The Albert Inn, Hitchin

The first and last pub of our Hitchin jaunt yesterday, being the closest to the railway station. A vaguely U-shaped layout but angled along one outside wall, there is a horseshoe bar and a pool table to one side. Seating is traditional at small tables and with a long banquette down the angled wall, a patterned carpet has seen better days, a pair of brick fireplaces look like they get some use but it was unseasonably mild yesterday. A pair of screens had the 6 Nations rugby on to an interested crowd, strangely one TV has a drinking ledge directly in front of it. An outdoor yard has seating surrounded by logs and beer casks and is where the gents are accessed via stone steps from the bar. There were three on at lunchtime, 3 Brewers Golden English Ale, the excellent Tiny Rebel Cwtch and Red Squirrel London Porter. Our evening return, some seven hours or so later was a bit more hazy, one beer had changed, the 3 Brewers I think but I didn't record it's successor. There was a band on now, around ten of them crammed into an end mock up stage but they seemed to be having amp difficulties. This was a fine pub to begin and close our day in Hitchin and I'd visit again for the decent beer and friendly service.

A proper old school boozer,on a street corner not far from the station.At some stage the interior must have been opened out as along the left hand wall there are two unused fireplaces.There is a pool table on this side,the L shaped bar is at the far end of the room with a curved banquette to the right.Comfortable bench seating with brittania tables and stools runs along the right side,while bar stools are dotted about for regualrs to pertch on. There is a juke box with interesting sounds,and live jazz plays here .There was a friendly welcome from behind the bar where there a 7 handpumps dotted about but only two ales on my trip Jennings Cumberland and Haresfoot Old Tiney Plum Porter (decent nick ,£3.50) Although a bit worn at the edges,this is an authentic place with a good atmosphere and should be included on any ale tour around town.

First pub on small circular (actually, bottle-shaped) crawl of Hitchin ystdy. Only me in there at 12:30 but pool table & large darts area suggests a pub for locals & regulars. Spitfire was in good nick, also had Pride & Wells' Eagle. Nothing over-special at lunchtime but I imagine it shows true character when busier.