The King Stag, Bushey

Attractive backstreet GK gastropub with a Brewer’s Tudor exterior. Has had the full corporate makeover inside, whacked-through into a sideways J shape. Not-so-bad decor, modish grey green shades glooped over what I suspect was tidy tongue and groove wood panelling. Squared ceiling again glooped. Bulbs on a wire. Tiresome faddishness aside, two of the brick fireplaces are retained and one was burning wood. Two cask over six with no GK to be seen. My Vale VPA was in good nick (NBSS 3.5) if served in a silly butt plug glass. Barman switched-on enough to be able to acknowledge and serve despite a witless ear bashing from the mockney plastic gangster bar blocker. Tuesday night is burger night, with it either being £14 or £16, depending on whether you’re quoting from the sign in the gents or the A-board outside. It's fine – but could be much better (and may well have been). 6.5

A further beer was available on my visit today, Low Hanging Fruit from Paradigm. Quality was good. They have however stopped the CAMRA discount.

Slightly disappointing on the ale front today, especially as they advertise discounted ale on Wednesday evenings. Just a Twickenham beer and the GK house ale on. Clearly aiming at the local monied population, but hasn't forgot the ale drinker.

Official site of The King Stag - www.thekingstag.com

Official site of The King Stag - www.thekingstag.com

A Victorian town pub, in a slightly grander house than those surrounding it, currently operated by Greene King. It now trades as a duality, a gastro and real ale pub. There is some dedicated parking at the front and a very pleasant secluded garden at the back. The interior is basic but comfortable, knocked through into a single circular bar and dining room with a small quiet snug at the back next to the kitchen, and the pub is both dog and child friendly. Staff were very helpful and friendly. Five ales and a cider on draft, I had a pint of Tring's Drop Bar, an excellent pint beautifully kept. Well worth a visit and I shall certainly be back.