The Rake, Borough Market, SE1

First pub on yesterdays London crawl and was empty when we got there. Chose Beartown Bear Ass which was fine, but the Triple FFF Moondance was cloudy. Drinkable though. The other ale on offer was Cotleigh 25. Plenty of bottled beers on offer. No toilet available as it was out of order with a notice asking customers to use the one in the market. Small pub with very little room inside.

Official site of Utobeer, owners of the Rake - www.utobeer.co.uk

Official site of Utobeer, owners of the Rake - www.utobeer.co.uk

I walked in here from the snow on the 17th before Christmas and was glad to find a place that wasn’t rammed with drunken chiefs. The reason that it wasn’t heaving was due to the lack of any beers the majority of people have ever heard of, including me. I plumped for the Yellow Hammer from the three ale choices which I thought a little bland. I must admit that I had been on the Guinness for a few hours before drinking here so maybe my taste buds were shot. There was also a selection of German beers on draught and the barmaid was friendly, if maybe a little patronising. The pub itself is very small but there is a covered and heated outside area to the left and the smoking area is on the edge of the market when the covers are up. This place is very easy to dismiss when walking past, but it is worth a look.