Martin's Pond, Berkhamsted

Overlooking a green reminiscent of Tylers Green in Bucks, this 30s-style public house appears to have an emphasis on the dry stuff, but the ale selection sees them acting as unofficial brewery tap for the nearby Red Squirrel brewery, with Conservation Bitter, Hopfest and Redtail Citra on handpump (the latter unfortunately turned around on our visit), and not all tables are laid out, which is an encouraging sign drinker-wise. The Bitter seemed on the steep side at £2.10 a half, as did my companion's Soda and Lime which chimed in at £1.90, and the former wasn't at it's best, tasting as if it hadn't been run through the lines from overnight: that coupled with a slight cluelessness on the till made for a less than good first impression, but with a mental note made regarding the Red Squirrel brews, this'll definitely be worth a second punt.