CrawlPlanner

Despite the air of vinegar, last week's visit to the castle found it bustling with suits, ale-drinkers, and ale-drinking suits, with ales including Hopback GFB, Stirling Silver, Hogs Back TEA, HB Clark's Harvest. The journey to the Desperate Dan's Gents is treacherous, but there is a "secret" Gents available...

A quiet hidden city pub of old, owned by the Red Car pub group. Clearly aimed at the discerning ale-quaffing suits, the single roomed bar has 8 handpumps. On this visit, Valhalla Island Bere, Wadworth Henry's IPA, Clark's Classic Blonde, Fenland Ossier Cutter, Elgoods Cambridge Bitter, Castle Rock Preservation (4.4% and £3.10/pint. Great quality too), and Nethergate Red Car Best Bitter - presumably the house ale. They advertise lunches from 12-3 sourced from London markets and free finger food Tue & Wed eves. The surfaces were a bit mucky, but it adds to the ambience. A hidden gem.