Landlord of the Princess Royal in West Croydon Tony Challice has never allowed conversation killing TVs, fruit machines or jukeboxes past his doors and has won three respected CAMRA awards for his real ale pub since 1998, including this year.

As most people have worked out by their early 20s, pub landlords don't all care how their beer tastes and would rather sell out with as many cash raking tactics as possible.

But Tony doesn't need to because he serves the perfect combination of beer, chat, intimacy and warmth to attract discerning drinkers from as far afield as West Wickham.

He explained how he was brought up with brewers Charrington's "in the early days", where he learnt how to keep, pour and present beer from the "old school boys" at their Mile End brewery.

He added: "I ventilate the beer in the barrel for four or five days, which I think is just right, though some say one day, and know how long it's going to stay at its best.

"It will keep for 28 days but if I get rid of it in about a week that's perfect.

"Then it has to be served in a spotless glass, it's got to have a nice natural head on the top and it's got to be nice and clear."

Permanently on tap are IPA, Dark Mild, Ruddles County and Abbot Ale.

There are always four guest ales, unless there is an unforeseen demand and one is guzzled in under a week, and two new ones every week.

At the moment they are Theakston's Old Peculiar, Strong Suffolk, Old Speckled Hen and Bass. The average price is £2.05.

To complement the ale you are enjoying by the open log fire, there is also an interesting £3-£4 a dish menu provided by Tatsfield Golf Club's chef.

Princess Royal, Longley Road, West Croydon, Tel 020 8240 0046.

December 13, 2001 16:00