The Flying Fish, Newhaven

5 handles on the bar, but not a single cask ale to be had, so it's your regular Shepherd Neame keg selection for this first (and almost certainly only) time visitor. Judging by the profusion of menus lying around on window sills and the many tables, The Flying Fish leads on food. At the time of my late afternoon visit, all the diners had departed, leaving just a few drinkers, all of us subjected to loud Radio 2 style music. The Bear Island Pale I went for was reasonable enough in that big brewer "is this craft then?" style. I'm hoping I simply caught the place on an off-day, because it had little appeal to me as a passing drinker.

An odd place, now buried in a housing estate north-east of Newhaven, but obviously much older than its neighbours. Anyway, it comprises four main areas along the frontage: the bar where you enter, a separate lounge on either side and a games area further on to the left. Also, as a Shepherd Neame house, I was surprised to find Harvey's (£5.00) on the bank of five handpumps, along with Bishops Finger (that was playing up when I asked for it originally).