Lower Red Lion

This is a good real ale style CAMRA pub. They often have guest beers, and Beer Festivals where you can taste a lot of different ales. It’s in the older part of St Albans & is very casual & comfortable… a good place to go with a group of people, or on a date with just two people. I’ve not eaten there so can’t speak for the food! I’ve enjoyed myself every time I’ve been there. Friendly staff.

As a regular local of five years my loyalty speaks for itself. In the last couple of years the LRL has gone from strength to strength and that’s not just the beer. Sunday lunch is excellent and well priced. Friday night fish and chips are the best in town and a local legend — it’s a tough call choosing a curry from the Koh-​i-​noor over them. Beer wise look out for the JHB… IMHO the most refreshing and drinkable hoppy ale you could have the pleasure of sinking. Kid friendly pub. Great big beer garden. Staff always friendly and full of beans. Basically a super old world pub without the stuffiness.

This pub is well worth tracking down if you like your real ale. The bits of paper attached to the pumps on one of my visits would indicate an oft changing selection. The only thing that did disappoint me a bit was the price.
I liked the feel of this pub in theory, down a small bendy street, off the beaten track (you could be forgiven for forgetting you are in a town). Inside it has 2 different old fashioned bars (red patterned carpet. check!). Once I picked the one with no-​one else in itwhich was not the best idea. I think this pub works better when It is busier as there was no music so it felt a bit like a library. Then againyou could just escape to the beer garden (not in this weather, obviously).

This pub is probably the best place to go for real ale in St.Albans. Through a number of landlords the beer has been well kept and always a great varied selection.
The place has a great friendly atmosphere and there are two bars.
I’ve never used the accomodation there but they are also a Guest House which would definitely be of interest to Real Ale fans.
There is a large beer garden where they have traditionally held some great Beer Festivals over the summer with the odd live band and an incredible selection of beer.
If you can only get to one bar in St. Albans its worth the walk through the historic areas of the city near the Abbey to find this place.

Quaint little pub just 5 minutes from the cathedral.
Attracts an older crowd which is a good thnig if you want to be rid of all the kids who over intoxicate in one of many pubs in town.
They do a great selection of ales and beers, have a real fire, big spacious garden and mobile phones are banned!
Really nice place for a catchup with friends and just a lazy Sunday beer.