please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Button must have stuck and double posted. Would have made comment in relevant place but the St.Julians isn't listed and they don't seem to add any new entries anymore.
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Three posts for this pub - but two about another! Sober up m8.
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Actually found (surprise, surprise seeing how crap this site is descending to) that the St.Julians just on the edge of Caerleon had the best ale in the vicinity
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Actually found (surprise, surprise seeing how crap this site is descending to) that the St.Julians just on the edge of Caerleon had the best ale in the vicinity
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Made the mistake of going for San Miguel because of the crap I got from the White Hart but the Reverend James that was ordered just before I asked for a pint did look good. Okay pub with nice view over he river usk.
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After visiting some of Caerleon's tourist sites, we retreated to this Brain's pub next to the River Usk. It has plenty of seating next to what is not the most picturesque river you'll ever see. The ales were Rev James, SA Gold & Crowded Hops. We joined the throngs enjoying the sunshine outside. But there were plenty of customers drinking and dining inside too.
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Decent enough riverside pub, although when the tide is out there's more mud than river to look at! Good selction of well presented and well kept Brains ales with a couple of guests on too. Didn't try the food but it looked pretty good value. Well worth a visit.
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The new landlord and staff have really freshened up the place and its always weloming with plenty of choice of beers.
The foods all hearty fayre and the short menu is a good thing!
So you just know its all cooked to order (NB always beware of extensive menus and their ping of Mwaves)
Its location in Caerleon is its best asset and they seem to know it. The Newport buses stop right outside so there's no need to drive there, although it has a carpark too.
A good mix of punters age groups means it universally popular .Not chasing the fickle alcopopper market like some other pubs.
keep it up guys!
Stuee - 17 Dec 2011 20:39 |
Called in last Saturday afternoon after our walk around Caerleon since we knew it had a lovely seating area overlooking the river. Was not impressed to be told we had to have our drinks in plastic glasses since we wanted to sit outside. That spoiled the experience for us.
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I rather enjoyed my meal there this evening nice clean looking pub I have seen it change hands few times over the years but can see an improvement with the current landlady /landlord food was typical pub grub but at a reasonable price menu could have a bit more selection would be happy to to take the children along and have a family meal there plenty of seating and good service ,would actually go as far as saying was much better than the service i received at the bell inn more recently which had poor food at a silly price seriously overrated.Will definatley be going back to handbury again and also the bull inn in caerleon from both of which i have received excellent service when it has come to food
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Brains house - Brains Bitter, SA & Rev James plus Abbot Ale and two casks in a corner marked "Real Ale Bar" where it appears that the remnants of the guest casks are placed for regulars to sample for free.
The building is great - it has a round stone tower in one corner of uncertain origen (but certainly not Roman or Norman as claimed, as round towers are of more recent design). The walls are thick and rustic, and the place gives the feel of antiguity. The setting is right by the muddy bend of the tidal Usk, and would look more attractive when the tide is in.
There is seating outside by the river, though access is from the side doors as the bar level is one floor higher. There is also a beer garden out the front by the road - which is greener, but lacks the river view.
There are three main rooms - a plain dining room with windows overlooking the Usk, a main bar with stone fire place (surmounted by a plasma TV screen) and two bay windows - the larger one is where Tennyson wrote Morte D'Arthur, and a plaque marks the event, and the smaller bar room with sofas and the Real Ale corner.
The menu is interesting, and the food home-cooked rather than warmed in a microwave. Excellent value for money, though slightly over-cooked if arriving toward the end of lunch (2.30).
The history of the place, the location, the range of beers, the curiosity of the building itself, makes this a notable pub worth seeking out if travelling in the area. Certainly the village itself is worth stopping for with the Roman remains to view.
However it is a shame the current landlords lack the energy and imagination to make the most of what they have. Perhaps they are satisfied with the customers they get, drawn by the history and location, and don't bother to make the extra effort. The place is in need of refurbishment. The pub carpet smells old and damp, the furnishings are clearly overdue for replacement, and the varnished tables are scratched and graffitied. The beer was not in tip top condition (not sold quickly enough - perhaps sell fewer brands - five different casks is clearly too many to sell in two days), and the service was really not good enough. I had to correct the barmaid twice on the beer I wanted. The barmaid smelled strongly of body odour, and when asked how long the meal would be, replied: "Depends on how many are in front of you" - well, clearly! But how many is that, and how quickly can the cook deal with each order? Given that she was the only person serving in a pub which had a total of eight customers, I would have thought that would be within her capability. Later when my wife asked for a Rev James she came back with what was clearly the wrong beer even though I heard her clearly ask for the James. This is a shame. Given better management and keener staff this pub would be top marks. As it is, it's a must visit, but be aware of potential problems.
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Nice old building with nice beer garden by river let down by lazy staff tables full of glasses and slow to serve you could be a lot better
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Nice old building with nice beer garden by river let down by lazy staff tables full of glasses and slow to serve you could be a lot better
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Good range of Brains cask beer (including Dark Mild) all served to a good standard.
Food basic but decent. Quite big inside, and quite a locally client�le - reception could be mistaken for frostiness.
Super views of the River Usk outside add an extra dimension to what would otherwise be just a good ale pub.
No gem, but worth seeking out if you're in the area.
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I have repeatedley tried to like this pub due to its location, BUT unfortunately I can't. The beer is often flat, and some of the staff behind the bar are unaware of the correct way to pour a pint. I was completely shocked to discover that when we had a meal and asked for some more gravy we were told that we couldn't have any as all sachets are allocated with the meals proving that budgeting comes before good customer service. The steaks were over cooked and when we complained about this they did not offer to replace them with medium rare steaks as ordered and we were not offered any discount or refund. The staff have no interest in customer service and neither do the management. Each year I hope this will change but after 5 years I can homestly say I have now given up hope.....
anonymous - 3 Mar 2006 15:11 |
its a nice pub in a nice location, particuarly outside in the summer. it sevrves decent pub food and the locals seem to be middle aged or older, worth popping in for a pint but maybe not somewhere to stay all night, certianly not the worst pub in the village
anonymous - 23 Sep 2005 12:30 |
Great beer. Good value Sunday roast. Get there early though as they have a tendency to run out.
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