The Royal Blenheim

oxfordian1

Great beer in Oxford City centre - shurely not? 30th December 2008

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A result!

Only viewed from outside, I had always viewed the Blenheim as a 70's throw back, awash with yellowing men in pattern sweaters arguing about not-very-current events.

So last night when I was taken there against my judgement, if not my wishes (ultimately they would still be selling beer), it was with a grim resolve to make the most of it and not get into a conversation with anyone who displayed his name on his knuckles or spelled out in his jewellery.

The decor wasn't initially promising - it is a genuinely traditional pub as opposed to those which claim authenticity by nailing the contents of your grandad's garage to the walls and ceiling. This one is plain, with a tiled floor and lots of tables, with some nice little nooks to settle in for a session.

I believe it has been kept functional, because this pub exists to serve a higher purpose - to serve very good, well kept beer, at reasonable prices.

You can get an excellent pint of White Horse brewery's ale for £2.50 a pint, and if this is not exactly going to keep the credit crunch at bay, its certainly going to do more to take you mind off it than a 2.5% drop in VAT. In the cause of science I tested 4 beers last night and they were all very, very nice. I will be back for more.

They also do food butI can't comment because they didn't have it on that night - it was Xmas. I could put in a request for veggie breakfasts though. Just stick 3 veggie sausages on instead of the sausage and bacon, and watch them fly out the kitchen.

I really hope to see this pub thrive. It will be an asset to the honest drinking folk of Oxford, who just want the right to drink good beer and lots of it. Belnheim, I salute you, and all who drink in you.