The King's Arms, Tring

According to the Good Beer Guide this fushia pink pub has been owned by the same family for over 30 years and has won local and regional CAMRA Pub of the Year awards and its easy to see why.

Without doubt, the best pub we've visited this season and the small but comfortable bar was packed out when we arrived, so we setup camp in the spacious courtyard to the rear of the pub. With five ales and two ciders on offer it was always going to be a difficult choice, but Old Rosie is always top of the list.

So the beer selection is very good. What of the food? The menu was extensive for bar food and in the end we went for the Beef and Bacon burger, which was exceptional. Both the bacon and the burgers were sourced from a local butcher and served in a large granary roll with a side salad rather than chips, which is a welcome change.

We did spy on another table a great big pile of tortilla chips and homemade guacamole which looked delicious and we are holding out for a return trip to Tring in an attempt to work our way through the great selection of beer, cider and food.

Rating 4.5/5

The Stag, Stotfold

The Stag in Stotfold was again recommended from the Good Beer Guide and we were hoping for a better visit that we had in Ashford. We were in for a real treat.

The pub has recently been refurbished inside and out and looks very nice. Beers included London Pride, Adnams and a very welcome addition in Aspalls Cyder.

Some of the chaps fancied feeding and on approaching the bar with a menu were informed that the kitchen was yet to be used as they were opening officially that night. After pulling a few sour faces the landlord said that he would bat up the fryers and lay on some chips for us. What a legend!

We then attempted to play darts. After a few holes in the new paintwork, we gave it up as a bad job and I'm sure Kev would still be there trying for his double off.

All in all, a great visit to a great little boozer. We shall return.

Rating 4.5/5

Kings Fairway, Ashford

The Kings Fairway in Ashford was recommended to us via the Good Beer Guide.

The beer, can not be faulted. Their customer service certainly can. The friendly young ladies served us our drinks in full knowledge that young Thomas was with us, he was standing at the bar when we ordered our drinks. Once we had chosen a table we were asked not to sit there unless we were eating.

We were shown to the 3 or 4 tables that we were allowed to sit at with children. Within 5 minutes we were approached again and told that Thomas was not welcome unless he was eating.

We then asked if he was OK if he sat outside. The management replied that he was, so as it was a pleasant evening we moved outside.

Whilst I appreciate that some parents let their children run roit in some pubs while they get off their tits, we are not all alike. I believe that children that sensibke role models should be given the opportunity to act like adults in adult surroundings. If they start leaping about, then ask them to leave.

Anyway, good beer, poor service and we lost in extra time. Not a great night!!

Rating 2/5

The Swan Hotel, Leighton Buzzard

The short trip to Leighton Buzzard to play the homeless Aylesbury United, gave Kevin the opportunity to drive and for our nerves to remain intact.

Driving past the ground to get to the High Street we passed a number of pubs and bars, but a previous visit to The Swan Hotel convinced us that a return to this venue was worth it.

Situated on the High Street, Wetherspoon's have had this hotel for just over 12 months, one of dozen hotels that Wetherspoon's now run.

We arrived to find the place heaving and we eventually found a table at the back of the bar, which we slowly took over as more of the Regiment arrived. The Swan Hotel is a lovely place and has a very pleasant atmosphere, which is rare in Leighton Buzzard and of course the range of beer is extensive and the quality of the food is reliable.

We decided to stay as late as possible as the bar at Leighton Town is renowned for having low stock and today they did not disappoint. It's was evident that having had a match themselves on Tuesday night in the FA Cup, that stock was already low for the Aylesbury United match the following night.

By full time they had run out of Foster's, Guinness and gin, as well as both Diet and Full Fat Coke. A poor show, but just re-enforces our decision to visit pubs rather than clubhouses this season.

Rating 4/5

The Old Oak, Holmer Green

Pushed for time on a Tuesday night trip to Holmer Green, we didn't think we would be able to squeeze a couple in before kick off, but the M25 was clear and we flew most of the way and arrived in the village at 1900.

We popped in The Old Oak, on New Pond Road, just 5 minutes from the ground. A lovely big pub with plenty of choice we went for the Cornish Doom Bar from the Sharp's Brewery and the more local Rebellion IPA, from Marlow.

 

Both were excellent and went down well. A quick trip to the ground was held up by a couple of horses loose in the road but we made it in time for kick off. We are pushing it and leaving it later and later before we leave and I'm sure we will miss a kick off one day!

Rating 4/5

The Railway, Greenford Part 2

Playing North Greenford United in the FA Cup gave us a chance to re-visit The Railway in Greenford and try the beer this time.

Travelling to this part of the world seems to be unlucky for us, as again the traffic was against us and we didn't arrive until 1410 with a little bit of drizzle. So not having enough time to order and eat any food we tried the Mad Goose Pale Ale instead.

Brewed the Purity Brewery on a farm near Studley in Warwickshire, it is named after the mad geese that patrol the farm. After pouring it looks almost golden and has a slight orange zest note and is very drinkable. At 4.6 ABV it's maybe not a session beer.

As a side note, we noticed on our second visit to The Railway, the soundtrack had moved on a decade and the bar steward that could not add up was not on shift. I hope he wasn't given the bullet following our report from our first visit!

We planned on leaving the pub with enough time to travel the remaining half mile to the ground in Berkeley Avenue but emerged to a monsoon in the car park. As the time approached 1500 we though we would miss the kick off but arrived at the ground to hear the whistle go as we went through the turnstile.

Once in the ground we noticed that Pipeman 118 was there and had cycled from Crouch End in the monsoon. What a legend!