Wishful Drinking, Rickmansworth

Official site of Wishful Drinking - www.wishfuldrinking.co.uk

Official site of Wishful Drinking - www.wishfuldrinking.co.uk

Compact off licence and taproom, in a slightly split-level terraced former shop unit with the bar up a couple of steps at the back. Usual sparse furniture, but the various bottles and cans on shelves along one side. The cask Thornbridge Astryd was available from somewhere at the back, but my attention was drawn to the Born Sloppy from Lock 81 (£5.40) dispensed by one of the eight craft keg taps from electric pumps on one side behind the counter.

Another small shop conversion with lots of expensive cans and bottles.About 8 keg beers on tap.Barman didnt seem to want to engage with the customers.Tried a local brewery Lock 81 in bottle which was pretty average.

Wishful Drinking looked like a really promising option to try in Rickmansworth. It is advertised as being open from 10:30 from Monday to Saturday. I arrived shortly before 11:00 to find it closed. No problem, I thought. I'll have a quick pint in the Wetherspoon's (always open in the morning) and I'll return after 11:00. In fact, I returned after 11:30, to be on the safe side. Shortly after 10:30, it still wasn't open. I came back much later to find it open third time lucky. Apparently they no longer open in the morning. Why oh why can pubs not promote their opening times, especially when they have such a strong social media presence. This bottle shop where you can drink in does have a great selection of cask and bottled/canned options. The real ale was Marble Bitter. Real ciders were Thistly Cross Whisky Cask, Gwynt y Ddraig Happy Daze, Lilley's Tropical Cider & Strawberry Cider & Pulp Mango & Lime Cider & Rhubarb Cider. I had the 2 Pulp ciders, but had to double check the price. At close to £5 a pint, this place is pricy. I had spotted a cider I hadn't previously tried in the fridges, but given I was meeting friends and was now running late and given the pricing, I decided to give it a miss. Whilst still offering the best selection in Rickmansworth, this place has the potential to be so much better,

Official site of Wishful Drinking - www.facebook.com