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Great Northern (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Otherworld - KHAOS - Coffee Porter |  | 1 |
| Buxton - Gatekeeper | | 1 |
| Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild | | 1 |
| Tatton - Pennine Dark Mild |  | 1 |
| Harviestoun - Bitter & Twisted | | 2 |
| Marston's - Wainwright Gold a.k.a.The Golden Beer | Not Tried | 0 |
| Verdant - Penpol | Not Tried | 0 |
| Renegade (sub-brand of West Berkshire then became name when West Berkshire went under) - Schnapps - Peachy Lager | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - Pedigree | Not Tried | 0 |
| Black Iris - Ngaru Iti | Not Tried | 0 |
| Renegade (sub-brand of West Berkshire then became name when West Berkshire went under) - Cherry Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mighty Oak - The Joy of Six | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Siren Craft - Memento | Not Tried | 0 |
| Coley's - Charmed by Harlequin | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Hop Cat Citra Pale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Jiddler's Tipple (cuckoo at By The Horns) - Swifty - Session IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Black Iris - Lightning Beard - Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brew York - Mind The Tap - coffee stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - Pedigree | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | Not Tried | 0 |
| Goffs - Cheltenham Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| New Bristol - Cinder Toffee Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
| Banks's - Wainwright Amber | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
03 Oct 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Ninth visit of the outing: Not as busy on my return journey as earlier in the day and now serving as a pitstop on the way to the station but a good few in supping their real ales all the same. Prompt, friendly service mid-evening at the bar and more available seating than earlier to choose from.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harviestoun - Bitter & Twisted | 3.80 | | See my entry earlier in the day for my first visit and my account of it but certainly surviving with head and lacing almost lasting on this second visit and still with plenty of flavour. |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | 6.50 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Pedigree | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Wainwright Gold a.k.a.The Golden Beer | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Verdant - Penpol | 3.80 | Not Tried |
03 Oct 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
First visit of the outing: A good few real ale punters in attendance throughout this sprawling pub for my early afternoon pitstop having emerged from the station and taken the walk past the old preserved signal box. Prompt, friendly service at the bar and a CAMRA 10% discount cheerfully offered here. A seat awaited me among a party of real ale drinkers on an afternoon’s social from east London.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harviestoun - Bitter & Twisted | 3.80 | | Came with very good head and lasting lacing on this Golden Ale from Harviestoun Brewery whose mash paddle got in motion in 1983 in a humble farm shed just outside Dollar, in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, before in 2003/2004, shifting their entire kit and caboodle down the road to the Hillfoots Business Village in Alva, at the base of the Ochil Hills. They are brewing their drops with pure, untreated natural spring water flowing straight off those very hills. A dry hoppy first hit on this 1997-launched award-winning stunner which became Supreme Champion Beer of Britain. A fruity note striking up the band care of its Perle and Challenger hops behind an earthy, spicy and sharp bitterness, and with its Hersbrücker and Celeia lending floral, herbal and zesty flavours and Bobek behind its lemony, piney and gentle summer fruit infusions. Its Lager Malt behind its crisp and slightly bready flavouring, its Crystal malt behind sweet caramel, toffee-like touches, and its Wheat and Oats lending a smooth mouthfeel and aiding its head retention alongside its Pinhead Oats wrapping my tongue in a velvety caress. A lightly tingling fruity lemony finish accompanied by a crisp, dry bitterness that kept it completely refreshing before ebbing downwards. Served in an 'up to dick' condition and no error! |
| Marston's - Pedigree | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | 6.50 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Wainwright Gold a.k.a.The Golden Beer | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Verdant - Penpol | 3.80 | Not Tried |
26 Sep 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Fourth and final visit of the outing: Busy for my mid-evening finale drink of the outing but a table found to share with fellow real ale drinkers and good banter followed. Only some 10 minutes from St Albans City rail station and with five real ales on, and matching the number in The Mermaid, just vacated from, this was indeed a very satisfying last visit to St Albans. Prompt attentive service and was even offered the option of the CAMRA discount being applied.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buxton - Gatekeeper | 4.10 | | Came with superb head and lasting lacing on this dark porter from brewing launched in 2009 in a family garage in Buxton, Derbyshire, before expanding to a custom-built brewhouse to handle the extra volume. A dry bitter first bite from its British hops lending an earthy fruity kick. A malty bitterness rising from its mix of barley, aiding roasty notes of coffee grounds, its thick oats aiding its silky mouthfeel for me and wheat aiding its tan head on top. A bitter dark chocolatey malt shining with hints of malt toffee and molasses. A dry bitterness lingering. Served in top nick with plenty of conditioning. |
| Marston's - Pedigree | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Harviestoun - Bitter & Twisted | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Goffs - Cheltenham Gold | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Banks's - Wainwright Amber | 4.00 | Not Tried |
16 May 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
8th and final stop on this visit to St Albans: Busy on my mid evening arrival in this very wet-led pub and a table to be shared with some fellow real ale drinkers. Warm, friendly prompt service.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tatton - Pennine Dark Mild | 3.90 | | Presented with a very good head and almost lasting lacing on this deep mahogany to dark ruby-red mild originally from Knutsford, in Cheshire East*. A very dry malted first hit. A moreishly dry hoppy bitterness rising from using delicate British hops, predominantly Fuggles, to lend a grassy, gentle bitterness. A malty note rearing up with hints of chocolate, cocoa, dark toast and a roasted malt sweetness from its dark roasted malts, crystal malts for sweetness, and a classic English pale base malt such as Maris Otter. A hint of fruitiness joining in and accompanied by a touch of liquorice. Its lacing not completely lasting but otherwise served in good condition with a touch of charred or burnt bitterness to round out the sweeter malts with. A lingering dry malty bitterness padding out. *The brewery was originally set up in 2010. After a brief closure in early 2024 due to rising material costs, it was acquired, saved and reopened by Kent-based Wantsum Brewery, allowing them to continue producing their traditional Cheshire recipes. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Burning Sky - Plateau (was 3.5%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| New Bristol - Cinder Toffee Stout | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Wainwright Gold a.k.a.The Golden Beer | 4.10 | Not Tried |
18 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
First stop on this St Albans’ visit: Second one in on its opening at 12 noon and just minutes from St Albans City, the town centre’s second railway station. This pub was reached by going past St Albans' old preserved signal-box, now a museum, and along some quiet backstreets. A warm friendly welcome and prompt service for their freshly-on range of six beers on the inside and six in the rear garden in a wooden shed called the Dog House. Quite a few real ale enthusiasts got in shortly after me, including some from the GLC (Greater London Council) Real Ale Society. All of The Great Northern's beers had been drunk dry the day before by all accounts and thanks to extra footfall created by the CAMRA Members' Weekend and AGM at St Albans’ Arena from Friday 17th April to Sunday 19th April 2026. On top of this, St Albans was hosting the City of Ale festival, featuring several beer trails and pub-based events such as mini-beer festivals.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild | 3.70 | | 1st beer of this visit: Fresh on as announced by the barmaid, this dark brownish-ruby hued mild from Maldon in Essex*, notable for winning the CAMRA Supreme Champion Beer of Britain in 2011, exuded a creamy head and lacing and lasting very well. A dry, fruited first hit. Dark fruited flavours rising for me with hints of blackcurrants, red berries and the odd red grape dancing on my palate. A bitter dryness with hoppy notes winning over from its Challenger hops. A gentle malty flavouring paddling out with hints of chocolate, coffee and a touch of liquorice aided by its Maris Otter Pale, Crystal and Black malts. A very moreish dry hoppiness lingering on the mouthfeel. Served in top nick. *The Mighty Oak Brewing Company, founded in 1996 in Brentwood, Essex, moved to its current Essex location in Maldon in January 2001. |
| Otherworld - KHAOS - Coffee Porter | 4.00 | | Good head and lacing presented on this porter from Otherworld Brewing, an independent craft brewery set up in November 2020 in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland, and lasting all the way. A defined smoky first hit. A dry bitterness rising. A dark fruited hoppiness veering up and winning over with for me hints of freshly roasted coffee*, liquorice and dark chocolate delighting my taste buddies. A biscuity, burnt sugar-sweet and roasted malt concoction with caramel-infused flavours lingering. A hoppiness** prevailing with some ripe tropical flavours playing out. A moreish hoppy dryness paddling out. Very moreish and in perfect nick as also fresh on. *Its Shantawene coffee is from Ethiopia and is roasted by Obadiah Coffee Roasters in Edinburgh. **Otherworld is likely using traditional UK or European varieties such as Slovenian hops, like Styrian Dragon and Wolf, and German varieties such as Hallertau Blanc and Tettnang, aiding a balanced bitterness to not overshadow the coffee and roasted malt flavourings. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Mighty Oak - The Joy of Six | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Broken Dream Breakfast Stout | 6.50 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Wainwright Gold a.k.a.The Golden Beer | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Siren Craft - Memento | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Coley's - Charmed by Harlequin | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Hop Cat Citra Pale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Jiddler's Tipple (cuckoo at By The Horns) - Swifty - Session IPA | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Black Iris - Lightning Beard - Pale Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Brew York - Mind The Tap - coffee stout | 4.80 | Not Tried |
01 Nov 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
1st visit of the outing: Ticking over for my early afternoon arrival with 6 real ales on but wished to try a local one and so headed to the next pub up the road in eager anticipation. The friendly barmaid told me the local South Hertfordshire CAMRA branch behind today's outing had moved on only minutes before I got here.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| New Bristol - Cinder Toffee Stout | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Wainwright Gold a.k.a.The Golden Beer | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Renegade (sub-brand of West Berkshire then became name when West Berkshire went under) - Schnapps - Peachy Lager | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Black Iris - Ngaru Iti | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Renegade (sub-brand of West Berkshire then became name when West Berkshire went under) - Cherry Stout | 4.20 | Not Tried |
About the Great Northern
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 3 |
| 3 |
 | - |
 | - |
The pub is found in St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1PQ.
This independently-run neo-Jacobean pub at 172 London Road dates from circa 1900 and reopened in 2015 after a major refurbishment which saw its central semi-circular bar replaced by one at the side of the main area you walk into. It is grade II-listed and is next door to an independent Art Deco cinema called The Odyssey which has also been restored. It aims to offer at least one Hertfordshire ale alongside a range of others. On the November 2025 visit, there were 6 cask ales on, including Fuller’s and two from Renegade Brewery, west of Reading. CAMRA details it holds bi-monthly brewery tap take-overs and offers 10% off all cask ales and real ciders every Thursday for all, and a 10% discount to CAMRA members at all times. It holds an annual summer beer festival on the first weekend of July and a Stout and Porter festival every January.
We have visited this pub 6 times, seen 24 different beers and tried 5 of them.
Postcode: AL1 1PQ