Beer in London

That's disgusting, dys.

Yes, yes it is.

Was it warm?

luke

That is sad indeed!I'll be in London this spring and was planning on doing just the same thing and I'm origionally from the home of Anheiser-Busch.
So what do you suggest I order other than the bars most popular beer?

Millar light.

I'm outraged that they offered no Lone Star. What's the matter with these people?

What do you all have against imported beer?

Dry cider. (Not that fizzy soda pop stuff usually sold in North America). It's refreshing and can pack a respectable punch.

Yes to cider! So delicious, not like 'apple juice" at all, refreshing and tasty. Also intoxicating...

Are there different types of ciders? Like pear.....

I'll have to give it a try.

Marty, Dys obviously went to a pub frequented by young trendies who, as far as beer is concerned, wouldn't know their collective arses from their elbows.

If we are talking about proper cask beer here, I would highly recommend that you find a pub with a proper row of "draw" pumps, where the landloed has to drag the beer through the pipes by pulling hard on the pump.
This is not your fizzy, gas injected lager type beer we're talking about here. Pump beer (cask ale) is almost flat, but very smooth. After a pint or two, you'll be hooked.

Be warned, for someone not used to drinking proper beer, the first two or three gulps will probably taste very different from what you're used to, but then it will just slip down and you may not realise that it's having much effect until you step outside and end up staggering back to the hotel.
My recommendations.......

Fuller's Chiswick (Bitter) .........if you want to drink up to two pints without an afternoon siesta. 3.5% and very nice.

Fuller's London Pride.....My personal favourite from Fullers. Slightly creamier, and 4.1%.

Fuller's ESB (Extra special bitter)......quite a bittery taste, but lovely. At 5.5% itsh alsho shimply shtaggeringly shloshmaking.


If you can't see Fullers on the pumps, look for Greene King beer. If you see it, you must try a pint of their "Abbot Ale" or the Greene King IPA.



DIET WARNING......if you fancy some CRISPS with your beer, don't ask for chips as you'll get a large plate of what you call french fries.

Crisps are a must with a good pint of beer, and come in many flavours. I would recommend "Cheese and Onion" variety.

The aforementioned cider is also good, but is usually served on a "gas" pump in pubs, and can be fizzy.
Ask the bartender if he/she has any "cask" ciders. Again, watch how much you're drinking.

If they don't have cask cider, ask for a bottle of Magner's Cider, as that's pretty much like proper cask stuff.

Good luck.

They do exist, but are pretty rare. I wouldn't think you'd find one in a pub.

I think, you won't get more than one kind/brand of draught cider in pubs in/around London - though about half a dozen of draught beers (and more) is quite usual

(photo from early December last year, not too far from the V&A)

Here's some info on "real ales".......

http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=aboutale


and the relevant page.....
http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=180651

...and some recommended Pubs......

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/Real-Ale-Pubs-in-London-recommended-london.html

Failing which have COBRA. The Brits are fond of all things Indian

Thanks for the info. If I'm going to be in London I plan on enjoying what the locals do. Maybe I should stick to the Fuller's Chiswick

SCRUMPY!!!!

(Thats a brand name)