WHEN Liverpool scored the winning goal in the 92nd minute during injury time on Sunday afternoon, the Farmer's Boy erupted.

The Ref - landlord Viv Davies - permitted a few minutes euphoria then decided to take a hand as one supporter showed every sign of continuing to celebrate all afternoon.

Quietly he quelled the disturbance by courteously pointing out that the London Road hostelry was not the terraces at Anfield.

Indeed, it isn't. What's more, it isn't just a pub, either - it's much more. The Farmer's Boy is both pub and brewery; in fact, it's now the only brewery in St Albans following the demise of the handsome brewhouse in the Philanthropist and Firkin, even before that establishment was reborn as O'Neill's.

Viv rescued the pub from its shameful period as a twee wine and ale cafe six years ago and built a micro Verulam Brewery at the rear where he now produces Special at 3.8 per cent strength, Farmer's Joy at 4.5 per cent, his hop busting India Pale Ale at four per cent, and seasonal brews from mild to lager.

With wooden floored main bar, four hand pumps including the guest beer of the month, and several bottled Belgian beers, the Farmer's ploughs a friendly furrow. While attracting a high proportion of blokes, especially when the football's on, there were two women on their own (one of them me) reading the Sunday papers in the carpeted bar down the side.

This also houses Tina's Kitchen where Viv's wife serves excellent home-made chicken, ham and mushroom pies, and steak and ale pies using the house beer. There were also plenty of takers for the Sunday roast, a fiver with all the trimmings.

This modest but enterprising freehouse now has big plans afoot. Viv is hoping to get planning consent for a two storey extension along the side and round the back where he wants to have letting rooms so guests can enjoy bed and breakfast in a brewery.

SN