These 10 pubs from St Albans and Harpenden are among those to have been named in CAMRA's 2025 Good Beer Guide, the Bible for beer lovers.
The best-selling guide is used by pub connoisseurs up and down the country.
Here are the pubs in our area that made the cut:
1. The Boot, St Albans
This Grade II-listed pub was a shoo-in to make the guide, with its wide range of real ales and home-made food.
The pub has wasted no time in celebrating its achievement with a sign going up outside yesterday (September 26).
2. The Garibaldi, St Albans
Named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian exile who (allegedly) hid out in St Albans, this pub makes the list for its Fuller's ales and home-cooked roasts.
3. Great Northern Pub and Kitchen, St Albans
Another Grade II-listed pub, this boozer reopened its doors in 2015 after extensive refurbishment.
Its rotating range of cask beers and classic British food have earned it a place on this list.
4. Lower Red Lion, St Albans
caused a stir earlier this year with a sign proclaiming it to be "dog friendly and child free".
This classic pubFor the adults who ARE allowed in, there's a variety of real ales and ciders, as well as beer festivals every summer.
5. Portland Arms, St Albans
Located in the shadow of St Albans Cathedral, The Portland Arms offers a range of music, entertainment and quiz nights to go with its first-class food and alcohol offering.
6. The Robin Hood, St Albans
Winner of last year's CAMRA Local Pub of The Year, The Robin Hood's ever-changing beer selection sees it walk into the 2025 Good Beer Guide.
It offers a range of entertainment, from a dartboard to a daily selection of newspapers!
7. The Royston Social Club, St Albans
A long-established community social club, located in perfect proximity to the train station and St Albans City FC, the Royston Social Club provides cask beer from smaller, Hertfordshire-based brewers.
8. The White Hart Tap, St Albans
The White Harp Tap proudly describes itself as "unpretentious" and offers microbrewery beer, traditional Sunday roasts and a popular quiz night.
9. The Cross Keys, Harpenden
The Cross Keys has become a staple of the guide and its easy to see why.
Boasting "traditional charm" and a large beer garden, it's a popular spot for summer drinking.
10. Marquis of Granby, Harpenden
Finally, The Marquis of Granby is described as "a pleasant neighbourhood pub located by the River Lea", earning praise for its regularly changing beer menu.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here