Pub review: Two Doves, Oakley Road, Keston

PubSpy braves the snow only to get an icy reception at Two Doves, Keston. But the well-kept beers and friendly staff keep him warm.

A lot of column inches have been taken up in recent days with talk about how Britain failed to cope with last week’s snow. Schools did close, public transport stalled and the roads were icy — yet none of these problems could stop me from going to the pub.

There would have had to have been six feet of snow rather than six inches to prevent my journey to this week’s venue, The Two Doves near Keston Mark.

Others clearly felt the same because after the regulars had finished giving me the once over I noticed most of them were wearing Wellington boots.

Their distrustful gaze did not make me feel at all welcome so it is lucky the barman was friendly, otherwise I might have turned around and left.

This would have meant I would not have sampled a selection of very well-kept beers and missed out on an otherwise enjoyable wintery evening.

First up was Young’s Special (£2.90) which managed to be fruity with a touch of sweetness while still being hoppy and I would have been happy drinking it all night.

But I quickly changed my order when I saw the Two Doves also had St Austell’s Tribute (£2.90) which is always a welcome guest wherever I visit.

Without wanting to sound too much like a wine connoisseur, it had a really fruity and almost biscuity flavour.

I don’t know why, but drinking it made me think of Scotland rather than Cornwall, where the pale amber ale is brewed.

Both were well worth the trek through the snow, as was the Young’s Bitter (£2.80) which slipped down my throat very nicely.

If the sign outside is to be believed and the garden is award-winning, then I will be back in the summer for more drinks and to see if I can win over the regulars.