Long walk to the bitter end
March Mullen joins the Camra trail to find Hampstead and Highgate's best pubs
WITH the traditional British boozer disappearing from London's landscape a new guidebook for real ale drinkers recommends a pub crawl around Hampstead and Highgate's most historic pubs.
Bob Steel, who has had a "lifelong interest in good architecture and good beer", has written London Pub Walks, published by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).
For the crawl around seven of Hampstead's and Highgate's most historic pubs, Mr Steel recommends avoiding the summer crowds and weekends, starting early and taking a mid-crawl siesta on the Heath.
The walk starts at a "great Hampstead institution" - the Flask Tavern in Flask Walk, run by Young's since 1904.
Mr Steel praises the atmosphere and recent makeover. "It has thankfully shed the giant TV screen of its sports bar incarnation," he writes.
Landlord John Cannon, 60, said: "I recommend the St George's. It's 4.2 per cent strong and sells for £2.60 - a good way to start the day."
Next is the Holly Bush in Holly Mount - "Delightfully shabby and atmospheric, having survived an attempt by the 1990's owners to wreck it," according to Mr Steel.
Landlord Nicolai Outzen, 32, said: "A big part of living or visiting the area is walks on the Heath, and if you can have a beer on the way, all the better. I recommend a Harveys Sussex bitter as it's a bit early in the walk, but if you make it back, Adnam's Broadside is perfect in this weather."
The last pub in Hampstead is the Duke of Hamilton in New End - less impressive for its architecture, but according to Camra the best beer in the area.
Landlord Michael Wooderson, 65, said: "I would be disappointed if we weren't in Camra's guide - we take a great pride in our beers. I would advise people to stay for two pints and then catch the bus to Highgate."
A 214 bus to Highgate or a leisurely stroll across the Heath later and next up is the Flask in Highgate West Hill. Perhaps the fourth pint is having an effect, but the clientele appears far younger and more attractive than that in the Duke of Hamilton.
Assistant manager Ena O'Neill, 24, said: "I would recommend a pint of Timothy Taylor to quench your thirst. We have customers from 21 to 70 or 80 even. We have speciality beers like Frulli, which younger customers like. We definitely do not sell alcopops."
The Prince of Wales, on Highgate High Street, blurs into the Gatehouse on North Road and then the last pub is Highgate's oldest, The Wrestlers on North Road.
The landlord is not in, but his father-in-law is enjoying a pint at the bar. George Langley, 66, said: "I'm sure we can handle them turning up at the end of the crawl. A pint of IPA should put the finishing touches to the day.
"We get plenty of people here who like real ale, like myself. I don't have a beard, but I've got the age."
Camra's London Pub Walks, by Bob Steel, is available for £8.99 through www.camra.org.
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