Starting where I finished with my last blog at the Princess Louise, 208 High Holborn WC1V 7EP (website). This Grade II Listed pub was built in 1872 and named after Queen Victoria's sixth child, with the fabulous interior redesigned in 1891, it really is worth visiting for that alone, and not just for the loos! 😉 It's a Samuel Smith (from Yorkshire - website) pub, so everything they sell is Sam Smiths basically, wine, spirits, crisps, oh yes, and beers... 🍺
And what do you drink if you're an ale drinker? Their 4.0% Old Brewery Bitter, and yes, it's drinkable, and apparently brewed with traditional English Fuggle (hopslist) and East Kent Golding (hopslist) hops. Go to their own page for their opinion, me? Personally, I'd describe it as slightly malty, not very bitter, unchallenging, and easy to drink, as previously suggested.
From the Princess Louise go back to the Holborn junction and turn left up Southampton Row, then third right at Theobalds Road, then immediately left up Old Gloucester Street to Queens Square, and at the corner is The Queens Larder, 1 Queen Square WC1N 3AR (website), and yes, you are in Bloomsbury! A Grade II Listed building, early 18th century, and pub since 1710, named after George III's Queen Charlotte, who assisted with his care as the king stayed with, and was treated by, his physician Dr Willis in Queen Square (named after Queen Anne). 👑
There were 3 handpumps, 2 I remember included Fuller's (website) London Pride (4.1%), which when in form is pretty good, but it does need to be sold quickly as it doesn't last too long in opened casks (cellar experience there folks!). Brewed with English hops Target (hopslist), Northdown (hopslist), Challenger (hopslist) and East Kent Golding (hopslist), and I'd describe it as a slightly malty and bitter traditional session bitter, easy to drink. There was also Timothy Taylor's (website) Landlord (4.3%) from Yorkshire. Landlord is a pale-ish amber Bitter, brewed with Whitbread Golding (hopslist), Savinjski/Styrian Golding (hopslist) and Fuggle (hopslist) hops, producing a slightly fruity citrus flavour. Another pretty easy to drink bitter. 😁
A few doors away is The Swan, 7 Cosmo Place WC1N 3AP, a Greene King pub (website), originally from the 18th century, but rebuilt in 1931. Unsurprisingly the usual Greene King ales available, but I enjoyed the 4.3% Timothy Taylor's Landlord, described above, cheers! 🍺
Carry along Cosmo Place to Southampton Row, turn right and walk up to Euston Road and turn right (the easiest route, but you can meander through back streets, and more complicated), along on the right, across from St Pancras Station is The Euston Flyer, 83-87 Euston Road NW1 2RA (website). A much newer building converted into a pub about 30 years ago. This is owned by Fuller's of Chiswick, West London (website), where we met friends from Sheffield via St Pancras Station, and B came down from Manchester this time, so across from Euston Station.
Here, we were all disappointed with the beers, Pride for Paul and Ian, whilst I drank their 4.2% Golden Hour, brewed with Harlequin hops (British Hops). As I said, for a Fuller's house it was disappointing indeed, so I'll pass on how they describe it: "golden ale, the hops delivering tropical citrus notes with a touch of candied fruit." This was actually our first port of call on the day as we walked in the opposite direction towards Holborn, but that didn't fit with my Blackfriars to Euston theme, and we talked B out of drinking here when she arrived! 😞
For you, dear reader, I'd suggest alternatively drinking around the corner at the Skinners Arms, 114 Judd Street WC1H 9NT (website), with 6 cask ales and 4 crafty keg beers. Historic too, and I shall have to go there myself in the not too distant future, cheers folks! 👍
Don't forget though, that there are many things that can go wrong drinking alcohol, be aware of limits and potential physical, social, and legal factors. The drinkaware website offers advice, tools to help, where to get support and 'facts' you may not be aware of. Stay safe folks! 👌
