The Holy Tavern, EC1

This was another pub that I hadn't visit in a long time (12 years). But I found myself back here yesterday. It was another City pub that takes on a different atmosphere during quieter afternoon periods, as opposed to busier evenings. The friendly landlord was able to pass the time of day with us and discuss the beers he had on offer. It also enabled us to grab a table inside and to sit back and appreciate the basic, but cosy surroundings. 3 St Peter's beers were available on cask - Best Bitter, Gold Dust & Citrus Beer. I had the latter, which has a really nice grapefruit taste. It was my favourite drink of the day until this point. Darker options were available amongst a larger keg selection. A nice pub in a quiet backstreet that I shouldn't leave another 12 years before re-visiting.

Nice authentic looking ale house that's a modern interpretation, even if the building itself is ancient. Good beer Guide 2020 entry and here's the rub - easily the worst pint of a 6 pub crawl. Its the only London outlet for St Peter's brewery. I'm assuming this was a one off, but I won't be rushing back.

Tucked away on a side street. Quite a small dark basic interior serving 6 real ales and food. Art on the walls for sale.

ps. I'm not a rep, but noticed that St Peter's Brewery sells mixed & presentation cases; might tick some boxes for those of us otherwise awkward to buy pressies for! www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk 30 November 2006 Woody, auldy worldy interior, tiny bar. St Peter's brewery beers. Nice. Went at 2pm yesterday and took a few minutes to be served, heard a couple of groups asking when their food would appear, but friendly enough and well worth a visit although I would avoid peak times as it must surely be uncomfortable when busy. Briefly featured in the beer episode of 'How London was built'.

This is indeed a very clever conceit: an early 18th century building converted into a pub in 1996! I came here once about 7 years ago so we decided it was time for another visit and I don't think that anything has changed. Absolutely packed on our midweek visit, so much so that the crowd was not just spilling out onto the pavement, but also the pavement opposite. We decided that due to the throng we would opt for halves and not stay long. I was the only person at the bar yet despite this, the barman had more interest in chatting to some women. Eventually he realised that there was life outside his bubble and offered me a moment of his precious time. He placed the glass on the bar in front of me and looked at me blankly for about 20 seconds. I finally asked him if he could actually tell me how much it cost so that I could pay and he informed me that it was £1.75 a half, which is very good value for the area indeed. However, the gormless idiot couldn't be bothered to give me my change so my two £1 coins disappeared into the till: I couldn't be bothered to complain. This is a nice pub and the beer was excellent, but it's best visited early in the week or during the day and ideally once Forest Gump has moved on. Closed at weekends.