Alexandra Hotel, Ballater

The small bar of the hotel has been done out in light neutral colours. It is relatively small and the chairs are a little 'upright' to be comfortable. The staff can be very friendly, or a little stand-offish, depending who is serving. The beer is the usual tap stuff, with Cairngorms Trade Winds, Nessie's Monster Mash and Ossian as real ales. The Trade Winds was reported as excellent and the Nessie's (a dark beer) was superb. Food is served here, but I have never tried it. It looks and smells quite tasty. This is the second time I have been in here and both times the beer has been faultless.