The Mermaid, St Albans Central, St. Albans

The bar curves around as you enter the pub. There's 3 pumps in front of you, a cider one on the corner, then 3 more round to the left. Oakham Citra is represented on both, so that leaves 5 ales as well as a limited craft keg selection and a couple of Czech-ish beers. There's plenty of seating at various tables; pies are the main food offer. The music is set one level too high in my opinion, but it's all very pleasant and relaxing in here, with a good choice of beers, so I'm more than happy to recommend and consider a repeat visit on any return to St Albans.

An excellent pub on the edge of town with nice wood-panelled rooms decorated with a host of breweriana. It had a good, comfortable atmosphere (aided by bagging the leather armchair!) and was one of those pubs you instinctively feel at home in. There were 6 good ales on handpump (plus ciders and Belgian brews) of which the Nethergate Umbel Magna was in perfect form. We didn't venture into the garden (described as "beertanical") but it hosts regular live music. Definitely worth a visit.