The Globe, Dunstable

B&T Shefford Bitter, Dragonslayer, Midsummer Ale, Two Brewers Bitter, Edwin Taylor's Extra Stout, plus ‘Shefford Brewery' (still B&T) Dark Mild & Dunstable Giant, also Hooky Bitter, Everards Tiger, Whitstable Native, Summerskills IKB 1859, Old Rosie, Herefordshire Perry. Good number of beers but, as with Bedford's Wellington (with which a direct comparison may be made), not really much of great excitement from beyond the B&T stable. Long L-shaped pub and bar, a sort of open snug to the rt of entrance, nice cushioned free-standing settles & matching chairs, more settles opp bar, tables, stools & some barstools (seated regulars moved to allow view of pumpclips). Nice old dark boards throughout, and a high shelf winds around the whole sporting bottles and old pumpclips, walls carry some breweriana, nice pictures, mirrors, half-glass partition doors separate the rear of the pub from the bar area, and it is here that the dartboard has its own space, and a rare decent sized chalkboard. Outside to a small enlcosed concrete area, prettified by hanging baskets, some planted tubs, and a small lean-to with climbers growing on trellis side. Not busy Mon eve, but good banter and atmosphere around the bar and the young barman greeted us on arrival & was a pleasant lad, offering me a taster of a just-changed barrel while I was pondering. Yes it's good, but some micro offerings might better justify the journey over.

Impossible to fault this excellent pub with its great atmosphere, friendly service and stupendous beer selection. The décor is not the smartest, but it's in keeping with the informal feel of the place. There's ordinary pub furniture, supplemented by a slightly battered leather sofa and a few upturned barrels, bare floorboards and plenty of breweriana on the walls - I noted a Batemans map, a Wethered's mirror and a Simonds tin sign - and there's a huge collection of beer bottles on a high shelf that seems to run endlessly round the whole pub, and more used pump clips than you could count. The Banks & Taylor beers are on the short side of the bar which is the first thing you see on entering, the guest ales being spread along the longer side. B&T Shefford Bitter is just £2.80 a pint and there are filled rolls available for just £1. A good friend of mine died last year and we held his wake in the Globe - a fitting send off that he would have heartily approved.