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The Harp (Fuller Smith & Turner)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
XT Brewing - Animal Brewing Lion London PorterExceptional1
Dark Star - RevelationExcellent1
Five Points - Derailed PorterExcellent1
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Wild RavenExcellent1
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)Excellent1
Canopy - Llopper Everyday Oyster StoutGood1
Harvey's - Sussex Best BitterGood9
Southwark - Southwark Amber AleGood1
Dark Star - Hophead PekkoGood1
Pig & Porter - Red Spider Rye (superseded by 4.8% version)Good1
Bexley - Howbury 20 CascadeAcceptable1
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)Not Tried0
Weird Beard - Mariana TrenchNot Tried0
Bexley - Golden AcreNot Tried0
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Mister SquirrelNot Tried0
XT Brewing - Animal Brewing Polar BearNot Tried0
Exeter - LightermanNot Tried0
Exeter - 'fraid NotNot Tried0
By The Horns - Giggle MugNot Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London PrideNot Tried0
Exeter - Darkness The Prince of AlesNot Tried0
Gorgeous - GlowflyNot Tried0
Dark Star - American Pale Ale (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Not Tried0
Rooster's - Baby-Faced AssassinNot Tried0
Gorgeous - Special BitterNot Tried0
Dark Star - Hophead was 3.8% (some has also been brewed by Fuller's)Not Tried0
London Beer Factory - XPANot Tried0
Bexley - BOB (Bexley's Own Beer)Not Tried0
Saltaire - Saltaire BlondeNot Tried0
Canopy - Grafter Ruby MildNot Tried0
Five Points - Railway PorterNot Tried0
Rooster's - NectarNot Tried0
Gorgeous - GeekhunterNot Tried0
Exeter - County BestNot Tried0
Gloucester - Warehouse I BiddleNot Tried0
Bexley - RedhouseNot Tried0
Sambrook's - JunctionNot Tried0
By The Horns - HopadelicNot Tried0
East London (ELB) - Quadrant Oatmeal Stout (now please use 5.5% entryNot Tried0
Exeter - Avocet AleNot Tried0
Canopy - Sunray Pale AleNot Tried0
Five Points - Brick Field BrownNot Tried0
Gorgeous - GunpowderNot Tried0
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - In Our Veins DDH Red AleNot Tried0
Sambrook's - WandleNot Tried0
By The Horns - Lambeth WalkNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Harp, Charing Cross, Central London
Picture 2. The Harp, Charing Cross, Central London

Visits Details

14 Mar 2019 (ChrisE)
Thursday evening in this superb and very popular pub, even busier than usual tonight as there was a large group of SPBW members present for the unveiling of a plaque in memory of the late Bill English. In spite of being very busy service was almost immediate. Only once did I have to ask for a top up and this was given with good grace.
BeerABVScoreNotes
XT Brewing - Animal Brewing Lion London Porter4.60ExceptionalOn gravity dispense from a wooden cask on the bar, superb.
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Excellent
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
Exeter - Lighterman3.50Not Tried
By The Horns - Giggle Mug3.50Not Tried
Gorgeous - Glowfly4.00Not Tried
Canopy - Grafter Ruby Mild4.30Not Tried
Gorgeous - Special Bitter5.50Not Tried
09 Mar 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until midnight close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Wild Raven6.60ExcellentLovely nick
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
Bexley - Howbury 20 Cascade5.00AcceptableReally disappointing, hazy, no crispness of taste and simply lacklustre
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
By The Horns - Lambeth Walk5.10Not Tried
Weird Beard - Mariana Trench5.30Not Tried
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Mister Squirrel4.00Not Tried
04 Mar 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Late evening visit until 11.30pm close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
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
Exeter - Avocet Ale3.90Not Tried
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)3.40Not Tried
Bexley - Redhouse4.20Not Tried
Five Points - Brick Field Brown5.40Not Tried
Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - In Our Veins DDH Red Ale4.50Not Tried
02 Mar 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until midnight close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
Canopy - Llopper Everyday Oyster Stout5.00GoodA very dry bitter stout
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
Rooster's - Nectar5.20Not Tried
Exeter - County Best4.60Not Tried
Bexley - Redhouse4.20Not Tried
By The Horns - Hopadelic4.30Not Tried
27 Feb 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until 11.30pm close. Suddenly filled at 11.20pm out of nowhere.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Old Ale (or Sussex XXXX Old Ale)4.30Excellent
Five Points - Derailed Porter5.20ExcellentLovely porter, allegedly kept in store at the brewery for an extended time
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
Exeter - County Best4.60Not Tried
Bexley - BOB (Bexley's Own Beer)4.20Not Tried
Canopy - Sunray Pale Ale4.20Not Tried
22 Feb 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until midnight close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Excellent4½* Superb with that special balance this beer can sometimes have. Although I know all beers here will be in good condition I see no need tonight to move on to any of the unknown or known dud brands
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
Exeter - 'fraid Not4.00Not Tried
Exeter - Darkness The Prince of Ales5.10Not Tried
Rooster's - Baby-Faced Assassin6.10Not Tried
London Beer Factory - XPA4.30Not Tried
Canopy - Grafter Ruby Mild4.30Not Tried
18 Feb 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until 11.30pm close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00ExcellentLovely bittersweet balance
Dark Star - Revelation5.70Excellent
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 - Wandle3.80Not Tried
Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%)3.40Not Tried
Bexley - Golden Acre4.00Not Tried
XT Brewing - Animal Brewing Polar Bear4.60Not Tried
15 Feb 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until midnight close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Excellent
Pig & Porter - Red Spider Rye (superseded by 4.8% version)5.50Good
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
East London (ELB) - Quadrant Oatmeal Stout (now please use 5.5% entry5.80Not Tried
Canopy - Sunray Pale Ale4.20Not Tried
Gorgeous - Gunpowder4.80Not Tried
09 Feb 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until midnight close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
Dark Star - Hophead Pekko3.80GoodA play on the Hophead name as its taste bears no relation to the usual Chiswick Hophead. Dry tasting beer but one was enough. Brewed where I wonder
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
Five Points - Railway Porter4.80Not Tried
Gloucester - Warehouse I Biddle3.70Not Tried
Southwark - Southwark Amber Ale6.60Not Tried
08 Feb 2019 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening visit until midnight close.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter4.00Good
Southwark - Southwark Amber Ale6.60GoodPleasantly balanced hopmix
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
Saltaire - Saltaire Blonde4.00Not Tried
Five Points - Railway Porter4.80Not Tried
Gorgeous - Geekhunter4.20Not Tried
Gloucester - Warehouse I Biddle3.70Not 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