ONE PUB ONLY? Odd One Out   CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND? The Park and Ride leaves from the station so it is obvious to go to the Bricklayers but more fun can be had by going to the Dragoon and the Fat Cat that is opposite before getting to the Bricklayers  SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT? Odd One Out CHANGES FROM GUIDE Closed - Spinnaker, Stockwell Arms                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Bricklayers Arms 27 Bergholt Rd, CO4 5AA   T 01206 852008   W www.thebricklayerscolchester.co.uk G Fred Veasey   F All freshly-prepared, home - cooked food. 12 to 2. No food on Sat.   CP   TV   BM   P   D O 11 to 3, 5.30 to 11, 11 to 12, Fri. 11 to 11 Sat. 12 to 3, 7 to 11 Sun           This is a cracking pub and quite a surprise given its size and initial appearance. “It looks like one of those famous restaurant pubs that welcome children and your granny.” The rooms are totally distinctive and the front bar would appeal to me as the sort of place to find really good mates chewing the fat over a beer and a game of pool. Being close to the station it sometimes has to close on matchdays and is so busy that food is not possible. The pub is best found via the road to the rear. This would make an ideal starting or finishing point for those who either come on the train or fancy a pint well away from the ground. They, and I, would not welcome a mass influx of away fans, but enjoy the company of real ale fans who know the difference between blind faith and loyal support. The locals are very friendly and may well join in a taxi-booking session to the ground, several miles away. The Bricklayers has regularly won CAMRA awards. UPDATE:  Bitburger lager and real ciders now feature more prominently. BWV 18.1.06:  Adnams Best,  Broadside, Old Ale,  Crones Cider BWV 2.2.05:  Adnams Bitter,  Old Ale,  Broadside,  Fuller’s London Pride,  Timothy Taylor Landlord                                                 Dragoon 82 Butt Rd. CO3 3DA   T 01206 573464   G Andy Duncan   F Freshly prepared and cooked menu, tailored for fans on matchdays. 11.30 to 2. 1 to 3 Sun. MP   TV   BM   P O 11 to 11 Mon – Thu,. 11 to 12 Fri,. 11 to 11 Sat, 12 to 10.30 Sun           On the route from town to Layer Road, many will pass this pub without knowing of its excellence. Timber-framed with a very long bar, this is a place to sit on the many stools at that bar and chat to regular friends. They include away fans and “homers who come from far and wide.” My early-day visit was very different to the matchday experience, when room to sit, read and quaff quality real ale is replaced by the bubble of friends being reunited two weeks on. Ian Bown of Colchester says it well:  “You’ll always get a quality pint in a friendly atmosphere along with the infamous chilli!!” The chilli served on matchdays has a legendary status, being recommended by several sources. I was perfectly content to chat with the barmaid, and then Andy, who helpfully met me on his day off. This tells you something about the welcome you will get here; nothing seems too much trouble. Despite the military insignia that surround you this is essential a townies’ pub, frequented by long-standing regulars of all ages. UPDATE:  The pub is thankfully unchanged and as friendly as ever. BWV 2.2.05:  Adnams Bitter, Old Ale, Oyster Stout BWV 18.1.06:  Adnams Bitter, Broadside, Explorer, Old Ale Odd One Out 28 Mersea St, CO2 7ET   T 01206 513958   G John Parrick   F Nourishing cheese rolls subject to demand   MP   O 4.30 to 11. 12 to 11 Fri, 11 to 11 Sat. 12 to 10.30 Sun           Over the last year this is the one pub that readers have suggested was a glaring omission. It was therefore great to extend my usual visit to sample the idiosyncrasies that make John’s pub so remarkable and memorable to real ale and footie fans alike. I rarely use the word traditional, but this is the epitome of a traditional Edwardian bar in a shell of a Georgian building. The real log fires were being stoked, and, curiously, the paracetemol re-stocked, as I joined the early-evening drinkers in their post-work ale.           It really is a bit like being in one of those sweet shops one might find in an industrial living museum. That is not to say the pub is old-fashioned, far from it. Mobiles are requested to be turned off, there is minimal music. The chat, however, is typical of the more upwardly-mobile sections of the Colchester scene. On top of this John adds malt whiskies and real cider. There is an ever-rotating ale list that always includes a darker beer. His 20-odd years as a landlord here has resulted in the pub evolving exactly as the clientele it serves changes. As he says, at least 90% of his customers have passed at least one pub to get there. No doubt they will have travelled far because the Odd One Out is indeed the rarity of a Colchester pub that offers a fine list of rarer ales. BWV 18.1.06:  Archers Best,  O'Hanlon's Port Stout,  Oulton Gone Fishing, Sleet n’ Snow, Nethergate Umbel Ale,  Crones Cider,  Thatcher's Farmhouse, Medium, ciders COLCHESTER CAMRA WESTON HOMES COMMUNITY STADIUM  LOCAL BREWERY Mighty Oak Brewing Company Ltd, 14b West Station Yard, Spital Road, Maldon, Essex CM9 6TW phone - 01621 84 37 13 www.mightyoakbrewery.co.uk  WETHERSPOONS The Playhouse  4 St Johns Street  Colchester  CO2 7AA    Opening Times:  Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am