The George (JD Wetherspoon), Croydon

While you can be pretty sure what you're going to get from a Wetherspoon's outlet (and this one looks little different to the one in your town), The George manages to impress. Obviously, as already mentioned, it's a pretty large space, and it's generally pretty busy, although it does seem to have the sound of a proper pub. However, it's the range and quality of the ale that really stands out. There's a solid emphasis on good beer from good local breweries (it's the only place I've ever seen Tillingbourne ales, for example, and the Falls Gold was in very good nick). Ale from further afield is also offered (the Oakham lorry had clearly paid a visit before I did), while the manager seems happy to put on a stronger beer or two - Jaipur and Oakham Green Devil were both available when I visited. And I would recommend a trip to the back bar to see what's on - that's where I got the tasty Green Devil, but could have had a Hophead 'Galaxy'. So, in summary and, surprising as it sounds, there's a Wetherspoon's pub in Croydon well worth visiting!

A long and deep Wetherspoons with two bars, the larger near the main entrance and a smaller one at the back. Carpeted throughout, lots of wood panelling and a lower than usual ceiling. Seating is mixed, the central area is densely packed with smaller tables even by 'spoons standards but there is some booth seating as well as a number of high tables and drinking shelves. One side has intermittent sections of bookshelving with a large fold down TV screen between. Decor is typical JDW, including various short biographies of a selection of Archbishops, some with rather tenuous local connections. Perhaps more of note and evidenced by previous reviews, unlike many of the brand, the staff were excellent, efficient and competent. The beer range is also very good, guest ales featuring from Oakham, Dark Star, Thornbridge, Tillingbourne and Surrey Hills, all but the Surrey Hills Shere Drop having double choices from said breweries. I tried both the Tillingbourne offerings, AONB was pretty good but the Falls Gold was absolutely spot on. Both were £2.15, good value even for JDW. Definitely one of the better Wetherspoons I've been in and somewhere I'd make a beeline for again.

The George is a huge JDW pub with a front bar and another bar in the raised seating area at the rear. The décor is what one would expect from a Spoons as there are screens that were showing muted rolling news and there are some booths along the walls. Cheap beer and food is available and there six hand pumps on the rear bar and I counted eleven on the front bar. Wetherspoons is in the midst of a beer festival so the ale choice was vast and the pub was very busy at 11:30 on St Patrick’s Day morning. This is one of the better Wetherspoons pubs I have been into and the staff were on the ball, but I still wouldn’t go out of my way to revisit.

A standard 'Spoons in terms of fittings, decor, size etc. but this does differ from the norm in that the ceilings are lower than most, which seems to give a much better atmosphere, especially in the back half of the pub. This is enhanced by the friendly, helpful and attractive barmaids as well as amiable banter at the bar from the locals. Not at all what I expected in a 'Spoons in Croydon and very welcome consequently. The bar at the front had Fullers Chiswick, Ruddles Best, Surrey Hills Ranmore, Abbot and Thornbridge Jaipur and Kipling on while the back bar had 3 from Dark Star: American Pale Ale, which was excellent, Hophead and Seville. A very fine selection and seemingly well kept. I don't know Croydon but on this experience, The George would be the first place I'd head.

I was impressed. Had plans to have a wander around Croydon but the rain sent me in here and I made this my only stop. Beers were Acorn Challenger,Dark Star Festival,Sambrooks Junction,Hogs Back RIP,Jaipur IPA,but the best was Orkney Raven ale 3.8% but excellent and £2.05 a pt. Better than usual range of cooking ales,with no doubled up pumps,"coming soons" or scrumpy ciders tying up an ale pump. And Dark Star Hophead was later discovered in the the top bar. Efficient staff and an approachable manager,and well behaved inmates. Clean tables and fresh toilets. A template establishment that McSpoons could apply to so many of its other outlets that aspire big things without bothering to get the basics right. Well done.

The George has been reborn under the new young Manager,Jaipur is on constantly,oakham's JHB is to be found frequently. the condition of the ales is second to none in the area.The staff turnover is now minimal and the service has improved immeasurably.The back bar is now dominated by a diverse selection of ciders.A recent Pub of the Season winner for Croydon and Sutton CAMRA branch.In three weeks time the George has a trip to Dorking Brewery with a stop at the Surrey Oaks for a special laid on buffet ( special because the Soaks has agreed to stay open for the whole day,thanks Ken). The pub also has a real ale related chalkboard.The ales yesterday were eleven plus three ciders.Thornbridge Kipling and Jaipur, Summerskills Ninja, Greene King xx mild,O'Hanlons Stormstay, Deuchars Caledonian,Goff's White Knight and RCH Old Slug.Not a bad gravity range from 3.0% to 8.4%!!!! highly recommended.

Randomness Guide to London - George entry

Randomness Guide to London - George entry