Cobbett’s, Dorking

Visiting this place was my main reason for coming to Dorking. Having been to several micropubs now I can say that this one is very much on the small side. There seems little point in repeating the description of it other than to say that the beer mat collection in the small room at the back is an interesting mix of newer breweries and defunct ones like Ridley's and King & Barnes, The beers spotted on my visit were Marble Pint & Bitter, Dark Star Green Hopped IPA and Surrey Hills Collusion which I understand is brewed in association with the people here. There were also some ciders on. I had to go for the Dark Star (£3.80) which may sound expensive but it is a 6.5% beer and for the second time im a week I forgot about the CAMRA discount. The beer came up nice and clear but was very lively which makes me wonder if not having a cooled room is detrimental to the beer given that the daytime temperatures had been above average. The beer tasted fine but I wonder how they would cope in a prolonged heat wave. That's my only reservation about this place and wished I could have stayed to try the Collusion. There is also a discount open to all, 10% discount applies to drinks on a Tuesday. I have no idea if this negates the CAMRA discount.

This speciality beer shop now doubles up as a micropub. You enter the off-licence section which has wall high shelves of interesting looking bottles then to the rear is a small counter with hops entwined above and scores of beermats stuck to the wall behind. Beers are listed on an adjacent board and are on stillage. Yesterday had Dark Star APA plus the excellent Revelation, Hawkshead Brewery Brodies Prime, Merrie City (HB Clark) Czechmate and something called Dead Man's Hand. Some keykeg offerings too plus ciders from Burrow Hill and Hancocks. From here you pass through a short corridor to a room at the rear which has seating for no more than about 12 people. The intimacy this causes means that conversation amongst strangers is inevitable, it was all rather convivial. Décor in here is also mainly beermats and beer posters. To find the single compartment WC you have to pass through the rear shop kitchen and go out through the yard beyond. It's all very different to a Wetherspoons! I thoroughly enjoyed it here and would make a bee-line again, the pair of staff serving were also very welcoming and enthusiastic. Top notch stuff.