The George, Bexley High Street

WHEN I spotted The George in Bexley High Street, I was heartened to see it was a Greene King boozer. Heartened, because I thought it would mean a pint of Greene King IPA, but sadly this was not the case.

The IPA was off, as was the Ruddles, leaving my only choices for a non-lager pint as Guinness and John Smiths.

The John Smiths was nice enough but I can't help wondering why a Greene King pub doesn't make sure it is well stocked with its own beers.

A refreshing IPA would have been nice, or maybe a glass of Old Speckled Hen.

Glancing through the menu I noticed Old Speckled Hen was served at the pub, but only in meat-and-ale pie form.

I wondered how many pies I would have to eat to get a pint's worth of beer.

It would have been quite cheap to do though, because prices are ridiculously low.

Posters proclaimed nothing cost more than £3.50 and indeed I couldn't find any dish beyond £3.45.

For my money I chose the mixed grill which was a chicken breast, a slice of bacon, sausages, an egg, chips and peas.

It lacked the steak, pork chops or gammon of a usual mixed grill but it was about £5 cheaper than most.

OK, the peas were a slightly odd shade of green and I got an egg which I'd said I didn't want. But with a full plate - then stomach - for less than £4, The George is fantastic value for money.

I didn't spot a dartboard but there was a pool table and quiz machines to help me spend my change from a fiver.

The barmaids are pretty, the barman very attentive and on the whole the pub offers just about everything you would want in a traditional boozer.