BITE user comments - jarofporter
Comments by jarofporter
The Bell and Castle Inn, Derby
The staff there at the time gave us a very, very warm welcome (which is becoming increasing rare these days). Beers all top notch. Pizzas outstanding.
18 Sep 2015 14:05
Has reopened following a long closure and a refurb. Structurally the same but now clean and bright. Excellent beer though slightly less choice than previously, not that this matters as there's still plenty to go at. Staff know how to treat their customers and always serve with a smile. Highly recommended.
12 Mar 2013 22:35
No longer considered a pub, Now a fancy cafe/bar bar place called Nourish.
13 Dec 2012 15:07
Superb pub with a decent regularly changing line up of ales. Open plan but has a few booths and sofas if you fancy a little bit of privacy. Staff very friendly. Usually has a few students in but not the kind that cause trouble.
13 Dec 2012 15:05
The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham
It's just like being in a London pub without the hassle of going to London. Top notch Fuller's ales. AMAZING pies! Prices quite high though.
3 Oct 2012 11:30
Standard quality Spoons. OK if you want a cheap pint or meal whilst waiting for your train/bus/tram. Better places to go otherwise. Being in a city centre location you get some "characters".
3 Oct 2012 11:29
The Rawson Spring, Hillsborough
Very good Spoons. Love how you can just step off the tram right into the door!
3 Oct 2012 11:26
Another successful venture by Derby Brewing Company. They seem to like their "new stuff in an old building" theme, and so do I. Like the Royal Standard and Greyhound the beer is always good quality and there is a decent range, prices may be a little above average. Most of the staff seem to be pretty good at what they do.
15 May 2012 16:23
I've only sampled a small number of Shrewsbury's many pubs but this has been the best by far. Excellent range of beers - any pub that has high quality pale, bitter and dark beer all available and selling well has to be doing something right. The young lady who served us was incredibly friendly too. Can get very busy on a Friday evening as you'd expect a town centre pub to.
14 Mar 2012 16:30
Definitely worth jumping off one train and waiting for the next (or one after!) Excellent interior, small range of well kept micro brews, lovely staff. I'm not sure how big Codsall is but it was packed on the Friday evening we visited. Will definitely be going back in next time I'm passing.
14 Mar 2012 16:27
The only good thing about this place is the fact it has smaller rooms away from the main bar where you can get a bit of privacy. Only a couple of beers on, both big Marstons ones, quality not that great. The bar lady wasn't very nice either. Won't be going back, I'll stick to the New Inn.
14 Mar 2012 16:21
Second best pub in Shardlow after the Crown. Good for drinking and dining alike. Beers always good with a Derby one usually on. Staff very friendly.
14 Mar 2012 16:19
If you haven't visited the Exeter in the last few months you're in for a surprise. Dancing Duck brewery of Derby now run this pub and keep the bar well stocked with their locally brewed gems of beers. In my opinion the gold medal winning Dark Drake has to be one of the very best dark ales I've ever had. I can also say that I've never had a single beer that is less than excellent quality in here. Staff and locals are a friendly bunch. A shining example of what all traditional British pubs should be!
9 Feb 2012 10:06
Fellows Morton & Clayton Ltd, Nottingham
I have to agree with previous comments abouy how mixed the clientele in here are. Anyone could visit and comfortably fit in. The barmaid who served me seemed quite polite which is always a bonus. I didn't try the food, it seemed a little too pricey. The beer I had from their own brewery was only �2.50 a pint (Jan 2012) though it was very hazy. If I had to choose between the two, I would rather visit the canal house next door.
31 Jan 2012 13:50
I was quite surprised when I walked in as in my experience Castle Rock pubs are usually "no frills". What a magnificent building! The canal actually runs through the pub. There's a few little nooks and crannies where small groups can have a little more privacy. The beer I had was good, though the price was slightly above average. The food I didnt try but looking at the menu it didn't seem too expensive. The only inconvenience was that the barmaid did not come across as polite.
31 Jan 2012 13:16
Excellent in almost every way. Beer quality superb every single time. However, please be careful of the prices - the two I had yesterday were �4 and �4.50 a pint, and one I nearly had - Thornbridge Bravius - was �10 a pint!!!! Fortunately they tell you the prices before they pull it...
18 Jan 2012 11:38
The Peacock has recently reopened following refurbishment. Seems to be all the rage with Derby CAMRA at the moment. I visited one evening in the week to try it out. It seemed OK, not amazing, there are better pubs in Derby. Boasts about a warm welcome but the guy on the bar seemed rather miserable to me. Beer was alright though.
10 Jan 2012 16:19
Very nice place owned by Derby Brewing Company. Has quite a bit more character than its sister pub, the Royal Standard. Always seems to have the full range of ales on (light, brown, dark etc) throughout the year. I've visited many times and never had a pint that was less than excellent. Staff are good most of the time but service does get a little slack on occasions.
10 Jan 2012 16:13
The Florence Nightingale, Derby
Unexciting and a bit rough. Plenty of better pubs in Derby.
31 Oct 2011 15:43
Something they've started doing recently I've noticed is placing a small sample of each ale by the hand pump so you can see what it looks like and help you make your mind up - a fantastic idea in my opinion.
11 Oct 2011 14:53
I adore this place, there's more handpumps than you can shake a stick at and there's always something for everyone. Light, brown and dark all year round. A TV screen tells you the colour of each beer and where it comes from. No food is served but you can take your own in to eat there. There need to be more pubs like this in other cities!
11 Oct 2011 14:52
Didn't find this place to be anything special. Not much choice of ale, just big breweries. Quality was alright though.
11 Oct 2011 14:46
Nice old building but let down by the lack of beer range. Just big breweries when I went, and my hobgoblin was only fair quality.
11 Oct 2011 14:45
The Old Wellington Inn, Manchester
I was in the middle of drinking a decent pint in a wonderful building when the landlord came in and rudely asked a room full of people to leave - "What are you doing in here? You need to leave". Apparently the upstairs room we were in had closed for the night, even though the downstairs room was full and standing! But there was nothing to tell us this or stop us going upstairs. A large number of very offended and unhappy people ended up taking their business elsewhere...
11 Oct 2011 14:40
The Kelham Island Tavern, Sheffield
Definitely a very good pub in every way but there are pubs out there more worthy of winning the best pub in the country award 2 years in a row.
23 Sep 2011 15:20
Quiet little high street boozer most of the time. Beers always top notch though there's a limited choice unforunately due to GK's beer tie. Landlord is a very nice bloke who used to run the Cross Keys, and Bateman's flagship pub by the brewery in Wainfleet. Avoid on a Friday night however as they have a disco!
23 Sep 2011 15:12
Very nice little boozer with a modern interior. One of Belper's better pubs. Spitfire is always on offer, plus two guests, most of which tend to be local as it is part of the LocAle scheme. Whenever I'm in there it either seems to be absolutely packed out to the point that you're struggling to move, or completely dead. Food on offer is of high quality but at mostly affordable prices. There's an upstairs bar and a downstairs lounge, keeping the diners and drinkers separate, which seems to work very well as from experience they tend to get in each others' way.
14 Apr 2011 19:49
It is open again, though apparently with a temporary licensee if the to let sign on the outside is anything to go by. It's still a nice pub, but the staff seemed a little frosty in comparison to the warm welcome that used to be on offer. Ales on offer were nicely kept, though all were from the Marstons group and there were no guests like before.
14 Apr 2011 19:44
Not bad. Fair enough the beer was good, but when I went in it seemed to have a funny smell which I found pretty off putting.
31 Jan 2011 19:38
The Swan In The Rushes, Loughborough
Very nice pub! Usual great range of Castle Rock beers plus guests. Unlike a lot of other Tynemill establishments they're also big on food here. I recommend the hot steak baguette with curly chips!
1 Jan 2011 23:07
They seem to maintain quite high standards in here, and I've always been made to feel welcome. Quite posh really, and seems to be more popular with the more mature clientelle. Only one ale on, always a big brand, which changes now and again.
29 Nov 2010 23:50
Very much food based but I nipped in for a quick pint which was of good quality. Friendly barman too.
29 Nov 2010 23:46
First review in over a year - that's quite suprising! The rutland is one of the best places to be in chesterfield when you're after a good pint. There's always a good selection on offer, including a good selection from local micro breweries such as spire and brampton. It's owned by enterprise inns but take it from someone who knows their pubs, it's one of their better places! I've seen landlords and staff come and go from here over the years but nobody has failed to disappoint me when it comes to offering a friendly service and a warm welcome. Oh and just to add on, i don't usually judge a pub by the food it serves, as that's not what it's about, but i've never had a bad meal in here. If you're still not tempted to visit, they also have an open fire.
25 Nov 2010 15:25
The Derby Tup, Whittington Moor
They say that seasoned drinkers will award 5 out of 5 for a beer very rarely. Well i've drunk and served my fair share of pints in my time, and i can honestly say that the ales i've had in this pub are right up there at the top. They know how to keep and serve a good ale. The best thing is they say that there is always a stout or porter on. Well I enjoy my dark beers and this place has never let me down. A little outside of chesterfield but definitely worth going out of the way for. If your legs aren't what they used to be (either permanently or temporarily due to a few too many pints of screech owl like myself), you can rest assured that there are no shortages of buses from chesterfield town centre.
25 Nov 2010 14:20
To update my previous review, let me just say that there are a lot more seats than may first appear! It looks like just one large room at first, but it must have been my fifth or sixth visit when i finally realised there are more rooms and more seats round the back. Situated in an old waiting room on platform 1 of sheffield station, this superbly restored building has become a haven for ale drinkers. I can't really add anything to previous reviews about good looking bar staff (must have come at the wrong time), but what you can always be sure of is that there is every type of beer imaginable. Everything from pale and hoppy, through golden, bitter, best, mild, to stout and porter. There are always up to 6 from thornbridge, and another 4 guests. Often brewdog from my experiences but other microbreweries too. If that wasn't enough, there are 8 lager taps, but wait! You won't find any commercialised tasteless fizzy light brown water here, it's all decent stuff from top notch international breweries. I warn you however - prices can be as high as �8 a pint depending on how far it has travelled round the world. They are not tight when it comes to offering free samples though i am pleased to say. Also make sure that you don't enjoy it too much that you miss your train! That's what i did!
25 Nov 2010 12:56
I'm informed the Alex is open Friday and Saturday nights, plus match days, with a limited beer range, and apparently they're still looking for a new landlord.
22 Nov 2010 18:44
After a recent crawl in Shardlow I found this to be easily the best pub. Though it was a Tuesday night there was a nice lively atmosphere as there was a classic car rally or something going on. There was also a folk group playing which provided a welcome change to the modern music that spoils the atmosphere in a lot of pubs. Staff and customers were all friendly. I counted 9 ales on the bar, all from the Marstons group. I must have tried about 6, all of which were in excellent condition. It would be great if the beer tie could be relaxed allowing them to serve a local brew or two, maybe from the Shardlow Brewing Company.
5 Aug 2010 10:42
Horse Chestnut, Radcliffe on Trent
The first thing that hit me when i walked in was how posh the interior was - Chandeliers, leather armchairs and wooden floors. I'm not local so we headed here after hearing good reviews. To be honest though, i won't be rushing back. The beer i had was good, but not great. The barmaid was rather rude too.
25 Jun 2010 15:41
The Five Lamps reopened today after a refurbishment. The first things I saw were the NINE real ale handpumps on the bar. Six from microbreweries (2 Blue Monkey, 2 Peak Ales and 2 more which I can't remember) plus Black Sheep bitter, Bass and Everards tiger. I had the BG Sips which was gorgeous. Very modern fresh interior. Another great pub to add to the ever growing list of great ale pubs in Derby.
22 Jun 2010 15:54
Things have improved recently (new landlord also I believe). There were now three ales on instead of just Bass before. I opted for the Two Brewers which was very well kept. It is also much busier now than before. I guess you have to put a lot of work in if you want to compete with the Dead Poets, just yards down the road, and judging by the number of customers, they are doing just that.
8 Mar 2010 17:27
The Strutt Arms Hotel, Milford
I called in again the other night, the first time since the new people took over. Unfortunately I was a unimpressed. It was almost dead inside except for a few rough looking drinkers. There was only Pedi on offer and it wasn't top quality either. My advice is if you're looking for a good pub and pint, the King William and Holly Bush are just round the corner. I know it's under new management and things can be a bit rocky for a while when a pub is taken over, so I will try it again in the future.
8 Mar 2010 17:21
I'm not raving about the pub itself but the beer was enjoyable. Big brands on offer were Bass and Ruddles County. Guests were Springhead Sweetlips and Blue Monkey 99 Red Baboons. I opted for the 99 Red Baboons which was well kept but served with a slightly bigger head than I like to see on a pint.
8 Mar 2010 17:11
In my opinion Duffield's best pub, even though one of the others (Pattern Makers) is Good Beer Guide listed. Ales on offer were Pedi, Bass, Landlord and Derby Brewing Company's White Hart Pale (you guessed it - brewed just for the pub). I obviously went for the latter which was of very high quality, so they must have someone who knows what they're doing with ales. They should probably think about swapping one of the big brands for another local brew. The pub itself has been heavily modernised but there are some old features remaining, eg the terracotta tiled floor and the wooden beams (presumably artificial but nice nonetheless). My only negative comment is the fact service was a bit slow, I was standing at a bar with no staff behind it for about three minutes. Didn't try the food or look at the menu but I'd happily go there for a meal sometime.
8 Mar 2010 17:07
I wish I'd had more time between trains - I could have stayed in there all day! A huge selection of Thornbridge ales on offer, and very well balanced too - everything from the pale Jaipur to the coal black Raven. An open fire would be a wonderful addition, but I'm wondering if regulations prevent this, with it being on a station. I shall be popping back in the near future to spend an evening working my way through the handpumps!
1 Mar 2010 16:46
This is the new brewery tap of Amber Ales which has recently opened. I was happy to hear that Ripley had gained a pub worthy of visiting the town for, so I jumped on the next bus and took a trip. We were certainly not disappointed! A great selection of Amber Ales - I recommend the deliciously moreish chocolate orange stout! There are also barrels of real cider sitting on the bar too for you apple fans out there. The barman was incredibly friendly too. CAMRA members are given a discount so remember to take your cards.
1 Mar 2010 16:42
As it's not huge on ale I hadn't visited before. Though I was very satisfied when I did. The only ales on were Bass and Pedi (I had the Bass which was good, not perfect, but still enjoyable). The food on the other hand, in my opinion was absolutely gorgeous! It was the best gammon I've had in years! The price was also reasonable - �4.40 for gammon, pineapple, chips and salad. Barmaid and waitress were both very friendly. Will be going back soon.
19 Feb 2010 17:11
Not bad at all. Took me a while to figure out how to get to once I'd got off the train - if you're coming from Derby, cross the bridge, walk alongside the opposite platform and cross the bridge once again. Not owned by Castle Rock but I believe the landlord has something to do with them, so there's always a few of their ales on.
19 Feb 2010 17:07
I was very satisfied with the food and ale at this place. Although unfortunately we ordered a desert and seemed to forget about us. Would still go back though.
19 Feb 2010 17:04
The Vat and Fiddle, Nottingham
I've never found a bad brewery tap, and to be honest I don't think I ever will. I was only supposed to be nipping in for a quick pint between trains but I ended up spending most of the afternoon there! I don't think I need to elaborate any more on that. All it needs is an open fire and it will be complete.
19 Feb 2010 17:02
The landlord was a friendly enough geezer and the locals seemed quite friendly. The ale tasted good but unfortunately we thought it was a little too cold. It turned out my old school headmaster is a regular here so it can't be too bad!
18 Feb 2010 12:00
Not bad at all. Had some nice ale. Seems very popular with the more senior generation, I was the youngest in there by far. It's rather small too, so come early if you want a seat.
18 Feb 2010 11:55
The Old Poet's Corner, Ashover
Lovely place. The open fire was so welcoming after walking in from the cold. The range of ales was huge and the ones I tried were perfect. I didn't try the food but it sure looked tempting! I was very amused by the Christmas tree decorated with pump clips. Definately worth going out of the way for. Unfortunately I couldn't stay long as I was on a tight schedule with buses. I'll have to pop back sometime when I've found a designated driver!
18 Feb 2010 11:53
Great place. I'm not from the area and we just chose it by chance when we were visiting. Next time I'm around though, I'll be heading for here straight away. The ale was ace and the food was proper pub grub at a great price. The landlady seemed very friendly to me.
18 Feb 2010 11:49
As far as modern bars go, this one isn't too bad. Friendly and comfy. No real ale unfortunately.
18 Feb 2010 11:46
Not bad. Friendly landlady and locals. Not a huge range of beers, only ones from the big breweries. I suppose that's down to the fact it's an Enterprise Inns place. I bet a few local brews would attract more custom though.
2 Jan 2010 17:16
The bell has now reopened, and I called in today. It is a very welcoming and friendly place serving quality ale straight from the cask. Nothing beats sitting next to a real fire after walking across snowy fields. The only downside is the fact that prices are slightly above average. (�3.10 for a pint of Jaipur).
2 Jan 2010 17:12
Lovely place. Goes hand in hand with the Kelham Island Tavern Around the corner. Sitting next to a roaring coal fire drinking some of the best beer I've ever had - it doesn't get much better than this! Reminds me of the Alexandra Hotel in Derby in many ways.
3 Dec 2009 10:28
Well we went in again yesterday, first time since it was taken over. I must say things have gone up in the world! Staff were friendly and polite, the food was tasty and it came in good time. All it needs now is a carvery, and people would be flocking in!
30 Nov 2009 00:07
It's changed hands a couple of times recently so ale quality was a bit up and down for a while. However I am pleased to say that I had a fantastic time at the recent beer festival and the six I tried were all spot on. The friendly welcoming staff and atmosphere also remain.
4 Nov 2009 20:41
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham
It may be a tourist trap but it is also a great pub. The ale I had was in very good condition. It is certainly an experience sitting down with a pint whilst surrounded by rock!
21 Sep 2009 00:20
I love this place. So much in fact that the family have hired out the function room twice in the last year to hold parties, even though we live miles away! The staff are always incredibly friendly and always greet you with a smile, plus I've never had a less than perfect ale in here. It's also a multi room pub which always makes it seem that little bit more special. A perfect example of what a great British pub should be.
21 Sep 2009 00:15
Proper Irish pub, but unfortunately there was no music on when I was there. This was the place which gave rise to the Dubliners and there was also a movie filmed here in the 60s. It actually looks a bit tatty in places. A lick of paint and a good spring clean wouldn't go amiss.
21 Sep 2009 00:10
The only place I found in Dublin that did a cask ale. The pints of it I had weren't too bad. The other range of home brews (not cask conditioned, served dead and chilled from an electric pump) were nice, but if you're used to drinking real ale all the time they just don't seem satisfying enough. The layout of the pub is very unusual. I think there were three floors plus a basement, with staircases here there and everywhere, a bit like Hogwarts!
21 Sep 2009 00:07
If I had to choose a modern bar in Derby to go to rather than a pub, then this is the place I would go to. Not that I would do that anyway though, not with the great range of pubs Derby has to offer. I did end up going here with a few friends recently however and the thing that did please me was the fact you don't have to wait 15 minutes to be served unlike a lot of the bars round there. Unfortunately there's no real ale but there is a small range of international bottled beers, some of which are bottle conditioned.
21 Sep 2009 00:00
Since my last review this place has changed hands and has gone up in the world. It is now Belper's main real ale pub. There's always six ales on, three of which are regular and three of which are guests. The regulars are Tower East Mill Bitter (the pub's flagship beer named after the town's famous landmark), Exmoor Gold and Greene King Abbot. The three guests change regularly, in fact I don't think I've ever seen an empty pump there. The beers are all listed on a board outside the door, and they always seem happy to let you try before you buy. Needless to say, the beer always gets 10/10 for quality. There are also two real ciders available, one from the barrel and one from the handpump. The landlord seems to know exactly what he is doing, even though I've heard he doesn't drink! To top it off, the pub also boasts an open fire and traditional pub games. The staff are also very friendly and the regulars seem a nice bunch too. This is a perfect example of what a real British pub should be!
17 Sep 2009 14:58
The last two reviews look very suspicious as both of the users have only posted one review each. I'll be sure to visit soon and see if the new management team really have made an improvement to the shoddy service, and if they have they will not need to rely on self posted comments.
16 Sep 2009 13:13
I called in here today, after wanting to visit for quite a while. It was runner up in the county pub of the year award 2009, just being beaten by the Old Oak at Horsley Woodhouse (fair enough, it IS good). It certainly is a real ale drinkers paradise, though contrary to what the last reviewer said, there is now some nitro-keg. Probably recently added to boost sales. The porter I tried was among some of the very best I've ever had! I didn't try the food but it looked reasonably priced. If I lived nearer I'd be there on a regular basis.
25 Aug 2009 14:23
The Old Oak Inn, Horsley Woodhouse
Any ale fan who hasn't been here for a while MUST pay a visit sometime soon. Aswell as being a top notch pub, it also plays host to the recently opened RuRAD (Rural Real Ale Drinkers) bar at the weekend. Here you can choose from a large selection of mainly locally brewed ales served straight from the cask into an oversized pint glass, which usually means you actually get more than the pint you paid for! These are served through a stable door into a conservatory area. This is one pub that simply has NO CHANCE of closing down in the recession, simply due to the top notch beer served by decent staff in a friendly atmosphere that attracts people from all walks of life. It certainly deserves the titles of Derbyshire county pub of the year and East Midlands pub of the year. Again, if you've not been here yet, go now! You will never want to leave!
22 Aug 2009 22:48
I went in here whilst on a trip to London last year and I was very satisfied. So I returned this year, but unfortunately things didn't go so well. I was served a bad pint - it was very sour. I told the barman and fortunately he was apologetic and swapped it for something else. He also turned the pump clip round so that nobody else had the same problem. I'd like to say I would go back, but one bad pint is enough to put me off for life. It's a shame really as they do seem to be quite big on ales there, they have leaflets boasting about their upcoming guests etc. But if they can't look after the stuff then what's the point?
9 Aug 2009 00:54
The Butchers Arms, Oakerthorpe
We've nipped in here a few times recently for a meal and we'll definitely keep going back. The beer range has recently improved from just Pedigree to also include a guest (often Jennings but I believe I've seen an Adnams there too). The waitresses are all very polite and friendly from what I've seen.
5 Aug 2009 22:55
The Monsal Head Hotel, Monsal Head
We called in here whilst walking the Monsal Trail today. The beer I had was the self titled Monsal Head Ale which was absolutely top notch. Even my friend who normally drinks nitro keg bitter had a pint and was impressed. The restaurant seems to be in a different building to the pub itself (which was referred to as the stables bar). Only one fault - they refused to cook us a bowl of chips because "the kitchen staff wouldn't be able to keep up" (their words). Surely it can't be THAT hard to bung a few in the fryer!
5 Aug 2009 22:50
I spent a few days there recently so I simply had to call in. We were very impressed. The staff were nice (which is a HUGE plus in my book) and the beer was high quality. All 3 were from the Greene King range, it would have been nice to see a guest from another brewery there but the fact it was well kept was the main thing. Will definitely go back there next time I'm around.
5 Aug 2009 22:41
To update my last review, I've been again since and unfortunately I was once again let down by the slow service and the sheer unprofessionalism of SOME of the staff (I'm not saying they're all like that). We've decided to stop going there now, as we have decided to go back and give it another chance many times before with no improvement. It's such a shame really, as the place is in such a great location. If they upped the standards and perhaps added a carvery, they could absolutely rake in the dough.
5 Aug 2009 22:37
Friendly Marston's pub made up of two rooms and a small outdoor seating area. I couldn't fault the staff and the beer was pleasing. They do evening barbeques too, which unfortunately I was a bit early for. They hold an annual beer festival which I'd definitely go to.
5 Jul 2009 19:36
The Princess Victoria, Matlock Bath
It's alright. The staff were welcoming and very friendly I must admit. Unfortunately there was only one ale available, Bateman's XB, which couldn't top the quality of the XB at the Cross Keys in Belper. Quite a modern interior. I would certainly go back, and I'd probably try the food next time.
5 Jul 2009 19:33
Fantastic place! The customer service is absolutely outstanding and the food is amazing. You'll pay �9 for a main meal and it's worth every single penny! I would recommend both the rabbit pie and lamb & black pudding pie. The beer quality is great too. An absolute pleasure to visit, I will certainly be going back there and would recommend it to anyone!
21 Jun 2009 12:32
The Rambler Country House, Edale
I completely agree with the reviews posted here. The staff are useless! The barman wouldn't even say hello to me, the only thing he said the whole time I was at the bar was "three quid". He then kicked us out of a room after we'd sat down as it was "only the front two rooms" we could use, even though there were no signs or anything stopping us from going in. He wouldn't even give us a reason why. Needless to say we didn't stay for a meal in the end. AVOID at all costs!
21 Jun 2009 12:17
Horrible place. I called in there as they have recently started selling real ale again. The London Pride had gone, but they didn't bother turning the pump clip round. I had the Deuchars instead, which was cloudy and sour. They were blaring out loud heavy metal music the whole time I was in there, and I do mean LOUD, I could barely hear the person next to me, this was at midday. With all the great pubs in Derby, you can easily afford to give this one a miss!
3 Jun 2009 15:32
Not bad. I would say there are some Derby pubs more deserving of the title of pub of the year runner up. The beer was great though, that's the most important bit.
24 May 2009 23:30
Ignore my last review, I was referring to the BLACK Swan, just across the market place. One too many Bateman's XXXBs I think!
12 May 2009 16:28
The Great Western, Wolverhampton
Loved this place. It was quite difficult to find despite being right next to the station. The staff were VERY friendly and welcoming, and even cooked me a hot pork cob when I asked, even though they'd stopped serving food. Beer was top notch too!
12 May 2009 16:26
The Shakespeare Inn, Birmingham
Called in here to get out of the rain a few weeks ago. Good beer, good staff. Perhaps a tad too small for a city centre pub however. We were standing for five minutes before we got a seat. The food is served from a chimney (or at least an old chimney shaft converted for bringing it down from upstairs). Didn't try it but it seemed to be very popular amongst other customers.
12 May 2009 16:23
Called in here when I was in the area not long ago, after reading about it in the good beer guide. I was very impressed. The staff were friendly, the beer was perfect. It certainly deserves its pub of the year title. The views of the Malvern Hills which dominate the landscape behind the pub are spectacular. I loved the no swearing policy too, it's a shame they don't have them in more pubs.
12 May 2009 16:18
Seemed a bit dead when I went in. Four customers including me and the person I was with. Spacious open interior, large multi table pool lounge. The staff seemed friendly enough too. Any real pub fanatic should head two minutes down the road to the Brunswick or Alex though.
12 May 2009 16:11
The Innkeeper's Lodge Derby, Derby
Congratulations to the company (and thanks to everyone who contacted them) on the recent improvement of the quality of their real ales. I often visit here with my family and although I loved the food, I was always let down by the drink. Thankfully this no longer happens! This is now a nice friendly place with top food, (mostly) great staff and nice beer. Some may argue that it's one of the best things about Chad.
7 May 2009 16:30
The Silk Mill reopened today after being closed for nearly a year. The new landlord used to run the Olde Dolphin across the road so he sure knows his stuff. I nipped in for a couple today and was very impressed. There are now 6 or 7 ales on handpump. The two I had were perfect. They don't serve food now but they will happily provide you with plates and cutlery for you to eat anything you bring in! Be sure to visit soon, you will be impressed.
30 Apr 2009 22:53
Went here for the beer festival last weekend, not that it was my first time. The staff are very friendly and the beer is excellent. It's certainly very popular as I couldn't get a seat while I was there. The Holly Bush is less than 5 minutes walk away also, which is worth a visit.
29 Apr 2009 17:46
I wasn't overly impressed really. Seems a bit mucky in there, I imagine it's the kind of place where you wouldn't have been able to see because of all the smoke. Landlord was polite enough though.
29 Apr 2009 17:27
Nothing fancy, just a nice traditional place. Serves beers from the Marstons range. Most of the customers seem to be regulars and tend to all know eachother. Very quiet and relaxed inside.
29 Apr 2009 17:25
Any pub that serves ales straight from the cask HAS to be good surely, and I was not wrong! Best pub in Chesterfield in my opinion. Probably the easiest to find too, as it backs onto the grounds of the church. Make sure you visit the Royal Oak too!
29 Apr 2009 17:22
Standards must have upped a bit since the reviews on here were posted as I was very impressed! This has to be the second best pub in Chesterfield, just being beaten by the Rutland. The ale was absolutely perfect! The music doesn't seem to fit in well with the stone floors and wooden beams however.
29 Apr 2009 17:20
Another standard Spoons place. It's hard to top the ones in Derby though!
29 Apr 2009 17:17
Nice standard Spoons place, I prefer the Derby ones myself however.
29 Apr 2009 17:16
Came highly recommended from someone I know in the area. Good helpful friendly staff and a nice selection of ales, though I must admit I've never seen anything dark in there. Food is top notch too, don't forget to try the homemade chips!
29 Apr 2009 17:15
Very similar to its sister pub, The Markeaton, not too far away. It gets an equal review - good beer, good food and nice atmosphere. The range of ales might be slightly better in here - they had a stout when I was in there the other day, something you don't tend to see in many chain pubs.
1 Apr 2009 01:38
The Lion Hotel & Restaurant, Belper
Quite a posh interior. There's a sign outside boasting about a large selection of ales but I felt a bit disappointed when I went in. They ran a local beer festival last year, I couldn't make it but I'd certainly go down this year if they held one. I know some people who were very let down with the service at a private function they had there recently, but I suppose that's beside the point. As a pub, it's worth visiting.
1 Apr 2009 01:33
The Strutt Arms Hotel, Milford
Very friendly staff. Small range of nicely kept ales. I've had a few Sunday dinners there and I would certainly recommend it to anyone. Ale fans should make sure they visit the nearby Holly Bush and King William too.
29 Mar 2009 03:30
Mainly for locals really. I always used to go to the bonfires there when I was a kid. I re visited again a few weeks ago and felt very welcomed by the staff and the very friendly customers. If you happen to be passing then stop off there. Quite close to the Dead Poet's in Holbrook also if you fancy a walk.
29 Mar 2009 03:27
Anyone who visits the area should stop off here. The interior is excellent and the views outside are stunning.
29 Mar 2009 03:25
We used to visit here regularly for meals, but prices have shot up since it was refurbished, so it just depends how much you have to spend.
29 Mar 2009 03:22
Not in the best location unfortunately, but definitely worth heading out of the way for. Very friendly staff and regulars, first class beer, most of which is brewed on site. If you're in Derby and fancy a walk, this is where you should head for!
29 Mar 2009 03:15
A pub that lives two lives. One side of it serves 30 odd different ales, many of which are brewed on the premises (Headless Brewing Company). The other side is a concert hall. Do not let the outside fool you. Step inside and see for yourself.
29 Mar 2009 03:12
The Birthplace of Derby CAMRA. Very close to The Brunswick so be sure to visit both of them. Very friendly staff, most of them are part of the same family I think. Huge range of perfectly served ales. I often wonder why there aren't more people in. In a word, one of the very best pubs I've ever been to.
29 Mar 2009 03:09
A bit of a walk from the City Centre unfortunately, but if you can manage it then it's worth making the effort to visit. The lady on the bar was very friendly and made me feel welcome.
29 Mar 2009 03:05
Not in the Good Beer Guide, but the one I had was of very high quality and the lady who served me was incredibly friendly. Call in here between the Brewery Tap and the Smithfield.
29 Mar 2009 03:01
Massive range of very well kept ales in here. Could certainly do with a lick of paint and a very good spring clean however. Make the effort to visit this place on a Derby Ale Trail but try not to lean against the wall as you may well get covered in dust!
29 Mar 2009 02:59
VERY good Weatherspoons (recently rated 3rd best in the country). Currently holds the Derby CAMRA pub of the year award. Go in there for the ale! They have 17 handpumps, and a large LCD screen tells you what each one is, where it comes from and what type it is (light/bitter/porter/stout etc)
29 Mar 2009 02:56
A sort of half-Irish kind of place, but don't expect to see a bunch of people with fiddles and tin whistles. Very very friendly staff - they bring the Guinness over to you at the table. Lovely food. No real ale.
29 Mar 2009 02:54
Slightly out of the city centre up a little side street. Top quality beer and very friendly staff. Interior is quite plain really.
29 Mar 2009 02:51
Beer was fine, staff were fine. Probably the kind of place you'd call in on your lunch break rather than somewhere you'd go for a night out.
29 Mar 2009 02:49
Not bad at all. Not in the Good Beer Guide 2009, but I certainly had no complaints about the pint I had in there.
29 Mar 2009 02:48
Don't think of it as a pub. It's more of a clubby-dancey kind of place. If that's your thing then fair enough.
29 Mar 2009 02:47
One to visit on a crawl round Derby, but don't make it your first choice of venue. When I went in there were mainly young people in there and a few regulars.
29 Mar 2009 02:45
It's a Yates's. There's not really a lot more to say. The upstairs has three pool tables, the main reason I used to go there. If you're after a good pint head next door to the Standing Order, or slightly up the road to Ye Olde Dolphin.
29 Mar 2009 02:42
Any pub fan who visits Derby MUST visit here. Traditional unspoiled place with a flagstone floor and an open fire. Nice range of ales (though only one or two are guests, the others being from big commercial brewers). Has a lovely little snug in the middle.
29 Mar 2009 02:39
The Blessington Carriage, Derby
My dad used to love the Bless, and he was certainly a man who knew his pubs. Unfortunately it's gone downhill and is now only a shadow of its former self. There's plenty of other nicer places in the area, the Dolphin and the Flower Pot for example.
29 Mar 2009 02:32
I've often nicknamed this pub the Seven Seats due to its small interior. I was hoping for a wider range of ales, rather than Pedigree and one guest, but you can't have everything. If you go to Derby for a pub crawl then this is certainly one to visit, but if you're in Derby and have time to visit only one pub, this probably isn't the one to choose.
29 Mar 2009 02:30
Contrary to what has been said, I found the food very high quality. Yes it's a chain pub, but don't let that put you off. Good staff, good beer, good atmosphere.
29 Mar 2009 02:27
Half pub, half restaurant place. VERY friendly staff. Wide variety of guest ales changing every couple of days. Definitely worth going out of the way to visit.
29 Mar 2009 02:23
Please don't think of this as your average Spoons. The interior is very impressive and the huge range of beers are perfectly kept. In fact I recently read that this was the number one Wetherspoons in the country as far as real ale is concerned. If you visit on a Friday or Saturday night however, don't expect to be served straight away as it gets VERY busy.
27 Mar 2009 19:46
A complete success story. This time last year it was closed and boarded up, but now it gets packed out regularly. Now run (and owned maybe?) by the Derby Brewing Company so it always serves a good range of their ales. Also known as The Royal Standard.
27 Mar 2009 19:42
Best pub in Derby by far. Nice multi roomed pub with a flagstone floor. Most of the ales are brewed on the premises (you can have a glance at the brewery through a window) and are kept in perfect condition, as you would expect. If you come to Derby on the train for a pub crawl, make sure this is the first place you visit when you arrive, and the last place you visit before you leave.
27 Mar 2009 19:37
The Barley Mow Inn, Kirk Ireton
The best pub I've ever been in! The landlady/lord and regulars are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Has four perfectly kept ales (mainly local) served directly from the cask. Lovely old interior with an open fire.
27 Mar 2009 19:33
Great location, right next a weir on the River Derwent. If you're going to visit it make sure you go in summer and sit outside. The location and the food are the two reasons to visit. On the downside, I've often found some of the staff quite unprofessional and the beer quality isn't exactly perfect. Like I say, go there for a meal, but if you're going for a drink, head over to the Holly Bush or King William.
27 Mar 2009 19:31
Absolutely brilliant! Lovely little Olde Worlde place made up of two main rooms, a snug and a large conservatory. Easily the best Pedigree I've ever had (it's served from the jug). Also has some top notch guest ales and hand pulled cider. The barmaid gave me the friendliest welcome I've ever had when I walked in.
27 Mar 2009 19:27
When I went in, there was only one ale on (Bass) despite there being several hand pumps. The barman was very welcoming and friendly though. Don't forget to visit the Dead Poet's a few yards down the road also.
27 Mar 2009 19:23
Brilliant place! If you can manage the walk, be sure to call in there after visiting the Holly Bush in Makeney. Incredibly popular, even in the middle of the week - I couldn't get a seat! Beers are all top notch, and theres some hand pulled cider too.
27 Mar 2009 19:21
Why this isn't in the Good Beer Guide I don't know. There's a good range of well kept guests. It's always been very quiet in there when I've been in. There's two rooms with a central bar, and a small yard out the back with a few seats.
27 Mar 2009 19:18
Friendly staff and good beer, what more can you ask for really. One of the two Belper pubs in the Good Beer Guide (the other being the Cross Keys). They sometimes have live music in there if that's your thing.
27 Mar 2009 19:15
Bit of a mixed one this. Used to be in the Good Beer Guide but has been removed this year. I've definitely no complaints about the quality of the ale however. The place could certainly do with a bit of a refurb. What put me off however was the fact that the barman was swearing in a converstation to the person next to me when pulling my pint. Depends whether that bothers you or not really.
27 Mar 2009 19:13
Closed down, not that it was ever any good in the first place. Recently reopened as Hackett's Bar.
27 Mar 2009 19:09
Quite a modern interior. Very good beer, a member of LocAle. Lovely landlord and landlady. Right next to the Cross Keys so be sure to call in there afterwards.
27 Mar 2009 19:08
Easily the best pub in Belper. Nice atmosphere, very friendly staff and perfectly kept ale. You will definately not be disappointed.
27 Mar 2009 19:05
Little Chester Ale House, Derby
Brilliant place. Worth getting the bus or a taxi as it's a longer walk out of town than you think. Beers top notch. Closes far too early but presumably that's out of their control.
18 Sep 2015 14:08