Micropubs in Metroland

In recent years there has been a boom in Micropubs across the UK, as of 2024 there were over 500 sites registered across the UK. These small independent establishments offer basic facilities that include snacks, bottle/ can selections and growlers for take-away drinks. Over the past few years, there has been a boom in micropubs opening around Hertfordshire, giving customers the chance to try beers, ciders and perries from small-scale independent producers. Along the Watford branch of the Metropolitan line, there are a number of micropubs along each stop between Rickmansworth and Watford. As it was the centenary year of the branch-line, I thought it would it be a good opportunity not only to ride this route, but also to visit the micropubs along the way.

The first stop on the mini-tour was Wishful Drinking in Rickmansworth; launched in 2019, it is a medium-sized setup with a two-step floor layout, tall chairs and globe lamps on most tables. Although there is no cask available here, it has up to 8 beers and 6 ciders on keg. Moreover, they also function as a bottle shop, offering an extensive range of Belgian and German beers, along with a selection of releases from the more locally based Tring Brewery. They also sell snacks including fresh Pork Scratchings and snacking cheese, its also dog-friendly. Moreover, they hold regular events including quizzes, beer tastings and themed evenings. There were only Pale beers available that day, so I settled for Big Bad Shoe (5.7%), a New England style IPA with bold fruity tropical flavours, laced with a mixture of US hops including Citra, Amarillo and Sabro. The hops make for much of the flavour profile, giving a bitter and grassy undertone. After a lengthy Canalside walk we visited Anchor Tap & Bottle in Croxley, a short walk from the tube station, on the site of a former estate agents, it opened in December 2019, yet due to subsequent lockdown restrictions they operated as a take-away and delivery service, notably selling beer tasting kits to customers. The building is a long one-room bar, they maintain the nautical theme with gunmetal-grey walls and chain-lights, splashes of oak panels are interspersed throughout the room, giving the décor an uplift; there are a mixture of high and low tables along with bar stools, and the pint glasses are notably labelled with their anchor logo. Since introducing indoor service, they have scaled back on their selection of bottles/ cans, although drinks are still available to take-away. A snack tower is curiously sited in the middle of the room, it is also dog and child friendly; moreover, there are fortnightly quiz nights (on Tuesdays), Cheese and Wine evenings, live music and events including cocktail nights and tasting sessions. There’s a good selection of wines and spirits to choose from, along with ten beers on keg and two on cask (both from Tring). I sampled some Tea Kettle Stout (5.2%), it was smooth and chocolaty, with potent coffee and roasted malty flavours; a notable bitterness dominated the background which was offset by a creamy mouthfeel, whilst the strength helped give it depth and warmth. Darkness was setting in when we alighted at our terminus, Two Trees Micro in Watford. Launched in March 2022, it is by very definition a micro-pub, with room for only five tables. A favourite with locals and frequently busy, particularly with football on Watford FC match days at nearby Vicarage Road, they boast multiple awards including Watford Observer Pub of the Year 2022 and CAMRA Watford & District Pub of the Year 2023 respectively. Moreover, they also organise tap-takeovers, beer tasting evenings, quizzes (fortnightly on Thursdays) and themed events, a recent innovation, recent examples include a Burns Night Scottish Beer Festival and a Easter Dark Ales event. There was a small bottle/ can selection behind the bar, and an extensive range of bar snacks. In addition to four keg taps, they sell draught cider and up to four beers on cask, they always endeavour to sell at least one bitter, dark and pale beer depending on stocks. After much deliberation, I went for Extra Shiny Beer (4.5%), an old-school ESB with an amber red hue and off-white head; replete with roasted malt flavours with a fruity tanginess, some spiciness and a floral hoppy bitterness from the use of East Kent Goldings; the malt bill included dark malts and a hint of rye. 

During my journey I visited a fascinating array of micropubs, that reflect a growing culture within Hertfordshire of small independent pubs, devoid of restaurant facilities and large national brands, that dominate most pubs in the county. Each location had its own unique characteristics and features that helped made it stand out. Moreover, these places were no frills establishments where the focus was directly centred on beer, cider and perry, celebrating and promoting the produce of small-scale brewers who’d normally find it very difficult to get their beers sold in pubs, since a large number are owned by PubCo’s where the choice is usually restricted. It is great to see the growing spread of micropubs, as it also helps the independent brewing sector to thrive and increase their profits, which is good news for the brewing industry and a boon for the pub sector, especially pertinent in these difficult financial times when pubs are struggling to cope. These three pubs alone are representative of this burgeoning industry; and in the remoteness and quiet of Metroland, the lure of micropubs attracted people in their droves, back to nature, back to the simple honest pint.