Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans Central, St. Albans

Very busy corner pub with massive beer garden inc a yurt(don't ask) that you can hire for the night.Ten handpumps.My Jarrow -American ipa was outstanding.Loud live band on my Friday night visit but they were playing killer tunes so no problems.

A short walk from central St Albans, the Blacksmiths (formerly a Hogs Head) seems to have had its share of ups and downs in recent years. There is nothing particularly remarkable about the building, a typical Brewery Tudor corner pub with an open plan interior, bare floors and plain décor. What does makes it worth the visit is probably the best Real ale selection in town. There are currently 10 hand pumps with (on my visit) 2 standard ales (Bombardier and Speckled Hen) + 7 more interesting guests (Orkney Dragonhead, Cwmni Bragdy Celt, Potbelly Inner Caze, Oakham Black Hole, Dark Star Hophead, Oakham Inferno and Cheddar Valley cider). It seems hard to believe that prior to its major refurbishment in 2009, this was apparently a virtual ale free zone and chav magnet of a place but has gradually turned the corner and now appeals to a wider and one would suspect more appreciative crowd. My Saturday night visit found the place quite bustling and a live band were about to set up so don’t expect it to be a quiet haven for reflective ale tasting. They also claim to have the largest beer garden in town that apparently seats 600 people, something I failed to note being a) dark and b) at the end of a lengthy crawl. To be honest the live music would have been too intrusive for me to fully appreciate the place and I didn’t stay beyond a couple of pints but there is certainly enough here ale wise to keep anyone happy for a few hours although I would make it a bit earlier in the day next time.

The Queen's Head is one of those strange combinations of a traditional English pub one side and a Thai restaurant the other. The Thai family running it certainly make a decent job of both sides, even if some of the more arcane sides to English pubdom get a little confused in the translation. It's a Fuller's pub running a Thai Orchid franchise is my guess of the business arrangement, so Fuller's beers in pretty good condition and the bar, all beams and open fires, popular with the locals, friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is competently run as all are in that chain. Is a pretty good pub in for the area nowadays, certainly better than most of those across the river in Wallingford. Stop by if you are passing.

Well, it seems that you can make a silk purse out of a sows ear. Up until mid 2009 this was a Hogshead that looked to be on it’s last legs and was frankly a pub to avoid. It then changed hands and what a transformation there’s been. The layout is essentially the same but the décor and furnishings are much improved. Whoever owns/runs it now has clearly understood St Albans’ link to real ale and got some in. Not just some but 7-8 hand pumps, including a cider. Beers are generally in good condition, cost around £2.80 a pint and they run a buy six get one free loyalty card scheme. There are tasting notes available for the current month’s beers and a Coming Soon board. There’s a large beer garden with 20 plus tables with pleasant views of the church where they will regularly put up a small marquee with more ales on stillage. Staff are smart and efficient with a good customer service focus that is not found in many pubs these days. There are at least three plasma TV’s showing live sport or Sky Sports News and is getting more popular during live games. Opens at 10am for breakfast (midday on Sundays) with food served up until 10pm. You’ve got to be a bit special to be considered a great real ale pub in St Albans but I reckon if this one keeps up it’s standards it’ll be in next years GBG.