The Hope, Carshalton

Its been many years since visiting the Carshalton area for a drink but on reading reviews for this pub we decided to visit this area. This was our third pub of the day and was by far the best and the busiest but we still managed to find a table to sit at. There were two Otley Brewery ales on amongst others including Darkstar Hophead and thier winter brew, Critical Mass at 7.8%. This low ceiling pub was well worth the visit and although we didnt stay for long as we had others places to try we will definitely be back. Very close to Carshalton station but a bit of a walk from Carshalton Beeches station.

Four on yesterday, with one pump reverse clipped. Dark Star Hophead as always, Rudgate Mild, White's White Gold and Milestone Sup-Porter. There's a cider too but I failed to record this. A real success story this pub is, having been turned around completely from what was once a bit of a sink place into a real destination pub. The staff and locals are a friendly bunch, everyone was sharing from two large pizza boxes yesterday afternoon. The main room winds around the bar, carpeted,half height wood panelling, mainly banquettes, standard chairs and stools. Decor is a mix of nautical pictures and paraphernalia plus a few bits connected to horse racing, there is a set of Player's cigarette cards depicting Grand National winners. The ceiling is lowish, beamed and painted red, which gives a cosy feel. A small seperate room at the back houses what appears to be a bar billiards table, but I'm unsure if it can be used, it has a wooded cover over it. Beyond here is the back garden with a few bench type seats. There is a piano in the front area with a few books on top; I'm also unsure whether this is used or not. Not one to miss if visiting Carshalton.

As the review below mentions, this fine little local's pub is now in the hands of a group of regulars who prized it away from Punch Taverns and have turned it into a fine real ale destination pub. Upon entering this is not apparent as a small section of the bar in front of, and to the right of, the door displays no hand pumps and it is only by walking to the left hand side of the bar and around the corner that you can inspect the well rotated and excellently kept selection. A low ceiling, comfortable traditional furnishings and typical pub carpet give the place a classic back-street local's pub feel, enhanced by a walk behind the bar where you can find a rear room which hosts a bar billiards table. Beer-wise there were four ales on offer at the bar in addition to nine (yes nine!) different milds on stilage in the beer garden as part of their Mild for May festival when I was last there. Dark Star Hophead seems to be a regular and despite having had bad pints here in the past, recent visits have seen a consistently high quality maintained. Service is very efficient and staff are pretty friendly. A large beer patio with a grassy area that housed the festival marquee is much appreciated in the warm weather. A deserving winner of the Croydon and Sutton POTY 2010 and a dead cert for inclusion in the next Good Beer Guide.