The Redbridge, Andover

As described below, it’s primarily a sports bar now, where people book tables weeks in advance to watch football matches. The young staff were mainly pleasant and helpful, apart from the over-familiar one with the weird hair. The other clients were exclusively football fans and the discussion, banter and debate were entirely football related. We ate there, and the food was rather more awful than predicted – greasy, fatty, and generally unhealthy, but to be fair it never promised to be anything else. Two ales on, Doombar and Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde, both in poor condition. Unless you’re a football fan for whom ale quality is irrelevant, I wouldn’t recommend it.

The Redbridge is situated diagonally opposite the Wetherspoon's in the centre of Andover. With similar long opening hours and competitive pricing, it is very similar in style. We decided to eat here on a Tuesday evening and we had an enjoyable meal, which was 50% off, even before the government's eat out to help out scheme came into effect. Doom Bar & Tribute were the real ales. There were also a couple of fruit ciders from Lilley's - Cherries and Berries & Lemon & Ginger. As a Stonegate pub, CAMRA members can use their 50p off vouchers for a pint. Far better than I had expected and a serious competitor with the John Russell Fox for the best pub in Andover award.

Largeish pub in the Smith and Jones chain, in a handsome building but the inside is completely gutted and furnished in a nondescript sort of 1990's style. Extends quite a way back, with a pool table at the rear but on a warm day it was incredibly hot and airless inside, despite the opening frontage. it did have an acceptable selection of beers and a couple of fruit ciders on pump however.

A large chain pub with an incredibly bland beer selection, I'll leave this one for the Lager drinkers.

Official site of The Redbridge - www.redbridgeandover.co.uk

Official site of The Redbridge - www.redbridgeandover.co.uk

Large Stonegate pub, very much in the 'spoons mould, with anonymous semi-modern furniture and decor and plenty of food and drink offers. It does, however, offer pool and some big-screen TVs for the sports fans. On the beer front, I found Pride, Doom Bar, Bombardier Burning Gold, Courage Best and Wadworth Swordfish (£2.95) available on the six handpumps.