The Cardinals Hat, Lincoln

Without doubt the best quality beer on my visit to Lincoln. Though I'm not suggesting I tried every pub with real ale before reaching this conclusion. An example might make this clear: I had a half of Timothy Taylor Landlord in the White Hart earlier in the day, a lovely hotel but a very poor beer. Later, I had the same beer in a GBG pub to the east of the city centre: no pub that features in the guide should ever serve a beer as bad as that one. So when I saw the same beer on the bar here it was a kind of test, though I also had the house beer, brewed by Pheasantry. Both of these were so good that I checked my walking distance to the station and decided I also had time for Acorn Winter Pale. All were beers in tremendous condition. And yes, I caught my train ok. But this pub deserves a return visit.

The Cardinal’s Hat resides in a 15th century building, and there is a boast of this being Lincoln’s oldest pub. There were at least eight cask ales and ciders available, under advisement from the very friendly barmaid I ended up with a very nice chocolate stout. I was going to photograph the drinks menu, that is printed in newspaper style, but being the last pub of the day I forgot. The bar is L-shaped with seating areas to the left and rear. I didn’t visit the advertised roof garden. This pub is located in party town, so the likes of Be at One are just over the way, but this place had a good atmosphere during my recent late midweek evening visit. It may get a bit busy for the likes of me at the weekend though. I’m partial to a bit of funk and I managed to find a spot to plot in by the front window so I enjoyed my visit. I will certainly revisit when next in Lincoln, just maybe a little earlier in the evening.

Drawn by the 2022 GBG entry but in the part of town where there are many young drinker chain pubs we wern't quite sure what would await us. The timber framed pub is clearly old,while the interior has had a gentle modern makeover but has retained a multi level interior with different sections.The L shaped bar is surrounded by some high tables but also bench seating,the far wall is made up of distressed doors but the other sides have exposed old stonework.Beyond the doors there is a higher rear snug before the loos,while on the otherside of the pub there is a raised library section with a tartan carpet and high backed chairs.Outside there are a few metal tables and chairs,so overall it's a pleasing mix of modern ,traditional and old.The soundtrack was well chosen and not too loud. It is vital to visit both sides of the bar to see the full ale selection as they will rotate rapidly.On entering our eye's were caught by the Thornbridge Jaipur clip but were dismayed when it was reversed.No problem for it was replaced after cleaning by Salopian Kinetic (NBSS 4.5).The other ales on my trip were Rat White Rat (NBSS 4.5),Tiny Rebel Astro Loaf (NBSS 3),Redemption Big Chief,TT Landlord,Adnams Mosaic and Ossett /Kirkstall Pale Session.There were 4 real ciders and 7 kegs from respected craft keg brewers.The staff were chatty ,very helpful for local knowledge and serious about their beer. This pub is not scared to offer high strength ales,a mix of styles and good quality keg beers.This is a must visit in Lincoln,it was the crews first and last stop in lower Lincoln and helpfully situated just before the Steep Hill.However ascent maybe tricky if you really swing the bat at their excellent ale.