Saracens Head, Kings Langley

Two pubs in the main high street. The Rose and Crown was full, mainly because of the beer garden. Having checked out the review here, I thought this would have the better ale choice. True enough - two Tring Brewery Ales were on - the Side Pocket for a Toad was daftly named but in good condition and was poured off first, as I was the first punter in the door at 1pm on a Saturday. One other came in during the 30 mins I was there. And had a Carling. Single roomed, low ceilinged, not much natural light. Rose and Crown possibly made more sense on a summer afternoon.

I can attest to Thucky's review of 6 years ago, as this is still an agreeable spot on the drive-thru village of Kings Langley. Two Tring ales in the form of Ridgeway and Side Pocket For A Toad, along with St Austell Tribute and Sharp's Doom Bar (the latter's clip reversed - Oh The Humanity!). Weathered bar stools, felt-cushioned banquettes, representations of Saracens' heads on the bar eaves and bottled versions of Tring's Veritable Tea Kettle Stout gets a nod from me, and this is well worth a stop of you can grab a space on the busy High Street. There's also some limited seating out front if it's nice. The only gripe was the radio station-supplied muzak, which limits you to whatever the output is during your visit (even if I continue to confuse the intro to that Elastica tune with Wire's 'Three Girl Rhumba').

A traditional, inviting, single room boozer, carpeted and with comfy seats. Staff are friendly and the whole place has a warm atmosphere. The beers are all similar in style, trad. brown bitters, but are well kept and served. Tring Ridgeway, Fullers London Pride and ESB and Adnams are on offer. Thoroughly deserves its GBG entry in an area not especially well served for real ale but with four handpumps on maybe a broader range of styles would be possible. Definitely the pick for beer in Kings Langley.