Colchester’s Artilleryman pub is a proper British boozer

And that especially goes for in January. 

Like many, I do support Dry January and believe there should be a way to back those going a month without drinking.

But I also want to ensure pubs themselves experience the least amount of financial damage as a result.

So, without overthinking, and while having fun, I headed to the Artilleryman to try both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.

Stylish - The pub had the right mixture of traditional and contemporary furnishings (Image: Newsquest)

When I went to the Artilleryman on the first Thursday after New Year's Eve, it was understandably quiet, with only a handful of people at the bar at 6.30pm.

As well as it being early January, the torrential rain and huge puddles across Colchester were another likely reason why the pub might have been less busy than normal.

But when I went inside the toasty and very spacious pub, I was immediately joyful, feeling calmed by the balanced sage green colour scheme and the friendly people sat directly around the bar. 

I started the night with a draught pint of Moretti at £4.75 which was hearty and wholesome. It was worth the money - not least given it took me a whole 40 minutes to savour. 

Heaven - If you are looking for beer, Moretti does not disappoint (Image: Newsquest)

While I relaxed in my corner seat sipping my beer I thought how, even though one part of me had wanted to completely curb any excess after Christmas, what I really needed was some small fun to get me out of my small rut - regardless of alcohol.

So I then paid homage to Dry January by buying a 0 per cent non-alcoholic Heineken beer, which I myself would rate as neither good nor bad.

Decent - The Heineken 0% alcohol did taste similar to beer in my opinion (Image: Newsquest)

Perhaps I would buy the non-alcohol Heineken again to compliment other alcoholic and soft drinks on a big night out, though I wouldn't go out of my way to have it on its own. 

For my final drink, bringing an end the two hours which flew by in the pub, I chose a passionfruit gin and tonic.

Tangy - The passionfruit gin stands out from other gin flavour variants by being tropical, sharp and remarkably not very sweet (Image: Newsquest)

The Boë gin - which together with the Schweppes tonic cost £4.75 -  was potent, very tropical tasting and distinct from other more subtle gin flavours.

Dry January is a great yearly reminder to take a rain check on our relationship with alcohol but it should also be a reminder of how pubs and bars can be frequented to enhance our routines. 

With pool tables, Sky Sports and TNT Sports, when in full-swing, I have no doubt how great the Artilleryman - particularly with the additional function room space it has behind the bar - can be.

But even when it is quiet, the Artilleryman, like all decent locals, has the power through beer, soft drinks or non-alcoholic beverages to cheer anyone up - in January and throughout the year.