BITE user comments - fromedrinker
Comments by fromedrinker
I arrived here relatively early in the day on a cycle ride from nearby Tobermory. Had a very tasty and refreshing pint of Fyne Ales' Avalanche. Will definitely come back on my next visit.
11 May 2010 16:20
Finally got round to visiting after seeing this pub recommended in a camra publication. The three of us each found an excellent (and unusual) real ale to our liking. Very busy indoors. so we decided to sit at one of the outside tables, from where the live music was about the right volume to enjoy and have a conversation at the same time. Definitely another on the list of "must visit" pubs for Bristol city centre.
30 Jul 2009 15:49
Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall, Staveley
What an excellent idea to have a fully functioning pub right next to the brewery. Part of a retail complex with cafes and shops. I did like the Hawkshead beers, especially the stout.
23 Jul 2009 14:58
Had a right soaking in the rain whilst walking from Kendal to Staveley. Found this pub, dried out by the fire with a couple of good pints from local breweries, and enjoyed a good-value bar snack. Well worth seeking out (and easily accessible by public transport).
23 Jul 2009 14:56
If only I were not the nominated driver, I could happily have sat here all afternoon and gone through the extensive line up of beers. Next time I will have to get the bus. Nevertheless, we had a couple of excellent pints (brewed on site) and a good lunchtime snack. Pleasant location away from the main road, and comfortable interior, with a friendly service from the staff.
23 Jul 2009 14:52
Now under new ownership, with a few changes, but the overall feel of the place has been retained. Now has comfy sofas in the back room. Blindmans beers are sold. My rating (9) remains unchanged.
22 Jul 2009 11:44
I had a very nice pint of Rebellion here, and my companions who ate enjoyed hearty pub food. An interesting range of pictures and prints on the wall, many with a nautical theme. Well worth a visit, and easy to find by the A4.
1 Mar 2009 19:45
If I were to prejudge by exterior looks alone I probably wouldn't go in here, but I'm glad I did. A couple of excellent ales (both new to me) and a good pizza for lunch. Very enjoyable.
1 Mar 2009 19:43
Plenty of choice of real ales, and also of rooms to drink it in. Pleasant surroundings and lovely building.
1 Mar 2009 19:40
The Star Inn, Waltham St Lawrence
Friendly roadside pub on the edge of the village. They served an excellent pint of Henry's IPA for only �2 when I visited.
1 Mar 2009 19:38
Royal Northern College of Music Bar, Manchester
I was in the venue for some concerts, and was pleasantly surprised at the real ale availability at the bar, including a mild and a very pleasant pint called Millstone, (of which I felt compelled to enjoy several - but beware the interval queue for the gents). Plenty of staff who know what they are doing. You can get food at the nearby coffee bar and there's a canteen.
10 Feb 2009 22:28
Well it was in the beer guide, so I gave it a try. I was quite surprised on a Saturday lunchtime to see the pub full of people drinking tea and eating full English breakfasts. Anyhow there were two ales on offer, the first one ran out before the glass was full, so I had the other. It was ok.
10 Feb 2009 22:23
There's good pub food available here, but the main attractions are the ales (which have always been in excellent form on my visits) and the traditional features of the building itself. It does get busy, but there's usually a corner on which to perch. If the guest ales do not attract then you can't beat a good pint of Black Sheep.
10 Feb 2009 22:18
An excellent array of real ales, and a really pleasant, friendly pub to visit. I think next time I will visit here first to do it justice, rather than leave it to the pub crawl's tail end. Highly recommended.
11 Jan 2009 16:37
Not sure why I haven't got round to reviewing this yet. Suffice to say that a couple of times a year I will devote considerable time and expense to visiting Derby, especially for its great pubs. The Brunswick is always the highlight of any such visit. Usually the first pub to visit after leaving the station, the challenge is to motivate oneself to leave. Excellent.
11 Jan 2009 16:33
Conveniently located just to the north of Kings Cross station, this pub has a slightly chaotic but pleasant air about it, and seems to have lots going on in its various rooms. Had a good pint of Bombardier, and various guest beers make an appearance.
10 Jan 2009 20:33
Deceptively spacious inside, this is a decent pub with a friendly welcome and a couple of good ales (Butcombe and 6X when we visited). Handy when awaiting the train home. Recommended.
10 Jan 2009 20:31
Spent a bit longer in here than planned (because other Tisbury pubs were shut) and did had an enjoyable visit, with good pints of Otter, Ringwood and Doom Bar.
10 Jan 2009 20:28
I pop in here about once a year when visiting the area, and get a dependably enjoyable visit. Pint of Cornish Coaster or something similar, an interesting guest beer or two, and some decent pub food at good prices. Deservedly popular, in fact quite busy at times. Recommended.
10 Jan 2009 20:24
I would prefer Wetherspoons to charge a little more, employ a couple more staff, and perhaps discourage some of the "lesser washed" of the clientele. Having said that, the pint and food were fine when I visited, and the small number of staff were clearly doing the best they could.
2 Jan 2009 00:06
There was a general air of chaos about the place when I visited - but friendly enough, and I was eventually served by one of the regulars. Good pint of Cotleigh on gravity. May well go back to try some of the ciders.
1 Jan 2009 23:58
An excellent little city centre pub with three real ales (usually) and a vast array of malt whiskies. Highly recommended.
29 Apr 2008 13:14
An impressive and high-quality refurbishment which is so radical that the old Lamb becomes a distant memory (and a good thing too). The bar is impressive as one enters, with about 8 handpumps on display (no tasteless lager fonts) and a well stocked selection of wines and spirits behind. I have been in there on busy evenings and found service quick and friendly, with plenty of staff on duty. I really like the Blindman's beers (tried the whole line up one evening) and the quality was exceptional. Not quite sure how the market for this pub will settle down - it has had a sort of middle-class-ish wine bar-ish feel to it on my visits, and I have been surprised at the number of non-beer drinkers observed. A lot of people seem to be going for the food, which has been a bit of a weakness in other town centre pubs. In any case, let's hope that the fine ale stays at the centre of what this pub does well, and that it retains it's well-deserved popularity.
6 Apr 2008 15:49
An excellent city centre pub. The staff are on the ball, manage the centrally positioned bar well, and give a friendly welcome. Beer range is very good, with some local regulars and a moving feast of guests. Punters are fine and varied. One of my favourites in the city.
21 Feb 2008 12:02
The Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast
Joined the after work crowd there on Friday evening, and it's even better than I remember it from a few years ago. Very good bar service considering how busy it was. I agree with the last reviewer about the Belfast Ale quality. Good to see the restored stained glass on the doors.
18 Feb 2008 14:09
Plenty of real ale as mentioned by other posters. Beer quality is obviously taken very seriously, with all ales in excellent condition from start of service. A comfortable, drinkers pub, well located in the village centre.
3 Jan 2008 15:10
Started a mini pub crawl of Charlbury here. Cosy bar with friendly, welcoming staff. Two real ales (Wickwar and Hook Norton I think) and both were excellent. Recommended.
3 Jan 2008 15:08
The Horse and Groom, Alresford
A bit tired looking on the inside, but the beer, service and food were all fine on my visit.
3 Oct 2007 16:33
Excellent drinkers pub with a beer for everyone, and lovely, cloudy Addlestones cider. Highly recommended.
3 Oct 2007 16:31
On advance recommendation, took the 10 minute stroll from Reading Station, and was confronted with a stunning array of real ales for sale, of which many were new to me. Good service, friendly staff. I will have to come back for a more thorough visit soon! Food is available, although with no choice - a set menu applies each day. Ideal for this sort of pub.
21 Aug 2007 13:39
If only I could have managed a pie, they are large! Had a pint of Adnams instead, which was fine. Great service.
21 Aug 2007 13:33
Popped in on a Saturday morning for a full English Breakfast washed down with a pint, I was happy with the service, food and beer quality. Usual Wetherspoons issues apply - (clientele, minimal staffing, beer somewhat cold). They could probably afford to raise their prices a little to improve the service.
21 Aug 2007 13:31
Very pleased to see a couple of milds amongst the fine array of beers sold here. I particularly enjoy a visit to the Hobgoblin at "off peak" times when we can occupy one of the snugs. Deservedly very popular, to the point of being rather crammed at certain times.
21 Aug 2007 13:27
Just to update, this pub appears to have been acquired by Blindmans Brewery, to reopen in September.
30 Jul 2007 12:45
After nearly two decades living in Frome, I finally plucked up the courage to try out this pub - suffice to say that it had a bit of a reputation. The verdict: Friendly staff, no real ale but excellent real cider, spacious layout with lounge and public bars. A good local boozer with no pretentions. In fact I think I will go back at some point - a viable alternative when the Griffin gets too busy. Keep an open mind and give it a try.
21 Jun 2007 12:42
Well worth seeking out - excellent range of beers in the small, traditional style bar. Recommended.
21 Jun 2007 12:32
Busy pub near the harbour. Real ale is fine (it was just An Teallach when we visited, although Isle of Skye is advertised). Very pleased with the food and bar service. Comprehensive range of single malts to round things off.
21 Jun 2007 12:29
Small pub, and deservedly popular. Good ales, and no-nonsense pub food. Recommended.
21 Jun 2007 12:27
Enjoyed an excellent pint of DBC beer (from Weymouth - a good reference back to this pub's Devenish brewery days). There were a few odd types in the confined bar, but fortunately there is seating on the pavement outside, which was pleasant on a summer's evening. I understand that the Bellringer was good too, as I would expect from an Abbey Ales run pub, and there were a couple of guest beers.
21 Jun 2007 12:19
The Reckless Engineer, Bristol
Popped in for a "prelim" before the Bristol Beer festival on Friday night. They had 6 ales on from a menu of 9 which were due over the weekend. A bit noisy and smokey for my liking, but can't complain about the beer and service which were both excellent!
3 Mar 2007 15:25
This appears to be a Greene King establishment nowadays, and they had a guest beer when we visited (Ringwood Best, which was fine). Two good meals for 7 quid. Friendly bar staff too.
18 Feb 2007 18:09
Saturday lunchtime, one person serving (apparently), eight queuing, so visit abandoned for one of the nearby suitable alternatives. Will give a rating on another occasion.
18 Feb 2007 18:04
We called in here after the excellent Dorchester beer festival. Fortunately, the Goldfinch beer was a match for anything we had tried during the day, and really in top condition. This place, now rather unusually, feels like a proper pub - can't put my finger on why, maybe the floorboards, bar layout, punters, smokiness - a place to drink and forget the outside world. Recommended!
6 Feb 2007 11:47
A rare opportunity to enjoy McMullens beers away from their home turf. Very busy, as you might expect given its location, but worth the effort. Conveniently located by Covent Garden tube station.
31 Jan 2007 15:14
We occasionally pop in, because the beer is rather good, and they extended capacity a few years ago to make it more comfortable. Even so, it still gets wedged at times.
In fact, thinking about it I should visit more often, although from a real ale drinker's perspective it competes with the nearby Bell and Old Green Tree, and the Star is not far... Still, you have the makings of a fine pub crawl there, and can choose which you prefer.
30 Jan 2007 16:36
I actually find the Sam Smiths bitter fine, especially in the context of a range of pubs nearby which provide the variety lacking here. Central London drinking usually has a soul-less, miserable tinge to it, but this is one step up (and handy for the Coliseum and theatres). Recommended(ish).
22 Jan 2007 14:22
You can see what to expect from the photo, however it's not all bad. As Wetherspoons goes, it is tolerable, and serves as a handy meeting point and breakfast venue, being only 30 seconds walk from the station. Beers are generally fine.
22 Jan 2007 14:16
Very pleased to see this pub open again, and better than ever, in my view. It seems to have been cleaned up a bit, the staff are more on the ball, and the beer range remains one of the best in town. Only 5 minutes from the station, too...
22 Jan 2007 14:09
Not only a rare outlet for the range of Wickwar beers, but guests are also available. Very convenient location in the centre, and tends to get rather busy, but definately for the right reasons. Highly recommended.
22 Jan 2007 14:06
How marvellous to walk into this place and see four different Bath Ales' beers waiting to be sampled! THe ones I tried were spot on, too. A friendly pub, which has the added attraction of all those boardgames from your childhood to try again, e.g. Connect 4 and Mastermind.
22 Jan 2007 14:03
Nautically themed, busy and friendly, I enjoyed a good pint of Holts bitter here. Will definately make more time for this one in the future.
22 Jan 2007 13:59
I wasn't able to sample any of the tempting range of handpumped "real" ciders on the grounds of my own health, but next time I am pub-crawling Bristol I shall forego the beer (and the beers here were very good) for a cider session. Highly recommended.
22 Jan 2007 13:57
A rather good range of beer when I last visited, including the excellent Butts Barbus Barbus. The beer garden is a pleasant location to eat and drink, weather permitting. I thought that the prices were a touch on the high side, but then there are some advantages to targeting a certain market segment..
22 Jan 2007 13:54
Less than 10 minutes walk from the centre, this is well worth making the effort to visit when in the city. On my last visit the selection of ales had been slightly depleted, but there was still a choice of three which were all new to me. Plenty of foreign beers in bottles too. Excellent little pub.
22 Jan 2007 13:49
It is refreshing to find a pub with such a massive commitment to high quality ale in a high profile location as Birmingham City Centre. I have had good beer experiences on two visits, and there is scope for plenty more. Non-smoking area is welcome, although not particularly segregated.
19 Jan 2007 11:36
The Crystal Palace Tavern, Bath
Despite being in the heart of the tourist area, if you choose the right time to go this is worth a visit. Having gone downhill a few years ago, the interior has been refreshed and the beer range has improved, with a good pint of Bellringer available. I haven't eaten here for a while, but my recollection was positive.
7 Jan 2007 10:10
The place has a general air of chaos to it in a good sort of way. Bellringer and Sharps beers were both fine on our visit. Still had that student bar feel to it outside of term time (probably influenced by the bar staff). Good range of entertainment downstairs. Not to everyone's taste but still recommended for a try.
7 Jan 2007 10:06
What an oasis in a desert of rather tired, unwelcoming chain pubs! Definitely a place for the real drinker with a range of well kept ales (Black Sheep was on top form). Pleasant surroundings, friendliness from behind the bar. Well worth seeking out.
7 Jan 2007 10:00
Beer was fine, I had good pints of Timothy Taylor and Marstons. I would concur with some of the more negative comments about the food service. The pub has a slightly tired feel, and suffers from being downtrodden by tourists and passing trade. My overall rating of 6 is redeemed by the good beer quality experienced.
7 Jan 2007 09:53
The Stag Inn, Hinton Charterhouse
Friendly village pub, serving excellent real ale (Butcombe Bitter and IPA on our visit) and very good meals to a range of budgets. Staff were friendly and helpful. The 267 bus between Bath and Frome calls just outside.
27 Nov 2006 14:49
The Rose and Crown, Hinton Charterhouse
Large village pub, accessible by bus from Bath and Frome. On our visit, they served Butcombe and Spitfire from the barrel. We enjoyed a good pint.
27 Nov 2006 14:46
This pub has closed - shame, I was looking forward to some of the orange ferment!
16 Nov 2006 09:19
Not visually encouraging when approached from the outside, but within this is a pleasant, friendly pub, which has the added benefit of a fine range of ales served on gravity. Definitely worth making the effort to seek out and enjoy.
23 Oct 2006 13:29
I bit like the brewery tap on water. Worth visiting for the novelty value alone. The beer range is excellent, and I understand the food is good too. Excellent value.
23 Oct 2006 13:25
A wide range of ales, both from the Oakham brewery, and plenty of guests. Served well at reasonable prices. Tasty Thai food menu with excellent service. Highly recommended - only a couple of minutes from the station.
23 Oct 2006 13:23
An OKish Wetherspoons - I would prefer higher prices and more staff. Food was fine. Real ale was served at chilled temperatures, such that the quality of the beer was affected. The manager suggested we wait 10 minutes for our beers to warm up, so that the protein haze dispersed! A shame, since the beer range was quite good.
21 Aug 2006 16:47
Conveniently located near Canterbury West station, the Unicorn is a pleasant pub with a nice enclosed beer garden and an excellent range of real ales. Deuchars and Hopdaemon on our visit. Excellent!
21 Aug 2006 16:43
A pleasant inn at the end of a preserved railway line. Plenty of outdoor seating, and a comfortable interior. Three real ales were available on our visit, which tasted fine, even on a hot day.
24 Jul 2006 10:19
A large village local in the Forest of Dean, a couple of miles from Lydney. On our visit, we were welcomed by the staff and regulars, enjoyed four real ales and had some good pub food. Next time I'll make room to try the three traditional ciders. Highly recommended.
24 Jul 2006 10:05
A traditional three room layout to this historic pub - the decor has its origins in the 1960s, although the brown vinyl seats have now gone! Nice views over Frome and countryside beyond from the public bar. Having not visited for a number of years, I was pleased to see London Pride on handpump, joining the previous range of keg beers and the excellent Rich's cider! It's definitely worth trying this pub - you'll love it or hate it...
17 Jul 2006 15:54
It's a busy Wetherspoons near Central Station. I was pleased to see plenty of staff on duty on Saturday afternoon so the service was quick. Good range of ales and ciders. Convenient and adequate.
4 Jul 2006 11:37
My experience on a recent sunny weekday afternoon:
Pleasant riverside location;
Staff were friendly and efficient;
Clientele were civilised; and
Youngs Bitter was reasonably priced and tasted lovely.
Meets the criteria for a return visit when next in Richmond.
23 Jun 2006 12:17
I suppose the Star should never be taken for granted, but I save my visits for a special treat a couple of times a year. A good reason to visit Bath in its own right. It has survived development threats in the past, and thrives under its current ownership, in its traditional form.
20 Jun 2006 11:52
There is a slightly rough and ready feel to this street-corner pub, but I quite like coming in here. The main bar has a good atmosphere, and there is more room downstairs if required. The beer quality has lacked consistency in my opinion, and seems to suffer in warmer weather.
20 Jun 2006 11:42
Definitely consistent with its Hobgoblin past, some of the beers were from the Wychwood range on our visit. Good seating areas and plenty of room for sociable drinking. Recommended.
19 Jun 2006 14:52
Far From the Madding Crowd, Oxford
Walking in, one might be forgiven for thinking it had a chain pub feel (I think it is an ex-shop). Once at the bar, however, I was impressed to see several West Berkshire beers along with guest ales, and given the time would happily have stayed for several pints. Recommended.
19 Jun 2006 14:48
A good choice of real ales in this large, multi-roomed pub. Like the previous reviewer, I had the Skinners beer and it tasted good. Others in my group enjoyed the Palmers, which one doesn't often see around here. Good service.
19 Jun 2006 14:45
A fifteen minute stroll from the town centre brought us to this pleasant pub in a residential/mini-retail area. A bit of a haven, away from the mainstream.
The traditional interior with a couple of rooms is set out well for conversation and social drinking. There is a cosy beer garded. The Adnams beer was fine, and served in a mug! Nice for a change.
19 Jun 2006 14:41
A multi-roomed pub in an historic building, also benefits from various outdoor areas. The "retail space" (bar and food counter) had difficulty meeting demand on our visit, and substantial queues built up. Once ordered, the food service was quick, and of good quality. A very good selection of beers, catering for most tastes. Highly recommended, especially "off peak".
19 Jun 2006 14:33
Considering it's at the heart of a tourist honeypot, this is a quality boozer, and deservedly popular. The Youngs beer is of good quality, and was kept at a reasonable temperature, even on the hot day when we visited.
19 Jun 2006 14:27
Riverside pub as the name suggests, which has recently been extended out into a covered decked area in the large beer garden. Excellent food and Youngs beer, and deservedly popular.
16 May 2006 12:55
A standard Wetherspoons conversion with all that entails. Convenient for a lunch time pint and snack, but that's about it really. Beer quality was ok when I visited, but the available range was not great.
16 May 2006 12:51
The Benleva Hotel, Drumnadrochit
Quite an oasis at the mid point of a cycle ride from Inverness. Three real ales available and on top form, enjoyed in the pleasant beer garden with a lunchtime snack. Friendly welcome. The hotel is not entirely obvious from the main road, but there is a map in the tourist information noticeboard and it's signposted.
16 May 2006 12:45
The Phoenix Inn / Morgans Bar, Inverness
A slightly tired and grubby feel to this pub, although it still retains many period features, and is worth a visit for this reason alone. Beer was fine when I visited, from two Scottish micros.
16 May 2006 12:40
The Clachnaharry Inn, Clachnaharry
Plenty of real ale (7 varieties on my visit), many of which were new to me. There is a choice of seating accommodation, although of course the great outdoors is now the smoking area. Food is substantial and tasty. Buses from the city centre stop outside the pub. Highly recommended for the beer alone, but a pleasant establishment for all.
15 May 2006 18:03
Well located in the city centre, the Blackfriars comes up trumps every time, supplying a good range of ales, including many from the smaller Scottish brewers. Live music is sometimes available. A comfortable venue for eating and drinking - highly recommended.
15 May 2006 17:45
This is a lovely old pub near Stourhead on the B3092. No public transport to speak of, although you could get a taxi from Frome or Warminster. There are usually several decent real ales on offer from micro breweries. Good bar food at lunch times and a non-smoking area. It's a friendly environment with a warm welcome from the landlord. Highly recommended!
2 May 2006 13:39
We had a very pleasant Saturday afternoon in here. A roomy place which has scrubbed up well. There were seven real ales available, most of which were new to us. Number 5 bus calls nearby if you're not up for the walk.
25 Apr 2006 14:18
Good range of Hop Back beers, reasonably well served. Friendly welcome from landlord and staff. There is a function room and a very big telly, but enough space elsewhere for a peaceful drink. Very convenient for the station.
25 Apr 2006 12:42
A wide range of Ringwood beers and a guest available, always served well. Lovely, historic building, and includes a little non-smoking area. Definitely worth seeking out when visiting Weymouth.
25 Apr 2006 12:35
A comfortable place to eat and drink, serving primarily the tourist trade. Decent beers from DBC. Pleasant location on the quayside with outdoor seating.
25 Apr 2006 12:32
Not a bad pub, reasonably cosy, food and drink both OK. It's a fifteen minute hike from Frome town centre, and buses stop nearby. Alternatively, there's plenty of parking. Rather a chavvish (in a harmless sort of way) clientele when we last visited (weekday evening).
10 Apr 2006 16:42
The Check Inn, North Wroughton
This pub is a ten minute bus ride from Central Swindon. Despite the roar of traffic from the M4, it is pleasantly located, with spacious, comfortable accommodation outdoors and in.
There was a very good beer range when we visited, including several from the Sharps range, and a couple of more local brews. The food service was very efficient, and meals of good quality. Recommended.
10 Apr 2006 14:03
A dismal venue, but the beer is okay and the location is convenient. Last time I was there a fight spilled out onto the street and the emergency services had to be called.
20 Mar 2006 15:56
This is a beauty - worth visiting just to see the fantastic restoration of the Victorian interior. But there's more - most of the Oakham ales (and they taste good) are on tap, guest beers, and delicious Thai food. It's about �6 in a taxi from the city centre, or 10 mins walk from one of the local stations. Well worth the effort.
20 Mar 2006 15:51
Good food and drink, including a lively restaurant upstairs. Quite an atmospheric interior - dark and wooden. The beer range is one of the best in the area, including some unusual specialities from Scotland's growing portfolio of small brewers. A "must-visit" when in Fort William.
20 Mar 2006 15:42
A lovely stopping point in Newcastle, and particularly convenient for the station. V. pleasant to sit underneath the stained glass domes with a decent bar snack, and one of the excellent beers which are available (I particularly enjoyed the Mordue range, but there are many more). Highly recommended.
20 Mar 2006 15:37
Suffers from the usual Wetherspoons problem - the drinks are too cheap. The pricing attracts customers who are there simply to get tanked up cheaply. To maintain margins, staffing is minimal and queues at the bar are excessive (not helped by half the customers ordering 69p coffees which take time to make). A non-smoking venue, popular with families it seems. Having said all that, there were some excellent guest beers available, and they washed down a filling late breakfast on a Saturday Morning.
19 Mar 2006 11:41
Busy pub with lots of rooms, much character and the excellent Wye Valley beers. Bar staff are very much on the ball. Highly recommended.
19 Mar 2006 11:35
A cavernous pub with some quirky and historic features. Mainly sells Spinning Dog beers which are brewed on site - the Stout is especially good. Well worth a visit if in Hereford.
19 Mar 2006 11:33
A traditional multi-roomed pub with excellent Banks' beers and proper grub. Had an excellent treacle pudding there once.... A few minutes from the station and near the town centre, a good way to start a crawl. Highly recommended!
16 Feb 2006 14:42
When visiting York by train, it can often be tempting to just stay in the Maltings all day. The pub is only a few minutes' walk from the station. A smallish venue, always busy, with a superb range of real ales and cider. Staff are friendly and efficient. The bar meals are substantial and tasty. I had the chilli last time which was quite vicious! Probably in my top 10 pubs, anywhere.
15 Feb 2006 12:38
We often pay a visit on a Saturday lunchtime. The barman is super efficient - a necessity since the bar is tiny in comparison with the overall size of the pub which extends back into a large "games" area. Beers are excellent, usually some Hop Back, Triple fff and/or Cheriton. The Deacons has a lively, friendly feel to it without being too noisy. Highly recommended.
15 Feb 2006 12:09
Well located as a meeting point if arriving in Salisbury by train. Ringwood best normally seems to be available and on good form, and they do a very good all day breakfast.
15 Feb 2006 12:05
This place is part of the town hall complex. 3Bs is actually a pleasant place to stop off - more of a cafe during the day, and a busy pub (often with live music) in the evening. Its only 5 minutes from the station. There are usually three real ales available, and with the venue free of tie there is always something new and unusual to try. Beer from local Berkshire breweries is often available. My only criticism is that the beer gets a bit warm in the summer which can affect the quality.
15 Feb 2006 11:57
The Kings Head is located on Wincheap, the main road out of Canterbury towards Ashford. It is well worth the 10 minute walk from the city centre. A warm welcome from the staff at the bar, pleasant traditional interior, good beer (London Pride, Greene King IPA and guests when we visited) and tasty bar meals. I think they do accommodation too. Highly recommended as an antidote to some of the rather tired looking city centre venues.
15 Feb 2006 11:48
Had a lunchtime pint in here in November, so understandably it was fairly quiet - there were a few friendly regulars inside. Several beers available, I had the Skinners Heligan Honey which tasted really good. We will definitely come back on our next visit to St Ives.
15 Feb 2006 11:35
This pub retains its traditional interior, and it's really like stepping back in time when entering. I think Bass and Skinners were on sale when I last visited in November, and they tasted good. Landlord appears to be highly respected - I believe he is a priest. Visiting the Seven Stars is an ideal antidote to seaside resort - just enjoy good beer and company.
15 Feb 2006 11:27
I visited the New Inn for the first time in many years on a recent lunchtime, and it appeared to be very popular, with many customers having meals. Quite a cosy pub nowadays, with a friendly welcome from behind the bar. Wadworths beers are the mainstay, and there is also evidence that guest beers are sold (although none available on my visit). My pint of JCB was pristine, probably the best I've tasted. My companions were similarly impressed with their 6X and Henrys IPA. I would certainly recommend making the short stroll from the City Centre to try this one out.
15 Feb 2006 11:00
This is a new build venue and rather "plastic". Suffers from the usual Wetherspoons problem - the drinks are too cheap. To maintain margins, staffing is minimal and queues at the bar are excessive. The pricing also attracts customers who are there simply to get tanked up cheaply. However, this had a reasonable cafe-like feel to it on Friday afternoon (before the college students came in) and with the no-smoking rule it was almost civilised. Tried three unusual guest beers which were all fine, food was ok. To be honest, however, with so many great alternatives in Bath, this would not be my venue of choice.
15 Feb 2006 10:51
This hotel, located in Frome town centre, looks upmarket from the outside and the entrance hall is promising. Turn left into the bar, and be warned by the sign which informs you that the police review the CCTV each weekend. Inside, it's not too bad (last visit on a Sunday evening), apart from a few noisy drunks, and the Wadworths 6X and Henry IPA is of reasonable quality. Bar staff looked and behaved as if they were in the depths of misery. I wonder why?
10 Feb 2006 11:46
I have mixed feelings about this pub. It is always busy when I have been there (after work), sometimes uncomfortably so, so its popularity is not in doubt. It feels chain pub-ish and tries to be all things to all people, hence lacking in individuality. The bar staff are mostly fine, although some of the younger ones have difficulty pouring a decent pint. Having said that, the beer (my priority) is usually of reasonable quality, and a decent range is served. 6/10.
10 Feb 2006 11:26
The Mad Bishop and Bear, Paddington
This suffers from some of the disadvantages of being a new station pub (all passing trade, no atmosphere). However, I always have a good pint of Fullers here, and there is usually a guest beer. Staff are fine, food is OK, and it is a comfortable venue with a non-smoking area.
21 Dec 2005 16:28
I highly recommend this pub - it has good beer (Hall and Woodhouse range), a traditional interior and a pleasant atmosphere for socialising. It is also conveniently close to Paddington station.
21 Dec 2005 16:23
A convenient pub for the railway station, I often enjoy a visit to the Ram on the way home. Friendly landlord and manager. Good range of ales and proper cider available. It can get busy with people watching sport on the many television screens, and I sometimes find the main bar area gets rather smoky. Overall, highly recommended.
21 Dec 2005 16:13
A comfortable, drinkers' pub, with bars on two floors. Used to be a bit rough around the edges in its previous incarnation, although it has perhaps lost a bit of character in the transition. Still, there are some unusual ales available, and its always worth a visit when in Bath.
21 Dec 2005 16:07
This is a fun little pub, with a choice of rooms (including non-smoking), good range of real ales, foreign beers and soft drinks. Friendly landlord and staff. Highly recommended for city centre drinking.
21 Dec 2005 16:00
This is a great little pub, and retains its traditional interior. Friendly landlord and staff. Fullers beer is always served in excellent condition. Main bar area is usually busy. There are function rooms upstairs, and some seating outside. Popular quiz night on Tuesdays is good for a laugh.
12 Dec 2005 09:54
This is a truly excellent pub, with a great atmosphere, eclectic range of customers, frequent live music, beer garden, and a large range of real ales - including some interesting guests. Try it.
2 Dec 2005 12:33
Previously known as The Ship, in its new guise this pub has changed its target market (no baseball caps allowed!), and now provides a pleasant environment for eating and drinking. Real ale of reasonable quality is sold.
2 Dec 2005 12:26
This pub has a traditional interior, with three separate rooms served from a central bar area - a pleasant place to drink. Real ale is from the Greene King range, and sometimes a guest is available. Beer quality is normally excellent, although sometimes it suffers from the heat in the summer. Landlord/lady, staff and regulars are friendly.
10 Nov 2005 14:53
This is a great little pub, and very popular. The ale is from the Milk Street Brewery (brewed on the premises) and is always of excellent quality. There are also some unique choices for the drinker (including raspberry and elderflower flavoured beers). A diverse, and well behaved clientele, and various forms of entertainment on offer. Highly Recommended.
10 Nov 2005 14:45
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The George Hotel, Inveraray
This was recommended in the good beer guide and also by our guest house landlady in Oban so we went there for lunch. It turned out to be a large traditional style inn over multiple rooms, with a good lunch menu and a couple of decent ales on the bar (a wheat beer and a mild from my recollection). Very good.
11 May 2010 16:31