Chepstow pub 'with a castle at the bottom of the garden'
Steve's rescue of the Five All's is in keeping with his love of pubs. He saw his old boozer, where quaffed his first legal pint,in need of a bit of care. So Steve came tot eh rescue of the pub where he once worked as a teen barman.
As Steve opened, a stream of customers came in to use the beer garden. Among them, Rebecca Roy, from Toronto, Canada. She said: 'Great pub. We have them back home, but never this friendly.' Rebecca's pooch pal, Sophie Bear, loves the pub too.
The interior is welcoming, with a fair bit of wood panelling, is well-lit bar and has many friendly faces. There was no need to light the pubs log burner on this sweltering day.
Talking of a quashing a thirst in the heat, there are eers aplenty to choose from. The bar also serves a range of spirits, including a single malt for dinosaurs like me, lots of gin for the ladies and enough varieties of rum to keep the entire fleet afloat.
I tried a Hobgoblin Session IPA. The taste was quite hoppy, not as bitter as most IPAs and a good introduction for a novice like me. Apparently. the beer suits the sun. Steve recommends it as a good alternative to that good old mad apple cider to those cool summer highs.
The Five Alls continues its impressive recovery with music and will soon introduce food by the end of the summer, Steve explains.
There is live music on Fridays. Next week, local band Damaged Goods will be an unofficial opening of Chepstow's Choral Festival – so choral fans should avoid the Five Alls next Friday, at all costs advises Steve.
Steve looks forward to continuing his efforts to rescues the Great British Pub and hopes for help for the ails of the trade.
'Let's hope government sees that pubs are an essential part of British culture and life. So many have closed, we need to do more to save this great institution. Tell your MP to cut duty. You won't know what you've lost until they're all gone,' he said.
On a lighter note, he concluded: 'The Five Alls is still standing. A traditional pub serving up good company. Support you local pub – they're a part of you and a part of our culture.'
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