Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans Central, St. Albans

The Queen's Head is one of those strange combinations of a traditional English pub one side and a Thai restaurant the other. The Thai family running it certainly make a decent job of both sides, even if some of the more arcane sides to English pubdom get a little confused in the translation. It's a Fuller's pub running a Thai Orchid franchise is my guess of the business arrangement, so Fuller's beers in pretty good condition and the bar, all beams and open fires, popular with the locals, friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is competently run as all are in that chain. Is a pretty good pub in for the area nowadays, certainly better than most of those across the river in Wallingford. Stop by if you are passing.

Well, it seems that you can make a silk purse out of a sows ear. Up until mid 2009 this was a Hogshead that looked to be on it’s last legs and was frankly a pub to avoid. It then changed hands and what a transformation there’s been. The layout is essentially the same but the décor and furnishings are much improved. Whoever owns/runs it now has clearly understood St Albans’ link to real ale and got some in. Not just some but 7-8 hand pumps, including a cider. Beers are generally in good condition, cost around £2.80 a pint and they run a buy six get one free loyalty card scheme. There are tasting notes available for the current month’s beers and a Coming Soon board. There’s a large beer garden with 20 plus tables with pleasant views of the church where they will regularly put up a small marquee with more ales on stillage. Staff are smart and efficient with a good customer service focus that is not found in many pubs these days. There are at least three plasma TV’s showing live sport or Sky Sports News and is getting more popular during live games. Opens at 10am for breakfast (midday on Sundays) with food served up until 10pm. You’ve got to be a bit special to be considered a great real ale pub in St Albans but I reckon if this one keeps up it’s standards it’ll be in next years GBG.