Pub News in the Towns & Villages
Willingham
All pubs now sell real ale. Choice is limited to different beers from Greene
King. The Milkmaid, technically a free house, sells only GK IPA
and the current GK seasonal beer. A folk club meets there every Monday with
a big-name guest once a month. Pity the same policy is not extended to the beer.
Recent redecorations at The Duke of Wellington saw the welcome installation
of a full set of pumps. About time too. GK IPA and Abbot, but where is the
GK seasonal beer which occupied the lone handpump before the redec?
Close by The Three Tuns remains unchangingly excellent, selling a full
range of GK including the elusive XX Mild. This pub has now figured in the last 16
Good Beer Guides. The convivial atmosphere is apparent in both bars.
The Black Bull also has a good reputation locally both for its GK beers - IPA,
Abbot and the seasonal beer - and its food. Sadly, the village's fifth pub,
The White Hart, is yet another victim of Pubmaster's "asset realisation"
programme and will be redeveloped as a private house.
Littleport
After being closed for 3 months, The Plough and Harrow
reopened in September with Ann and John Morris, formerly of The Red, White
and Blue, Ely, at the helm of this Phoenix Inns pub. Real ale has also returned.
The original idea was to have one changing guest but the locals took such a
shine to Adnams Broadside that it may well become a fixture, with a guest beer
occupying the presently vacant second pump.
The George and Dragon goes from strength to strength. The main bar has
been divided with an attractive "shop-front" style screen, the far end being set
up for dining. Attention has now turned to the little back bar which has great
potential, followed by the main bar, to be done at night so as not to disturb the
locals. A revamped livery includes "Good Beer Guide Listed". Range is Hall
& Woodhouse Badger and 2 guests beers such as Black Sheep and Pride.
Witchford
A recent visit to The Shoulder of Mutton revealed this ex-Grand Met
free house to be offering Wadsworths 6X, Ruddles Bitter and Flowers IPA.
A complete transformation sees the bar shifted to a side wall making the
place seem considerably more spacious. A curious little wooden
cubicle behind where the bar used to be presumably guards the cellar trap-door.
Brinkley
New publicans at The Red Lion are Michael and Angela Higham
from Brighton. Let's hope handpumps are installed to serve their G. K. beers.
Sutton Gault
Priciest beer in the Branch area? The Anchor must be a serious
contender. Nethergate IPA (3.6%) at 1.10 a half! It was a lovely
drop; so it should have been at that price.
Ely
A pleasure to welcome a new pub, The Town House in Market Street has
opened up in what was, well, a town house. The domestic antecedents live on
in the french windows, high ceilings and graceful staircase, with the regency
stripe wallpaper adding to the Georgian feel of the place. This, however, is
curiously overlaid with more rustic elements, notably the furniture in the large
back room. The end result is pleasing though. The selection of real ales is
ever-changing, for instance Youngs Bitter, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Ruddles
County and 12-Bore (brewed by King & Barnes). Regrettably, all are served
using swan-necks and tight sparklers. Happy "hour" is between 4.30 and 6.30
Mon-Thurs and 6.30-8.30 Sunday, when all beers are £1 per pint.
Dullingham
Want to go for a drink, but don't want to drive? Landlady Margaret Cox
is offering a free lift to The Boot and a car to take you home if
you live within about 2 miles. Call 507327, Tuesday to Saturday.
Holt Fen
In between Wicken, Little Thetford and Stretham - take the road
from Stretham to Wicken, turn left just after the railway crossing and follow the
long single track road to The Fish and Duck, reopened after redecoration of the
restaurant and the much-improved bar. Real ales are Adnams Bitter and
Broadside, G.K. IPA and Abbot. Alternatively, go by boat, since it is
situated at the confluence of the Ouse and Cam, the fen edge at its most serene.
ALE November/December 1996 No. 286
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Cambridge & District CAMRA