Fairly busy with folk watching Spain vs Cape Verde with 3 efficient bar staff well equipped to cope with more if needed. Perfect location away from the bustle of the town centre.

4th visit of the outing to Kingston and its environs: Our mid-afternoon arrival witnessed some others already here on the crawl. Warm, friendly service at the bar. This one was not on the list of historic pubs but a pleasant back street Victorian pub overlooking Fairfield Green and on route to some others on the list. It is run by Big Smoke Brewery since 2016 and which stocks some of their own cask alongside guest ales from smaller breweries based locally and further afield. There were 8 cask ales available in total on this visit, including the one draft lager. We sat on wood-panelled seating in its L-shaped interior, complete with varnished wooden floors. We observed others tucking into their home-cooked food available. Their patio garden is open all year round aided by heaters. Board games available. Occasional beer festivals are held and the pub has since being taken over by Big Smoke Brewery been awarded CAMRA joint Pub of the Year 2019 and accredited for beer quality during 2023. The leasehold owner is Big Smoke Pub Co Ltd, established in 2014. They initially began brewing in a shed at the back of their first pub, The Antelope, located at 87 Maple Road, Surbiton KT6 4AW. They now brew at a larger 5,000 square foot facility at Esher in Surrey. The freehold owner of The Albion is Greene King.

Early evening. This is a great pub.

Busy with an after-work crowd enjoying the impressive beer selection.

My second visit here as I wad in the area and had 90 minutes to kill. Very busy on a Thursday evening, this pub seems to have already been embraced by the local community. Not too surprising considering the lack of solid beer pubs in the town.