Highlights from Stratford on Thursday evening ...
North Cotswold Cotswold Best 4.0%, a copper coloured traditional best bitter, in the Stratford Alehouse. A malty aroma. Taste is malty with a slightly sweet finish provided by caramel and honey. Very nice.
Titanic Chocolate & Vanilla Stout 4.5%, also in the Alehouse. Pours very dark brown with a beige head. Aroma, chocolate and vanilla. Taste, malt, cocoa and vanilla. Excellent.
Gales HSB 4.8%, in the Old Thatch Tavern. A chestnut coloured strong bitter with toasted malt and toffee flavours. Always a welcome find.
The Stratford Alehouse is well worth a visit for real ale or cider fans. A single room micropub with a minimum of four ales plus ciders and wine. The pub acts as a venue to a number of music nights and although meals are not available, snacks are.
We visited two Fullers pubs, The White Swan Hotel and the aforementioned Old Thatch Tavern. The former is a 15th century market place hotel offering accommodation and meals (lunch and evening) in the restaurant. The bar had 3 real ales. The latter, also adjacent to the market place, is smaller, does indeed have a thatched roof and majors on all day every day food. 3 real ales were also available here.
The other pub visited was the Lamplighter, also in the market place. A more basic environment and although not happening during our visit, appeared to be the place where karaoke would be in full swing perhaps on Fridays & Saturday's. 2 real ales were available, both from Davenports Brewery.
). A best bitter with a malt and grain aroma. Taste is roasted malts, caramel, toffee and a hint of spice. Nice.
