I was given a recommendation to visit this free house near Euston Station by a reader. Cheers Andy. Many years ago when I spent some time working in the not far away Euston Tower, a few us used to pop in there on the way back to civilisation, when I am sure it was called something else. Mind you, normally we went round the corner to the Exmouth Arms - I think it was called that anyway. Is it still there?
So I had a look today. Firstly I was nearly knocked over by the smell of cooking fat and vinegar and secondly, what a gloomy dump. I couldn't get near the small bar for a number of suits blocking the way and the stillage showed a distinct Marston's bias which didn't appeal. I wasn't chancing it. I fled.
Stonch condemned it roundly here. He was pretty tough on it. Rightly so - it is truly awful.
Are you going to be about on Friday evening?? I will most likely pop into Stonch's pub after work.
ReplyDeleteI was waiting for you to find that out. It's a shithole. Just the sort of place London CAMRA seeem to like. I've got much higher expectations.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tyson. The Bree Louise is pretty disgusting. Its the kind of place where your feet stick to the carpet. Mables Tavern or the Euston Flyer are better options in that area.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the Bree Louise either - I have friends who love it and implore me to give it another go.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'd say Mabel's is pretty crap as well, Tim. Desperately mediocre Shepherd Neame beer, and - if you go at the weekend or later in the evening - a faintly threatening "local" clientele that give CAMRA high-ups massive stiffies (OOOH A COMMUNITY LOCAL!). Ahem.
Tim
ReplyDeleteMuch as I'd love to, I'll be in the Crosse Keys on Gracechurch St, meeting another blogger.
Turn up if you want.
Hm, tempting but its a fair hike from my office (which is a block away from Stonch's gaff). I recommend you avoid the spoons and move around to The Counting House off Bishopsgate. Although the keys is tolerable as far as JDW goes, the Fuller's place is better.
ReplyDeleteSorry you didn't like it Tandleman, the recommendation was based on the beer, I agree the decor is not a strong point!
ReplyDeleteTim - Sorry I'm committed to my arrangements and anyway, I doubt if Fullers would tempt me really. Some other time?
ReplyDeleteAndy - That's the way it goes sometimes.
instead of the Bree Louise i prefer The Crown & Anchor on Drummond Street (had Sierra Nevada and Budvar Dark on i think last time i was there) or the Doric Arch in Euston station - not been there for a while, but have been a couple of times since the (Fullers?) takeover and the beer range was still interesting enough.
ReplyDeleteI find some of the criticism about Bree Louise a bit harsh. Decor-wise it's surely nothing to remember and it's not on my list of top 10 London pubs either, but the few times I've been in there has always been something interesting to try (and mostly in fine condition) and nothing to complain about the service or other customers either.
ReplyDeleteThen again, being from Finland, when in London I'm usually perfectly content just for the rare occasion to try fresh cask ale from breweries that I have no chance of encountering here, so I'm sometimes ready to sacrifice top atmosphere for an interesting selection.
Fair point Jukka. Maybe I'll chance it again on my way home.
ReplyDeleteTandleman, I can't believe your comments! You have the wrong pub in mind - the kitchen is upstairs at The Bree Louise but downstairs at the Exmouth which does stink of cooking fat. You and your precious gang of delicate flowers (Tyson and Tim) sound like old fashioned real ale twats who have completely lost touch with what CAMRA is all about now - promoting micro breweries. It costs The Bree Louise a lot of money annually to buy out of tie in order that they can offer a decent variety of micro beers on a daily basis. It is hard work for all of them there so get down off your high horse and get behind a winning formula which is helping promote the very industry that gave you your 'status'.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the point buying beer from micro breweries if you then let it go flat and then insist that real ale is supposed to be like that?
ReplyDelete