The Crown, Northolt
| September 25, 2011 | Posted by Alec Fowler under Ale |
To the Crown, Northolt for the next couple of ales. The Crown in Northolt was my first real local pub. Although it has lost a bit of atmosphere through numerous revamps, it still offers a number of real ales which ensures that we keep returning.
The first pint for Dad and I was the Brakspear, Oxford Gold. Brakspear, a family business has been brewing real ale from Henley On Thames since 1779.
We both enjoyed the Brakspear Oxford Gold at 4%. It had a perfect golden colour and was very fruity however there was not enough flavour to stand out as one of the best. As a result we moved on to the Marston’s EPA 3.6%. Marston’s operates 5 breweries across the UK, it first incarnation being traced back to the formation of the The Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries in 1890. However history of brewing at the site can be found from 1834. A light blond ale with a strong hoppy taste, offering more flavour that the Brakspear Oxford Gold, this was the champion of the night. The EPA got Dad’s vote and you know it is good when Mum gives it the thumbs up.
We considered another pint however the opening track from the local blues band saw us sup up and make a swift exit to the comfort of our living room. I would love to record the crown as one of my top pubs however it just does not cut it, despite a good offering of real ale, the atmosphere is not the best and the live band certainly did nothing to improve that in my opinion.
Ratings:
Oxford Gold ★★★☆☆
EPA ★★★★☆
Enjoying Marstons EPA
Thanks for the share!
EPA 4/5? controversial! i’d be more inclined to give it a 3/5 but each to their own
Marstons was started by Mr John Marston in 1834 in Horninglow, BURTON UPON TRENT, not Wolverhampton. It was called J.Marston and Son. My mum is from Horninglow and her family worked for Marstons.
And EPA is brewed in Burton. The company hq is now in Wolverhampton, but penpushers don’t craft ale like Burton brewers do.
Chris, Thank you for your comments. I based this information on the details I picked up on the Marstons site. Could not find anything about Horninglow, but good to get information from family experience.
Thanks again.