Your favourite London Pub is . . .

. . . The Wenlock Arms.

This famous Hoxton boozer sits on a corner, hidden deep within an unlovely council estate. One side looks out on a row of warehouses and modern apartments. On the other, you can peer through a permanently cracked window onto a sorry little park. The building was once the tap for a brewery of the same name, but that was demolished in the 1960s. The interior of the pub hasn't changed much since then, but I doubt they had nine handpumps on the bar when Harold Wilson was in his prime. The carpet is worn bare, dust clings to the gantry, yet the place always feels terribly comfortable to me.

You'll find ales here from microbreweries across Britain. Adnams beers are perhaps the most prosaic choice, chosen only by the timid. Liefmans Kriek is available from the keg, with a limited choice of familiar German and Belgian bottles in the fridge. Doorstep sandwiches and pickled eggs will stave off the hunger pangs if you choose to work your way through the full selection.

The pub's denizens are a varied bunch, and a fiercely loyal tribe. Locals from the estate mingle with beardy ale lovers and younger folk who've got the sense to recognise this place is something special, a part of London's history that still lives and breathes. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings jazz musicians squeeze behind the piano by the door and knock out standards. Some of them look old enough to remember the Crimean War, but their fingers are still nimble.

A word of warning. When you walk in to the Wenlock, people will look at you. They might even stare. That's not because you aren't welcome - such a famous pub is used to outsiders, indeed it thrives because of them. You'll be given the once over because drinkers at the Wenlock aren't just interested in the beer. They're interested in the people that make the pub what it is. When you walk in, say hello, and order a pint, you become one of those people.

Information:

1. The Wenlock Arms is at 26 Wenlock Road, N1 7TA map, website). Contrary to popular belief, it isn't hard to find, and is quite centrally located by the City of London. If you're coming by tube, get off at Old Street, walk up City Road, then take a left onto Windor Terrace, which then becomes Wenlock Road after about 100 yards. Easy.
2. The pub is hosting a toast to Michael Jackson on Sunday, 30 September at 8pm.
3. The full results of the poll were Wenlock Arms 23.7%, Market Porter 19.4%, Jerusalem Tavern 18.7%, Royal Oak 16.5%, Pembury Tavern 13.7%, Rake 7.9%. Thanks to everyone who voted.

This is the 200th post on Stonch's Beer Blog. Once again, thanks to you all for reading this drivel. Keep the emails and comments coming, I need your help if I'm going to drink myself to an early grave.