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The Wenlock Arms (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Union - One Hop Chinook |  | 1 |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 2 |
| Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA) | | 1 |
| Crouch Vale - Brewers Gold | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Bonfire Boy |  | 1 |
| Dark Star - Breakfast Stout | | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Shamrock Stout | | 1 |
| Crouch Vale - Brewers Gold Extra | | 1 |
| Alehouse - Mix Up In A Dixie | | 1 |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 1 |
| Hopdaemon - Dominator | | 1 |
| Dartford Wobbler (re-named from Millis) - Hopping Haze | | 1 |
| Wentworth - Bumble Beer |  | 1 |
| Archers - Spirit of the Sea | | 1 |
| Buntingford - Pargetter's Mild | | 1 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - IPA | | 1 |
| Grand Union - One Hop Pacific Gem | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Spiced Wheat Beer | | 1 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Monk's Habit | | 1 |
| Grainstore - Rutland Panther | | 1 |
| Loddon - Gravesend Shrimpers Bitter | | 2 |
| Vale - Grumpling Old Premium Ale | | 1 |
| Maldon - The Hotel Porter | | 2 |
| Sarah Hughes - Dark Ruby | | 1 |
| Newby Wyke - White Squall |  | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Celestial Navigation | | 1 |
| Pitfield's - Special Bitter | | 1 |
| Holden's - Black Country Mild | | 1 |
| Slater's - Supreme | | 1 |
| Whitstable - Oyster Stout | | 1 |
| Shardlow - Whistle Stop | | 1 |
| Young's - Kew Gold | | 1 |
| Whitstable - Native Bitter | | 1 |
| Hilden - Halt | | 1 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Jolly Roger | | 1 |
| Whitstable - Bohemium Lager | | 1 |
| Hilden - Silver |  | 1 |
| Adnams - Flagship | Not Tried | 0 |
| Crouch Vale - Blackwater Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Durham - White Horizon | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sharp's - Coaster (or Cornish Coaster) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - Porter (aka City) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Batemans - Dark Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Batemans - Salem Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Adnams - Explorer | Not Tried | 0 |
| Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Moorhouse's - Black Cat Mild | Not Tried | 0 |
| Pitfield's - EKG | Not Tried | 0 |
| Archers - Old Pro | Not Tried | 0 |
| B&T (Banks & Taylor's) - R101 | Not Tried | 0 |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
21 Nov 2006 (Ian)
I got here around 6pm and it wasn't too busy, got a table by the beer blackboard. Even though they had no salt beef left, I still loved this pub. Real feel of a back street boozer, it just so happens that it quite frequently has one of the best beer line ups in London. I had the Pitfield Perry too, which was lovely.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loddon - Gravesend Shrimpers Bitter | 4.10 | | This used to be one of my favourite bitters, I haven't had it in years. Chestnut colour with bubbly disappearing beige head. Yeasty bitter. Citrus hops. Some caramel malt in mouth. Reminds me a bit of Harvey's Best. Drinkable, but I used to think is was excellent. Bit of sweet malt too. |
| Maldon - The Hotel Porter | 4.10 | | Black, lasting tan creamy head. Creamy choccy porter, moderate coffee. Nice smokey choc aroma, some juicyness in mouth. Bitter choc finish. Really good 4.1% choccy porter, bitterness on end is quite intense. Lovely lacing in glass. |
| Pitfield's - Special Bitter | 3.70 | | Badged as Pitfield Bitter. Amber, lasting bubbly beige head. Competent session bitter. Some hop, yeast, caramel aroma. Great hop kicks in mouth, with bitterness on end, citrus earthy hop. Ticks all the boxes |
| Slater's - Supreme | 4.70 | | Gold colour with disappearing thin bubbly beige head. Grapefruity malty beer. Typical Slaters sweetness and fullness. I think it may be a bit tired as not as creamy. Mind you, I normally have Eccleshall beers up north through a sparkler. Juicy and sharp. Aroma is a bit farty. Rest is nice though, sharp citrus fruit with a bit of sweetness |
| Shardlow - Whistle Stop | 5.00 | | Mid gold colour, bubbly off white head. Bit of farty yeast. Nutty malt, some toffee in mouth. Faint hop on end. Some dryness. Not sure it knows what it wants to be. |
| Grainstore - Rutland Panther | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried |
20 Nov 2006 (Andrew)
This is a boozer in the old style. The big 3-sided central bar dominates the room and all the seating is around the walls. When I visted they seemed to have a 'bring your bike to the pub' day as every other customer who turned up brought the push-bike in and proped it against a wall.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maldon - The Hotel Porter | 4.10 | | Black beer with a powdery blackcurrent acrid taste. Just enough going on with the finish to keep some interest. |
| Loddon - Gravesend Shrimpers Bitter | 4.10 | | Soapy sweetness with mild malt and mild bitterness. |
| Grainstore - Rutland Panther | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale) | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried |
12 Aug 2006 (Ian)
I'm a big fan of this no nonsense pub. Good range of UK beers, sensible pub food (salt beef sandwich at £3.50) and cricket/football on the TV in the corner. Got here mid Saturday afternoon and usual group of drinkers was in around the bar. Had a chat with a scouser about pubs in Liverpool. I had the Pitfield cider on draught as well and man that is dry.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Hughes - Dark Ruby | 6.00 | | I have seen this at a lot of festivals, but never had it. Black/ruby colour with lasting beige head. Bit of sickly malt. No real hop but dryish finish. Syrupy malt. In fact very syrupy malt. Couldn't drink too much of this. Nothing bad at all about it, but it's like liquid malt. |
| Buntingford - Pargetter's Mild | 3.70 | | Ruby colour with beige head. Good malty aroma. Surprising hop finish. Some yeast on aroma. Some choc malts. Bit of coffee. Pretty good dark mild. |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - IPA | 3.60 | | Never been much of a fan of Nethergate and seeing a 3.5% so called IPA didn't fill me with hope, but I am glad to say that this won me over. Copper colour with lasting bubbly off white head. Drinkable session bitter. Soft and hoppy. Bit of yeast/sulphur aroma. Easy drinking in mouth with slightly hoppy finish. Bit of citrus. Won't win any prizes, but a well made weak session bitter. |
| Dark Star - Spiced Wheat Beer | 4.10 | | Gold, with thin white head. As Hophead is to JHB, so this is to White Dwarf. Lovely hop aroma of US style hops plus a bit of creamy grapefruit. Cereal taste in mouth. Citrus cereal finish. Lacks a bit of bite and sharpness. Bit flabby. |
| Adnams - Explorer | 4.30 | Not Tried |
01 Jun 2006 (Ian)
Busy as always, but then it is a very good pub, so it is good to see that it is doing good business. Hot day so there were people out on the pavement. I got a seat at the bar and went through most of the beer range. I also had a hot salt beef sandwich that was excellent and kept me half sober. I do love this pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alehouse - Mix Up In A Dixie | 4.60 | | From the name I should have realised this would be brewed with a strong dose of USA hops, and it is. Deep amber colour with lasting beige head. Grapefruit hop aroma with a bit of cream. Could do with a bit more malt backbone, before grapefruit hop tramples everywhere. Creamyness balances it to an extent, but not enough. Hops are good fun though |
| Grand Union - One Hop Pacific Gem | 4.50 | | I don’t think that I will ever tire of this series. Orange/gold colour with thin white head. Farty hop aroma, juicy in mouth and then sharp hop on end. I liked it. |
| Newby Wyke - White Squall | 4.80 | | Gold pale beer with thin white head. Some citric creamyness on aroma, some hay. It’s a gold/blonde summer ale. Citric/hop finish. Refreshing enough, bit of pear drop, but something’s missing. Everyone else seemed to like it and it sold well. Just a bit lacking. |
| Holden's - Black Country Mild | 3.70 | | Deep chestnut colour with beige head. Yeast and malt aroma. Some hop bite on the end. Some malt in mouth. Odd mild. Definitely drinkable with odd hints of flavours and an unusual hop finish. Some cereal in the mouth |
| Hilden - Halt | 4.00 | | Reddish brown with slight haze. Thin white head. Vinous strawberry. Some yeast, alcoholic heat on end, some malt. Just a bit messy. Some fruit syrup on aroma. Some sourness too towards the end. |
31 Mar 2006 (Ian)
Last stop on my pub crawl. Fairly busy on Friday evening, but got a stool. No bread left so no salt beef sandwich!! Of the pubs that I have been in today, this is overall the best. For me 3 beers of great taste, Crouch Vale Brewer's Gold, Hopdaemon Dominator and Dark Star American Pale Ale
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 4.70 | | Pale copper. Distinctive Dark Star hop aroma, bit more grapefruit than normal I guess. Going for the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale market. Just a bit less intense in the mouth but the finish has that sherberty sweet hop profile. Good APA. Once your taste buds get used to the hops which are overly harsh in my opinion for a British beer, this rivals any APA from the USA. Hops are over the top but the beer is good |
| Hopdaemon - Dominator | 5.10 | | Alright I'm biased, I happen to think that this is a cracking pint. I can see why someone would rate the Dark Star APA here better than this. This is a bit more syrupy and less hoppy than at the Dover BF. Difficult to score it having had the Dark Star first as it destroys your taste buds. Good malt strawberry/hop on aroma. Strawberry malt in mouth. Sweetish fruit and dry hop on finish. I really really want to give it a 5/5, but it isn't. This is a 4/5 |
| Pitfield's - EKG | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Crouch Vale - Brewers Gold | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Batemans - Dark Mild | 3.00 | Not Tried | |
| Batemans - Salem Porter | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version) | 4.30 | Not Tried |
10 Mar 2006 (Ian)
I read on Scoopgen (Yahoo group about beer) that the Wenlock was having a beer festival this weekend with over 30 beers. I had taken the day off to go to Hove Beer Festival, but ultimately the Wenlock is easier to get to and I fancied sitting in a pub for hours on end. Got here for opening at 12.00. Square central bar with 9 handpumps. Cream and darkish wood walls and ceiling with red floral carpet. Relaxed locals pub. Only those that know about it will find it. No tourists or passing customers. I sat all day (until 8 in the evening) in the same seat watching South Africa vs Australia one day international cricket on the TV and chatting with whoever sat next to me. Which ended up being one of the bar managers of the St Albans Beer Festival. Cracking pub Gromit!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | When I was waiting for new beers to come on, I would have a half of Hophead. I don't know how they do it, but time after time, this beer is still a stunner. Pale god, but the hops... It's all about this sherberty/soapy/citric hop underpinned by juicy pale malt. Gorgeous |
| Crouch Vale - Brewers Gold Extra | 5.20 | | According to the ratings on Ratebeer, this is the most highly rated beer in England. Golden, with lasting white head. Certainly nice. Sweaty, soapy citrus hop aroma. US style hop aroma. Fullish in mouth. Good citrus, some Turkish Delight/red fruit. Nettley hop finish. Juicy in mouth. I suppose there's a touch of sweetness from the alcohol. Could be crisper. Very similar to the normal Brewer's Gold bitter I've had at this pub which I gave a 5/5 |
| Dartford Wobbler (re-named from Millis) - Hopping Haze | 4.10 | | Gold with lasting white head. Some citrus earthy hop herby aroma. Goodish in mouth with dry, earthy hop finish. Good citrus though. Tingly hop. Good hoppy session bitter. Citrus really is quite lovely. Best Millis beer I've had. |
| Mighty Oak - Shamrock Stout | 4.30 | | Black beer with vague ruby edges, beige head. Lovely aroma. Lovely beer. Lots of dark roast malts. Tarry, very burnt finish. Even tobacco juiciness in the middle. Some toffee wandering around at the end |
| Dark Star - Breakfast Stout | 4.40 | | Black beer with thin beige head. Molasses, black treacle, espresso coffee aroma. Coffee flavours, good in mouth with excellent finish. A bit powdery. Slightly nutty even and very grainy. Good enough |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Monk's Habit | 4.20 | | Copper with thin white head. Malty session bitter with good drying hop. Some yeast on aroma which runs through the beer. Hop is assertive and possibly a touch too much. Dry finish is very dessicating. Nothing wrong with it, but the hop is a bit out of balance |
| Vale - Grumpling Old Premium Ale | 4.60 | | Chestnut colour with thin beige head. Fine bitter, some toffee, some earthy hop. Got a bit more kick to it. Good hop malt mix. Finish has some dry malt along with the good hop. Some sherbert |
| Archers - Spirit of the Sea | 4.40 | | Copper with thin white head. Good malts on this one. Condition of the beer in this pub is remarkable. Never had a bad pint. Caramel malt aroma. Some earthiness, toffee and herby hop in mouth. Dry hop finish. Good bitter, bit of cream in there |
| Young's - Kew Gold | 4.00 | | Copper colour with sparse off white head. Some typical Young's yeast, citric hop develops throught the mouth to the finish. Yep ok bitter. Yeast is quite nice on it and zesty hop finish. Bit under developed. In fact it got taken off to rest. Bit muddled. Hops are distinctive though |
| Whitstable - Native Bitter | 3.70 | | Deep chestnut with off white head. Some toasty malt and yeast aroma. Grainy, caramel in mouth, bit muddy. Finish has more grainyness, caramel and dry earthy hop. Malty caramel/hop session beer |
| Whitstable - Bohemium Lager | 4.90 | | Golden with sparse white head. Lagery aroma but with more citrus than you would expect. Even slightly medicinal. Fine if a bit thin. Hop citrus finish is ok. More of a golden ale than a lager to be honest. |
| Mighty Oak - Celestial Navigation | 4.30 | | Chestnut colour with thin beige head. Nice malty/hop aroma. Malt aroma itself is very impressive. More malt in mouth then some hop/herb finish with a bit of ginger. Bit watery in mouth. Aroma is better than the rest |
| Hilden - Silver | 4.20 | | Copper, thin beige ehad. Some paleish malt. Very thin in mouth, some pear drop. Average hop with pear drop flavour. Thin and watery in mouth. Bit of mud and more citric hop on the end |
28 Oct 2005 (Ian)
A bit tatty round the edges, but still the best pub for beer variety and quality in London. 9 handpumps serve an ever changing range of beers, all of which are kept superbly. Wooden bar is terrific. Noticed the lamps on the upper rail of the bar this time round
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Golden beer with thin white lasting head. Good hops on the nose, just a tad thin and metallic and a bit more watery that usual. Still extremely refreshing pint |
| Harvey's - Bonfire Boy | 5.80 | | Undergoing a run of good beers at the moment, Harvey’s continues with this strong ale. Russet/deep ruby in colour with thin off white head. Distinctive Harvey’s yeast on nose, but also incredible malt aromas too of toffee and choc. Mouthfeel is good and full with yeast, drying hop and toffee sweetness on the end. Brilliant |
| Grainstore - Rutland Panther | 3.40 | | Black beer with bubbly cream head. Nice nutty malt nose. Slightly oil/tar in mouth. Good dry malt finish |
| Wentworth - Bumble Beer | 4.30 | | Even though the barman warned me off this, I had it anyway due to the fact that my previous hatred for honey beers has turned around completely and now I really rather like them. Must be all that mead I drink. Golden colour with creamy white head. Lots of honey on the nose. Bit of acid in mouth. Finish is dry. The honey desn’t make it too sweet. Very drying in fact on the end |
| Whitstable - Oyster Stout | 4.50 | | Fine, bit acidic. Some creamyness in mouth. Think that the glass wasn't properly washed before as it had aroma of whiskey |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Jolly Roger | 4.20 | | Chestnut beer with thick lasting off white head. Nich rich malts, some choc and toffee and good green hop aroma. Finish has more slightly acidic hop to blance the rich malts, but it doesn’t quite pull it off. Finish is too astringent on the back of the choc malts. You are expecting a warming dark malty bitter and then are hit with this hop astringency. Needs refinement |
| Dark Star - Porter (aka City) | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried |
19 Oct 2005 (Ian)
Late lunchtime on a Wednesday. Still a fair number of people in. I had a fast pint and one of their doorstep hot salt beef sandwiches served with mustard and pickles. Fantastic. U shaped bar has a good range of beers on which are also displayed on a blackboard in the corner. Beer quality has always been of the highest when I have been here.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Union - One Hop Chinook | 4.50 | | Gold colour with lasting white head. Wonderful nose of Chinook hops (one of my favourite varieties). Fullish in mouth and then kicking spicey hop finish. Brilliant |
| Pitfield's - EKG | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Flagship | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Crouch Vale - Blackwater Mild | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Durham - White Horizon | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Coaster (or Cornish Coaster) | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried |
28 May 2005 (Ian)
One of the very best pubs in London. Good range of beers, friendly atmosphere, basic but hearty food. Central bar serves up to 7 real ales with a blackboard in the corner listing what is on and what is coming on. Reasonably busy on a late Saturday afternoon with some singing along to the music.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitstable - East India Pale Ale (or EIPA) | 4.10 | | I was swapping between this and the Crouch Vale and could not decide which one I liked the most. Again a good blend of hops and malt with citrus tones coming out on top. |
| Crouch Vale - Brewers Gold | 4.00 | | Golden beer. The hops on this beer are utterly superb. Flavours are citrusy. It has good balance and good length. An excellent beer you could drink all day and never get bored of |
| Moorhouse's - Black Cat Mild | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Pitfield's - EKG | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Archers - Old Pro | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| B&T (Banks & Taylor's) - R101 | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried |
About The Wenlock Arms
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 9 |
| 183 |
| 267 |
| 225 |
| 25 |
The pub is found in Hoxton, Central London, N1 7TA.
Re-opened Monday 3rd June 2013 after a period of closure for major refurbishment. The corner double door entrance is now open with floor tiles entrance "mat" renovated - these doors carry published opening times, previously always very "flexible". Is now a Ground Floor and Basement operation only as the upper floors are being converted to residential use. 2 very fine large Wenlock Brewery mirrors adorn the walls. 10 handpumps on the front of original horseshoe bar counter in two side-by-side banks of 5. The 2 lighted statues from top of bar overhead have migrated to either end of the mantelpiece over the open fire. A row of 10 keg taps have been introduced. Gents toilet with 2 urinals at Ground Floor level in left hand corner. New stairs customer access to basement for 2 Ladies toilets and a Gents sit-down. The backless piano has been retained but moved from the right hand corner to the left hand corner. Mini boxes of cider for sale at the back of the right hand leg of the bar counter. The pub is now operated by Moontide which offers a 10% discount on real ales for card carrying CAMRA members. HISTORICAL INFORMATION : For a long time THE real ale house in North London. For years run by guvnors Wills and Steve. A battle royale was on in 2012 to save the pub from the developers into whose hands it had fallen. The local council provided some protection but the battle continued. As at November 2012 yet another revised planning application was made to convert the floors above the pub into accommodation leaving the pub to run as a ground floor and basement operation only. Watch this space! Closed for major refurbishment of the ground floor after business on Sunday 3rd March 2013 with opening planned for, perhaps, late April or May 2013. Planning application to convert upper floors to flats was approved by the local Council sometime in early 2013 meaning loss of the first floor facilities - principally the function room. 2017 North London CAMRA branch Pub of the Year.
We have visited this pub 219 times, seen 757 different beers and tried 655 of them.
Postcode: N1 7TA