It's been years since I went drinking in Alton. I live miles away, but went to sixth form there: then my choice of pub was based entirely on where would serve us underage. This afternoon, it wasn't my choice at all, which was a good thing as, after so long away, I could barely remember how to drive to Alton, let alone what pub was nice.
Things have changed a lot since 2000, thank goodness. The scutty, spit and sawdust 'n' cheapo 70s carpets that passed for decoration in almost every Alton pub 10 years ago might hang on elsewhere, but The George has gone gastro. Not London gastro, thankfully, but nice painted walls, a lovely selection of chairs (something that, oddly, I focus on quite heavily in pubs) and an airy feel despite actually turning out to be a fairly middling-sized pub.
Driving, I stuck to diet Coke, but was impressed by the large selection of very fine whiskies behind the bar. The barman looked like someone who actually wanted to be behind the bar, as opposed to a number of barmen in Hampshire, who seem to have blinked during their teenage temp job and woken up 10 years later wondering why they're still working there.
There was beer (I don't focus on this at all) and people were drinking it from jugs as well as pint glasses, so I imagine this means there was a selection of ales and beers. There was food on offer too, a good mix of families, middle-aged well-heeleds, and relaxing couples snacking away at stuff that looked as though it contained ciabatta, but we stuck to our boring soft drinks and had a good natter instead.
Not the liveliest pub in the world despite being packed, but sometimes, particularly after Christmas, liveliness is something you'd rather escape from. read more