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The Good Pub Guide 2009

Many people don’t need a pub guide. They have a homing instinct that is often quite remarkable. But The Good Pub Guide has that little word “good” there in the title for a reason. It’s not just a list of pubs (afficionados are capable of compiling an extensive list for themselves), this is a guide to the best in the UK.

Pubs have changed over the years. There are fewer of the traditional ones that oft grace tourist films and holiday brochures. The thatched, half-timbered variety is iconic and even features on the front cover of this guide, but is sadly rare. More common is nasty vinyl and rude landlord. I once had the nerve to remark that my wine did not come up to the mark on the glass. The barman added an ice cube. Now that’s service!

We all look for different qualities in a pub. Our “local” might not be the best appointed nor boast the best prices but we visit because... well, it’s local. If we are away from home we might be looking for a place to eat good food at a reasonable price. Summer can put us in excursion mode so we hope to find a country pub, good parking, kid-friendly with the chance of a bowl of water for the Labradoodle.

The Good Pub Guide 2009 offers over 5,000 of the UK's top pubs. They might be ones that score highly for quaint atmosphere, or exceptional food, or a great wine list. It’s easy to find what you’re looking for as the book is divided by county and then alphabetically by pub name. Each entry has a selection of symbols to indicate its particular strengths, a map reference and directions, a few words of overview and then a comprehensive description.

A fairly weighty volume, this isn’t one just for the alcoholically-inclined. Some of the best and most traditional British food can still be found in pubs and at better prices than in restaurants. If you enjoy unique beers then you’ll find this guide interesting. If you need a bed for the night then there are some good opportunities to sleep in a room that will have a bit more character than the chain hotels and motels that we mostly frequent.

The Good Pub Guide 2009 is a book for both bookshelf and glove compartment. It’s well researched and will help you avoid disappointing evenings spent in the atmosphere of an underage disco where even the landlord’s Rotweiler has a tattoo and body piercings. Yes, there are many pubs in the UK to avoid and you’ll do that most successfully with this guide. Great value for money.

The Good Pub Guide 2009
Edited by: Alistair Aird and Fiona Stapley
Published by: Ebury Press
Price: £15.99
ISBN 978-0-09-192251-1