The good thing about the JDW mob was the chance to sample three at once for the same price as a pint (let alone the close to half price they sell their pints at anyway), but most proper pubs are happy to let you sample before deciding to order a pint. Although I still prefer the 1/3 size option: it's rare to not like something so much that after one sip you don't want to taste it ever again, so I'm happy to buy & enjoy more than a sample without having to buy an entire pint. Plus some landlords do tend to give you The Look if you sample more than one or two without making a choice. Although I'm sure being a local makes a difference - no question a proper pub is far superior but it *is* different being there for just one night.You can get many of the reasonably big English ales here in Australia in bottle shops, including all the ones we've already mentioned: Landlord, all the Wychwood stuff and of course Old Peculier. Funny you mention that one: I introduced the Australian friend I was staying with in London to Old Peculier & he was ecstatic to find it here when he returned. You have to really want it though: most of the imported English ales are minimum $8-9 a bottle in the bottle shops - about 5-6 quid for less than a pint. Ugh.
