SINCE the launch of my I-Spy competition a few weeks ago, I’ve heard a few whispers that having a quiz sponsored by a brewer on this page may call in to question PubSpy’s impartiality. Well let me put this ludicrous (and hurtful) rumour to bed. The only reason I-Spy is being sponsored is to give PubSpy’s beloved readership a chance to win a case of fine Spitfire ale each week. So there is no doubt in your mind, I thought I’d bite the bullet and review my first “Post I-Spy” Shepherd Neame boozer. Ye Olde Whyte Lion is perched on the edge of a particularly dodgy junction at the top of Locksbottom Village, so you’ll need your wits about you if you are driving. I’m always slightly suspicious of pubs branding themselves Ye Olde anything as customers are likely to find the place full of fake oak beams and American tourists. Fortunately, this place doesn’t seem to dwell on its name and the interior is a passable pub/restaurant combination. At the bar you’ll find Master Brew as well as Early Bird, which one slightly light-on-his-feet accomplice described as “full of zesty citrus flavours, but also rather chocolatey with a cheeky nutty aftertaste”. Jilly Goulden, eat your heart out. Anyway, the three of us walked outside and took a seat in the beer garden, which was well maintained but was somewhat lacking in character. The impressive service was reinforced when one of the staff offered to wipe the rain off our beer table with a towel, which was a nice gesture, if a little late. The food is OK. One of us ordered a gammon sandwich, which came with a bit of salad and a few dreaded “curly fries” (are these things actually potato based?). The meal was priced at £3.50, which isn’t an extortionate price for a pub sandwich but it was still a little disappointing. All in all, this seems to be a good family pub but with nothing exceptional to offer. It’s got lots of potential though and some of the food on the menus looked very good. Let’s just hope the “quaint” name doesn’t attract too many of the dreaded tourists.