38.
More in Epsom and Ewell, mainly crap,
Well, not entirely
Back in Blighty
I collected a message from Richard Bradshaw instructing me that some beers were
in order that evening, and the chosen crawl was Epsom/Ewell
to make use of the recently much improved at the bequest of Ken Livingston 293
bus. However we kicked off in the Wetherspoons at
Alighting from the 293, our first stop was
the Vestry (formerly Epsom's Litten Tree). I wanted
to hate the place but in fact it wasn't that bad even though it only had
Courage on draught. There were also some interesting lagers for the inevitable
Ben Sherman shirted set of locals that must populate the place on a
Friday/Saturday. Also of note was the Mates branded condom machine in the gents
and a nice young maiden working the bar. Across the road was Caspar (the friendly ghost, my arse).
This was a shitty wine bar in a shop unit whose only bitter was very lively
Beamish Red. A large karaoke machine filled one corner and locals the others.
Downstairs was a grotty pool room with scattered
chairs and some vile toilets which were worse than those that I had seen in
Spain.
On the main road back to Ewell was the Rifleman, which was a crap locals’ pub
with not much going for it apart from a jukebox showing Madonna's greatest hits
on VH1. There was also Abbot and Greene King IPA, but yet again it wasn't very
nice, though was pricey. No beer maidens behind the bar, though at least there
were some scratchings. Next up was the Plough and
Harrow, which looked quaint on the outside with green paint and brown tiles but
on the inside was populated by youths, including an exceptionally fat one
blocking the way to the toilet whilst she was on the fruit machine. The walls
of this pub are covered with classic TV and music pictures - Blakey from On the Buses, John Thaw from The Sweeney (NOT Morse) and Frank Zappa
to name but a few. Beer 'choice' was Greene King IPA or Young's Special, the latter had turned to vinegar and was absolutely
dire.
A little further up was the snooker hall
like 'Friends' and like the TV show is a bag of shite,
though there was some Spitfire on draught which was pleasantly surprising for a
place such as this. And there was a reasonable barmaid, but other than that,
not a place where I'll be returning. Finally we managed to get some decent beer
at the Kings Arms, a Young's pub with two bars which did Special and Bitter.
Well, the beer was average anyway and there were a few barsnacks,
but this was still a very average town Young's establishment. There are a lot
in Kingston like this, eg the Spring Grove.
Leaving at 9.21 we managed to get the 9.22
406 bus to Ewell using our bus passes (thanks Ken!),
and were dismayed to find that some fucker had turned the Jolly Wagonners into Yuppie flats, so to console ourselves, we
went along the road to the Eight Bells instead, a traditional looking pub with
flower baskets outside. The choice of beer was only IPA and Abbot, but the bar
man assured us that there was a beer festival in the next couple of days. Again
very average in many respects, but at least the crowd was a bit more varied.
Some Morris dancers marked the Wheatsheaf, who we
quickly ignored and stepped in for some beer. A better range this time –
Webster’s Green Label, Young's Bitter and Adnams
bitter, but it wasn't the best or cheapest, summing up this pub really which
could do with a kick up the arse.
Time was marching on but we could slot
some more in, so a stop was made at the Spring Hotel where they were having a
music quiz, and where there were many serving maidens. Ales were Bass, London
Pride and something which I haven't recorded, and in general, despite the young
lager drinking crowd, it had a good atmosphere and would be worthy of a return.
In Ewell village itself, the first of a trio of pubs
was the King William IV. This had the air of a rather down-at-heel ex Firkin kind
of pub, and had Adnams and Greene King IPA and not
much else apart from an extensive range of peanuts and lots of wooden fixtures
and fittings.
The best pub in Ewell
is the Star, a slightly trendy but very honest place which does some excellent
beers. When we were there, our options were Fursty
Ferret, King and Barnes Sussex and a Badger beer. The bar snacks scored 2 out
of 3 though I can't remember what was special but they must have been good, and
the bar staff had a bit of Gothic about them. Oh yes, and there was live music
so the atmosphere was good. Well worth a repeat visit.
Trying to be the worst pub in Ewell is the Famous Green Man which has gone right down the
toilet. I don't think there is any proper beer on any more and the bar staff
seem only intent on serving their mates - it's gone to pot really. After this
debacle we decided to return to the Star for last orders then get the 293 to
Dan
Lovegrove
dan@doctor-lovegrove.com
Last updated 9th September 2003.