The Sportsman, Rickmansworth

Basic open-plan locals’ boozer. Everything painted light grey, the lower servery excepted. Laminate floor, pool at the far end. Jumbo TV perched on bar showing the 6 Nations. Brass plaque in the gents proclaiming ‘Consulate of The People’s Republic of Croxley Green’ made me smile. GBG listed with three cask and a cider on over six pumps. Couldn't quite decide whether my choice of Hardline Beer Belly was old and musty or just a poor brew (NBSS 2.5). Fair play to the landlord for giving cask a go and I did at least see a pint of the Church End Gravediggers pulled for an unlikely looking ale drinker from the pool table collective. But it seems to have declined from the local mecca described below.

Another pub with incorrect published opening times. Supposed to open at lunchtime on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there was no sign of life after 1pm on a Friday. Apparently, they have changed to 2pm opening. A shame, as I had enjoyed it on my last visit.

Called into this 2018 Good Beer Guide pub while on a CAMRA coach trip in the area. Found an interesting bar with a massive choice of beers, so enjoyed Dark Star Green Hopped IPA 6.5%.

A fairly straightforward bus journey from Watford Junction station took me out to this classic local's boozer and CAMRA award winning ale house. Situated on a busy junction, the pub has a simple L-shaped layout with a public bar running left to right along the front of the pub and a lounge-style space extending to the rear down the right hand side. The public bar is dominated by the tongue and groove servery and bar back on the rear wall, which has a good pump clip collection across the top of the bar back. The area is bare boarded with banquette and low stool seating along the front wall and a pool table filling the open space to the left. A few bits of breweriana are dotted around, plus a dartboard, slot machines, posters for live music and a large TV screen which was switched off. Meanwhile, the lounge is carpeted and has standard seating, low stools and button backed sofas in a fairly cosy looking area with loads more pump clips on display. A number of old pictures and mirrors liven things up a bit and there were a few bits of sporting memorabilia on show, plus some proudly displayed CAMRA certificates. A trip to the gents revealed a most unexpected discovery, as the walls have been covered with an excellent display of retro beer trays which really evoke bygone times. Music was playing quietly throughout my visit and the friendly barmaid was having an amusing conversation with a customer who was helping her manage the pub's Twitter account. I had high hopes for a good ale range here and certainly wasn't disappointed. The long row of handpulls was dispensing XT8 Dark Roast, Cryw Ial Community Brew Co Limestone Cowboy, Fullers ESB, Oakham JHB, Sharps Doom Bar, Cottage Texas Brown Ale, Elephant School Odds and Sods and Redemption Fellowship Porter. The keg range was also pretty good, including beers from XT and Magic Rock. I had an outstanding pint of the XT8 which flew out of the glass and had I not needed to head off to watch a dull 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road, I would have happily stayed and tried some more of their offerings. This is clearly a destination pub for ale lovers and a sound community pub for the local residents. I thought the pub looked a little frayed around the edges and could probably do with a bit of a spruce up, but this didn't detract from a very enjoyable visit and I was glad I made the effort to make my way out here.

The Sportsman is a real ale drinkers' oasis in an area which is a relative desert. A relatively nondescript but tidy building both inside and out. The interior is effectively one large open plan area. To the left on entry is more of a bar like area where, on the Saturday evening we visited, a band was playing. to the right is a more comfortable carpeted seating area. The welcome from the knowledgable landlord was warm and the serving staff included one or two decorative barmaids. A wide range of ales were offered: Downton Brewery Quadhop, York Scrum Down, TT Landlord, Doom Bar, Gales HSB and Fullers London Porter which, we were told by the landlord, is brewed for The Sportsman. We tried pretty much all the above and all were in good nick although maybe a touch cold and when the Landlord barrel was changed and the new one not up to scratch, all pints from the new barrel were collected and replaced. These people care deeply about the quality of their ale and the range was also well selected. I wouldn't hesitate to return.