The Edgar Wallace, Temple, WC2

First visit to the Edgar Wallace since the new Gaffer took over early last year. Was a bit concerned that the ale choice and quality may be down on previous experiences, but fortunately I need not have worried and I could find no discernable change and the pub still continues as a top class Real Ale establishment. Still 8 hand pumps on the go dispensing mainly beers from smaller regional and micro breweries. These included Tirrill Barmans Massive Baubles, Salopian Firkin Freezin, Brewsters Summer down Under, Ascot Brewery Single Hop Summit, Oxfordshire Marshead, Harveys Sussex Best and Dark Star HopHead, most of which our group tried and all pints were well served and in top form, especially the Sussex Best and Hop Head. And the new landlord is keeping the tradition of adding pub and brewery memorabilia and there is now an impressive Double Diamond lamp as ceiling centre piece in the main bar which he paid £50 for from someone who had it rotting in their back garden and has subsequently been offered over £500 for it. The Edgar Wallace is a tucked-away off the Strand and if you’re not into real ale then it’s probably not worth seeking out. But if you are, and don’t mind vertical drinking then I concur with the other reviewers that this remains one of the best Real Ale pubs in central London.

This was the highlight of a recent crawl of some of London's top real ale pubs (which included the Old Fountain, Gunmakers and Harp - so high praise indeed). The interior is quite basic, with a single, spacious and light room served by a bar split in two by a large pillar. Lagers and ciders are on the left hand side whilst 8 hand pumps dispense ale on the right hand side. Cotleigh Barn Owl, Brentwood Devil Dyke, Dark Star Hophead, Williams Bros Cock of the Walk (£3.35), Nethergate Edgar IPA (House Beer), Oxfordshire Triple B, Saltaire Kriek and Crouch Vale Brewer's Gold made up an eclectic selection. Double Diamond is also available on draught for retro drinkers. I tried the Williams Bros, which was pretty decent and the Brewer's Gold, which was as close to the perfect pint as I think I have ever managed to get. Ale is clearly the passion in this pub and a vast swathe of pumps clips spreading out from the bar area attests to this. There are also a number of retro posters of old cigarette adverts, which create a theme of sort for the pub's decor. There are various bits of brewerania behind the bar as well. A fine pub and one that I will no doubt be returning to on many occasions.

Square, two storey ale house down small road from The Strand. Nothing spectacular, normal furnishings and has the feel of a coffee house. The glazing is small square frosted panes. Seems to have a repuation for its real ale and there were a couple of CAMRA groups in discussing OG and the blessings of the place. Very good choice of beer but strangely I found the quality ok rather than out of this world, but judging by other reviews perhaps a one-off.

Randomness Guide to London - Edgar Wallace entry

Randomness Guide to London - Edgar Wallace entry

In here last Wednesday lunchtime for a swift one. Pretty simple one-room pub with nothing exceptional about it - except the fact that there were 6 real ales on. I had a Wooden Hand Brewery Cornish ale, which was excellent. Barmaid was very friendly, and service was quick. Definitely worth going back to for the beer alone.