The Good Beer Guide is CAMRA’s seminal publication and the is the best-selling beer and pub guide, featuring 4,500 of the UK’s best pubs, including fourteen from the Mid-Chilterns branch.
We are thrilled to showcase The Bell Inn in Bovingdon as one of Mid-Chilterns CAMRA’s entries into this year’s Guide.
WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS
Friendly local split into several areas – the bar area is on two levels with wooden beams (and together with the snug is the original area of the pub); snug with dart board and games machine; separate restaurant to the rear. Good restaurant and bar food. 2/3 real log fires in winter. Small patio and smoking area to the side. Up to 3 guest real ales from local breweries.”
In this week’s focus blog, we’re taking a look at the branch’s ‘Cider Pub of the Year’ for 2022 – Monks Inn, Hemel Hempstead.
Situated in Hemel Hempstead’s market square, Monks Inn gushes with traditional farmhouse, scrumpy and playfully flavoured ciders on a weekly basis. This year, Monks Inn has completed the holy trinity of Mid-Chilterns CAMRA awards, taking ‘Best Newcomer’ in 2019 then ‘Overall Champion Pub of the Year’ in 2020, and now ‘Cider Pub of the Year’. What a trophy cabinet!
ABOUT THE PUB
Hertfordshire is a far cry from the heralded cider-making territories of Somerset, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, yet Hemel Hempstead’s illuminated market square is a bastion for those fond of an apple-based tipple (or two!).
Amongst the nail salons, barbers and food vendors of varying creed (Jollof Rice from Triple B and Pita Gyros from Hellynmic Hym are both quality choices that can be brought into pair with your pint) sits a building gilded in green and white, once home to a branch of Jenning’s Betting Shops. Since 2018 this space has housed Monks Inn micropub, a space that hums with rockers, bikers, gamers and more, all gleefully glugging up to six unique ciders poured Monday through to Sunday.
ABOUT THE CIDER
Popular producers such as Celtic Marches, Pulp, Gwynt Y Ddraig and Sandford Orchards grace glasses either by the pint or the half, as session ciders are offered alongside more robust examples that have been made to traditional, higher strengths.
A not untypical selection of ciders at Monks Inn
MORE THAN JUST QUALITY CIDER
Talking of calibre, this establishment has gone from strength to strength in its’ modest but perfectly formed 5-year history. Highlights include ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Overall Champion Pub of the Year’ commendations, each an acknowledgement of Monks’ stellar cask ale selection, welcoming environment and admirable community ethos. It could be argued that the resilience of Monk Inn’s was recognised most over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the micropub’s extended family (AKA ‘Monkonians’) were pulled together by an extraordinary effort from Clint (owner) and his staff behind the bar.
In the times when no pub could operate conventionally, Monks Inn took to the pumps to pour containers of delicious cider and beer for customers to takeaway, with a contact-free home-delivery service for those more cautious. The dedication, positivity and community ethos of Monks Inn represented a bright light in an otherwise dark time for all, no less for hospitality workers themselves. We congratulate Monks Inn on their Cider win, made more impressive with the knowledge of recent adversities that the team have conquered with fervour.
WHAT NOW?
The good times keep on coming for ‘Monkonians’ with the opening of its sister pub Friars Inn in August this year, conveniently located opposite, also in the Market Square (situated in the former ‘Market Arms’ premise – open Monday-Sunday).
Craft-keg beer, pool tables, darts and a jukebox are joined by regular live music events as key highlights of the new location. Clint has also made improvements in the club above Friars. Previously known as ‘FUSE’ the reopened space is now named ‘Roxys’, with live and recorded music covering genres both old and new. Plans to add a dedicated kitchen and a roster of varied events such as drag, burlesque, art displays and private parties are all in the pipeline.
Bonded by a common mission for quality and community, Clint’s exciting vision sees each establishment excel in their unique specialities.
Clint addressing thirsty patrons, explaining his vision for Monks and beyond
ONE FOR THE ROAD
As both a speciality and source of acclaim for the founding pub, quality cider from renowned producers is always on offer at Monks Inn. Here’s to Monks Inn, Hemel Hempstead – your Cider ‘Pub of the Year’ for 2022.
The Good Beer Guide is CAMRA’s seminal publication and the is the best-selling beer and pub guide, featuring 4,500 of the UK’s best pubs, including fourteen from the Mid-Chilterns branch.
We are thrilled to showcase The George Inn in Berkhamsted as one of Mid-Chilterns CAMRA’s entries into this year’s Guide.
WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS :
Well looked after outside, and inside there is a central island bar within a single room format. The character changes style as the room turns around the bar. Window bench seating in the front windows and high stool tables, moving into a lounge type of feel with lower table and chair format and then coffee shop-style low table and sofa behind the bar island. All very well presented. Covered courtyard area also. Décor consists of wallpaper, framed prints and newspapers, plus mirrors.”
The Good Beer Guide is CAMRA’s seminal publication and the is the best-selling beer and pub guide, featuring 4,500 of the UK’s best pubs, including fourteen from the Mid-Chilterns branch.
We are thrilled to showcase Trekkers Bar in Chesham as one of Mid-Chilterns CAMRA’s entries into this year’s Guide.
WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS :
A micropub in a former barbershop on Chesham’s Market Square. Trekkers is dedicated to showcasing local breweries.
Alongside the reasonably-priced cask ale offering, there are up to seven keg beers on tap, plus cider, sparkling wines and gin.
The fridge and shelves offer a further national and international beer selection in bottle and can.”
The Good Beer Guide is CAMRA’s seminal publication and the is the best-selling beer and pub guide, featuring 4,500 of the UK’s best pubs, including fourteen from the Mid-Chilterns branch.
We are thrilled to showcase The Rising Sun in Berkhamsted as one of Mid-Chilterns CAMRA’s entries into this year’s Guide.
WHAT THE GUIDE SAYS:
The Rising Sun in Berkhamsted is a traditional pub which adopted the environs of lock 55 in 2013.
The ever changing guest beers and multiple real ciders/perries are accompanied by hundreds of gins, cigars, and exotic spirits and liqueurs.
Three inside areas, canal-side seating and a sunken patio make this a pub for any time of the year.
Look out for the many events that take place throughout the year including beer festivals, quizzes, and cheese club!”
