Lava Lounge, Epsom

The White Horse is right on the main road next to Epsom General Hospital, so perhaps gets some passing trade due to its proximity. As well as me, there was also another chap in there sinking a swift pint before visiting the hospital, in my case before visiting time starts at 3.00 PM. There were three pumps on the bar counter, two unused and the third dispensing Old Peculiar. This must be one of the strongest draught ales around, at 5.6 ABV. The pint I had was superb, and at a very reasonable £2.90 a pint. The pub has changed hands again, the new guv’nor having been there for around four weeks. He said that he is trying to turn it into a proper pub again, after a somewhat chequered recent past, so all power to his elbow. He says that unfortunately he doesn’t currently have the trade for more than one real ale, so it’s not going to become a real ale Mecca in the near future, but certainly has the potential to become a decent little pub. Apparently the single ale on offer is to be rotated – I timed my visit well as the next ale on was going to be Courage Directors. It’s pretty basic inside with a couple of settles and a handful of standard issue tables and chairs. There’s a room at the back containing a pool table, and another small room on the right with a couple of tables and a dartboard. It’s very much work in progress at the moment – literally, as there was an electrician doing some wiring in the main bar. I found it to be a friendly and welcoming pub, and It would be interesting to see how it is faring in a few months’ time.