Anderson, Fortroseback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Simply one of the finest beer experiences I have had over a three day stay here. The list of Belgian beers is probably better than any other in the country and XX Bitter and Popperings Hommelbier were particular highlights. An (obviously) smaller but still very enjoyable range of very well kept cask beer as well.
Jim is simply the best of hosts as both hotelier, resteraunter and publican, full of loud, engaging American charm. Fantastic food cooked by his wife as well.
The Whisky Bar is beautiful and the cosiest, loveliest place you can imagine to while away your time. And a classical music jukebox...this is far better than listening to crap 80's/90's/contemporary pop and I say that as someone who isn't really a classical music buff. It just lends a classier air to the place.
Ranks with me with De Garre in Bruges as about the perfect place to enjoy any, but particularly Belgian, beer.
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I will happily stick my neck above the parapet and say that this is one of the best drinking establishments that I have ever been in. What a welcome change from the norm to come to a pub with this much character combined with a touch of inspired quirkiness and charm. The man himself (Jim Anderson) and his staff are absolutely fantastic at what they do - hospitality. We went in here for two consecutive nights during our recent trip around Scotland and on both nights walked away very, very happy - if a little wobbly.
Jim is a great man to talk to about all things beer-related and on our 2nd night gave us a free snifter of what was going to come on next as we were moving on the next day. The rest of the staff were all very helpful too with advice of places to perhaps go on our next two ports of call before heading back to "Englandshire".
Where else - particularly in Scotland - can you find a place that does real cider, real ales, belgian beers (on draught and in bottles), numerous other noteable world beers and around 200 whiskies - all with a fantastic welcome like that?
10/10
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Well holburnboy I have been to over 5000 pubs in the UK including over 300 in Scotland and I think it is ONE of the best. Jim Anderson is passionate about beers and brewing, about wines and about Malts. The dining room is a little gloomy but I certainly did not feel underfed on any of the 3 nights I ate there. I was made to feel most welcome in the Public bar (not always the case for a Sassenach in Scotland) and I found the bedrooms clean and comfortable and reasonably priced. I will definitely revisit
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Paid a visit to the pub part of the building prior to dinner in the restaurant.
Five handpumps, five foreign ales on keg. I had something called Blonde Moment which was a light, golden ale. It was nice, but would have been nicer if it had been a couple of degrees colder. I also had a pint of Deuchars which was okay. The pub is dark and traditional but definitely in need of some sprucing up.
The food I ate was good. I had the seafood chowder as a starter - it was nice but there wasn't much of it! I had venison filet for the main course and it was good. My friend had steak which he found to be mediocre. I would say the prices are a bit on the expensive side.
We then visited the Whiskey Bar, where I had a pint of Brewdog Hardcore IPA which was strong (9%) but excellent.
Reading the previous comments, I have to wonder how many pubs any of these people have been to. 'Best pub in Scotland'? I don't think so.
A good pub, nonetheless.
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Smashing pub with a decent choice of beers - 4 or 5, plus an extensive range of Belgian beers. The bar staff are great - knowledgeable and friendly. The Plough in Rosemarkie is only a short walk away if you want to combine a visit.
chick - 11 May 2009 10:07 |
Ok, I will add. 45 bottled European beers, most of them excellent. Five British ales on handpumps. Gourmet food (the landlord's wife, who trained in Boston and is a qualified chef (I think he said she's been Michelin starred. I assume that means she cooks a good meal, rather than been run over by a certain brand of tyre). An amazing jukebox with real music rather than the crap dished out by S, A and W and their unworthy successors.
The building itself is a quaint neo-Gothic delight and the landlord is superb at his job. Coming here is one of the most enjoyable things you can do in the Inverness area. This is imho the best pub in Scotland, was Highland CAMRA POTY recently and stands as a model to other pubs.
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What can I add to the previous posts? This is the best pub in Scotland. What's gone wrong with the Scottish pub industry? Why do we need an American to show us how it should be done? Ach!
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One of the Great Pubs of Scotland, excellent ales, Exceptional Food, and a real fire. Worth going to the Black isle for this place alone.
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What an ABSOLUTE find - my favourite pub EVER I think. Visited when we went to Scotland on holiday and shall definately be back.
Lovely looking pub in gorgeous surroundings, small cosy bar, friendly welcome and a STUNNING range of beers, ales and spirits.
My husband and I sampled several of the belgian beers on offer as well as well as the ales. Jim was a great host and suggested some beers that we'd like and my husband was chuffed to have someone to chat to about how great ale was!
The locals were all really friendly and although we didn't try it, as my mum had cooked for us before we went out drinking, the food smelt and looked absolutely gorgeous and we shall definately be trying it when we return in September 07.
I'm rating this pub 10 out of 10 - if it was a little closer to London this would be my local for sure! Any chance of opening a second one down South?
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160+ single-malts
60 Belgian beers
Real ale carefully maintained
Highly unusual food
"...a beer drinkers mecca." CAMRA Good Beer Guide
(I am the owner so I will just stick to the basic facts, tempted as I am to give my pub a glorious review!)
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