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The Verulam (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Brewers of St. Albans - Mild |  | 1 |
| 3 Brewers of St. Albans - Golden Engish Ale | | 1 |
| 3 Brewers of St. Albans - Classic English Ale |  | 1 |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | | 1 |
| Tring - Side Pocket for a Toad | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Inferno | Not Tried | 0 |
| Aylesbury (ABC) (brewed by Vale) - Daily Grind - Coffee milk stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| 3 Brewers of St. Albans - Blonde Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Calmer Chameleon | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - Young's London Original (was Bitter) - previously brewed in Bedford and at Wychwood then Banks's | Not Tried | 0 |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - Bass | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
03 Oct 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Fourth visit of the outing: Not overly busy with a few tables of drinkers in for my late afternoon arrival. Immediate friendly service from the bar staff member, and with a CAMRA discount volunteered, saving a few extra 'brown' as in copper pennies, in this ancient corner street Victorian pub with lots of olde worlde framed pictures adorning the walls and including a large painting of the interior with the pub’s bar and some customers in what looked like 1970s’ attire including one with flared trousers.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Brewers of St. Albans - Mild | 3.60 | | Came with a very foamy head and lasting lacing on this dark ruby-coloured mild from brewing set up in 2012 in a fine old spot called The Potato Shed at Symondshyde Farm, in Hertfordshire, right on the outskirts of St Albans with their Adam’s Ale, the water going into it, or liquor as brewers refer to it as, straight out of their own 100-foot deep borehole. A dry bitter maltiness rising from its Pale, Crystal and Black Malts with its Pale lending sweet, bready and biscuit-like flavours, the Crystal aiding its sugary taste with a heavy dollop of sweet toffee, and its Black malt behind a roasted, bitter like cocoa. A fruited hoppiness rising from its Fuggles lending woody, earthy and distinctly herbal touches, and Goldings behind its floral, honey-sweet and spicy hints. A lightly fruited biscuity red berry mouthfeel prevailing. A dry, peppery and woody bitterness waving on its abseiling out with dark liquorice lingering on my palate. Served in very good order and certainly a proper bit of alright as very moreish but does not half fill you up and so to me a 'button-burster' in being destined to expand my waistcoat! |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Tring - Side Pocket for a Toad | 3.60 | Not Tried |
16 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
4th stop on this visit to St Albans: Historically known as The Verulam Arms, it is on the corner of Lower Dagnall Street, at number 41, and Welclose Street. It is approximately 173 years old, having opened as a public house in October 1853. Busy for my late afternoon clamber into this charmingly preserved ancient corner street pub which can stock up to eight cask ales according to the CAMRA listing, and indeed on this visit there were seven on. Prompt, friendly service at the bar and a seat to be had aided my enjoyment. The only pub so far not to have had a mild on in keeping with the mild festival over selected pubs in St Albans and indeed on the list for such. Perhaps it had been so popular that it had all been supped before I got here?
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Brewers of St. Albans - Classic English Ale | 4.00 | | Presented with very good head and lacing. A very hoppy first bite on this Hertfordshire deep amber to light copper coloured bitter brewed at Symondshyde Farm, 4 to 5 miles east of St Albans city centre. A very dry hoppiness rising from its 100% traditional British hops lending it earthy bitter notes with bready malt flavours coming to the fore derived from its British Pale malt and Cara malt. A fruited bitterness winning over with hints of caramel and fresh bread. A dry bitter hoppiness paddling out. Served in first-class condition. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Tring - Side Pocket for a Toad | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| 3 Brewers of St. Albans - Blonde Ale | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Calmer Chameleon | 4.10 | Not Tried |
01 Nov 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
8th visit of the outing: Not as busy as well into the backstreets and not one I had intended popping into but on the way to some of the others. I was therefore off-piste again as not on the local CAMRA branch's outing itinerary! At 41 Lower Dagnall Street, it is now known as just The Verulam and minus its arms! It was shut and refurbished before reopening in December 2022. The large, L-shaped bar affords it to stock up to eight cask ales and I was impressed with the choice of seven on this visit and especially as there was one of the local ones again to try as in from The 3 Brewers. It was now dark and slightly damp on the outside following a short but persistent rain shower and so I did not take advantage of its close proximity to the Abbey and grounds, River Ver, Roman ruins and mill of nearby St Michaels and Verulamium Park. I did though enjoy the ancient warren of streets and mix of old houses. Prompt, friendly service for this early evening foray and the staff even brought me a stool to sit on, bless them!
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Brewers of St. Albans - Golden Engish Ale | 3.80 | | In fine form with great head and lacing and lasting the duration was this local golden ale from just outside St Albans in going north-east. A hoppy first hit. Not overly sweet for a golden ale with a hoppy fruitiness rising above its hints of Cara malt. Its Cascade hops were for me lending it a subtle citrus flavouring. It continued to go about gently getting to know my taste buds before making its onwards and downwards journey. |
| Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Timothy Taylor - Landlord | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Bass | 4.40 | Not Tried | Brewed under contract by Marston's (now part of the Carlsberg Britvic corporate entity) in Burton-upon-Trent. The Bass Pale Ale brand is owned by the global brewing giant, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev). |
| Tring - Side Pocket for a Toad | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Inferno | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Aylesbury (ABC) (brewed by Vale) - Daily Grind - Coffee milk stout | 4.60 | Not Tried |
07 Jul 2007 (Ian)
Saturday mid afternoon and I was the only customer in. Nice interior and a pleasant drinking location
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | 3.80 | | Easy drinking bitter with plenty going on, great balance and really sharp biting hop on finish. |
| Marston's - Young's London Original (was Bitter) - previously brewed in Bedford and at Wychwood then Banks's | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special) | 4.50 | Not Tried |
About The Verulam
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 2 |
| 2 |
 | - |
 | - |
The pub is found in St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4QE.
Corner pub in Lower Dagnell Street, with L shaped bar which serves one large room. Lots of wood and pastel olive painted wood and walls. 4 handpumps. Closed 27th July 2019 after operator's insolvency. Re-opened in due course.
We have visited this pub 4 times, seen 15 different beers and tried 4 of them.
Postcode: AL3 4QE