Royal Standard, High Wycombe

I hadn't been to the Royal Standard since spring 2013, despite vowing last time to visit more often. My last visit over 7 years ago was during a beer festival. This visit was in very different circumstances, amidst the government's campaign against alcohol and the hospitality industry in full flow, this being the penultimate day before the latest prohibition period in the south east of England. The atmosphere was fairly sombre, given the circumstances. But all tables were taken with people enjoying drinks along with their mandatory substantial meal. The beer range was good, as the owners (like most) had not been expecting to be told the day before that they would have to close again. Timothy Taylor Landlord was on. This appears to be the one regular beer. Guests were Oakham Inferno & Green Devil, Otter Bitter & St Austell Proper Job. Ciders were Weston's Old Banger & Shottle Farm Grumpy Farmer. We sat in the bar area. There is also more of a dining area on a slightly lower level than the rest of the pub. A few hardy souls were braving the winter evening weather at the rear of the pub, in an undercover area which did admittedly have some kind of heaters. My substantial meal was a full rack of ribs, which thankfully took a fair while to eat. I didn't want it to get in the way of drinking. The ribs, accompanied by chips and coleslaw, were very enjoyable indeed. The two guys working were rushed off their feet. But they were very friendly and professional. As a pub relatively close to us, I really must make a concerted effort to visit here more regularly.

Official site of The Royal Standard - www.theroyalstandard.biz

Official site of The Royal Standard - www.theroyalstandard.biz

Situated on a fairly busy road, the Royal Standard is nonetheless almost in the middle of nowhere, with few (if any) surrounding dwellings. Nonetheless it manages to pack in ten ales, five of which are on handpump, whilst the other five are at the rear on stillage – the pumps are double-clipped so you can easily see the full selection whilst standing at the bar. Deuchars IPA and Hop Back Summer Lightning appear to regular, with the rest as guests. Beer condition is usually pretty good although I have had the odd duff one. The interior is a long, fairly narrow room subdivided into three areas; fairly unremarkable. Food is offered though I’ve never sampled. There’s no garden to speak of just some picnic tables out the front, feet away from the main road. If you like your beer, this one worth seeking out, so long as somebody else is driving you.