The Brown Bear, Whitechapel, E1

They had Adnam's bitter, London Pride, and Skinner's Betty Stogs Bitter on. I had the latter, which was superb (£2.90 a pint). First time I've tried it, and I'm not surprised it won an award at Earls Court last year. It's a single-room pub with an island bar, bare boarded throughout with various miscellaneous prints adorning the walls. There were three, or possibly four TV screens on, but muted, showing Sky Sports. It was still fairly busy when I left at 2.40 PM, so would probably have done a good trade throughout the lunchtime. The service I received was attentive and friendly. I found this a friendly and welcoming pub, although nothing very special. I would certainly say that this pub is worth dropping into for a pint if you are in the area.

Reasonable E1 Pub, but hard to get served if you're not the 'in crowd' I have seen the Landlord and his partner, pop around the bar to serve themselves and friends when the place is crowded and there is only one member of staff. Don't they want to make money? Food, adequate Thai, ale more miss than hit, though displays a Cask Marque?