All About Ale with Chris Harvey 

BATTLESBRIDGE is well known for its Antiques Centre, which houses more than 80 dealers in a variety of old buildings and courtyards, including the imposing old granary on the River Crouch.

With its tranquil waterside setting, it is a great location for a day out.

There is now another reason to visit Battlesbridge — it is home to one of the ever-growing number of micropubs in the county.

One Green Bottle can be found on Muggeridge Farm, which has more than 30 antique dealer units around an attractive courtyard. It is owned and run by Steve and Paula Pegg.

Unsure what a “micropub” is? Well, according to the Micropub Association, it is a “small freehouse which listens to its customers, mainly serves cask ales, promotes conversation, shuns all forms of electronic entertainment and dabbles in traditional pub snacks”.

There are almost 300 dotted all over the country.

During a visit, I was very impressed with the outside seating area, which has comfortable furniture on a sheltered patio; perfect for a drink outside when the weather gets warmer.

Inside, the pub radiates a com- fortable, welcoming atmosphere — there is some very attractive, modern seating and a low bar from which the drinks are served.

Behind the bar is a window through which you can see the “cellar”, with its rows of casks.

Steve Pegg was there to meet me; he told me that the pub has now been open for just over ten months, and in that time, they have served around 250 different real ales, which often come from breweries not seen in other pubs in our area.

The pub also serves Adnams Dry Hopped Lager, and wine and cider drinkers are well catered for.

They also serve filled crusty rolls at lunchtime. During my visit I sampled Three Brewers’ Golden English Ale from St Albans — it was delicious.

The place was nicely busy when I was there, even though it was bitterly cold outside. Steve said he was particularly pleased to see the One Green Bottle has become very popular with the locals, who feel they now have a pub where they can just enjoy a quiet drink in the village.

The place is also incredibly well-used by visitors to the Antiques Centre, Steve added. It is not difficult to see why, as it is a lovely location for a drink and a chat.

At the moment, the pub is only open at the same times as the antiques centre, but plans are afoot to seek an extension to the evening.