Pint Sized Review - The Lord Clifden, Great Hampton Street, B18

Which brings me here - sitting in the lounge bar of the Lord Clifden, in Hockley, with a laptop and a pint of ale on the table in front of me. Yes in what's practically a world first, I expect, this is a LIVE pub blogging experiment. So I'll try not to swear.

After a previous attempt failed, this is pretty much a new experience for me, and it raises a couple of immediate questions. First of all, although I know the company's laptop insurance policy covers fire, theft and act of God, I'm not sure whether it covers ale across the keyboard. This could be my chance to find out.

Secondly, and more importantly, how different a review is it going to be doing it LIVE instead of letting time and alcohol dull the memory? Well here we go...

The first thing that struck me when I walked in was the sense of newness about the place. There's exposed brickwork, funky lamps, polished wood, piped soul music and a varnishy freshness about the place that puts you in mind of a B&Q store.

(Actually, note for posterity, the first thing that struck me was actually the door as I tried to walk in, but let's not mention that. And philosophically speaking, if no one's around to see me do something clumsy and embarrassing, it didn't really happen right?)

Spit and sawdust it aint then. But it's new in a comfy way, and there's still a pubby feel, the music's not too loud, the lights aren't too bright, give it a bit to get the corners rubbed off and it'll be like it was here forever.

What about the beer? As I'm sitting by the bar I'll go left to right. Heineken, Carling, Peroni, Vale Black Swan, Tring Jock O'Legs, Wye Valley Butty Bach, WV HPA, Phoenix White Monk, Staropramen, Amstel, Erdinger, Guinness.

My pint of HPA cost £2.50. It's a classic session ale, light and a bit bitter, although not bitter enough for my taste, not quite enough to cut through the glutinous top I've sometimes found in Wye Valley beers. But it's from Herefordshire, so after finishing the second one I can feel a warm glow of satisfaction at drinking local, and keeping my beer miles down. At least I think that warm glow is satisfaction.

I'm starting to attract some funny looks from the other patrons of the pub with me tapping away furiously on my laptop. They've obviously mistaken me for some kind of workaholic yuppie, which is a mistake you'd never make if you ever actually met me.

Anyway, what was supposed to be a pithy pub review is starting to take on Proust-esque proportions, so I'd best draw a line here. If you're in the area, pop in and have a pint here, you'll enjoy it. I did.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV LIVE EDIT VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

In response to the comment below, yes they do have wifi, and it works very well. I'm using it now...