The Britannia, Colchester

Only fleeting visit worth a return . Barman gave brief summary of place ,an okidoke place to bring Mrs Thirsty for a meal and I could make a foray into ales on offer

This traditional Victorian town pub has recently been taken over by a retired Gurkha officer and his family who converted half of it – the right hand side as you enter - into a Gurkha restaurant. The original left hand bar remains as a traditional British pub. The restaurant, decorated with panoramic pictures of Nepal - and a few of Joanna Lumley - doesn't offer a menu – there is a standard price and you get what you are given, which changes daily but is always excellent. As long as you like curry and ice-cream, that is. Three ales are on offer, as is bottled Gurkha Beer. The Colchester Number One I had was on good form and a surprisingly good pint. I would include it in a crawl, but it's a really good place to come for a baht and a beer as well.