PubsandBeer
The Harp (Fuller Smith & Turner)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Original |  | 2 |
| York (now brewed by and at Black Sheep) - Nordic Fury | | 1 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | | 3 |
| Hanlons (formerly O'Hanlon's) - Original Port Stout | | 1 |
| Sambrook's - Powerhouse Porter |  | 1 |
| Sambrook's - Wandle | | 1 |
| Elgood's - Wisbech Winter Ale | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | | 1 |
| Cliff Quay - Black Jack | | 1 |
| Timothy Taylor - Golden Best (was 3.5%) | | 1 |
| Dark Star - Thornstar |  | 1 |
| Wickwar - Rite Flanker |  | 1 |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Hole Hearted | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thwaites - Nutty Black | Not Tried | 0 |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
31 Dec 2010 (Martin the Mildman)
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | | The original and best. Old style mild, black in colour with a sweetish smooth malty flavour with chocolate and toffee present. The hoppiness appears in the finish. My score 16/20. |
| Sambrook's - Powerhouse Porter | 4.90 | | A good porter, not too sweet with good malt character and a dryish hoppy finish. My score 15/20. |
27 Nov 2010 (Martin the Mildman)
Busy early on a Saturday evening.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Thornstar | 4.70 | | Very bitter from dark malts and citrus hoppiness giving a clash of flavours that is not to my taste. My score 13/20. |
06 Mar 2010 (Blair)
Still my favourite pub in London, nothing comes close as far as I'm concerned. Absolutely rammed which gave it an incredibly vibrant atmosphere. Great beer, great staff, great pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cliff Quay - Black Jack | 4.20 | | Rich dark porter with a strong aniseed flavour. I'm not a aniseed/liquorice fan but I rather liked this. |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | Not Tried |
03 Nov 2009 (Blair)
I was in London for a gig at Koko, but I had to get some decent beer in me before heading to the the ale desert that is Camden. I absolutely love this pub, it's got everything right. A little quieter than prevuous visits, but it was only 4 in the afternoon and we still couldn't get a table.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanlons (formerly O'Hanlon's) - Original Port Stout | 4.80 | | Rich and tangy with loads of chocolate and fruit. I haven't had this in a while actually shame cos this really is a cracking stout. |
| Elgood's - Wisbech Winter Ale | 3.80 | | Dark ruby brown, sweet malt and fruit. Quite sweet, not what I was expecting actually but it was a good beer. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Golden Best (was 3.5%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | Not Tried |
27 Sep 2009 (Ian)
Fairly quiet on a Sunday mid afternoon so I could happily sit there and read the paper. As they weren't doing food, they allowed me to nip next door to the Italian deli and bring my sandwich back in to eat, which I thought was good of the staff. Still love this pub and especially how close it is to Trafalgar Square/Charing Cross.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | I'd been tasting wine for 3 hours, so difficult to taste anything else, but this was still good, but not quite as world class as some pints of this beer I've had here. |
| Sambrook's - Wandle | 3.80 | | Decent yeasty biscuity malty bitter. Would quite happily do a session on this and the first time I've chance to try this new brewery's beers. |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Golden Best (was 3.5%) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
15 Aug 2009 (Leigh)
Excellent London Pub. Small bar, but relaxed atmosphere and remarkably quiet. Friendly staff. Definately one to recommend. Wonderful range of beers, all in excellent condition.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Star - Original | 5.00 | | Big, roasted flavours (coffee and chocolate) dominate this warming beer. The hops come very late, with a resounding bitterness, again, like bitter chocolate. Not one to session, but a nice pint nontheless |
| Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's) | 3.40 | | Pale ale, with masses of Grapefruit aroma and bitterness due to the amount of hops in it. American style pale, steer clear if you don't like hops!! |
| Timothy Taylor - Golden Best (was 3.5%) | 3.40 | | Another Yokrshire classic from Taylor's - tawny in colour and with a tight, creamy head. Malty sweet in the body and with a very subtle, mild hop nose. A great session beer from the session beer masters. |
08 Jul 2009 (Ian)
Coming back from Ealing BF, I ran from the tube to here, had a pint in 2 minutes, whilst answering questions from a stranger regarding the death of Dr David Kelly and then ran for the train. Sat by the front open window. Love this pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 |  | As good as anywhere that I've had it, and yes that includes Lewes and the Butcher's Arms in Herne. It's Harvey's but not the bland mismash you sometimes get in other pubs. |
14 Mar 2009 (Blair)
I'll always love this place, feels like home. Very busy so we grabbed a table upstairs and formulated a plan as to what to do next.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wickwar - Rite Flanker | 4.30 | | This was most certainly a poor beer. A bit malty but nothing else to it. Not much different to drinking a pint of water. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried |
10 Dec 2008 (Ian)
Stood with my pint in the alley way at the back. I love this place, only 3 minutes from here to my platform in Charing Cross.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Harvey's, but on speed. |
05 Dec 2008 (Blair)
My favourite pub in London, it's a fantastic place. Great atmosphere, didn't manage to find a seat this time round. There were seats free upstairs but you miss out on the atmosphere up there. Unfortunately I've always got plans for the evening so only stayed for one.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| York (now brewed by and at Black Sheep) - Nordic Fury | 4.30 | | I really liked this. Quite dark, reddish coloured bitter. Very malty with a nice lingering aftertase. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Oakleaf (now see Fallen Acorn entries) - Hole Hearted | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Thwaites - Nutty Black | 3.30 | Not Tried | |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried |
About The Harp
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 24 |
| 559 |
| 279 |
| 74 |
| 7 |
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.
Postcode: WC2N 4HS