web site

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