please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The County was my final port of call in Gosforth. It was reasonably busy inside and has a traditional feel to it. It is a John Barras pub with more ales than I've previously seen in their establishments. They had a County Gosforth Best Bitter, Anarchy Urban Assault, Ossett Clearwater, Three Kings Billy Mill, Great North Eastern Rivet Catcher, Wylam Angel & Gold Tankard, Wells Bombardier, Greene King IPA & Caledonian Deuchars IPA. Thatchers Cheddar Valley cider was also stocked. Nice pub. But my only gripe would be the price. £2.05 for a half of cider is more expensive than in London. But I suppose Cheddar Valley is rarely seen in these parts. No CAMRA discount on cider either (but there was on ales).
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visited a couple of times last week when in Newcastle. a great range of real ales and a good drinkers pub. friendly staff.
a couple of minor criticisms - there's a strong smell of stale beer on entering, also, the gents loos smell dreadful and need a good clean. both problems could be solved by cleaning and ventilation.
overall though, a good pub.
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A great little local pub. Yeah, it's changed a little in the last decade and the decor isn't quite as homely as it was but it's still a fab place. Always packed which what feels like proper 'locals' and the staff are fantastic. Still good for real ales if that's you're after.
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I rarely get through to Gosforth now but have many happy memories of the County and Brandling Arms. Especially, though, the County.
Located on the High Street and served excellently by public transport, this public house is an ideal local and a very pleasant one.
Not being a drinker, as such, through medical reasons more than any other, I have found all of my recent visits to the County to be very pleasant and the staff are all excellent and sociable. Especially, Emma who always gives a very welcoming smile and is very efficient. (Oh, she's a dab hand in the kitchen, too)
The food is excellent, as is the selection and the meals that I have had there have been cooked to perfection and have had an abundance of flavour.
I have never sensed, as one does in many locals these days if not a regular punter, a feeling of being an outsider. The atmosphere has always been a warm one.
Overall, ten out of ten.
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Blacksheep,daleside,davenports,deuchars,fullers,smiths & spitfire all on when i was in.
anonymous - 17 Aug 2009 13:33 |
I've been going in The County for years and it remains a decent pub with a nice, civilised clientele; however, I recently noticed a couple of very rough and surly looking men in there, one of whom was swaying around the bottom end of the bar and eye-balling people relentlessly (even threatening one innocuous middle-aged man). This is the only time I've ever seen this sort of behaviour in The County and I hope it is a one-off, otherwise I will certainly not be setting foot in the place again.
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Certainly my favourite of all the Gosforth pubs. The recent changeover hasn't made much of a difference for me as I'm not a fan of the real ales, preferring a good pint of the black stuff instead - which to be honest is not that bad in this pub. Seating is comfortable, and the pub is always nicely busy giving it a warm atmosphere. I often use this pub as a meeting point before going to the local restaurants and it's always been a winner with my guests.
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What is wrong with you people? The County, like all the pubs on the High street has changed over the years. Breweries and managers, beers and customers come and go.
If you are looking for a fetching aroma from a traditional pub carpet, go to the Gosforth. If you've got a lot of time on your hands (to get served) go to the Brandling, or if you just want to spend your hard earned child benefit, disability benefit or jobseekers allowance, you'll meet many like minded souls in the Job Bullman.
The County has had over 40 guest ales in June for the discerning bellringer, rambler and grey bearded type who enjoy chewing their beer rather than drinking it. And believe it or not, the recent clement weather has even attracted some of those women things, which never happened in the good old days.
The County is still the only pub on the High street that can truly be called 'The Local'.
David the manager, the lovely Emma, Richard (not so lovely) and the rest of the staff are doing a great job in difficult times, and deserve a little more credit for their efforts.
The County also has a quiz night every Wednesday without a quizmistress who has an irritating voice, probably can't spell diarrhoea and punters who cheat on 'their' stolen Blackberries.
Why don't you give it a try
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What a shame - was one of the best a few years ago but now ruined.
Ale was OK - I didn't take it back but I didn't want aa second one!
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Seems to have had a revamp but not my cup of tea
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since gary and claire left and the pub reopened under spirit both the choice and quality of ale has gonedown. Is this another pub the spirit group are going to ruin.
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Have to agree with the 18 December posting. This pub has gone downhill since the new landlady took over. Gone is the large variety of local and not so local "small brewery" ales to be replaced by Landlord, Deuchars IPA etc. Nothing wrong in the ales themselves but the variety has gone, there were only 5 on last night , all from big name brewers. The bar staff seem uninterested as well. Hopefully the pub is not going the way of some other Gosforth Pubs, serving a wide range of lager.
PINZA - 12 Feb 2009 14:15 |
I always thought that this was a devcent pub but last week I went in and the young man collecting the glasses, thinking that my (almost full) pint was dead, threw the dregs from another pint into it and took it away. When I asked the Manageress (new) if I could have a replacement, she said that this was not policy and that it was my fault for not looking after my pint. When I replied that I though that this was not the act of a good publican, she responded "I have been assessed as being one of the top ten publicans in this chain; that tells me that I am right and that you are wrong. This was said very aggresively. Until this lady goes on her way, this is a pub to be avoided.
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best ale house in the northeast. great selection of beers. staff who take time to talk to you. beer quality is fantastic.
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Best pub in Gosforth. Attentive staff willing to talk about the history of the place. There is a plaque on the wall outside listing the pubs lineage.
Beers were varied and well kept. Highly recommended.
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The beer is very good. Can be a bit cliquey but that is true of a lot of locals anyway. Food is nice - had sausage and mash one time which was good. Atmosphere is good - never any trouble.
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Great selection of tasty, well-kept ales. Food served until 8 most nights, it's inexpensive and of a good quality. Plenty of snacks to choose from. There are some tables outside if it's full (often) and a car park.
The staff are friendly and helpful, and know their stuff very well - will recommend you a nice ale if you're baffled by the huge range. A splendid pub and one of my favourites.
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This is by far the best pub in the toon for a decent pint. The Directors is 'specially worth a shot, and helgas big jugs keeps you warm during the long cald winters. Guest ales make regular outings on taps kept to be changed more often than the toons' managers in recent years. And for the icing on the cake try a ruby at The Ahad next door... it's the stuff of dreams for any self respectin' real ale and curry lover..
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Pretty good for the real ale drinkers. massive inside
Porky - 8 Nov 2003 18:12 |
Great old style northern boozer - 9 proper beer pumps and a small Kronenbourg pump tucked away for the bufties.
Olly - 10 Feb 2003 14:33 |
