The Brushmakers Arms Upham 25th August 2016
We had visited this pub before but as there had recently been a change of management and we were hearing encouraging reports, through the grapevine, we felt it was our duty to have a return visit and find out for ourselves.
So six of us set off from Bishops Waltham on a hot and humid summers' day for the 4 mile walk to Upham. Four other gents were due to join us at the pub but for some reason didn't fancy the walk!
On arrival, we were obviously suffering from extreme dehydration (the walkers that is) so we headed straight to the bar for sustenance in the form of beer!
We were warmly welcomed and presented with a choice of a good selection of four beers:
Upham Fields of Gold - 3.8%, Palmers Copper Ale - 3.7%, Fullers London Pride - 4.1% and Cheriton Goodens Gold - 4.8%. Most of us opted for the Upham Fields of Gold which was a refreshing straw coloured beer, which was just what the doctor ordered.
Having satisfied our thirst over a couple of pints it was time for the main event - the pie!
This months offering was to be individual chicken, ham and leek pies with chips and vegetables The pies were presented in individual enamel pie dishes which we thought was a nice traditional touch.
With a little coaxing the pies turn out perfectly onto the plate which suggested that they were cooked to perfection. Which indeed they were! The pastry was very good and there was plenty of excellent filling and it all came with gravy on the side - yum.
Everybody cleared their plates and some of us even had room for a pudding from the extensive menu.
The taxi duly arrived to take us back to Bishops Waltham, it was felt that to walk back after such an excellent lunch would be a step too far! However, two of our group did decide to walk back taking a different route - never to be seen again!(they did turn up eventually having taken a wrong turn or two - or had they found another pub?).
Scores(max. 5 in each category, 25 overall):
- Pastry 4.25
- Filling 4.40
- Beer 4.24
- Ambience 4.38
- Value 4.49
- Overall 21.76
Many thanks to Nicki and her team for a most enjoyable visit and congratulations on an excellent pie which puts the Brushmaker into 2nd position overall for 2016 so far.
