The Garibaldi, Redhill

This is quite a characterful community pub that's about a 15 minute walk from Earlswood station but much further if walking from the centre of Redhill. It's a simple, single room pub that has been carpeted throughout, with the servery in the middle of the back wall, directly opposite the entrance. The bar has an attractive counter front with curved ends, and a smart bar back with a decorative panel, plain mirrors and the pub's name across a blackboard above, all lined with fake roses. Tables and chairs stand to the front and left, high tables and stools to the right and a pew or two can be found further back. The left side of the room has a cosy lounge feel, with tongue and groove panelling beneath plain uppers decorated with blackboards, old photos, a well stocked, long bookshelf with some porcelain bits and a bugle, a TV screen showing muted National Geographic style photos, and a juke box. Meanwhile, the right-hand side has a slightly more spartan vibe with an unused TV and a dartboard, whilst music played quietly in background. Limited bench seating can be found out the front, but the road is quite noisy, making the side beer garden a more attractive option. The pub is held in high regard by the local CAMRA branch, regularly making it into the Good Beer Guide, and there were some interesting cask ales available when I arrived - Lakesdown Ace Face (a very reasonable £4.60 a pint), two from Sharps, Sonar Wave and Twin Coast and Only With Love The O.G. The Ace Face was in excellent condition and I noticed that they had a few interesting keg options available as well. The pub was a little quite early on a midweek evening, but those who were present were engaged in some classic meandering pub conversations. I really liked this place, which felt like a very welcoming local's pub with comfy furniture, well-kept, interesting beer and a good conversation-led ambiance. It's a bit out of the way, so you need to make some effort to visit if you don't live locally, but I'd say it's well worth the effort and hope to make my way back out here some day soon. Date of visit - 17th September 2024

I made the Garibaldi my last stop on a Wednesday visit to Redhill, as it doesn't open until 3pm on a Monday to Wednesday. Situated on a hill overlooking the rest of Redhill, I did arrive before its opening time. But my arrival was noted by the young barman as he opened up to take delivery from the Iron Pier brewery. Ironically, I'd already peered through the windows and had decided I would order the Iron Pier Wealdway IPA. Other ales on were Surrey Hills Shere Drop & Wadworth 6X. Once inside, the barman struggled to get a half pint of the IPA out and the cask ended up being taken away by the delivery men. Despite being the last out and very much on the hazy side (I don't think it was supposed to be like this), the taste was fine and indeed I would go as far as to say it was one of the best beers I sampled during the day. The interior is kept fairly simple, with one long bar and seating alongside it. But it has quite a traditional feel. Just 2 other customers came in. They were surprised to see it so quiet, with the barman explaining to them that they had only just opened at 3. He was kept particularly busy by a second beer delivery, but nevertheless, he had managed to get another beer (Parkway Session IPA) on to replace the Wealdway IPA.

A proper community local with plenty of folk coming and going on a Saturday afternoon. A couple of screens were unobtrusively showing different sports on each. £4 got me a pint of Burning Sky Plateau, although it could have done with being a degree or two cooler as well as a few millilitres nearer the top of the glass. Other cask options came from Whitstable, Cronx & High Weald; there was nothing of note on the keg taps (unless Aspall cider and Sharps Offshore lager count). Worth seeking out.

Official site of The Garibaldi - www.thegaribaldiredhill.co.uk

Official site of The Garibaldi - www.thegaribaldiredhill.co.uk