The Ale House (Free House)
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Michael Croxford
Visits Details
29 Sep 2020 (ChrisE)
Early evening visit and fairly busy but we were shown to a table for six. One way system in operation and customers and staff were adhering to COVID regulations and guidelines. This pub normally has six cask ales on these days, the table service was very good.
Oakham - Inferno | 4.00 | | |
Shalford - 1319 Mild | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
Oakham - Green Devil IPA | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
Billericay (large volume beers brewed at Brentwood) - Pilgrim Fathers | 5.50 | Not Tried | A Black IPA |
Mauldons - 225 | 4.50 | Not Tried | Hoppy Golden |
Northern Whisper - Blimey | 3.80 | Not Tried | Pale Bitter |
02 Jan 2020 (Magnus Greel)
Late evening making the most of post xmas and new year hassle, quiet relaxed atmosphere most enjoyable.
Shalford - Snowman | 4.20 | | Dry subtle fruits in superb condition |
Harvey's - Christmas Ale | 7.50 | | Another taster, too sickly sweet |
Saltaire - Café Culture | 4.60 | | Just a taster too coffeish for me |
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - DogBolter Dark Porter | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
Mighty Oak - Captain Bob | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
Grain - ThreeOneSix | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
Moor - Time & Space | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
Torrside - Red Right Hand | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
Manchester - Ganzy | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
15 May 2019 (Stephen Harris)
Mid-evening and busy. A lot of people are, like me, refreshing here after a day at the cricket.
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Bronx | 7.20 | | A strong, dry, creamy Irish Stout. |
Mighty Oak - Azacca | 3.90 | | A rather sweet, smooth single-hopper. |
Mauldons - Eatanswill Old XXXX | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
Padstow - Padstow May Day | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
Iron Pier - Cast Iron Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
XT Brewing - Animal Brewing Salamander | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
Padstow - St Tudy Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
Beartown (latterly part of Manning Brewers) - LIT | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
17 Aug 2018 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening change of train visit. The train change was not necessary but this place always tempts and beckons when passing.
Vibrant Forest - Cambrian Root | 5.10 | | Too warm and little carbonation or mouthfeel |
St Peter's - Mild | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
Oakham - Inferno | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
East London (ELB) - Nightwatchman | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
3D (a brand of Epic Beers) - Hop Gun | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
Vibrant Forest - Saigon | 7.10 | Not Tried | |
Torrside - Space Cadet | 5.80 | Not Tried | |
Hopcraft (experimental side of Pixie Spring) - Statement of Intent V5 | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
Park - Zythos Pale Ale | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
Tiny Rebel - Mosaic Milkshake | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
Mourne Mountains - Barney's Bitter | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
30 Apr 2017 (Stephen Harris)
Mid-evening to build up the strength to face the rail replacement bus to Newbury Park from Ingatestone. There is a pub quiz taking place and it has filled every table.
Weird Beard - Safe Stout | 7.70 | | A proper, strong black Stout that is worthy of the name. |
King's Head - Crowdie's Oatmeal Stout | 5.00 | | A sweetish, brown-coloured Stout. Punched below its weight. |
Milton - Minotaur Mild | 3.30 | Not Tried | |
Farmer's Ales (Maldon Brewing) - Drop of Nelson's Blood | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
East London (ELB) - Jamboree | 4.80 | Not Tried | |
Bishop Nick - East Street | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
Arbor Ales - Blorage | 5.20 | Not Tried | |
07 Jun 2016 (Magnus Greel)
Lunchtime one other customer.
Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | | |
Coles Family - Nettle Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
Maldon - Born to be Mild | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
Mighty Oak - Commando | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
Blackjack - Sky City | 7.00 | Not Tried | |
Elland - Lucky Dip | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
15 Apr 2016 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening, Return visit until just before the last London bound train. Clearly the best ale (and best range of) in town.
Billericay (large volume beers brewed at Brentwood) - Chilli Porter | 5.90 | | Great end of session heart warmer |
Big Hand - Telekinesis | 6.90 | | |
Liverpool Organic - Liverpool Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
Kent - Simcoe | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
Big Smoke - Dark Wave Porter | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
Gipsy Hill - Bounder | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
Dark Star - Wheat Purple | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
Colchester - Brinsop | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
Cathedral Heights - Strait IPA | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
Ash Valley - Ash | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
Clouded Minds - Vera | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
Arbor Ales - Basta Rosse (collaboration with Mezzo Passo) | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
15 Apr 2016 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening. Straight in off the train.
Kent - Simcoe | 4.50 | | |
Liverpool Organic - Liverpool Stout | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
Big Smoke - Dark Wave Porter | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
Gipsy Hill - Bounder | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
Dark Star - Wheat Purple | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
Colchester - Brinsop | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
Cathedral Heights - Strait IPA | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
Ash Valley - Ash | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
Clouded Minds - Vera | 5.60 | Not Tried | |
Billericay (large volume beers brewed at Brentwood) - Chilli Porter | 5.90 | Not Tried | |
Big Hand - Telekinesis | 6.90 | Not Tried | |
Arbor Ales - Basta Rosse (collaboration with Mezzo Passo) | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
01 Nov 2015 (Stephen Harris)
Early evening on Sunday and relatively quiet in here. I didn’t record all the beer names.
Two by Two - Coconut Porter | 5.50 | | A very full-flavoured, black Porter. |
Scarborough - Citra | 4.20 | | Pale gold in colour. Pretty good Citra flavours but doesn’t quite have the lip-smacking quality of some of its type. |
Brightside - Our Town | 4.00 | | Golden and quite crisp. |
Whippet - House Dogge | 3.70 | | A chestnut-coloured, malty, caramel-flavoured standard Bitter. |
Green Jack - Ripper Tripel | 8.50 | Not Tried | |
Hellhound - Black Shuck | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
Bishop Nick - Embers | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Black Shadow | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
26 Oct 2015 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening, return visit, until close.
Oakham - Dreamcatcher | 6.90 | | |
Canterbury Brewers - East Kent Red Rye Green Hop | 4.40 | | |
Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
Vale - Black Swan Mild | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
Scarborough - Stout | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Wild Raven | 6.60 | Not Tried | |
Park - Spankers IPA (superseded by 6% version) | 5.40 | Not Tried | |
Bexley - Kent Green Hop (Gushmere Fuggles) Pale Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
Acorn - Secret Affair | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
Canterbury Brewers - Halfling IPA | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
Round Tower - Liminal | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
Track - Karamea | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
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