Duke Of Hamilton

AlexWoods

Great great, great pub 24th September 2009

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This is a great pub!

During the course of a Saturday walk (I say walk, it was an elaborate pub crawl, it's just we crossed the Heath to get to the first pub) this was, in my humble opinion, the best pub we went to. And if you're not interested in my humble opinion read around some of my other reviews and you will come across my high minded, arrogant and grumpy opinions.

It has a fantastically relaxed atmosphere and it lack some of the... pretension that a lot of establishments (and people) in Hampstead have. (Deny it if you like! But then have a good, hard look at yourself.)

The places looks as though it hasn't suffered a refurb since they laid the carpet, some time in the 1960s, and consequently it's comfortable, cosy and very Pub-like, for want of a better term. Some of the top features include the sporting memorabilia, the frosted glass surround above and the tiling on the bar, the dark wood panelling, and the fact that you have to leave the premises to make use of the inconveniences.

There are a number of reasons I like this in a pub. For a start, since the smoking ban, love it or hate it, some pubs have developed a... not altogether pleasant aroma if one sits in the wrong place and the wind is from the Sou'west. It's unavoidable. Also, there is something quite quaint and old fashioned about having an outhouse. I like.

One could be forgiven for thinking that this was a Fuller's house, with a couple of guest pumps. I couldn't give a crap because when faced with London Pride, Chiswick, and ESB, the question is rarely "Which one to have..." but "In which order should I commence..." Fortunately I was saved from the agony of choice by Meantime's LPA. And a very good pint it was too! For good reason is this pub a regular feature in the Good Beer Guide.

The staff were very pleasant and cooperative, if a little "cool" (I'm really not sure about fashion you know. I don't strictly object to every one looking like an extra in a Western movie. I'm a fan of cowboys as much as the next red blooded male, and not in a Broke Back Mountain kinda way. But are plimsolls really appropriate apparel for ranch hands?), the beer excellent, and the atmosphere very v e r y relaxed.

If only by comparison with it's neighbours, I would say that this is a very good pub, and it would certainly stand it's own among many other more robust rivals.

And I read something somewhere about beer festivals....