please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
So pleased to find that the Dog Inn is has reverted to its former manager. Spotlessly clean,with a great selection of real ales all kept in excellent condition can be enjoyed in this traditional English pub. There is a fantastic garden at the back featuring Halstead's only petanque pitch! What a lovely surprise to find they have tournaments throughout the summer. The locals are friendly, in spite of what other reviewers have said, and I certainly had no trouble making my way to the bar. Well worth a visit. I will be back very soon!
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Adrian has improved this Pub, and it is still be far the best in Halstead. Beer quality is always tip-top and the ales change regularly with many from East Anglian micro's such as Green Jack, Grain and Fat Cat. My local and could not wish for better.
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We didn't have a particularly pleasant experience in this locals pub. I'll start with the positives - it's pleasantly located overlooking the Victorian town of Halstead and I'd imagine it could be fairly nice sat outside in the beer garden in the summer. Strangely of 10 pubs we visited in Essex yesterday, it was the only one dispensing a beer from an Essex brewery - Crouch Vale Hurricane. In addition to this, they also had Green Jack Baltic Trader, Oxfordshire Marshmellow, Adnams Bitter and Adnams Broadside. And now the negatives. On opening the door of the pub, we encountered a pram blocking the way. After a few moments of confusion whereby other babies were moved around in a tetris like fashion, we managed to make progress to the bar. Then came our next obstacle - poodles! Getting to the bar was physically impossible due to the presence of two poodles and their ignorant owner(s). On reaching the bar, I failed to see my usual tipple cider available and enquired as to what ciders they had. Bulmers in bottles was the answer. Ok no thanks, I'll have a soft drink. We then decided to leave the creche and kennel bar behind to find a seat in the next bar. The young men of Halstead were to be found here and they proceeded to engage in a discussion about the size and shape of their genitalia. I'm sure this could be a very interesting discussion to be had amongst male-only company under the influence of copious alcohol. But when you're with your wife on Valentine's Day, it's not so enjoyable. The irony was that they were all aware that we could hear their conversation and kept looking round to see if we were finding it amusing. Needless to say we weren't and we made as swift an exit as we could. On the way out, I happened to notice the Addlestones cider tap. I'm not sure whether this was off or not. But it certainly wasn't offered to me when I had asked. So in summary, if you are thick skinned, can endure immature locals, growling dogs, babies and poor customer service, try coming here to sample the ales. But good luck to you! 3/10.
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Well recommended. All the other comments are spot on. It also has a nice sunken garden at the back with a petanque pitch and views over Halstead.
Beware the car park though, the pub is situated on a nasty blind bend and you tke your life in your hands trying to drive out. Better to park nearby and walk.
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This Pub took in 5 weary foreign travellers and didn't overcharge for the basic rooms. The beer was great and the barmaid a stunner! I am looking forward to another visit there this month.
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Great little pub serving Adnams bitter and Broadside and Elgoods blackdog mild with three guest ales, when i was there they had Titanic best on as a guest and it was very good. well worth a visit or two!!
anonymous - 22 Jul 2006 18:57 |
Very cosy and friendly two bar pub.The two guests on today were Waggledance and Titanic Best.The Best and the regular Broadside were in top form.This is about the only pub worth visiting in Halstead as the rest I tried (except The Royal Oak which I did not)were total crap.Worth the walk up the hill for about the only decent pint you will get in Halstead.Shame that a town this size with so many pubs has only one that sells a decent pint.
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Has recently changd hands, so a warmer welcome is now assured!! Thankfully five beers still sold in excellent condition; Adnams bitter, Broadside, Elgoods Black dog and two guests. Also local Real Cider from Delvin End Cidery at Sible Hedingham. Only slight criticism would be lack of Guest ales outside of East Anglia. Otherwise a fine Drinkers Pub
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Good boozer, with an interesting choice of ales. Well worth a visit
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The Dog Inn is a fine example of a traditional English Ale House. Real Ale is a priority here, and as an accredited CAMRA establishment, there is an ever-changing selection of Guest Ales on offer. Lunches are available at weekends as the pub only opens at 4pm weekdays.
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