Two men waited anxiously in the darkened lane. Finally a pair of headlights could be seen and the rumble of 1.3 litre Skoda diesel heard. It was the Baron. He already had Under Cover Agent Paul on board as navigator, and the Squire and Ed were quickly folded into the interior like Origami spiders. There was one more stop. The Colonel, home alone (Kate in Oz) at Boo Noo Boo Noo; was also squeezed into the rear and the surprisingly spunky motor, now heavily laden with large men anxious for beer, surged up the hill with ease.

The pub looked good and we parked around the back in the large car park. The Baron ignored my advice to park ‘nose out’ for a quick getaway. I couldn’t be sure we wouldn’t need one as the Squire seemed a little feisty. The seductively lit beer garden looked nice and the pub is classic cosy, with well worn sofas, book shelves, fooze ball, billiards, and fires.

“Dangerous Brian” appeared looking quite jolly, followed by Peter and some pints were got in to test. There apologies from Ian, the Naked Pilot and Martin Bunny.

The ‘White Horse’ from Downton Breweries was a promising start. There was some difficult maths involving the cost of the peanuts. Fortunately Marie-Anne arrived with Mad A and things became quite convivial. The Squire revealed it was Three Flag Week at the premiers John Deere emporium in our area and the purchase of a new ‘Yewhurst’ sign. There were details of further attrocities involving four candles and Squibby.

The menu was tempting and there were several orders for the attractive meat packed steak and ale pie, chips and puff pastry. Mad A had the pork belly and Ed opted for the Risotto as the Baron announced we were on a £10 budget each and the pork belly was £11.95 and the risotto was £8.90 so Mad & I  were clear!

The service was competent and friendly despite a little confusion from the Orderers (Peter and Chris especially) who despite writing it down mangled the job slightly. Photos were taken in case we needed the alibis.

Loos were quite respectable. Well worth a return visit.

My Notes (which may not reflect the Baron’s views which are not extant at this time)

White Horse- 3.8%  Downton Brewery -Excellent
five pints and two bags of peanuts for £15.30 so £2.80 a pint?

Doombar 4% Sharpe’s Brewery, Rock, Cornwall
Nicely kept, not too cold, creamy, not as good as the White Horse £1.70?
Summer Lightning 5% very hoppy, lighter citrus notes (according to Dangerous Brian), Abbots 5% Very good, The Doombar  was sweeter. £2.90, 2.90, 2.90 and 2.80 ( I noted this but not sure what it meant).

Steely Steve’s round was £10.95 and very tasty. The pub welcoming, and cosy. Good pub dog!

The Baron is planning an after Christmas special outing to the famed pub:

The Horse Shoe , Ebbourns Wake, Broadchalke. They have 4 bitters in casks, We’d need a mini bus as its about 45 mins there. We would have dinner.

The Baron’s Beer Tours Next!

• 5  November  – The Alice Lisle, Rockford
• 12 November – The Red Shoot Inn, Linwood