The Quest for the finest Ale house

Well I have recently picked up a copy of a book titled The village pub by Roger Protz and Homer Sykes. Also seen I can buy it for a penny on Amazon, oh well. It was printed in 1992 and has some great looking pubs in there one or two that I have visited in my travels, I was wondering how many of them are still around or have closed up with the demise of the pub trade in the last 18 years since the book was published. One that I have visited being the "case is altered" Five ways in Hasley knob, Warwickshire. Relatively the same as the pictures but still a nice olde worlde pub it would have been around summer 2009

An interesting reference the book makes that in the middle ages efforts were made to control drinking places. They were clearly defined an ale house only sold drink, a tavern offered food as well and an Inn offered ale food and accommodation. In the thirteenth century a tax was introduced known as the "Scot tax" on ale consumed in licensed premises in towns. Drinkers would then go to village ale houses to drink "Scot free" hence the saying.