The Flowerpots Inn, Cheriton

Just about the best pub in the world and I should know; I've been to most of it. A proper old country boozer. Full marks for no kids inside. Full marks for own-brewed beer direct from the barrel with no horrible frothy nozzles. (If I wanted a creamy head over a (consequently) flattened drink I'd buy a cappuccino). Full marks for sensible menu. Full marks for great range of ales and for the regular "field trials" brews. Great beer festival on August Bank Holiday with camping facilities for those with more sense than to drive home. I'm so glad the people who said they'd never go there again won't be going there again. Perhaps they should go to a MacDonalds or a theme park or a plastic kitsch grockle trap beverage outlet in some la-la land deseynah-world run by a twennie-something-years-old mannidgah with the master key to the electronic till and who has to get home to his or her home in the next town after calling time. I don't want to see them or their womb product wrecking a relaxing an convivial atmosphere. No one arm bandits, juke boxes or other trashy seaside junk. This is a real pub run by real people with real interest in their own business and a genuine pride in their own produce. It shows.

18 May 2014 16:53