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The Harp (Fuller Smith & Turner)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Belleville - Southie StoutExcellent1
Siren Craft - Ryesing Tides IPAExcellent1
Exit 33 (formerly The Brew Company then Sky's Edge) - Night LightExcellent1
Dark Star - Imperial StoutExcellent1
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London PorterExcellent1
Wishbone - Lunar ZenithExcellent1
Exit 33 (formerly The Brew Company then Sky's Edge) - Mosaic Pale AleExcellent1
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Excellent1
Hammerton - Penton (or Pentonville Oyster Stout)Excellent1
Titanic - Plum PorterGood1
East London (ELB) - Quadrant Oatmeal Stout (with vanilla)Good1
Exit 33 (formerly The Brew Company then Sky's Edge) - Generation XGood1
Saltaire - Triple Choc (was Triple Chocoholic)Good1
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterGood4
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - 1845Acceptable1
Sambrook's - JunctionNot Tried0
Southwark - CentennialNot Tried0
Belleville - Battersea BrownstoneNot Tried0
Windsor & Eton - Zinzan's DropNot Tried0
Gipsy Hill - BeatnikNot Tried0
Southwark - LPA London Pale AleNot Tried0
Hammerton - Blank SlateNot Tried0
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde MildNot Tried0
One Mile End Brew Co. (formerly Mulligans at the White Hart and then WH Brew Pub) - Hospital PorterNot Tried0
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)Not Tried0
Crouch Vale - El DoradoNot Tried0
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - SumoNot Tried0
Southwark - Routemaster Red (superseded by 4.2% version)Not Tried0
Blackjack - Poker FaceNot Tried0
East London (ELB) - Foundation BitterNot Tried0
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Grandstand BitterNot Tried0
Bexley - RedhouseNot Tried0
Five Points - Five Points PaleNot Tried0
Oakham - JHBNot Tried0
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - Gypsy QueenNot Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London PrideNot Tried0
Titanic - Black IceNot Tried0
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Not Tried0
Sambrook's - ScrumdownNot Tried0
Pig & Porter - Fatal Flaw American AmberNot Tried0
Oakham - Scarlet MacawNot Tried0
Hammerton - Life on MarsNot Tried0
London Beer Factory - Sayers StoutNot Tried0
Weird Beard - Master of NuggetsNot Tried0
Sambrook's - Powerhouse PorterNot Tried0
Southwark - OlicanaNot Tried0
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - ZephyrNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Harp, Charing Cross, Central London
Picture 2. The Harp, Charing Cross, Central London

Visits Details

18 Mar 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
After a mightily circuitous journey with Charing Cross station closed, an evening visit until midnight close then a night bus journey away. How come at one in the morning central London's roads are as congested as any rush hour; cycle routes and obnoxious traffic light sequencing combined perhaps.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Saltaire - Triple Choc (was Triple Chocoholic)4.80Good
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00AcceptableDistinctly average
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Grandstand Bitter3.80Not Tried
Five Points - Five Points Pale4.40Not Tried
Sambrook's - Scrumdown4.00Not Tried
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - Gypsy Queen4.20Not Tried
17 Mar 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until midnight close. St Patrick's Day chaos ruled but I could still not resist redeeming my free pint of Draught Guinness voucher. Then I moved on to the proper stuff.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Siren Craft - Ryesing Tides IPA7.00ExcellentTook a while for the buds to adjust after the previous chilled metallic bashing from the Draught Guinness
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild3.70Not Tried
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)3.40Not Tried
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Sumo4.70Not TriedWhy does this brewery continue with the silly Mad Squirrel sub-brand thus misleading on true provenance?
Blackjack - Poker Face4.20Not Tried
15 Mar 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening until 11.30pm close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Titanic - Plum Porter4.90GoodPerhaps rather fresh and less plummy than I am used to
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
Sambrook's - Junction4.50Not Tried
Windsor & Eton - Zinzan's Drop4.00Not Tried
Southwark - LPA London Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
13 Mar 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening until 11.30pm. Room to move.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Exit 33 (formerly The Brew Company then Sky's Edge) - Mosaic Pale Ale4.10ExcellentSimply too much of the old citrus for me
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00AcceptableReally just average
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
Sambrook's - Junction4.50Not Tried
Sambrook's - Powerhouse Porter4.90Not Tried
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - Zephyr4.40Not Tried
Southwark - Centennial5.00Not Tried
09 Mar 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening until 11.30pm close. Some heavy ones on tonight, possibly to complement the London Drinker Beer Festival on this week.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Imperial Stout10.50ExcellentServed on gravity from an upright metal pin on the bar back. A belated proverbial kick of the mule on the train home, unless there was actually a mule travelling too
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - 18456.30AcceptableI thought this lacked condition and clarity
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
Oakham - Scarlet Macaw4.40Not Tried
Sambrook's - Scrumdown4.00Not Tried
London Beer Factory - Sayers Stout4.50Not Tried
06 Mar 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening until 11.30pm close and tolerably quiet.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Porter5.40Excellent
Wishbone - Lunar Zenith3.70ExcellentHoppy, hoppy, hoppy
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
East London (ELB) - Foundation Bitter4.20Not Tried
Bexley - Redhouse4.20Not Tried
Exit 33 (formerly The Brew Company then Sky's Edge) - Generation X4.20Not Tried
04 Mar 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening until midnight close. Lunacy here tonight with several highly animated groups hogging the narrow bar area lacking the skill of respecting personal space.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Excellent
East London (ELB) - Quadrant Oatmeal Stout (with vanilla)5.80Good
Exit 33 (formerly The Brew Company then Sky's Edge) - Generation X4.20GoodA latchkey pale whatever that is. A particularly sour hop taste
Oakham - JHB3.80Not Tried
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not TriedRan out, next cask not ready
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
Titanic - Black Ice4.10Not Tried
Sambrook's - Scrumdown4.00Not Tried
28 Feb 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening until 11.30pm close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Exit 33 (formerly The Brew Company then Sky's Edge) - Night Light4.60ExcellentGood malt, hop balance
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00AcceptableFlattish and overly fruity
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not TriedRan out
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
One Mile End Brew Co. (formerly Mulligans at the White Hart and then WH Brew Pub) - Hospital Porter5.20Not Tried
Crouch Vale - El Dorado3.90Not Tried
Southwark - Routemaster Red (superseded by 4.2% version)3.80Not Tried
25 Feb 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
In by the skin of my teeth for a visit until midnight close (and a bit).
BeerABVScoreNotes
Belleville - Southie Stout5.10ExcellentExcellent condition but simply lacked much that defined it
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
Sambrook's - Junction4.50Not Tried
Belleville - Battersea Brownstone4.80Not Tried
Gipsy Hill - Beatnik3.80Not Tried
Hammerton - Blank Slate3.20Not Tried
21 Feb 2017 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening until 11.30pm close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Excellent
Hammerton - Penton (or Pentonville Oyster Stout)5.30ExcellentVery rich
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)4.70Not Tried
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)3.40Not Tried
Pig & Porter - Fatal Flaw American Amber4.50Not Tried
Hammerton - Life on Mars4.60Not Tried
Weird Beard - Master of Nuggets7.00Not Tried
Southwark - Olicana5.00Not Tried

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About The Harp

The pub sign. The Harp, Charing Cross, Central London

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional24
Excellent559
Good279
Acceptable74
Poor7

Website.

The pub is found in Charing Cross, Central London, WC2N 4HS.

Formerly the Welsh Harp, a small narrow long pub on Chandos Place, just a stone's throw from Charing Cross railway station, so very handy for commuters. Hanging baskets at the front are attractive. A steep flight of stairs leads to the toilets and an upstairs room. There is an alley at the rear for smokers. Won the ultimate accolade as CAMRA National Pub of the Year in 2010. In 2011 CAMRA London Cider Pub of the Year, in 2012 CAMRA West London branch Pub of the Year, and again in 2014 as joint branch Pub of the Year and in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021 as branch Pub of the Year once more. Previously privately owned it was sold to Fuller's in mid July 2014 for a reported £7 million so changes expected. Closed for some days in February 2015 for an upgrade to plumbing and electrics, in particular to swap over the Gents and Ladies toilets. Good range of regional and micro breweries beer available through 10 handpumps and a superb range of ciders and perries sold from boxes in the chilled cabinets behind the bar. 10% price discount for card carrying CAMRA members on cask ales.

We have visited this pub 526 times, seen 1061 different beers and tried 428 of them.

Map location

Postcode: WC2N 4HS