The Half Moon, Tring

A lovely traditional brick and wood building whose slight crookedness betrays the passing of the years. Mr Fastard describes the pub very well below so I won't add to that. The reasons for visiting are that the pub is close to the Aylesbury arm of the Grand Union canal as well as various resevoirs so it's an ideal stop off if walking or cycling. It's a friendly, cosy village pub with an open fire and very reasonable value food. But ale selection of Doom Bar, Adnams Soutwold and Butcombe Bitter is at best dull, albeit these are well kept. So if you're after boring brown beer then there are three identikits here to try but if you want something more interesting, and drinkable, then this isn't the place. A lovely pub let down only by boring beer.

A very charming old building in the heart of this small village,and a short walk from The Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal.Ducking throught the low and warped entrance door,the front room had an inglenook fire crackling away on a cold midweek lunchtime in the beamed and low ceiling area which has a lot of traditional bench seating and a second fireplace on the opposite wall,but not used.The bar is up a small slope and there is further seating in this tap room section with a small CRT TV mounted to one side (off).It is here that a stained glass Half Moon can be found.To the side of the inglenook there is a sign to the 19th hole,a seperate room set up for dining but not in use on my visit.It looked very discreet,a hidden snug.There is artwork for sale on the front wall and plenty of framed photos of the village and villagers over the years. Food was a popular draw and although I didn't partake,plenty were and the menu looked very good value pub staples with a twist (ie Haggis and Tatties ) with nothing over £10. A fly in the ointment was a radio broadcast from Jeremy Vine,totally unnessesary once the pub was busy.The four handpumps were dispensing Doom Bar,Adnams Southwold Bitter and Butcomber Bitter ,with one unused,and the barmaid supplied the beers in the correct brewery glasses,nice touch.However the mundane selection with three near identical brews (including their strengths) let the pub down,but this may be due to having to operated from a pubcos list.A better thoughout range of ales would have pushed up the rating considerably.All said and done this is still a lovely traditional place in which to while away some time.