The Albert Arms, Esher

A one time local firmly rebooted upmarket with no doubt a lot of money spent on a posh new interior with wood floors and mainly high tables. This is of course reflected in the pricing. Upstairs are dining/function rooms and half a dozen bedrooms. Ales were London Pride, Hophead and a seasonal brew in fair condition.

Despite the rather attractive exterior it has been totally modernised inside and lacks any great charm, but its clean and functional with four handpumps on the bar. The beers were from Fullers, London Pride, Day Dreamer, Due South and Dark Star Hophead, the Hophead was rather average in quality and the price was rather distasteful at £4.70, this is Esher not central London.

Official site of The Albert Arms - www.thealbertarmsesher.co.uk

now a Fuller's pub

Official site of The Albert Arms - www.thealbertarmsesher.co.uk

Anyone looking for ale would worry reading the sign ‘Bar, Restaurant, Private Dining', but I was steeled by GuideDogSaint's mention of several great beers. Six of the eight handpumps were on, offering Surrey Hills Ranmore & Shere Drop, Twickenham Ales Scrum Down, Hop Daemon Golden Braid, Cottage Whippet Pawfather, Pride, all £3 or, most annoyingly, £3.10 for 2 halves! Horseshoe bar at front entrance, good enough drinking area, signed rugby shirts, a few old shots of locale, plasma screen, tall round tables with stools. Beyond this a long narrow stretch of tables laid for dining, banquette seating one side under windows (blinds throughout), chairs the other. A small admin position oddly sits between the bar & rest – I doubt I would enjoy being seated for a meal next to a phone & computer point. I didn't see the main menu, bar sarnies were £3-£5, wine list was good but the decent stuff accelerated pretty quickly from £18. Beer choice was good and such a selection suggests that they have the evening throughpull to support it but I tried 4 at lunchtime and they were just ok, leaning slightly toward tepid, and were poured from on high in that one-handed (off-handed!) ‘glass-sitting-in-drip-tray' fashion. Can understand ‘pretentious' comments elsewhere but I can think of many worse places for a few pints if the beer was pulled thru & served properly.

The plain façade of this corner pub hides a thoroughly-refurbished interior which has been opened out to leave a 'U'-shaped bar with an upmarket dining room beyond. Modern furniture and decor throughout. Eight handpumps in total, with Pride, Doom Bar and Greene King IPA Gold (£3.80) available when I visited plus Old Golden Hen and Whitstable East India Pale just being put on as I left. Worth a stop if in the area.

The best steak you'll ever have! This is my favourite pub, the good is fantastic, there is always a really nice atmosphere and the upstairs dining room is a lovely location for a party or private meal with friends.