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The Half Moon, Hitchin
Hitchin
SG4 9TZ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Half Moon
Nice pub, well set out, large area at rear. Good beer and service
On 25th April 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Half Moon
Around a 15-20 minute walk from Hitchin station, this is perhaps the town’s most well-known ale house. You enter through the front door directly into the bare boarded main bar, with the servery running down the right-hand wall. The bar has a brick counter front and typical dark wood bar back and the room has been furnished with standard tables and chairs plus a few benches, mostly arranged around the perimeter. Décor is relatively straightforward, such as bottle collections and a mix of old paintings and a brick arch to the rear leads through to a carpeted dining room with rows of basic tables and chairs running from front to back. The current pandemic situation meant that I was asked to exit the pub and instead approach via the driveway to the left, where a table had been set-up for track and trace details to be captured. From here I was escorted up the moderately steep slope to the pub’s beer garden, where is was seated at one of the many picnic tables that occupy what I assume was previously the pub’s car park. This involved passing at least one smoker’s shelter with more of the same picnic benches inside, whilst at he very rear of the garden, a pleasant grass area can be found with proper bench seating, a willow arch trellis and some colourful flowers and shrubs. There was a good post-work crowd soaking up the last of the day’s sun rays in the garden but the pub itself was empty and I was only offered a seat in the garden, so I couldn’t quite work out whether they were actively trying to minimise indoor drinking where the weather permitted.
The lady who greeted me listed a decent ale selection, of which I can recall St Austell Proper Job, Taylor Landlord, Oakham Citra, Matchless Mild and maybe two or three others from smaller breweries. I opted for the Matchless Mild, having not had the chance to drink Mild for some time now, and thought it was in excellent condition, if perhaps a bit thin and lacking in flavour. The staff I encountered were all very friendly and the place seemed to be very popular with a mixed crowd – I can imagine there would be a great atmosphere if everyone were actually sat inside the pub.
There’s a reason why this is the only pub in Hitchin I’d heard of prior to my visit – it’s clearly a well run and much respected ale house that does a lot of the basics well. It’s a bit of a shame I didn’t get to experience the pub properly, but I’d definitely be straight back here if I ever found myself in town again.
On 2nd June 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Half Moon
Good Beer Guide 2019 entry.
traditional single roomer that has two regular (enjoyed the youngs special) and six changing beers.
I came in on Tuesday when the pub quiz was in full flight. Not a seat to be had anywhere.
A sign of its success. I will return.
On 9th September 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Komakino . left this review about The Half Moon
A super place, apart from a couple of annoying students. House ales Adnam's Southwold Bitter and Young's Bitter were joined by eight(!) guests and four ciders and one Perry. My Farr Brew Chief Jester was superb as I thought it might be and this place is almost a Camra member's wet dream, only let down by some discernable background muzak.
On 1st September 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1074 recommendations about 1074 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Half Moon
The Half Moon is a decent looking pub that is on a busy road just off Hitchin's town centre.
Once inside the bar faces in a single oblongish shaped room which is carpeted,there are pew seats and chairs for seating,the rear area is up one step.
There was a very good choice of real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Oakham Citra which went down very well,the other real ales noted were Weird Beer Out of Office,Oldershaw's Grantham Porter,Adnams Bitter,Youngs Special,3 Brewers Special and one from Green Jack brewery i failed to note.
The pub was comfortable enough but there were too many real snobs in for my liking.
Pub visited 17/6/2017
On 27th August 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Half Moon
This is a top notch pub and probably the pub of the day on our trip around Hitchin on Saturday albeit with some strong contenders. Clearly once three rooms in an L-shaped space, we now enter to the side and find the bar opposite. Areas remain divided but by what looks like newish red brick arches and a reclaimed timber beam, a fireplace had an arrangement of beer glasses in a case above and beer bottles run around a picture rail shelf. Beer mats over a door canopy tell a story about the stock and rotation here and the row of framed CAMRA awards reinforce this further.
The standout though was how friendly and inclusive the pub is, a barman chatted to us and advised on beers, a couple sat near us engaged us in friendly conversation, then there is the service which was exemplary.
Ten handpumps for the ales, Saturday had three from Oakham, JHB, Bishop's Farewell and Attila (which sadly went before a chance to sample, 7.5%), Robinson's Wizard, Kent Brewery Black Mirror, Baa IPA, Goose Island Honkers (from Shepherd Neame I think), somebody's Snowdrop and house beers Adnams and Young's Bitters. Ciders also from Apple Cottage and Weston's, their Old Rosie, Wyldwood, Country Perry and from Wales Black Dragon. Something for everyone here.
Sounds good? There is more, as said the service was exemplary, my colleague ordered the Baa IPA to be told it has a sulpherous odour, which it certainly did but also tasted foul. He said if you don't like it I'll change it which he duly did. Not only that but when I plumped for one of the Oakham beers it had gone and he was pulling another through. The same chap went down to the cellar and poured me one off the cask. How often do you get service like that?
Additionally a bunch of Morris Dancers appeared and gave a ten minute display inside the pub before disappearing into the night. It was a wonderful pub, I don't do 10s, this is about a 9.8.
On 12th March 2017
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Half Moon
I really enjoyed my visit here.Not much to look at from the exterior but a most genuine and friendly welcome within,this is a premier real ale boozer.The side entrance leads directly to the bar and there are three sections to the lounge interior.To the left is a slightly raised seating area with a real fire and to the right of the bar is an arch leading to seats by a front window.The main body of the pub contains more circular tables with farmhouse style chairs and a gas effect fire while the bar itself is surrounded by a number of bar stools.The whole area is carpeted and while lacking original features and slightly overlit ,the atmosphere is positive.
The highlight is the ale selection with regular house beers Adnams Bitter and Youngs Special augmented by four rotating guests on my trip in Tring Blonde,Earl Soham's Jolabrugg,Nethergate Umbel Ale and an excellent Oakham Citra served in a branded glass.Besides being welcoming,the barmaid was very knowledgeable about the beers on tap and the ale condition was superb.
Home made bar snacks,both hot and cold, are available every lunchtime and until 9pm on Thursday - Sunday, were great value for money,as was the beer around £2.80 per pint for a 4% ABV.Weston real cider and perry also available.
The pub holds occassional quiz nights and some evenings features different styles of cooking ie Tapas,Moroccan,Burns Nite haggis,tatties and so on.It has rightly won many CAMRA awards and has a loyal band of ale drinkers ,the more mature client base a welcome change from so many town centre venues.
I only wish I lived a lot closer,this GBG guide regular would always be my drinking choice in Hitchin.
On 7th January 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Yvan Seth left this review about The Half Moon
The Half Moon is a permanent mini beer-festival. If you're robust enough to work through all of the six hand-pumps (halves I say!) often there will be a new beer on by the time you're finished!
There's also great food on offer here, made at the pub. The homemade burgers are excellent value for money, I recommend the Stilton one myself.
This pub was the North Herts CAMRA pub of the year for 2009 - they certainly have the beer to back that up.
On 29th December 2009
- rating: 10
[User has posted 5 recommendations about 5 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The Half Moon
Evidently care for their beer and seemed to be getting a visit from a micro-brewer when I was there yesterday. I love the idea of a gov'nor with the freedom to discuss hops & what's next off the press and order accordingly. Four bitters when I visited were Oldershaw Flag Fen, Adnams, Youngs, Banks & Taylor Shefford, also Old Rosie, Sheppy, & a Perry for the cider lovers. Looks newer inside than out, but I liked this pub.
On 31st May 2007
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]