BITE user comments - TonyMitch
Comments by TonyMitch
The Triangle Tavern, Lowestoft
Quiz night! Eight own brew beers on, with a range of colours and gravities. Traskermen very nice for us traditional beer drinkers. I think that they had a guest beer on too.
Friendly welcome and well worth the visit.
11 Mar 2020 22:08
10 pumps available, 2 were empty, but it is mid week. Beers from Mauldons,nWolf, Great Heck, Welbeck Abbey, Three Blind Mice and Nene Valley available with a range from pale to porter , 3.6 to 7.4.
Well kept, served by staff/owner? that knows his beer and made informed recommendation. The best pub I have found in the town to date, worth the walk.
The food smelt good, too!
11 Mar 2020 20:19
10 pumps available, 2 were empty, but it is mid week. Beers from Mauldons,nWolf, Great Heck, Welbeck Abbey, Three Blind Mice and Nene Valley available with a range from pale to porter , 3.6 to 7.4.
Well kept, served by staff/owner? that knows his beer and made informed recommendation. The best pub I have found in the town to date, worth the walk.
The food smelt good, too!
11 Mar 2020 20:19
A bit hidden away and at first glance, I was concerned. All I could see were shiny T bars with lagers, craft beer and fizzy cider. But I stuck with it, on the recommendation of the GBG.
There were 5 beers on draft - Addams Broadside, titanic plum porter, Nibley Ale, Volt, and Copper Ale (not sure of the brewers). A little cold but generally seemed well kept.
Also 23 Draft ciders, hence the award for Camra cider pub of the year, 2017.
11 Mar 2020 19:43
Wonderful pub with accommodation in the beautiful Elterester valley. Outside seating, small bar and additional area to drink in the rear. Several local ales on cask, always well kept. The menu is varied and food is excellent. Fish and chips, or Cumberland sausage or the pies are all fantastic.
19 Jan 2020 22:58
The Glen Rothay Hotel and Badger Bar, Rydal
The bar is part of the hotel/restaurant but stands as an entity in its own right. Well kept beers from mainly local Brewers, including Barngates. Real fire to warm and dry you . Staff are friendly. Food is excellent and can be eaten in the restaurant if you want or if it is busy. Try the pie! A must for any visit to the area. It is about 15 minutes walk from Ambleside
19 Jan 2020 22:53
The Duke of Wellington, Norwich
Out of the 16 changing ales available this evening, 4 were classified as dark, 11 were light - only 1 beer was a traditional copper medium coloured. What a shame. I had high hopes of this pub and walked2 miles to get here, but left disappointed.
That said, the Wolf Edith Cavell was in excellent condition and well kept. I would just like to have had more of a trad choice.
19 Dec 2019 21:29
28 beers on gravity or hand pump plus a few fizzy ones too.
Losing a bit of imagination, i think. Marston's, Greene King, Tomothy Taylors, Fullers - all rather mainstream and predictable.
There were a number of their own brews on and the Norwich Bitter was very good.
I do wish that they would get rid of the smell that hits you when you first walk in. Whilst it may just be stale beer from the tap room, it really does smell like a toilet!
18 Dec 2019 20:50
A first rate local. 5 hand pumps with local ales - St Peters Plum Porter, Winters Ale X, Winters Sim'chronicity, Barsham Golden Goose so ales across the whole light to dark spectrum.
Ale X (as you can see from the name, brewed for the pub!) was excellent. 4.2% copper coloured and not a hint of grapefruit nor lychee, thank god.
Food served until 7pm, personally I think possibly one of the best pub meals I have ever eaten. Hearty soups and bowls of stews, chilli etc and the speciality, very reasonably priced and so very tasty, served with a welcoming smile.
Very much a pub to go on all ale drinkers pub crawl lists.
18 Dec 2019 19:45
Full range of Robinsons beers, all in tip top condition as always. From Old Tom at 8.5% down, including a very nice seasonal traditional bitter. What's not to like! AND they even had one of the legendary pork pies from the local butcher, just up the hill
And it is fantastic to see that the local CAMRA group have considered their selections and restored this gem of a pub to the GBG 2020 - well done, my job is done!
2 Nov 2019 21:34
A Marstons pub, heavily weighted to food. The menu is standard fare but good standard, good price.
8 hand pumps on show but this Wednesday evening, only 2 beers on offer - M pedigree and Bombadier. This was a disappointment. However, the Peddie was top notch, if a little too cold.
11 Sep 2019 20:00
Well done and a big THANK YOU to Blue Scrumpy for posting an up to date review!
I'm on my way there next. The Gladstone is well worth a visit too.
14 Aug 2019 19:47
The Gladstone Arms, Stowmarket
Come on people , where are you? Let's keep these reviews numerous and up to date, please!
Large multi area pub on the outskirts of town. 8 hand pumps, a couple gravity fed too. 10 "craft beers", 5 ciders and 30 whiskies.
Good range and selection of beers - on today, a quiet Wednesday evening was Crouch Vale Juno, Adnams Southwold and Broadside, Away Days Hurstys Hat Trick, Sharp's doom bar (why on earth????? ), Quantock Plastered Pheasant, Cabin Mary Celeste, Elmtree Golden. Coming soon Panther and 2 from Nethergate. The Mary Celeste was well kept, good temperature. The other beers I saw served also appeared to be good condition.
14 Aug 2019 19:31
Hotel/pub. Distinct area for a bar, as well as a bar in the food area. 3or 4 pumps of ale, Moon Gazer Jigfoot, Wild Summer, Wherry andlocal "craft ale" 😏 lucky Lobster.
Friendly staff multitasking, bar, waitress, receptionist, but did a good job.
12 Jun 2019 21:16
Large pub, one of very few in the town, public and saloon bar with large restaurant area. Ostensibly 6 beers, but on this Wednesday evening, 2 were not on - Wherry line being cleaned, the other just blank. GK IPA 😟 GK Old Speckled Hen 😏 And two from Moon Gazer - Nibbler, ruby and Pintail pale and citrus. Seemed well kept.
12 Jun 2019 21:12
So, I'm back again and this pub, in my humble opinion, is still the best pub/bar in the town by a mile.
Friendly, welcoming pub, used by locals, students and visitors alike.
Full range of Robinsons ales and a draught cider.
Beer always well kept.
12 May 2019 19:04
The Prince of Wales, Farnborough
Great traditional backstreet pub, a little out of town, but well worth the walk.
10 hand pumps on, apparently 5 are usually available:- Dark Star Hophead, Ringwood Fortyniner, Andwell Gold Muddler, Hopback Summer Lightning and "Fullers" London Pride!!!. Guest beers today are Weltons Swing Low, Weltons Broadwood Wassail, Hopback GFB, Broken Bridge Red Alert and Plain Ales Inncognito. Also Thornbridge Jaipur as a "craft" keg. Bar staff offered a taster, with a smile.
Hum of groups of people eating curry (Monday's only) and drinking, with a gas fire blazing away in the main bar.
Well worth its reputation.
11 Mar 2019 21:55
The Prince of Wales, Farnborough
Great traditional backstreet pub, a little out of town, but well worth the walk.
10 hand pumps on, apparently 5 are usually available:- Dark Star Hophead, Ringwood Fortyniner, Andwell Gold Muddler, Hopback Summer Lightning and "Fullers" London Pride!!!. Guest beers today are Weltons Swing Low, Weltons Broadwood Wassail, Hopback GFB, Broken Bridge Red Alert and Plain Ales Inncognito. Also Thornbridge Jaipur as a "craft" keg. Bar staff offered a taster, with a smile.
Hum of groups of people eating curry (Monday's only) and drinking, with a gas fire blazing away in the main bar.
Well worth its reputation.
11 Mar 2019 21:37
Large pub immediately next to the airstrip and aviation museum. Long bar split into 2 seperate areas and a third area for eating. A fine and reasonably priced menu, a cut above pub grub.
For a pub this size and with the footfall that it must get, I am surprised that there are only 4 hand pumps. That said, my pint was in top condition and all 4 pumps were from smaller breweries, well done for avoiding the Doom Bar or Pride trap!
Staff were polite and attentive and I would recommend this pub heartedly, for a beer, for food or for both.
11 Mar 2019 19:52
Large pub immediately next to the airstrip and aviation museum. Long bar split into 2 seperate areas and a third area for eating. A fine and reasonably priced menu, a cut above pub grub.
For a pub this size and with the footfall that it must get, I am surprised that there are only 4 hand pumps. That said, my pint was in top condition and all 4 pumps were from smaller breweries, well done for avoiding the Doom Bar or Pride trap!
Staff were polite and attentive and I would recommend this pub heartedly, for a beer, for food or for both.
11 Mar 2019 19:52
Excellent pub, spacious catering for food with a good choice and my meal was fab. Friendly and attentive bar maid.
8 hand pumps with a fine selection - Tolchards Devon Coast 4%, Severn Late Hopped Pale 4.4, house ale Prison Break 3.9, Belhaven 1719 4.5, Robinsons Dizzy Blonde 3.8, Animal Oink 4.6, Loddon Six Pack 4.2 and West Berkshire Good Old Boy 4 which was superb. (There are also fizzy beers for those that prefer that sort of thing).
7 Mar 2019 19:27
A Fullers locals pub down a side street close to one end of the high street.
Stone flagged floor, music and dart board with lunchtime food. Fullers and Gales beers on 4 hand pumps. London Pride good quality if a little cold.
Staff were friendly and customers were all involved in the darts match.
4 Feb 2019 23:00
Don't bother trying, if they don't fancy serving, they simply close, an hour early today. Perhaps a sign of things to come under the new Fullers regieme?
22:00 Monday, shut, well doors open but washing up "because we can't justify staying open". I was a customer with cash in hand and an hour on published opening hours to run.....
4 Feb 2019 22:18
Pleased to say that things are as good as the last review, (but why has no one else reviewed or commented on this pub for over 3 years now?!?!?!). Entry in 2019 GBG so local CAMRA have visited, suggest they spread the word on the other platforms that champion good beer. Still run by Upham as part of a large but relatively local chain.
Busy Monday evening, with the local music club, and 2 receptions, but still space for a beer and a bite.
5 pumps available, but only 3 in use mid week. The flagship Upham Porter ran out by 7pm and no more in the cellar, which was disappointing. Perhaps stock levels need to be reviewed by the brewery, especially around rugby 6 Nations time. I did get a pint earlier this evening and it was excellent - classic English copper coloured traditional bitter and one of the best I have drunk anywhere for quite some time, so great shame it ran out. Choice was then fff Forward Pass and Upham Cherokee.
Varied food menu, tasty prawn starter, but a little disappointed to only find 4 prawns for my money. Steak was fantastic, chips and vine tomatoes good too.
4 Feb 2019 20:16
Excellent micro pub on the main high street in West Worthing.
Surprisingly roomy inside, with plenty of seating. A small bar is situated at the back of the pub, with 4 beers served direct from the barrels, racked in a cool room. Actually the whole pub could be called a "Cool Room!".
Beers in today were Bristol MilkStout4.5%, Arbor Megs Bomb 4.7%, Marble Pint 3.9% and Harbour Gold 3.9 which was excellent, in tip top condition.
Selection of draught ciders and a wide selection of bottled beers on sale too.
Customers are welcome to bring in their own food to wash down with their beer.
This pub is well worth a visit and definitely worth its entry in the 2019 GBG.
29 Jan 2019 18:00
Large pub with a very locals feel. Darts match in progress, Tuesday evening. Several "craft" pumps and 8 hand pumps, Hogs Back HBB 3.7% (good condition), Vale Brewery Brill Gold 3.5, Ilkley Little Tyke2.7, Oakham Citra 4.2 gone, Red Cat Art of T 3.6, Bad Seed dalliance 4.0 gone, Vale 80/- 4.4 and Siren Suspended in Cascade 4.0.
Clearly the management have sorted the staffing issues of years back and service was good, even if the bar maids did spend time on their phones, they were checking the bar for punters. Worth a visit and it is still spitting distance from the station!
22 Jan 2019 21:52
8 hand pumps, numerous "craft" bottles and cans. Music fairly loud for a PB with one group of people and 2 or 3 singles/pairs on a quiet Tuesday evening.
Cwtch 4.6%, Arbor mosaic 4, Anspach Hobday Extra Pale3.8, Binghams Vanilla Stout 5.0 CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain 2016, Tap Social 16FT Norweigan Porter 5.2, Siren Craft Brew Yu Lu 3.6 and Siren Suspended in Cascade 4.
To be frank, not a great selection if you want to drink trad English copper/Amber bitters, but I feel this place does not cater for us!
Cwtch a little hazy but tasted fine.
22 Jan 2019 21:06
Quiet evening, Sky Sports on but unobtrusive. Possibly suffers from being 2 minutes from the Wetherspoons and the Fox & Hounds.
Whilst there are 5 hand pumps, only 2 beers available this Tuesday evening - Brakspear bitter and Courage Best. Brakspears was in good condition.
22 Jan 2019 20:17
Quiet Tuesday lunch time. Traditional pub interior, family run tenant business from Fullers. London Pride was therefore very good. Also on hand pump was ESB, Lacons Encore and two beers from Dark Star (owned by Fuller's) namely Hophead and American Pale Ale.
Menu with several options and at very reasonable prices. Chicken and chorizo pie, mash, peas and onion gravy for £8 is not half bad, hot and tasty too.
Staff were friendly and pub is well worth a visit.
20 Jan 2019 20:44
This pub stands head and shoulders above anything else in the vicinity.
An absolute treasure, good independent traditional pub but run by a landlord with an eye for the modern drinkers who clearly takes pride in his pub and is interested in his clientele.
Up to 8 ales on hand pumps and tasters readily offered and a massive range of unusual canned and bottled beers.
Excellent food menu, cooked in a kitchen adjacent to the bar. Tasty, good value too.
Siren Suspended in Rainbows 4%, Market Bosworth Autumn porter 5%, London Pride 4.1%, Moor Raw 4.3% (unfixed), Oakham Citra 4.2%, Redemption Rock the Kazbek 4.1%.
3 Oct 2018 19:41
Quiet Wednesday night, the bar is not visible from the street, so you must take a leap of faith, but worth the leap. It feels more like a bar but there were 4 pumps on, Bankside Inspector Morse IPA, Harveys Wlid Hop, Woodfordes Volt IPA And Elgoods Puff (The Magic Dragon!).
Bank side was very good.
25 Sep 2018 21:26
Part of the fat cat group, not quite up to the Norwich version, but possibly down to space. None of the Norwich FC beers on offer, which was a surprise,
12 ales on offer and with a good spread of gravities - 3.8 to 5.5 and a range of light, medium and dark, well done.
Nice atmosphere and a range of customers from ladies, gentlemen, students , young and old. Gentle hum of conversation. Top pub in the City.
20 Sep 2018 22:16
This is a nice surprise, sandwiched as a rose between two thorns! Family run, I think. 12 pumps but I think about 14 ales available on a midweek evening. Busy and no eye contact nor acknowledgement that I was seen, but served after a few minutes wait.
No indication on the board as to whether the beers were pale, light, medium or dark so it was pot luck. Two tone was dark, a bit lifeless but drinkable.
Food appears to be home made, packed in microwaveable containers, but surprisingly heated up in a bank of microwaves between the 2 bars, hence the whole pub smelt of curry. That said, the portions looked good and clearly it does a good food trade as well as beer.
All things considered, worth a visit and certainly amongst the top few pubs in the city.
19 Sep 2018 21:42
Historic building on a busy main road close to the waterfront and city centre. Dark oak beams and subdued lights. 5 beers, Gravity fed, all Adnams.
Nice selection of bar meals and tables for the restaurant feeling. Food was good, beer was well kept. Worth a visit.
19 Sep 2018 19:11
The Waggon and Horses, Newmarket
Noisy, busy high street Greene King tied pub. 4,TV screens, all different channels, loud music, bland beers.
4 pumps, Morlands (Greene King) old speckled hen and old golden hen, last pump blank, so no guest beer, this town in a nutshell - no choice dominated by one "brewer" and publicans can't afford to buy in alternatives.
25 Jul 2018 21:40
Mid week evening, dead as the proverbial dodo. 3 pumps but only 1 with any beer. GKIPA, no guests, bland as ever but well kept. No competition in the town so mediocrity rules
25 Jul 2018 21:09
Mid week mid evening and no customers. However only 1 of the 3 pumps actually had any beer and that was GK IPA, what would encourage drinkers to come in?
Beer was ok, well kept but as bland as GKIPA always is.
25 Jul 2018 21:04
Very much a locals pub it feels. 4 pumps but only one with beer and that was Doom Bar - Why? Bland and no body but it was well kept. Surely there are better options if you want to encourage customers in?
25 Jul 2018 20:44
The White Hart Hotel, Newmarket
Very large pub on high street, part of the Marstons estate and also a hote 3 beers - pedigree, Jennings and Brakspears Gold which was well kept if a little cold and creamy head. Good priced menu of staple pub food, not much competition in the area unless you like GK..........
Staff have to multi task which can seem that you have to wait for service, but it was not too busy being midweek. With luck weekends will see more staff on.
25 Jul 2018 19:05
And the food is excellent! Mixed grill with 6 different meats and only £16
3 May 2018 19:50
So clearly we need to bring the reviews back up to date. Friendly local pub close enough to town to make it worth the walk. Good varied pub menu for food along with specials board, but this evening that had been mainly sold out.
There is a large to showing sport, but enough areas to avoid it if you are not that way inclined.
5 beers on hand pump along with the usual silver T bar for the gassy stuff. GK IPA, Woodfordes Wherry, Upham punter, Tribute and Humpty Dumpty. The Punter is a good classic Amber bitter and was in top condition.
Well worth a visit. Busy for a mid week evening.
3 May 2018 19:05
Back in town! A bit too soon for trad beers to be on the pumps. Harveys, a Burning sky plateau and predominantly local Gun Brewery beers which included a stout. Again well kept and food good.
21 Mar 2018 19:26
It was very busy which should be a good sign, BUT the bar man was struggling. 3 or 4 beers including TT Landlord and of course Harveys Sussex. HOWEVER, as he spent the 5 minutes I was waiting to be served (and it was even longer for the person in front of me) looking down at the pump or the floor, he failed to make eye contact, failed to even acknowledge thT we were waiting and turned away to serve others that arrived after us.
First rule of bar man school, LOOK AT YOUR BAR AND YOUR CUSTOMERS.
I left and will not be going back. The licensee needs to train the staff urgently.
21 Mar 2018 19:17
It was very busy which should be a good sign, BUT the bar man was struggling. 3 or 4 beers including TT Landlord and of course Harveys Sussex. HOWEVER, as he spent the 5 minutes I was waiting to be served (and it was even longer for the person in front of me) looking down at the pump or the floor, he failed to make eye contact, failed to even acknowledge thT we were waiting and turned away to serve others that arrived after us.
First rule of bar man school, LOOK AT YOUR BAR AND YOUR CUSTOMERS.
I left and will not be going back. The licensee needs to train the staff urgently.
21 Mar 2018 19:17
What a shame. No doubt a draw for fizzy beer lovers, but only 3 ales , on gravity. Clearly concentrating on "craft". Bottles and cans.
Trad bitter was Heoworth Sussex Best, ok but would not win any prizes. Cold and lifeless, other choices were an IPA from Cellar Head or a stout from Hollar Boys
14 Feb 2018 21:21
Massive selection of "craft" beers but only 3 beers on gravity. Staff have good knowledge but too few beers for a pub.
14 Feb 2018 21:09
A good standard traditional English pub, worth the trip from town. 6 pumps with a selection of beers. Reasonable standard .
14 Feb 2018 20:27
This pub is called The John Selden address Half Moon Lane, Worthing, BN13 2EN. It looks to still be open despite no reviews since 2010. I hope to get to it this week and will update with a score. So at this moment in time, I'll give it the current average score from historic reviewers.
12 Feb 2018 16:53
6 pumps, all on. 5 gold/pale beers and only Harveys Sussex offering a traditional alternative.
Gold Mark Liquid Gold 4.0% was well kept and ok.
7 Feb 2018 20:24
6 pumps available for also, only 4 on, but it is Wednesday evening. All 4 beers were very pale in colour and very citrus in flavour. There is still a demand from ale drinkers for a traditional copper in colour and not tasting like grapefruit or lemons. That said, the 2 I drank were well kept.
The pub is very pleasant, good food, friendly, but needed a better variety of beers for their customers who have walked that bit further out of the town. Plus point that in Lewes it is NOT a Harveys pub, so there is a free trade in town.
7 Feb 2018 19:35
The Wheatsheaf on the Green, Esher
This is more like it, busy for evening restaurant food, but the bar has a selection of 4 pumps - Sambrooks Wandle 3.8, Twickenham Autumn Red 4.4 Surrey Hill Shere Drop EXCELLENT and only 3.90 which for Esher is a good price, and regrettably, Sharps Doombar.
Bar needed a wipe down, but staff friendly and topped up the slightly short measure in my pint. Now that the Albert seems permanently closed, this is the best in the manor.
4 Oct 2017 20:54
IT was busy . Youngs (Wells) beers only available, 3 pumps on. Guest choice pump not on at all. And at £4.45 for a pint, I feel it is overly expensive. Not served with a full pint either which is a sign of a pub run by managers and staff that do not need to care. Shame, as in the absence of the Albert, there is precious little choice in the area, so make an effort to shine.
4 Oct 2017 20:33
STILL closed. There is a gap in the market in this desert for a decent real ale pub, a gap that this pub used to fill. Someone see sense and take it over.
4 Oct 2017 19:49
A number of visits over the last week due to holiday. Upwards of 15 different ales came on and were drunk, each and every one in tip top condition. Far too many to recall and record here. Ever changing selection from local Kent breweries as well as small breweries nationwide.
Looking forward to the weekend of 22-24 September with a Green Hop themed beer festival, 10 beers promised over the weekend.
10 Sep 2017 19:30
As ever, excellent selection of Robinsons beers, the full range and over the last 3 evenings, they have all been in top condition. The pork pies and scotch eggs are very tasty but go far too quickly. This remains the top pub in the area and clearly should be in the Good Beer Guide. It still features in the top 20 pubs on this website, so what are the local CAMRA group playing at?
8 May 2017 21:59
Visited again on a quiet Monday evening. Gentle hum of conversation and back ground music. Fours puns on serving local beers from Barngates, Coniston, Cumbrian and Handsome. Selection of bottled craft beers and a grand selection of around 30 gins.
The food menu looked excellent too.
8 May 2017 21:39
Adams beers only. Board states 1 guest beer, but it was not evident. That said, this close to Southwold, NOWHERE sells anything but Adnams, which is a shame for beer drinkers.
However, the Adnams Southwold bitter was in excellent condition .
20 Apr 2017 20:04
There are only two known pubs in Britain called the Golden Rule. One is in Edinburgh and one is in Ambleside
The question is - what is the Golden Rule?
Answers:
for the religious - "do unto others as you would do unto yourself"
for the underdog - "he who has the gold rules"
for the sceptic - "the golden rule is that there is no golden rule"
for the landlord - "a load of hard work"
for the local and the visitor - "a very good pub!"
16 Apr 2017 22:56
First visit following a recommendation, quiet afternoon. Pleasant enough. Disappointed to see only 3 pumps, one for the stout so when ?I asked for a traditional copper coloured bitter I was advised that "we don't really sell bitter in here".
The redemption was well kept, if a little too cold and was tasty for a lower gravity beer. It was ok for the afternoon on.
15 Mar 2017 15:33
Ye Olde Cherry Tree, Southgate
Large gastro pub, part of the vintage inns chain, so the food is standard fare, presumably prepared centrally and heated/plated in house. That said, it was good and not too expensive.
, with discounted selections off the menu.
5 pumps, two of which were the god awful Doom Bar, then London Pride, Adnams ghost ship and UBU purity. All those that appreciate a decent pint will not be surprised that I avoided the Bar and the Pride and as Ghost ship is the least drinkable Adnams beer (pubs take heed, the Southwold bitter is FAR FAR superior), I stuck to UBU which was well kept and well served. Most of the staff sounded to be from the continent and were polite and efficient.
The current score must reflect apathy from their current drinkers regarding this web site and possibly scores from a previous incarnation. Worth a 7 and with a review by their central purchasing team, could be more. It is an oasis in the desert that is Southgate!
5 Jan 2017 20:28
Nice hotel with bar for the public. 3 beers, ignoring the metal T bar for the fizzy pop. Adnams Southwold in very good condition, TT landlord and Tribute. Food good, staff nice. In the desert that is Saxmundham, this is the place to drink.
22 Nov 2016 19:45
Back again, walked past all the high street pubs to get to the best bar none. This gem still features in BITEs top 20 pubs and yet is still not back in the Good Beer Guide. Madness, come on local CAMRA group, do your job. Full range of Robinsons beers and guests and as ALWAYS in tip top condition.
29 Oct 2016 21:26
Don't bother if you are a real Ale drinker. All fizzy pop. Not a decent English beer in site,
19 Oct 2016 22:36
5 Ossett beers and 4 guests. All looked in good condition, the Big Red, 4.0 was great. Live music, covering Amy Winehouse at the moment. Not busy, but not sure why not. Worth the short walk from town.
19 Oct 2016 20:45
Busy chain pub, close to station. Good selection of food, reasonably priced and 9 or 10 hand pumps. A range of beers but could not stay close enough to the bar to note them down! My pint of Nicholsons pale was superb, well kept, crystal clear and a good temperature. Well worth a visit
19 Oct 2016 19:44
The Wheatsheaf on the Green, Esher
Open after full refurb. Pleasant enough, busy in a town with only 2 pubs. 4 pumps working on a Thursday. Surrey hills shere drop in good condition.
8 Sep 2016 22:28
Nicely refurbed although with a wine bar feel. 4 pumps on, on Thursday evening. 3 from Wells and Youngs and for some reason that I cannot understand, Sharps Doombar! Special was pleasant enough at £4.20 a pint, Esher prices and the result of almost no competition. The current scores are historic and do not reflect the pub and beer currently on offer.
8 Sep 2016 20:53
Appears to be closed which in a town with so very little choice is desperately bad news. Rumour is of a pending court case, allegedly.
8 Sep 2016 20:28
It is great to report that it seems the management of this excellent pub have taken heed of comments. 28 beers on today and whilst I could not start to list them all, there were at least 5 FIVE traditional bitters, not citrus, available. 2 were national standards, Adnams bitter and TT landlord, but the other 3 all of which were in top condition, were fab. Old school detention, Lacons legacy, Colchester no. 1. Well worth a visit, even more so now!
8 Jun 2016 23:09
St Andrews Brew House, Norwich
Not noticed this brew pub before so tried it out, looked quite busy for a Wednesday evening, food in one area. 4 ot their own brews, wensum 3.8, cork cutters 4.3, grocers ghost 4.2 and tombland porter4.8. Only tried the wensum, very disappointing beer, insipid no body, poor taste and not pleasant after taste.
Nice atmosphere and surroundings, all female staff who were not too clued up on what was available.
Shame about the beer, but perhaps it is early days?
8 Jun 2016 22:03
Mainly Adnams. Broadside, ghost ship, Southwold bitter, fat sprat. Plus excelsior, black dog mild, crystal gold from west gate brewery in Wakefield. Jennings May the force be with you was on but not right so changed immediately with apology.
Pleasant pub, food on in the evening too. Central square bar bench seating. Well worth a visit.
24 May 2016 20:59
10 pumps serving, selection of dark, copper and pale ales. Little pots showing the colour in front of each pump and a taster offered. Both beers I tried were in fine condition. Food menu has changed and I think it's less local now and more national. Both local sounding meals, lamb leg steak and sausages were off when I was eating early evening. Not convinced that the chips were home made and the fish seemed too regular for a local catch. But I may be wrong.
10 May 2016 20:27
Back again! 3 hand pumps, 2 working on a Monday evening, seems fair. Woodfordes Wherry well kept and Adnams Ghost Ship. Excellent food freshly cooked and very very reasonable prices. Well worth the visit and the best in town.
25 Apr 2016 20:06
Independent recently taken over and very pleasant, owners changing the old poor reputation. Good luck, as it has real potential. Comfortable modern. 4 hand pumps only 2 on but it is Monday evening. Theakstons OP in good condition, and Deuchars IPA. Adnams Southwold due on soon.
25 Apr 2016 20:01
Comfortable, many faceted pub just outside town but easy walking distance . Friendly and comfortable. 3 ales served direct from barrels, no hand pump. Adnams Southwold in excellent condition. Bullard bitter, very pale and very citrus, Timmy Taylor le champion blonde, also citrus. Landlord more than happy to offer a taster.
25 Apr 2016 19:59
The Salford Arms Hotel, Salford
Busy, young crowd with sky sports in every corner. Pleasant welcome and an offer to try the beers, BUT all the beers Bar one were pale and citrus. The one that was not was a porter.. What a shame, absolutely certain that they could shift one or two traditional bitters. Still, a good pub to visit.
20 Apr 2016 22:14
10 pumps, 8 on a Wednesday, which ain't bad. Mainly pale as with far too many pubs, but the slightly foxed was good. Curry served earlier, but I was too late to try. Worth a visit,
20 Apr 2016 21:31
Cracking local pub, worthy of its numerous CAMRA awards. Wednesday night, 12 pumps on mainly smaller breweries . Mobberley Hedge Hopper very nice, well kept as every pint that I saw being served was. In a triangle of pubs that make this area of Salford a real oasis.
20 Apr 2016 20:37
Great pub near the Salford railway station. 6 beers on, Ruby Red was excellent. Bowl of beef stew for under £10 also very good. Think there is a quiz later but 2 more decent pubs within 10 mins walk, so will try those out.
20 Apr 2016 19:58
Vibrant, busy although the music was too loud. BUT 4 hand pumps , each of the with pale citrus ale. Yet to find a decent pint in this area of London. That said, the fruit juice that was sold as pale ale was well kept,
10 Apr 2016 21:41
The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak
Fully agree with the previous report. Actually, a nice trad pub busy for Sunday night, blues music, murmur of conversation from a mixed bunch. Initial view of 12 pumps on the bar and 6 on the counter behind. As it happened, 8 of these were cider, which would not be an issue except when I asked for a traditional copper bitter, I was told that they don't tend to stock bitters! A taster was offered for as many of the citrus pale ales or dark brown or porters that I wanted to try, but with 10 available pumps on in an old fashioned British pub, why oh why would they not stock bitters? Camra are so far away from saving real ale, do not contemplate changing your focus now. We need it more than ever!
The Running Beer brown ale was well kept, but won't be staying for another, nor returning any time soon.
10 Apr 2016 21:01
So, back a year later. Several decent beer pubs nearby to offer a choice now. Late evening, so the foodies had gone. 14 hand pumps with a total of 19 beers offered, many of which I have never seen before. Too many to list here, but included Yamato, hophead, dark star pals, wheat purple, pig squeal, national treasure, cerebus fox, porthbud, AD, crooked branch, moonshine mild and stout and so on. Tasters gladly offered and the lady was working hard to impress. Settled for Wherry as it was getting late! Ok pint. The pub has changes beyond recognition from one of the best around to one that felt it had to evolve - it did not need to do so! Still, well worth a visit.
22 Mar 2016 22:53
This is in an oasis of pubs all close together and all with something to recommend them. Backstreet local not too far from city centre. 8 pumps all on on a Tuesday evening. Dancing duck dark drake, Orkney old macgregor, rooster blind jack, Oakham Citra, castle rock harvest pale, Youngs Special, which I avoid on principle now, Tribute and Deuchers IPA.
22 Mar 2016 21:53
Busy Tuesday evening, food going well . 10 pumps with ales and 3 with cider. First 6 pumps very standard fare, Jaipur, Crouch Vale Brewers gold, Summer lightning, Oakham JHB, Wherry and TT landlord, next 4 a bit more adventurous - Oscar Wilde mild, Adnams Oyster, Axholme sahci, Wolf Sirius DogStar. Well worth a trip, one of the better pubs even if it could be a tad more lateral thinking with the main beer selection.
22 Mar 2016 20:51
The Devonshire Arms, Cambridge
Nope, not unlucky. Lightning struck twice. Nelson Powder Monkey also poor, lifeless, stale. Perhaps left over farm the weekend. Atmosphere nice but for a gbg pub, it needs to have better beer quality.
22 Mar 2016 20:04
The Devonshire Arms, Cambridge
Early evening visit having failed to eat at La Madison de steak due to Internet failure, no cards accepted! First beer flat and off, which is a shame. Milton Pegasus. Only 2 to chose from unless you want to drink pale citrus chip sauce! So put up with it for now. Busy for a Tuesday so maybe I was lucky.
22 Mar 2016 19:26
Friendly local hotel/pub. Good streak and very reasonable price. 3 pumps but only 2 on, Woodfordes Wherry and Adnams Broadside. Wherry was excellent, a superb pint. Owner hind the bar made me feel at home.
24 Feb 2016 20:21
Excellent local with 9 beers on draught as well as a cider. Taster offered if you do not know your choice. A large selection of continental bottled beers, mainly Belgian. Would like a couple more non pale bitters as always, but fine pub all the same.
14 Jan 2016 21:08
Desperate for a steak and it was snowing, so had to dive in here. Woodfordes wherry, poor condition. There were several other beers on but did not look at what. Ordered my steak, none left and it was only 7:15. However,staff polite if rather pushed and the prawns and grill was ok. Shame about the beer.
14 Jan 2016 19:35
Elgood black dog d
Addams south m
Adams ghost m?
Woodfordes brew352 l
Woodfordes wherry m
Gales firecracker m
Flip side sterling l
Big lamp prince bishop l
Black hill shield row l
Harviestoun old engine oil d
Excellent pub. Busy Friday just before Xmas. Food basic limited menu but well cooked and local produce still on the menu. Tried the 2 trad bitters that were available. Both in good nick. Staff friendly and accommodating. Try this pub!
18 Dec 2015 22:22
Oakham jhb
Five points brewing co five points pale
Poppy land black wit
Greene King Benjamin's
Golden triangle citropolis
Golden triangle mosaic
Burning sky auralis
Barrel and sellers stout
Norfolk brew house golden
Redemption trinity
7 pale, 2 stout, 1 gk Amber with cardamom and coriander
When will Brewers and landlords return to our roots and cater for drinkers that do not like citrus grapefruit, lemon, kiwi, melon etc etc. There is a large number that like traditional bitter beers. 10 pumps on, 7 are pale and taste of lemons, 2 are stout and the only Amber beer is flavoured with cinnamon, cardamom and coriander. If only I could buy a curry, I could have poured my beer on that!
18 Dec 2015 22:13
The Drunken Duck Inn, Barngates
Superb micro brew pub/hotel/restaurant close to Ambleside, but up in the hills. Brew pub that brews several excellent beers. There is a strong emphasis on the restaurant, but the bar is excellent too. Warm welcome but space is at a premium, so get there early or later when the diners have moved into the restaurant. Staff friendly, beers superb. I think that things have changed since the previous reviews. Well worth the trek to drink and to eat. 6 pumps all brewed on the premises. Additional pale ale on craft keg although I am not sure about that!
3 Nov 2015 22:04
Charming place for a drink, although I had to ask whether I could just have a beer as it really sells itself as a restaurant. 4 pumps, Yates bitter, Yates Green Hop, Chadiwck IPA and Loweswater Gold. Free wifi provided too. Very nice addition to the area and not tied to one brewery, it would appear.
2 Nov 2015 21:37
Cracking pub . The best by a military mile in the town. Full range of Robinsons/Hartleys beers and every single one well kept. Draft cider on too. Real fire, a number of different areas to drink, talk and relax. Can there be any sense in the local CAMRA group that I understand refuses to put it into the GBG because it won't carry any guest beers. Plain crazy decision by that CAMRA committee. It is a quiet Sunday and there are 7 real ales being served.
1 Nov 2015 20:52
The Post Office Vaults, Birmingham
Wednesday evening late on. 8 pumps, 2 were stouts, 1 was mild, 4 were pale ales and 1 , that is ONE, was copper trad bitter. The only downside is that one was 5.6%. So again, I have to hit the road in a no doubt fruitless chase for a pub that knows some customers prefer a selection of traditional English bitters mid strength, copper coloured and Not I repeat Not citrus, lager style beers. The Backstage IPA was in good condition, well kept, too strong for the only bitter available, hence the reduced score.
14 Oct 2015 22:11
Nice traditional pub but the welcome was frosty. I am not a local, perhaps that is why. 9 beers on but here's the pity. 1 stout, 1 porter, 1 proper bitter Amber in colour but 6 pale even described as lagerish on the bar.this lack of a decent choice meant one drink only then moved on. I had Oak by Grain, well kept, good session beer, nice colour and taste. Score reflects the poor staff attitude, lack of choice for those of us that remember what beer should be like but also scored up as the 1 I had was good.
14 Oct 2015 20:48
Wednesday night. Quite busy. 14 of 16 pumps on. 9 yes 9 of these graded by the landlord as pale, 2 were pale verging on not so pale, 1 porter, 1 dark. That left only 1 beer that could be described as classic British bitter. Skaters Autumn Red at 5.0%. That meant 1 drink then off. Regrettably landlords with 16 pumps need to cater for good old fashioned bitter drinkers and not just pander to new age lager drinkers. It is a shame, because this pub could be a cracker.
14 Oct 2015 20:45
Fairly busy, nice range of customers young, old, male female. Staff frosty to say the least, but I am not local. 9 beers on. 1 stout, 1 dark, 6 pale even described as lagerish! God help us. Only 1 Amber trad bitter, so I only stayed for 1. That 1 was good. Well kept, good flavour, nice colour so that drags the score up a point. When will pubs and Brewers realise that there is still a need to provide decent English bitters and not an overwhelming flood of American pale, citrus lagerish ale?
14 Oct 2015 20:18
Nice traditional pub but the welcome was frosty. I am not a local, perhaps that is why. 9 beers on but here's the pity. 1 stout, 1 porter, 1 proper bitter Amber in colour but 6 pale even described as lagerish on the bar.this lack of a decent choice meant one drink only then moved on. I had Oak by Grain, well kept, good session beer, nice colour and taste. Score reflects the poor staff attitude, lack of choice for those of us that remember what beer should be like but also scored up as the 1 I had was good.
14 Oct 2015 20:17
Quietist Wednesday afternoon, 3:30. No pork pies! A good number of ales and ciders on. BUT when I asked for a traditional beer that was not porter (2 of those) or pale citrus, about 5 of those, there was not one available. This is a crying shame. That said, the beer I had, Great Heck Treasure was almost normal! Clear, good flavour albeit a bit too citrus.
14 Oct 2015 15:44
The Clarendon Arms, Kenilworth
Poor pint of Hooky. Not quite vinegar but pretty close. Also on doom bar - why? Old speckled hen, butty batch far too cold for bitters.. Shame.
5 Oct 2015 23:10
One of the countries top pubs, as recognised by CAMRAs top award, BUT why, with 30 beers available do the staff have to scratch around for a traditional English copper coloured, non citrus bitter? Take out the nationally available Wherry and TT Landlord, only 2 of the rest fits the bill. Now, the beers were all in tip top condition and the pub leads by example, SO please lead the rest by carrying a decent range of traditional (CAMRA was set up for these) bitters. With 30 available, at least 10 should fit the bill. Rating reflects the lack of variety.
10 Jun 2015 22:44
Excellent pub, good food, fair price and local produce if possible used. 11 beers on, woodfordes Wherry, burton bridge top dog stout, GK manga carta, Adnams mosaic and southwold bitter, BB Donald's duck, Oakhams Inferno, Castle rock Runneymead, Tetleys keg bitter!, Adnams blackshore stout, winters mild. Donald Duck is light but fortunately not too citrus, well kept . Pub is worth a visit in a city blessed with numerous decent pubs.
10 Jun 2015 19:25
Themed weekend, 3G's and 2 C's. Gadds beers, Goodys Ales and G2 as well as micro brewery Turnstone Two Seas from Whitstable, BBQ and music. Beers all excellent condition and the pub was buzzing, as it deserves to be. Sunday lunchtime is a continuation of the same and the monthly cooking competition is back on, free food for judges. Undoubtedly the best beers in Canterbury.
7 Jun 2015 00:40
Clearly popular, busy on. Wednesday night. 4 pumps, 3 of which were local brewery Downlands. Best is a traditional Englishcopper bitter, no citrus overtones, which is a refreshing change nowadays, (as CAMRA intended all those years ago!). Pub is long and thin, candle lit in the evening and another Brighton pub worth a visit, again away from the high street, which is only for tourists. Must be about 4 or 5. Decent pubs within 5 minutes walk.
27 May 2015 21:59
Clearly popular, busy on. Wednesday night. 4 pumps, 3 of which were local brewery Downlands. Best is a traditional Englishcopper bitter, no citrus overtones, which is a refreshing change nowadays, (as CAMRA intended all those years ago!). Pub is long and thin, candle lit in the evening and another Brighton pub worth a visit, again away from the high street, which is only for tourists. Must be about 4 or 5. Decent pubs within 5 minutes walk.
27 May 2015 21:59
Now rebranded as The Prince George. Vegetarian menu, more of a bistro/wine bar but pleasant. 6 pumps but 2 were not on and 2 had the same Burning Sky Plateau pale ale, also 360' pale and Langham Arapaho pale - spot the pale trend! Nice feel, pleasant welcome and worth a trip, but needs a decent copper coloured beer, Sussex does make them!
27 May 2015 21:25
Good old fashioned English pub, but with a cosmopolitan Brighton charm. Harvey's beers only, but a choice of 6, so fine by me, but it takes the score down from an 8! Busy early evening so a bit of a wait for food, but the bar staff explained this as soon as She had put my order to the chef.30 mins to wait is really not an issue. This is the type of pub that makes it worth the walk up from the town. It's close to the train station and amongst a number of good pubs.
27 May 2015 19:28
Spring has sprung! The New Inn spring beer festival has started. 22 beers over the weekend with food, music. Jaipur, Chimera IPA, Ossian, Good Heavens, Betty stogs, Mahseer IPA, Summer Lightning, Gadds She sells seashells, Citra Sonic, Shropshire Gold, Gadds seasider, Otter, Nova, Big hop little beer, The Duke IPA, Glaslyn, Amarillo, Bay's Gold, AVA, Brewsters Hophead, Turnstone Two Seas and High seas. Craft lager from western am and 3 ciders. What's not to like!
22 May 2015 14:00
The British Grenadier, Colchester
Cracking local, no longer Adnams. Old fashioned boozer, Colchester no 1, marstons new world, hook norton lion, flack manor hedge hop. Well kept, good range available. Well worth it. Friendly landlord and customers, pool table, dart board.
29 Apr 2015 23:31
Excellent local, about 5 beers on, harwich brewing, Maldons (2), felstar porter, one other. Warm real fire and an old gas fire, friendly reception from staff and customers. Again,worth the trip out from town.
29 Apr 2015 22:27
Good back street local but larger than most. Red fox conges hall, might oak Oscar Wilde mild, might oak cellophane flowers, Adnams oyster stout and mosaic pale, Maldons pucks folly . Good price too at around 3.20 max a pint. Quiet Wednesday, but I bet it gets busy. Well worth the short walk from the town centre.
29 Apr 2015 21:15
Nice. Wednesday night just before their West Country beer festival over the BH weekend, so stock low. Woodfordes Wherry excellent condition, Crouch vale Brewers gold and Green jack Orange Wheat. 20 beers and 3 ciders coming on. Despite previous reviews, staff friendly, apologised for reduced selection and provided perfectly sound explanation. Well worth a visit, basic proper back street pub and one for the notebook. The name gave a clue that this family know about pubs and beer - uncle runs the Norwich Fat cat chain.
29 Apr 2015 21:03
Local CAMRA pub of the year. Tuesday night and 7 beers available - GloucesterCascade, Fyne Hurricane Jack, Hop Studio Gold, Broth Cock o the Walk, Wylam Angel, Tickety Brew Munchner. Special price mon to wed only £2.95 which in this area in fantastic. All great condition and staff that are pleasant, friendly and knowledgeable, well worth a visit.
21 Apr 2015 20:49
Loch Fyne Restaurant, Kenilworth
If you only have 2 pumps, at least keep them both on! Only 1 working, with GK IPA. Meal was indifferent despite the very good service. Green beans at over £3 really should have been fresh, but these were very tired and pretty much inedible, onion rings were cold and greasy but the steak was good.
13 Apr 2015 21:39
2 from Wyvale, Old bakery bitter and HPA along with Skinners Lushingtons and Byatt's American Brown Ale. As always, all in tip top condition. Monday night menu was goulash or quiche. No doubt that this pub is a pub as it should be, standing head and shoulders above anything else in the area.
13 Apr 2015 21:35
Coniston Bluebird, York Minster and York Guzzler, The usual Big Lamp Bitter and Wylam Gold Tankard. All in first class condition as ever. Well worth the walk up from the town.
13 Mar 2015 20:57
The Devonshire Arms, Cambridge
I found this in the GBG and stopped off following an aborted visit to the Blue. Excellent, traditional pub with 5 pumps serving Milton beers and a landlord that knew his trade. Pegasus 4.1%good biter beer, NOT citrus, straw coloured like so many today. Also Star Brewing Co Meteor and Badgers Cross Porter. Archer had only just gone, and draught still cider too. Well deserving of its GBG entry. As for the steak, I'll soon find out but on a Thursday 2 12oz steaks with trimmings for £15 has got to be good value.
12 Mar 2015 19:33
Regrettably this pub has changed. Gone is the quiet back street boozer that did a bit of home cooked food. It seems now to have become a restaurant with a bar. I waited for service at 7pm but with 1 person serving and 6 waiting, I decided it was not worth the wait.
No acknowledgement of my presence to make me reconsider, so I went to eat and drink at the Devonshire, where I served at once, greeted with eye contact and had a fine steak.
I may well return to try the beers, as they did seem to have 7 or 8 beers on, so by reputation, it deserves another chance later.
12 Mar 2015 19:26
Regrettably this pub has changed. Gone is the quiet back street boozer that did a bit of home cooked food. It seems now to have become a restaurant with a bar. I waited for service at 7pm but with 1 person serving and 6 waiting, I decided it was not worth the wait.
No acknowledgement of my presence to make me reconsider, so I went to eat and drink at the Devonshire, where I served at once, greeted with eye contact and had a fine steak.
I may well return to try the beers, as they did seem to have 7 or 8 beers on, so by reputation, it deserves another chance later.
12 Mar 2015 19:26
The bast pub in the town by a mile. Warm and friendly welcome, comfortable, home cooked food every Monday evening (tonight it was fish pie or goulash) made on the premises by the lovely Janet. 4 pumps with 2 from Wye Valley and the other 2 rotate. This week it was Hobsons Mild and Old Prickly. As ever all 4 were in tip top condition. A large range of whisky Wine and soft drinks to cater for all types. This is a pub as a pub should be.
9 Feb 2015 21:17
Nice. Five beers on, all looked to be in good condition. Adnams bitter, Hobgoblin, TT Landlord and regrettably the Canadian Doombar . Adnams in good condition. Darts match with the usual banter. Worth a visit
9 Feb 2015 21:09
Loch Fyne Restaurant, Kenilworth
Not a pub for drinking, the bar is just to hold people waiting to eat. Only GK beers, 2 pumps, IPA which was bland as always, but drinkable. The Old Speckled Hen was poor and has to be sent back, staff handled it well and replaced without question, but they continued to serve a beer that was off.
9 Feb 2015 21:06
Excellent pub, and it is clear to see why it has been named CAMRA poty on more than one occasion. 28 beers on pump and gravity and it is aMonday! Good selection of ciders too and a large range of continental beers in bottle and pump. Rolls still only 60p - although only 1 meaty one left, not now!! Agree that this must rate higher than 7.5, having visited a number of pubs around the country on the back of GBG and BITE recommendation and I will only go to those rated 7 or better, then in comparison to many of those, this has to be at least a 9.
12 Jan 2015 16:28
Excellent pub, and it is clear to see why it has been named CAMRA poty on more than one occasion. 28 beers on pump and gravity and it is aMonday! Good selection of ciders too and a large range of continental beers in bottle and pump. Rolls still only 60p - although only 1 meaty one left, not now!! Agree that this must rate higher than 7.5, having visited a number of pubs around the country on the back of GBG and BITE recommendation and I will only go to those rated 7 or better, then in comparison to many of those, this has to be at least a 9.
12 Jan 2015 16:28
Excellent local pub in the same ownership as Angel and John Duck. 5 beers on a Sunday night.hobgoblin, Rudgate Snow Wonder, Nel's Best, Adnams Old, Bank's Sunbeam. All looked in top condition and the ones I tasted were so. The food is also top class and good value. Try the Ultimate Elm burger. Take the walk up the hill from town area of the Gates Shopping Centre and try it.well worth it.
11 Jan 2015 21:50
New managers, part of a chain of about 50 managed pubs. 3 beers available Jennings Cumberland, Black sheep, Bah Humbug from Wychwood. Great condition and at what a price - ONLY 2.30 a pint. Out of the main drag of town, but only 10 minutes walk up Gilesgate and well worth it. Extra bonus is that they open until 11:30 on a Sunday night, Durham landlords take note, that is a real plus!
11 Jan 2015 21:14
I think this remains a family concern, regular staff with dry sense of humour. Sam Smiths beers at Sam Smiths prices, always exceptionally well kept and only £1.80 a pint for OB. A cracking pub, worth the trip out of the main town, about 10 minutes walk.
11 Dec 2014 20:25
Nice atmosphere, quiet despite Sky sports. 4 beers, the Dakota Red was cold but tasted fine. Bit of a walk from town, but worth it, for a decent pint
10 Dec 2014 22:04
Pleasant pub, looks more like a hotel. 3 beers from Evan Evans. Clearly well kept and worth the walk from town.
10 Dec 2014 22:01
Mainly dark beers on, which is a change. That said, there was one proper copper coloured, bitter not citric, beer on and very pleasant. Staff friendly, very well briefed on the beers. Worth a trip.
9 Dec 2014 23:34
Beers still too cold, which makes them lifeless. Time called at 22:45 when I was told they served until 23:30. Shame, it spoils a decent pub.
9 Dec 2014 22:46
The Old Contemptibles, Birmingham
Revisit. Of the 8 beer pumps, 4 were tied up with Doom Bar twice and the chains own brew, twice, Why? All the rest were again pale and citrus. Fairly well kept but when will Brewers realise that there are still many drinkers that prefer a copper bitter, not pale imitations.
15 Oct 2014 20:58
Visited on Monday lunchtime - 3beers on, the Tribute was first rate as the beers always seem to be. There is a poster telling of the annual August beer festival over the bank holiday. Upwards of 20 beers from across the country, music, hog roast on Saturday. Looks like we are sorted!
19 Aug 2014 13:20
What a gem. Without a doubt, must be back in the Good Beer Guide in 2015. Close to the Millenium building and Birmingham drama School. 10 pumps on with a good range of beers. I was too late to eat, but the menu looks good too. Local CAMRA meetings held here and if they do their job, it will be back! Friendly staff, future acting stars!
8 Jul 2014 00:23
14 pumps on, not bad for a Monday, but over half of these dedicated to the scourge of British beers - the pale, citrus ale. I tried locale BFG from Black Country. Not bad but that too was nearer in colour to lager than bitter and tasted the same way. With the number of pumps available, there really does ned to be a wider variety of flavours on show. Still, we'll worth a visit.
7 Jul 2014 22:29
The Post Office Vaults, Birmingham
Excellent hidden gem, good range of beers with samples on the bar to see what you are ordering. 13 ciders too and a vast range of foreign bottles too. A pub as it should be.
7 Jul 2014 21:59
The Old Contemptibles, Birmingham
Good ale house, despite being in a chain. 10 pumps with only 2 off on a Monday. Perhaps more non pale beers would be nice, but that goes for every pub at the moment! Food choice and quality good. Service quick, well worth a visit.
7 Jul 2014 21:57
Typical city Spoons and simply not worth it. Large number of pumps but several duplicates and at least 5 beers shown but not on. Can't recall what I tried, but it was not good, stale, cloudy and staff were not interested. With several pubs FAR better in the city, leave this one well alone.
7 Jul 2014 21:52
Excellent pub, the best in the city that I have found so far. 16 pumps with beer graded from pale to dark. My only gripe is that 8 of them were pale, 5 were dark and absolutely none were traditional bitter colour. All the beers that I tried were in excellent condition.
31 Jan 2014 18:05
One of he best pubs in the City and worth the climb. Well kept beers if sometimes jut a bit too cold. Good selection on 5 or 6 pumps. My only gripe is that as with every pub in the country at the moment, almost everything is "pale and citrus" in flavour. That said the had one really dark ale an it was good - I've forgotten what it as though! Their Elm Tree special burger is a challenge - a meal that will g you through a couple of days without the need to eat again!
31 Jan 2014 18:01
Always a pleasant welcome here, well kept beers on 3 or 4 pumps. Usually the same selection. I understand that the management is changing and perhaps the new team might try to vary the selection. That said, beer is always well kept.
31 Jan 2014 17:56
A good unashamedly old fashioned pub. Beers well kept although they could do with more of a variety from local small breweries, or from further afield.
31 Jan 2014 17:54
The Shakespeare Tavern, Durham
I visit Durham about 6 times a year. There are a number of pubs worth a visit and this should be one of them BUT the manager seems to close at random times and fails to stick to published opening hours. Either the GBG is wrong or he does not want the trade.
On the odd occasions that I have had a pint there, it was ok, not special and not much of a range to choose from, but I wont be trying again, as I will not waste time trying to get served!
31 Jan 2014 17:52
I called in again. Busy and with 6 pumps working with a range of excellent beers. The Biddendens cider on draught was also selling well. I hear that there is a weekend with Thornbridge Jaipur coming very soon, so may need to get in early!
10 Dec 2013 21:02
Worth a visit. A fine run of beer pumps and all of them on. Nice touch of the offer to try and each pump had tasting notes too. My pint was good. The staff were eating during my stay, so there was not much chance to talk about the beers.
10 Dec 2013 20:56
Well kept Brains, but what a pity that the pub was devoid of any customers on a Sunday and Monday night. That said, I went in for a beer and it was good.
10 Dec 2013 20:54
By far and away the best pub that I found in the City, good selection of beers. There was a stout and porter festival on when I called but they also had a full range of Brains as well as 3 or 4 guest bitters.
Every one of the several beers that I tried was in good order, the staff were knowledgeable and friendly and the atmosphere was pleasant. My only criticism for the landlord is that the water cooled guest beers were too cold which had taken some of the life out of them.
10 Dec 2013 20:52
This pub continues to go from strength to strength. The manager seeks out a vast selection of beers both local and from afar. Recent themed weekends include Thornbridge, Dark Star, Fyne. The beers are always in tip top condition. GBG listed and without a shadow of a doubt THE best pub in the City. Also very reasonable prices.
15 Feb 2013 09:37
The Hole in The Wall, Southsea
The GBG yet again saves the day. WELL worth the treck in the rain from the Gunwharf Quays, where the pubs are greatly over rated and even more over priced.
This is a gem, friendly landlord, friendly local customers and excellent beers.
Island Yachtsman, Rhymney Scrum V, Stepney Green and Jamaican from Brodies and Oakleaf Texas Red, Dark Star Festival. Just missed the Oakleaf Hole Hearted.
15 Feb 2013 09:33
As featured on BBC's Dirk Gently last night. Dont be put off by the industrial estate it sits in - well worth a visit. Landlord - PLease seeklonger evening opening hours!
6 Mar 2012 07:32
Visited over the weekend again. A treat in store, with the Jaipur IPA, which is normally never seen in the South. This was a superb bitter and at 5.9%, strong for a modern IPA. Specially arranged by the Manager for a particularly demanding customer, I hear!
TT Landlord, Wherry, Harveys, GK IPA made up the selection and all were in fine fettle.
13 Jul 2011 19:08
Another visit or 3 over the weekend. A choice from 8 different beers between Friday and Monday and all of them absolutely spot on!
Woodfordes Wherry, TT Landlord, Harveys Sussex, Gadds No. 3, Rudgate Ruby Mild, GK IPA, Skinners Betty Stogs and at least one more that I forgot (understandably!) as well as the Biddendens cider.
PLUS the list is now available for their Annual May BEER FESTIVAL, from this Thursday through all the BH weekend. Music, food weather permitting it seems and beers - a great selection by the looks of it. SORTED!
23 May 2011 22:04
WELL WORTH A VISIT. This excellent free house is back to its former glory. The owner and manager run the pub like all English free houses should be run. Visited it 3 times over the bank holiday and found all of the following beers on and in excellent condition - tried them all! Black Sheep, Harveys, Summer Lightning, Greene King IPA, St Austell Tinners, Barngates Westmoreland, Woodfordes Wherry, Skinners Betty Stogs, Thwaits Wainwright and even draught Biddenden's cider.
There was a BBQ, pub olympics raising money for a local charity, superb food on the menu too.
Ever better, a beer festival is planned for the bank holiday at the end of May, so that's me sorted!
26 Apr 2011 00:47
The new New Inn retains the spirit and feel of the old New Inn. Visited over the weekend and there were 5 beers available - Fullers ESB, Ruddles County, Greene King IPA, Crouch Vale and Herveys. Tried them all and every one was spot on - fresh and well kept.
A good mix of students and locals and the pub should soon see a new wave of the more discerning students that like to eat, drink and talk and all at very reasonable prices.
Well worth the short walk away from the mess and noise that is the City Centre!
26 Sep 2010 17:53
The Triangle Tavern, Lowestoft
Quiz night! Eight own brew beers on, with a range of colours and gravities. Traskermen very nice for us traditional beer drinkers. I think that they had a guest beer on too.
Friendly welcome and well worth the visit.
11 Mar 2020 22:08