Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans Central, St. Albans

I seem to recall this large mock tudor pub at the top end of the main shopping drag in St Albans was always one to avoid back in the day due to it having a bit of a reputation of being Chav central with cheap lagers as the main attraction. But clearly all change under the stewardship of the Stonegate pub company on the evidence of this visit. Internally it’s still got the feel of a large pubCo owned outlet with laminated plastic food menus and several screens including a large drop down one for the sport. But it’s worth a visit for its two main USP’s in the very large external outdoor drinking space, excellent for a fine weather evening such as the one we visited on, and probably the widest choice of ales of any of the pubs in town. There was a slight suspicion that its more quantity over quality on the ale front as a couple of our party had a couple of flat and ropey beers, but I couldn’t complain about my Oakham The Robber so have to say this was a vast improvement compared to my remembrances..

Official site of Blacksmiths Arms - www.blacksmitharms.co.uk

An imposing pub just off a busy roundabout with a brewers' Tudor facade. A large open plan boarded room with a central bar which sported ten handpumps. A decent range were on, Woodforde Wherry, Dark Star American Pale Ale, Oakham The Robber, Doom Bar, Adnam's Ghost Ship, two from Leighton Buzzard, Borrowers Bitter and Restoration Ale plus two from Boggart Brewery, Rum Porter and Nibb. There was also a cider from Thatchers, Heritage. There is a huge garden to the rear, popular and a warm and pleasant day, this includes a yurt which can be hired I understand. Great beer range, ok pub.

A quite large, imposing looking corner pub,reasonably spacious inside with a great cask beer range available from the ten handpumps, my two choices here were Oakham The Robber and Darkstar American Pale Ale,both were in fine fettle . Definitely a pub for the beer enthusiast.