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The Mermaid (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Eon's Milk Stout |  | 2 |
| Slater's - Black IPA |  | 1 |
| Old Cannon - Perfect Storm - Old Ale | | 1 |
| North Cotswold - Hung, Drawn 'N' Portered | | 1 |
| Saltaire - Montezuma's Triple Choc | | 1 |
| Dancing Duck - Seduction | | 1 |
| Oakham - Citra | | 2 |
| Mighty Oak - Oarsome Ale |  | 1 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Suffolk County Best Bitter | | 3 |
| Batemans - Salem Porter | | 1 |
| Tring - Mansion Mild | | 1 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Stour Valley Gold | | 1 |
| Tring - Mercy Dash | | 1 |
| Rudgate - Battleaxe | | 1 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Ashes Ale | | 1 |
| Leighton Buzzard - Golden Buzzard | | 1 |
| Brentwood - Marvellous Maple Mild | | 1 |
| Wyre Piddle - Piddle Express | | 1 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Azza March Hare | | 1 |
| Hydes - Hits The Spot | | 1 |
| Alehouse - Sauvin So Good |  | 1 |
| Anglo-Dutch - Summer Kolder | | 1 |
| Milestone - Cromwell's Bitter | | 1 |
| Castle Rock - Meadowsweet | | 1 |
| Alehouse - What's My Age Again '09? |  | 1 |
| Tring - Blond | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Essex Beast | Not Tried | 0 |
| Vale - Red Kite | Not Tried | 0 |
| 3 Brewers of St. Albans - IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wantsum - Coffee Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Drunken Monkey | Not Tried | 0 |
| Batemans - Wainfleet | Not Tried | 0 |
| Aylesbury (ABC) (brewed by Vale) - Juggernaut - DDH Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rooster's - Yankee | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
26 Sep 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Third visit of the outing: Good footfall after our departure from the St Albans Beer Festival just some 5 minutes away and for our party of five’s early evening arrival. Pleasingly, they do thirds and with an impressive five real ales on. Attentive, friendly service and seating for all of us to be had in this locally listed for historical interest, old-fashioned pub adorned with old mirrors and pub signs and boasting a recently-enlarged and partly-covered garden at its rear.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Suffolk County Best Bitter | 4.00 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Presented with a lasting head and lacing on this bitter, originally known as Nethergate Best Bitter), their oldest, most venerated 4.0% ABV recipe. The beer is from brewing which kicked off in 1986 with the erection of a small 10-barrel apparatus in Nethergate Street in Clare, a tiny market town in West Suffolk, giving birth to Nethergate Brewery. After a few moves over the years, they are now in a spacious, purpose-built facility at Rodbridge Corner, Long Melford, Sudbury, Suffolk. A sweetly bitter first bite. A maltiness rising from its traditional grains behind its biscuity malt backbone, alongside its Roasted and Caramel Malts lending it a chestnut-amber complexion and a sweet caramel and toasted grain mouthfeel. A floral hoppiness reigning care of its mix of hops, Challenger behind its fruity and spicy aroma, Fuggles, or Sovereign hops according to the batch, lending earthy partners to rub against the sweet malts and delivering a gentle touch of herbal, leafy and earthy spice. A dry bitterness with a hint of caramel abseiling out. Served in top nick. |
| Saltaire - Montezuma's Triple Choc | 4.80 | | 3rd beer of this visit: A lasting head and lacing all the way on this midnight black pastry stout from brewing set up in 2003 and with the liquid finally flowing in March 2006 with a 20-barrel kit erected in a former Victorian generating hall at County Works, Dockfield Road, Shipley, West Yorkshire. A dry bitter first hit from its English Fuggles hops aiding an earthy woodsy bitterness right at the swallow. A chocolatey maltiness rising from its Chocolate Malts and dark grains unleashing a roasted cocoa complexity alongside a double hit of cocoa and syrups, behind dark chocolatey syrups aiding layers of gooey, molten chocolate sweetness and a mocha cream-filled texture filling up the inside of my mouth. Pleasingly, not overly sweet for my taste buddies. A dry, crisp, zingy hoppy bitterness lingering. Served on top form with a silky full-bodied mouthfeel. |
| Rudgate - Battleaxe | 4.20 | | 1st beer of this visit: Came with head and lacing on being served and almost lasting on this traditional Yorkshire best bitter from brewing which kicked off in 1992 in a former World War II ammunition building on the old RAF Marston Moor airfield before expanding to their modern, hands-on facility at Marston Business Park, Tockwith, York. The brewing operation takes its name from the old Roman road that runs right through the airfield, which famously guided the Vikings during their conquests. A dry bitter first hit on this chestnut amber-coloured beer. A hoppiness rising and a gentle fruited note climbing up from its classic British hops releasing an earthy, floral aroma laced with hints of buttery raisins and berries caressing my tongue. These flavours tease out a brilliant bitter-sweet contrast and a crisp, well-behaved bite. A herbal earthiness prevailing and offsetting the sticky malt sweetness reminiscent of toffee pudding. Its Pale Malt base lending a biscuity, bready bed that keeps the entire structure firm and upright, alongside the Crystal and Chocolate Malts infusing the liquid with a seductive chestnut-red complexion and tantalising my taste buds with a comforting embrace of sweet caramel, sticky toffee and toasted nuts with a subtle hint of dark chocolate to boot from its roasted grains. A dry lip-smacking crisp hoppy bitterness emanating from its leafy stewed hops paddling out with hints of dark fruits. Served in good form. |
| Rooster's - Yankee | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried |
16 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
6th stop on this visit to St Albans: Now my second visit following my first visit to it in April this year and to this evidently popular old pub situated on the busy Hatfield Road just outside St Albans’ town centre. It was busy on arrival early evening and having tried The Boot by St Albans’ Clocktower but it was, as on my earlier visit to it, too busy with no seating and the noise level was too raucous, not aided by its low ceilings, to brave trying their mild from Good Chemistry Brewing, based in the St Philip's area of Bristol and established in 2015. Prompt friendly service here and was able to share a table with two others positioned up the other end of it. A couple of real ale drinkers at the bar, perhaps here also as part of the weekend festival of mild ales, recommended the Chestnut Ale and the Old Ale on. I was very much in support of that recommendation and thanked them profusely.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Cannon - Perfect Storm - Old Ale | 4.60 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Presented with very good head and lasting lacing, this Suffolk old ale* from Bury St Edmunds, and where beer has been brewed at this old ale’s historic site since 1845, came with a malty fruited first bite with hints of dark chocolate and cacao nibs, the latter being crushed, raw pieces of cacao beans from the pure kernels found inside the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree and being "the purest form of chocolate" to quote a tasting note for it. A caramelised bitterness rising. Dark fruits coming to the fore with a pervading hoppy fruitiness arising from its traditional English Hops. A maltiness rearing up from its East Anglian malted barley that is locally grown. Served in top nick and full of flavours on the mouthfeel. *Classified as a hybrid between a traditional English Old Ale and a light porter. |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Suffolk County Best Bitter | 4.00 | | 1st beer of this visit: Served with good head and lasting lacing on this Suffolk traditional bitter from the Long Melford-based brewery set up in 1986* and following their first ever beer’s same recipe. A very dry bitter first hit derived from its blend of classic English Challenger and Sovereign hops. A biscuity, butterscotch sweetness rising with an earthy, herbal and toasted flavouring. A superbly dry bitterness prevailing. A biscuity maltiness from its Maris Otter barley and roasted malts with a prevailing sweetness lingering with a hint of caramel. Served in very good form. *It was originally set up on Nethergate Street in Clare, Suffolk, then moved across the border to Pentlow, Essex, in 2004/2005 before returning in 2017 to its purpose-built facility at Long Melford in south-west Suffolk, and situated right on the border of Essex along the River Stour. |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Vale - Red Kite | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Aylesbury (ABC) (brewed by Vale) - Juggernaut - DDH Pale | 5.30 | Not Tried |
18 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Seventh stop on this St Albans’ visit: Busy footfall for our early evening arrival and having met up with a fellow real ale enthusiast from SE London at the Alban Arena and then our walk here along the busy Hatfield Road. Friendly prompt service with a selection of six cask ales available on the inside.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Suffolk County Best Bitter | 4.00 | | Head and lacing at the start but not hanging onto it on this chestnut best bitter brewed from 2017 in Long Melford, Suffolk. Originally the brewery was based in Nethergate Street in Clare, Suffolk, and so the brewery was named after the street it was set up in, in 1986. A dry bitter first hit. A fruity bitterness rising with fruity, spicy, and herbal notes and suggestions of prunes testing my taste buds. A biscuity maltiness winning over with hints of caramel, toffee and toasted grain. Slightly minus its hoped-for conditioning. A dry caramelised bitterness ebbing out. Not in the best of condition compared to pretty much all the others sampled in St Albans on this visit. |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| 3 Brewers of St. Albans - IPA | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Wantsum - Coffee Stout | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Drunken Monkey | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Batemans - Wainfleet | 4.50 | Not Tried |
22 Apr 2024 (Magnus Greel)
Busy and buzzing for an early Monday evening with a decent choice of US Rock music playing to accompany one's merriment..
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Eon's Milk Stout | 5.00 | | Every silky smooth roasty chocolate creaminess box ticked as this perfection in a glass trickled down my appreciative throat.. |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Suffolk County Best Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Vale - Red Kite | 4.30 | Not Tried |
10 Mar 2023 (Magnus Greel)
This month's venue for our Friday Evening Group, a couple of us arrived a few minutes before noon to discover it had already opened and another of us inside just waiting for the barman to finish up opening duties.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | | In top form and most needed to wash away the horrific Golden Buzzard flavours. |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Eon's Milk Stout | 5.00 | | Nourishing and satisfying. |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Stour Valley Gold | 4.20 | | Light and hoppy with an uncomplicated bitter kick. |
| Leighton Buzzard - Golden Buzzard | 4.10 | | A complex combination of disgusting biscuit, low grade earth and battery acid (how I imagine it would taste). |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Azza March Hare | 3.90 | | Slight sweetness with just a hint of malts made for a refreshing cooking bitter. |
18 Mar 2016 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening meet up of our Friday Evening Group. An award winning pub with superb service and beer. Other beers details lost in this server's website crash.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | | |
| Slater's - Black IPA | 5.00 | |
01 Mar 2014 (thebrewingman)
Lunchtime visit. A few in.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Cotswold - Hung, Drawn 'N' Portered | 5.00 | | |
| Dancing Duck - Seduction | 5.20 | | |
| Brentwood - Marvellous Maple Mild | 3.70 | | |
| Tring - Blond | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Essex Beast | 6.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | Not Tried |
12 Oct 2013 (thebrewingman)
Reasonably busy with locals and football supporters going to the match down the road. Blackboard had 12 ciders on it and said cider pub of the year but I'm not sure whether this was local or national. I can't remember the rest of the beers.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batemans - Salem Porter | 4.70 | | A good porter but did not inspire me. |
22 Aug 2009 (Martin the Mildman)
Beer festival in progress so fairly busy.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Ashes Ale | 4.60 | | Shown as 4.2% here, this was a well balalnced pale ale with good hop and malt character. My score 15/20. |
| Wyre Piddle - Piddle Express | 4.30 | | Caramel/toffee malt flavours with a little hop balance. My score 15/20. |
| Mighty Oak - Oarsome Ale | 3.70 | | Pale, hoppy but well balanced bitter. My score 15/20. |
| Tring - Mercy Dash | 3.80 | | Festival special, a mid brown well balanced bitter. My score 15/20. |
| Hydes - Hits The Spot | 4.10 | | Very malty golden ale. My score 15/20. |
| Anglo-Dutch - Summer Kolder | 4.00 | | Very pale beer with a dry hop character and dry finish. My score 14/20. |
| Milestone - Cromwell's Bitter | 4.00 | | Mid brown bitter with some malt taste and a dryish finish. My score 14/20. |
| Castle Rock - Meadowsweet | 4.40 | | Strange aroma of minted peas, very strong hop taste of pine needles. Not particularly to my tsate but an interesting beer. My score 14/20. |
| Alehouse - What's My Age Again '09? | 3.70 | | Rather sour tasting mid brown bitter with a tart finish. My score 9/20. |
15 Jul 2009 (Martin the Mildman)
A handful of locals in on a quiet Wednesday early evening.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tring - Mansion Mild | 3.70 | | Malty and fruity with a little roast to start then a bitter finish. My score 15/20. |
| Alehouse - Sauvin So Good | 4.00 | | Grassy aroma, then intense fresh cut grass taste. A little too intense for my taste. My score 14/20. |
About The Mermaid
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 1 |
| 9 |
| 13 |
| 6 |
| 1 |
The pub is found in St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3RL.
Single room pub with L shaped bar in Hatfield Road. Simple, basic pub. Dartboard, garden at rear, breweriana pictures, mirrors and signs on cream wall and lots of exposed worn wood. An award winning pub for its cider/perry range and quality, 7 handpumps.
We have visited this pub 11 times, seen 38 different beers and tried 26 of them.
Postcode: AL1 3RL