BITE user comments - BlueArmy0
Comments by BlueArmy0
What a change from previous visits some 3 years ago? Not a hint of Real Ale back then but now 3 handles currently offering a selection of the Regions finest Ales, all in great condition. Crouch Vale�s �Brewers Gold� and Woodfordes �Wherry� are permanents, plus a 3rd changing ale that has recently been Tipples �Redhead� and is currently Farmers �A Drop of Nelsons Blood�, plus a Real Cider from Thatcher�s.
There�s great live music to chill out to on Sunday Afternoons and the Roast Potatoes on the bar are absolutely fab!! Regular Jam Nights are also held and well worth dropping in for.
Mein Hosts are Sheena & Andy who hail from Yorkshire, but don�t hold that against them! :-) They�re a very welcome addition to Colchester�s thriving Real Ale Scene!
8 Apr 2011 13:44
What a gem of a pub! Can't believe I haven't found it before? 5 handles available (Summer Lightning, Harveys Best, TT Landlord, Jennings Cumberland, Sheps Spitfire) Tried both the Landlord and Cumberland (several of!!) and each were on superb form!! Plus 2 Real Ciders available. A warm evening so the front windows were open creating a wonderful atmosphere. Long narrow pub with seating available upstairs as well as out the back. Bar staff were very friendly as were the clientele. Very impressed with the prices for Central London - �3 a pint, �2.90 for the Harveys!! We've been paying �2.90 in tied houses for guest beer in Colchester for some time now. I'll be back!!
21 Sep 2008 13:02
Was out with some Gay Friends around Soho and as a Beer Bellied Real Ale swilling CAMRA member, I didn't expect to find anything decent but the London Pride was very drinkable, albeit it in plastic glasses but it was our choice to drink "Al Fresco". Exceptionally busy on a Saturday night but bar staff were very quick and no issues in getting served. The other ale on offer was Speckled Hen but am not a fan of GK! Cider was in bottles and from the Westons range. The atmosphere in Old Compton St. on a Saturday night is great so if you're in Soho, and fancy a decent beer, then worth a visit.
21 Sep 2008 12:50
3 Real Ales on offer - Piddle in The Pub (Wyre Valley), not to my taste. Woodforde's Wherry - beer was "tired" at best. Adnams Bitter - My Local is an Adnams tied house and as such I tend to avoid their beers elsewhere. However, I should have known better! The Adnams here was perfectly drinkable.
The staff were friendly enough BUT the "Locals First" culture still seems to exist. That really needs to be sorted to encourage return visits.
Prices about �2.80/�2.90 a pint. Expensive IMO for a Free House but it's in a nice location with lovely views from the large beer garden.
27 Jul 2008 16:35
The Hare and Hounds, Layer Breton
Super little country pub. I too went for the recent beer festival and the range of ales (approx 15) available in the marquee all seemed to be in very good condition.
Woodforde's Wherry is a regular at the bar inside.
It's my understanding that the licensees are new to Real Ale but they're certainly trying very hard. A couple of friends who both live in the village and are CAMRA members "wax lyrical" about the pub. This was my first visit in a number of years, but I'm looking forward to going back.
27 Jul 2008 16:28
The Ledger Building, Canary Wharf
Part of the JDW chain (Lloyds No. 1 I think?) and a welcome oasis in the middle of Docklands. 2 pints and change from a fiver, quite remarkable! Lovely building with great air conditioning, very welcome on a hot afternoon! Also had probably the grandest loo's I've ever come across, and spotless too! Also a large enclosed area for Al Fresco dining/drinking. Had a range of approx. 8 ales available. I had Greene King Sundance @ 4.1% Not usually a fan of GK but this new summer ale was pretty good. Usual JDW food menu and service was both friendly and quick. I'd agree with an earlier review that this is probably the best "spoons" I've come across.
27 Jul 2008 16:23
I walked in tonight and was somewhat surprised to see both "handles" in the Front Bar with no pump clips on either.
"Have you got any Bitter??", I enquired..."Why Yes, we've got John Smith smooth"!! Was the unexpected reply!
"Nooooooo....have you got any Real Bitter"? "Oh No, we couldn't shift it, plus it was hard to sell once it had been kicked around the cellar floor"!!
Nuff Said! A shame, 'cause with it's $ky TV it would have made a decent place to watch the footie - plus it's only a 30 second walk from home!!
If you're after anything that's not nitro-keg and very cold/fizzy, avoid like the plague!!
24 Oct 2006 01:28
Would have to say that in my opinion the �Jury�s still out� regarding the Oddy.
I�ve recently been of the opinion that this pub has gone very much downhill, certainly in regards to it�s beer quality.
D�cor is definitely �tired� at best � some, I guess, would call it quaint.
This long established Colchester Freehouse will have to try VERY hard if it is to fight off competition from the �New kid on the Block� Fat Cat, recently opened in Butt Road.
Having visited the FC, I know which one I prefer!
14 Sep 2006 01:29
Such a shame to see a Lovely Old Pub Neglected in this way. I expect cr*p beer when i go to an "Edwards" or "Yates" type establishment - but not from a 'former' regular GBG entry.
I don't necessarily want the "red carpet" treatment - but neither do I want to see it floating in my beer!!
Suffice to say it hasn't been selected for the 2007 guide.
14 Sep 2006 01:17
The British Grenadier, Colchester
...and still it's a good pub!! Colchester CAMRA Town Pub of the Year for 2006 - Exceptional Adnams always available plus up to 2 guest ales. Well worth seeking out.
14 Sep 2006 01:09
SU Bar, Colchester
SU Bar was re-designend and re-launched in the Summer of 2010.
It now has 3 Handpumps offering Ale - predominantly from Nethergate including "Essex Blades" but also other guest ales. The current SU President and team have worked hard to encourage Real Ale in both the SU Bar and "Top Bar" with regular Beer Festivals as well. April 30th 2011 in the SU Bar is the next one - pop in if you're on campus, it'll be worth it!
8 Apr 2011 14:15