The Rising Sun, Berkhamsted

This is an excellent little pub set in an enviable location alongside the canal lock, a deserving GBG front cover winner. Up a few steps to a small wood floored bar area, where a contented group of regulars were gathered, chewing the fat over various issues. To the left is another small room with display cases of knots, jugs and jars, pewter tankards and so on. Beyond, and behind the bar is a small parlour type room with a pair of wing back armchairs, a selection of board games and for service, a small hatch to the bar. A series of signs and boards over the bar advertise beer festivals, forthcoming guest ales, the ciders, quiz night etc. Adjacent to the servery is an old 3D advert for Thomas Crapper's Flushing Closet. A case on the counter has a selection of good quality cigars for sale, and more unusually, there are a selection of jars of snuff on the bar. Seating is small stools and benches at little round tables, with window seats in the bay area. The Riser, as it is known, is a regular collector of awards, and the friendly landlord proudly informed me that his pub has recently picked up the local CAMRA POTY and Cider POTY double. Ciders are high profile here with the house "Riser in Cyder", two from Westons plus Addlestones on handpump, Riser and a Westons double clipped, as well as a number more in the cellar, plus various bottles. There are eight handpumps that I counted, the beers were the house brew, "Riser Bitter" from Tring (Brock I believe), Buntingford Partridge, Cottage Champflower Ale, Dark Star Revelation and Red Squirrel Hopfest, a pretty decent line up by any standards. I have been walking along the Grand Union from London outwards in stages, and this is easily the best pub I have had the pleasure to stop at thus far. Highly recommended. Outdoor seating to the side as well as a couple of tables to the frontage where you can watch the canal life go by.

The Riser is an attractive Victorian canalside boozer. On entry up the stairs you walk straight into the cosy bar area with a wide range of snuff available on the bar. To the left is another, larger, room with assorted tables and chairs and beyond this, behind the bar area, is a small snug like area with again various tables and chairs and two large and very comfortable armchairs. The welcome we received was friendly and the locals are chatty. This was perhaps helped by it being quiz night which takes place on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month when you can also order a fish and chip supper. The Riser is a long time GBG entrant but the focus does seem to have been on cider historically rather than beer and the ale range used to be invariably disappointing. Not so now and while this is still very much a cider emporium, the beer range is also very good. On offer during our visit were: Vale Black Beauty Porter, Dark Star American IPA which was changed for Vale Gravitas, Rising Sun Riser, Blindmans Buff from the Blindmans Brewery and Blackfriars Mitre Gold. An unusual and well selected range with both the Gravitas and American IPA being excellent. The place to go in Berko for both beer and cider and a very comfortable and cosy pub to enjoy both in. I'll certainly return.

Not a review as such but just to highlight that this pub has the honour of its photograph adorning the front cover of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2012.