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Three Blackbirds (Greene King)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Brentwood - Hope & Glory |  | 1 |
| Brentwood - Big Brown Bear |  | 1 |
| Aylesbury (ABC) (brewed by Vale) - Smart Big Fish | Not Tried | 0 |
| Chiltern - Summer Meadow | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rebellion - Puck's Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
18 Jul 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Fourth visit of the outing: My early evening call-in following the Hemel Old Town beer festival made for a good pitstop on the way back to Hemel Hempstead Station. As earlier in the day, friendly service and a range of seating inside and out. Still not a Greene King ale on but a choice from the smaller brewers instead of five.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brentwood - Hope & Glory | 4.50 | | Presented with a very good head and lasting lacing on this dark chestnut-hued Essex-brewed best bitter from Calcott Hall Farm in Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, and following this microbrewery's launch in 2006. A dry bitter first bite and named the Champion Premium Bitter of East England by the Society of Independent Brewers. A hoppy fruitiness rising from English varieties providing a light, traditional bitterness and likely to be East Kent Goldings behind its subtle spiciness, Challenger behind its cedar and floral notes, and Fuggles behinds its earthy, woody and mildly herbal touches. A hint of spiciness presenting. Sweet, robust malt flavours emerging with a biscuity caramelised flavouring from its traditional barley and wheat malts such as crystal and pale. A dry bitterness on its descent. Served in very good nick. |
| Aylesbury (ABC) (brewed by Vale) - Smart Big Fish | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Brentwood - Big Brown Bear | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Chiltern - Summer Meadow | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Rebellion - Puck's Pale | 3.80 | Not Tried |
18 Jul 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
First visit of the outing: Quiet for my early afternoon clamber in following a stroll with my four-legged friend in the local country park near Hemel Hempstead Station. Attentive friendly service and a good choice of comfortable seating inside and out. A well-preserved Victorian-looking pub with not a Greene King ale on but a good choice from the smaller brewers instead which was very welcome!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brentwood - Big Brown Bear | 4.00 | | Good head and lasting lacing presented on this Essex-brewed traditional English bitter from Calcott Hall Farm, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood. The brewing operation had humble beginnings as set up inside a garden shed in 2006. A dry bitter first bite on this brewery's second-ever recipe and brought back to celebrate their 20th anniversary. A fruited hoppiness rising aided by its English Fuggles and East Kent Goldings. A touch of caramel joining in from its maltiness for me. The likely malts are English Pale Malt, aiding a light biscuity sweetness, Crystal Malt behind its sweet caramel and toffee flavours, and Chocolate Malt, aiding its dark hue. A toffee-infused maltiness prevailing on my taste buds. A dry bitterness lingering on its downwards’ passage. On good form with lasting conditioning. |
| Brentwood - Hope & Glory | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Aylesbury (ABC) (brewed by Vale) - Smart Big Fish | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Chiltern - Summer Meadow | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Rebellion - Puck's Pale | 3.80 | Not Tried |
About the Three Blackbirds
Summary of Beer Scores
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| 1 |
| 1 |
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The pub is found in Boxmoor, Hertfordshire, HP1 1NR.
Situated at 194 St Johns Road in the Boxmoor suburb of Hemel Hempstead, this Greene King-owned establishment has been Pub of the Year 2025 and runner-up in 2026 for CAMRA. Five handpumps serve real ale and on a July 2026 visit for example from Brentwood, Chiltern, Rebellion and Vale. CAMRA members are welcomed with a 10% discount. Quite an extensive interior with a separate dining area and a single bar to greet you.
We have visited this pub twice, seen 5 different beers and tried 2 of them.
Postcode: HP1 1NR