Coming out of covid, it proved difficult to get going with our bus trips for rural pub tours. However, as we could get out on foot, we had a Summer Walk around central Bedford in August as usual.

Foresters Arms A group of us met to start our walk at the Foresters Arms in Union Street. This pub was newly reopened after a refurbishment from Wells, with a new manager. DNA from Brewpoint was the only cask ale available (understandable in post-covid times), and an acceptable start as we gathered.

On to the Ship, on Bromham Road, a nice community pub. It has fine (if a little damaged) green tiling to the façade, and the front of the bar is a pleasant, wood-panelled eating area. Again, DNA was on the bar and in acceptable condition.

Flower Pot We moved on to the Flower Pot in Tavistock Street, which has had a facelift. It was busy with a music evening, so we sat in the walled garden at the rear. Doom Bar and London Pride were on. We had Pride, which was good!

Onward to the Bear in the High Street. Its narrow frontage belies the reasonably spacious panelled bar at the rear with stained-glass windows. It has been ‘gothed’ a bit with a fair amount of black! But you can find a fair pint. It had on Courage Directors, Brakspears Gravity and Marstons 61 Deep, all products of Carlsberg Marstons; 61 Deep was ok.

Crossing the High Street, we popped into the Brewhouse & Kitchen. This chain in-house brewpub was very quiet. Banker’s Draft, Intrepid and Invarsity were on handpump and in good condition.

We pushed on down the High Street to the Rose. Make sure you have your CAMRA membership card here for a discount! It also takes CAMRA tokens for 50p off a pint. Taylor’s Landlord and Sharp’s Atlantic were on the bar, but the Landlord was ‘end of barrel’, so we had Atlantic, which was good.

We toiled on down the High Street and turned left on to the Embankment and… the Embankment Hotel. This mock-Tudor Wells establishment is a popular food venue, overlooking the river. Brewpoint Legacy was the only cask beer on, and it was in an acceptable condition.

Three Cups We disappeared up the snicket to finish our evening at the Three Cups in Newnham Street. This Greene King ‘Local Heroes’ pub is run by Kelchner Brewery of Ampthill, and has a fine, changing line up of ales.The pub itself is welcoming, and also gives CAMRA members a discount on production of your membership card, but a face-lift is overdue. However, these are difficult times. You can be guaranteed a good pint at the Cups. On the pumps this evening were: Kelchner’s Half Nelson; Greene King Yardbird; Brentwood IPA; Leighton Buzzard Best Buzzard; and Nethergate Stour Valley Gold. I had the Buzzard, and was pleased to find that this local brewery produces excellent beer! The Nethergate was also good.

Gary Mudd