The Old White Bear, Hampstead, NW3

This is a pleasant old pub just down the road from the Duke and another of ny regular stop offs in Hampstead. The bar serves several distinct areas, with lots of wood panelling and a parquet floor. Add in a clock or two and lots of photo's of old film stars and this is a characterful pub. It's usually pretty quiet when I visit which is usually Tuesday or Wednesday night but may well be busier later in the week. Usually has 4 beers available with Youngs Ordinary seeming to be a standard with the rest being guests. I have been in when only the Youngs has been available though. It's always a good pint and has been in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide every so often. Long may it continue in its current guise.

Well presented and laid-out pub with aesthetic woody interior and… six changing handpumps with none of the usual suspects, also Addlestones cider in addition to strongbow. So impressed was I on Sunday that I trundled north and staggered up the hill again on Tuesday, when it was explained that the policy was to no longer stock ‘standard' ales (Pride, Youngs, Courage, etc) in favour of a changing rota of less usual beers from around the country! The five that I tried over my 2 visits were all in good shape. Super pub with a few tables out front in good weather. Cannot understand its relatively low BITE rating; nearer a 9 in my book, and I look forward to sampling more beers here in future.