The Elm Tree, Cambridge

The pubsign carries the Charles Wells insignia but don't loose hope,B&T lease the pub from CW and operate an extensive guest ale policy besides featuring three of their own brews.It's a small pub,with one side running down an alley way so the first thing you notice on entering are ten handpumps with CW Youngs Ordinary,Youngs Bitter and Eagle IPA;B&T Shefford Bitter,Dragon Mild and Fruit Bat while the guests comprised Colchester Red Diesel,Bateman's Summer Swallow,and Phipps IPA.To one side are four keg pumps with upmarket continental lagers and on the tables are extensive Belgian beer menus,including a 33cl Westvleteren 12 at £80,but with many bottles at far from wallet busting prices. This is a treasure trove for bottled beer fans and the real ale is also very well kept,samples are given and there is knowledgeable service from behind the bar. There is a small raised stage at the front on the pub for occasional live music and the interior has wooden settles and benches and decent sized tables if you want to use any of the pub's extensive collection of board games.The walls are covered with much breweriana,many items from defunct breweries.Any spare wall space is taken up by photos of the regulars in various states of inebriation. I really like the friendly atmosphere,and traditional interior ;this seemed to be to be a quintissential drinkers pub and one not to miss on any visit to Cambridge.

Rob from the Hobgoblin in Reading is still at the helm but Dom and Jo have moved on to manage the revitalised Milton Brewery owned Devonshire Arms. Still 10 draft ales from micro and regional breweries on the go, supported by over Belgium bottled beers. I had one of these that I had not had before, but don’t ask me what it was as it had been a long day and my notes were being written by a dyslexic spider by this stage. Anyway, top ale pub and one to visit when in Cambridge.

Formerly of the nationally-renowned Hobgoblin in Reading, this is Rob’s new venture and he has bought Dom and Jo with him so expect some ragging from behind the bar. The pub is tucked away (aren’t they all in Cambridge?) in the back streets. Wells and Youngs own the pub but Banks & Taylor have got the lease, so three W&Y beers appear along with three B&T ones. However there is room for four interesting guests along with an excellent selection of bottled beers and a couple of ciders. The pub interior is fairly straightforward, being a single room decorated in brewerania with a bar area that looks brand new. An eclectic soundtrack is provided by the bar staff’s choice in music. Board games are offered and there’s no sports shown here which many may find a blessed relief. One of the few ‘better’ Cambridge pubs to open all afternoon and a straightforward inclusion on any crawl of the city.