The Virgin Queen, E2

Sort out, as I am a massive WBA Fan. Just had to come for a look. As you'd expect, a great pub for the football - including one TV facing out into the street so that the smokers don't miss a thing as they sit under the awning. Fullers beer noticed - I went for a London Pride and a first ever Olivers Island. Both in great condition.

Back in the days of the Big Six breweries the Bass Charrington Duke of Sussex was one of the best pubs amidst the plethora of appalling dross in the E2 postal district. At some point over 30 years ago it became a Shepherd Neame House. It is now a genuine free house that is becoming a GBG regular. It was renamed to the Albion or more correctly the Albion In Goldsmith's Row in 1998. It's only a small wooden floored single bar as well described below. Although it claims to be a Sports Bar it doesn't have the boorish atmosphere that most of these type of pubs usually have. It was busy on my Saturday evening visit and although there was sport showing on a screen it didn't dominate the proceedings. There are four handpumps on the bar with two regular "safe" options Deuchar's IPA and Taylor's Landlord. On the other two pumps there was Hardknott Lux Borealis which I would assume is a rare beer for London and something called Hank which I can't pin down at all as it was rather too busy to make enquiries. My only gripe was the price of £3.90 for a "cooking" strength beer, as after all this is a back street pub in Hackney. Apart from the high price, I thought this was a cosy little pub with friendly staff.

Perhaps the name should have been enough of a clue, but I was very surprised upon entering to find myself in a West Bromwich Albion pub, here in the East End of London. The pub is made up of a single rectangular room with dark beams and some comfortable banquettes under the windows. The servery is on the left hand side of the room, allowing just enough room for a dartboard and a couple of slot machines between it and the door. A TV was on in one corner showing something unmemorable and music was playing over the sound system, but not so loud as to impede conversation. For all of that, the most noticeable thing about the pub is the vast collection of football memorabilia which takes up just about all of the wall space. Footballs and trophies are lined up on top of the servery and there are numerous scarves and shirts throughout. There is also a remarkable collection of pennants covering teams from home and abroad and it’s quite a challenge to spot your own team’s colours amongst all the others (I failed). A corridor to the rear leads to the toilets and it is here that the West Brom theme starts to take over, with signed items, life size player images and toilet doors labeled Baggie Boys and Baggie Babes. Four ales were being dispensed on my visit – Taylor Landlord, Adnams Ghost Ship, Wytchwood Hobgoblin and Deuchars IPA. My Ghost Ship was a bit of a disappointment – not the first time I’ve had a troublesome pint of this brew. The staff seemed friendly and there was a good Saturday evening crowd in, creating that nice buzz you get in a proper ‘locals’ pub. I liked the feel of this place and enjoyed viewing the landlord’s memorabilia. The pub has a nice community feel to it and is well worth a look if you find yourself in the area. I wonder if many Baggies fans ever make it out here.