The Plough, St. Albans

Official site of The Plough - www.theploughph.co.uk

Massively surprised this free house has just the one comment and six years old at that as this is a charming and characterful country pub mere minutes from the busy A414. Pretty nondescript from the outside, inside is a homely mix of exposed brick, carpet and an extensive and impressive (unopened) old bottled collection that snakes its way around most of the interior. Busy on a Sunday lunchtime with locals commandeering the stools at the bar and a clutch of people dining (food is of the home-cooked variety), the extensive bottle collection is joined by an extensive nine-ale selection on 10 handpumps, which included (*takes a breath*) Fuller's London Pride (x2), Fuller's Red Fox, Fuller's ESB, Rebellion Red, Rebellion Empire, 3 Brewers Golden, 3 Brewers Classic, Oakham Asylum and Oakham Green Devil IPA. The Asylum and Green Devil came in at £1.90 and £2.10 respectively and were in excellent shape. My only gripe was the wait to get served - others, seemingly known to the two barstaff, were served before me, despite my wait, and it was only the charity of one of them pointing me out, that I managed to make my choice, so a mark deducted accordingly.

Official site of The Plough - www.theploughph.co.uk

A Free House I believe and well deserving of it’s GBG entry. There are 8 hand pumps, 6 of which were working when I visited on a Monday lunchtime. Some interesting beers and I had the Brains Merlin’s Oak and Rebellion Freefall. There is a What’s On board with details of brewery, strength and price, plus a Coming Soon board. Nicely decorated with old advertising posters, beer clips and a large collection of old bottled beers. It’s not a pub you would just happen across, you’d need to know it was there. It’s a bit out of the way in a rural setting but has a reasonable catchment area of residents nearby. If going by public transport the number S7 bus from St Albans ends and starts it’s journey just up the road from the pub. Buses are every hour midweek (no Sunday service) so just enough time for two or three pints before catching the next one back. Do check out opening times though as they close in the afternoon. Midweek times were shown as 11am - 2.30pm and 6pm - 11pm. Food is served 12 ‘til 2. A pub well worth a visit.