The White Lion, St. Albans

Visited in May 2010 Fine traditional pub situated in a residential side street off Holywell Hill. The whitewashed exterior leads into two separate bars either side of the main entrance. The larger room on the left - The Lounge Bar - is divided into a number of different areas and is traditionally and comfortably furnished. There's black beams, low ceilings, horse brasses, and a collection of brewery mirrors, including Aylesbury Brewery Co and Courage Imperial Stout. Just inside the door is an interesting framed map of St Albans detailing the location of 92 pubs then existing. As a further reminder of the past, note the redundant Watneys Red Barrel tap alongside the pumps on the bar. The smaller bar on the right - The Den Bar - has a blackboard which lists the beers available in the two bars which, on my Saturday lunchtime visit, were Butcombe Gold, Youngs London Gold, Exmoor Stag, Caledonian Flying Dutchman, Youngs Special, Black Sheep and Tribute. This blackboard also lists forthcoming beers. The Butcombe Gold - £ 3.10p - was a pleasant pint, but was served slightly too cold. The pub has won local CAMRA awards and, as evidenced by the stickers on display, has been a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular. I think this one should be included in any St Albans craw

Three rooms, two bar areas, one lovely rear garden and seven ales with loads of choice (including Morrissey/Fox, Titanic and Tetley Dark on my visit, the aforementioned threesome all in good condition). Friendly service behind the bar and a tidy dartboard in a nicely kitted-out pub which felt like a good place to be - could have spent all day in here (next time I will do so I can have go on the boules pitch). Check out the old Watneys Red Barrel font at the bar. A blackboard displays the beers tapped and forthcoming - nice touch. The best St Albans pub on my crawl a couple of months back, well done. Would heartily recommend the place to all discerning pub-goers.

The White Lion dates back to the 16th Century although the building itself has been refurbished to the point that little of its medieval charm remains although it does still retaining a certain amount of character. The interior is divided into four distinct areas. To the right of the main entrance is the Den Bar, a small, cosy, simple bar with a few modern touches and a large brick fireplace dominating one end. The main bar is divided into 3 rooms with the rear section containing a TV and dart board. The other 2 rooms lead away from the bar and are similar in size, quite plainly decorated and labeled as dining areas on the pub’s web site although I didn’t get the impression that the pub is particularly dining orientated. There is a decent selection of ales and the pub can claim being a former South Hertfordshire CAMRA pub of the year (2006). There are 3 hand pumps in each bar but it is not always possible to see what is actually available. The Den does have a board listing all the Ales but I didn’t notice anything similar in the main bar (although it was packed with people watching the 6 Nations so I could have missed it). The barmaid did however mention the others as we ordered. Black Sheep & London Pride look to be the regular ales, supplemented by 3 or 4 guest ales that included Leeds Best and Greene King Little Bob on my visit. Of note is the old Watney’s Red Barrel pump perched on the bar although it’s anyone’s guess what comes out of it, if anything. There is a sizeable, partly paved, rear garden that also contains a petanque court. Also keep an eye out for the friendly 3 legged pub dog, taken in by the pub after it was attacked by another dog. Best not to play “paws” with it though. Overall, a friendly and civilized pub that is certainly worthy of a visit, especially in conjunction with the 4 or 5 other decent pubs within a couple of hundred yards.

A warm homely and cosy feel at this old pub with its low ceilings, real timber beams etc. Fairly quiet Saturday evening, sadly a sign of the times, but a few small groups enjoying quiet conversation and good beer. The bar is split between the two main rooms with a sort of snug with a hatch to the back bar providing further seating. Black Sheep Bitter, TT Landlord, Pride, Harviestown Bitter and Twisted, Titanic Anchor, and Rhymney Brewery Bevans Bitter (superb condition). I think the Watneys Red Barrel was off! (See the former keg pump on the bar) A nice pub, it grows on me with each visit.

This pub really comes into its own in the Summer months due to the large garden with children's facilities and a petanqe piste (I think that's the official term). Plenty of room inside with various seating areas, newspapers available and a dartboard. They pay a lot of attention to their real ales and there are generally 5 or 6 on at any one time that change regularly. There's an interesting old Watneys Red Barrel pump on the bar that looks as if it now dispenses lager. This pub has improved over the last year or so and is well worth a visit if in the area.

Official site of the White Lion, including current and upcoming real ale listings - www.thewhitelionph.co.uk

Official site of the White Lion, including current and upcoming real ale listings - www.thewhitelionph.co.uk