The Albion Kyneton

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http://www.thealbionkyneton.com.au/
41 Mollison StKyneton VIC 3444
(03) 5422 2066
This is a pub with consistency issues. Hopefully the new owners will correct this. A year ago the pub was pouring Newcastle Brown on tap, a great point of difference and a reason in itself to visit. This was downgraded to Redback, an OK choice, wheat beer being a lovely refreshing drop, and now they've got Kilkenny, which is not one of my faves but beats the Carlton Draught alternatives. They do waste two taps on Carlton, but there is also a tap for Guinness and one for Stella Artois. We haven't eaten here but the new owners have an Italian-themed menu that looks good. There is a woodfired pizza oven out back but this is being phased out of use. The list of wines by the glass is good and features local labels but is expensive. The selection of beer in stubbies used to be outstanding but has also been cut way back to just all right. The pub was completely refurbished a few years ago and whoever looked after it did a pretty good job. Kyneton has its share of bucket-of-blood pubs but the Albion has a clean, comfortable feel about it - if slightly sterile. This comes back to the matter of consistency as I don't think anyone has been able to really make a go of it.