please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This pub is slightly away from the centre of Rochford. It's listed in the current Good Beer Guide. But it has clearly been closed and has only just re-opened under new ownership. Doom Bar was the only ale. Still £1 for a J2O (I was driving) seemed very good value. A beer garden at the rear looks as if it could be quite pleasant given a bit of attention. I hope they can get this place back up and running again. But on this occasion, it wasn't the best.
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Ive been here in different parties and was catered for as I would hope for each time.
One of the young barmaids working recently couldnt have been less pleased to see me as I popped in as the bell went one night, but on the whole the staff are friendly.
Sandbag is the star in this pub for me. So called after the recent floods that forced a fairly long closure last year. Shame as the pub is set down from a short but significantly steep incline from the road, so they really cop it when theres a prolonged downpour.
Ive always found the landlord to be a thoroughly decent chap, so I cant agree with some of the comments others have made. Well worth a visit in a fairly crowded area of competition - Rochford. To me, this and the Golden Lion are clearly the best pubs in Rochford.
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I thought this was a nice, homely pub. Visiting around Christmas time, it was nicely decorated and the staff were friendly. No sign of any mouthy clientele as alluded to in previous reviews, was a very quiet Thursday night. I had a pint of Urban Dusk which was in good nick. Two other hand pumps on, Brentwood Best and one other, can't remember the name, sorry. Couldn't stay too long, but would definitely go back.
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Revisted last Friday ,same comments as 6 months ago really,an unsavoury bunch there , we asked around ,it appears many of these "people" are not welcome in the surrounding pubs.We moved as far away as possible and did manage to drink some good ales in there .
We noted this pub is in the current CAMRA Good Beer Guide,hope any of CAMRA's heiracy dont chose to try this pub out on a Friday evening !!
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We visited on a friday recently ,one corner was taken over by what appeared to have been a crowd of drunken builders,lots of bad language and shouting,felt sorry for some respectable diners there,landlord seemed totally oblivious and spent most of his time outside smoking. However some decent beers served by a very pretty and friendly barmaid.
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Nice pub ,excellent choice of real ales in top condition,some very rare to the area, we are told the cellarman orders the beers,he is to be commended. Previous comments re the landlord,yes he does come over as a little miserable.
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I entirely agree with Poundland99. This is the second visit I've had spoilt by these "customers" who are no doubt banned from the other pubs. Needs a male presence to sort them out - clearly that was lacking last night.
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Shame when a few feral partons can ruin the evening for so many others. Landlord has taken his eye off the ball completely, needs to get a grip soon
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A great pub with an excellent choice of bitter. The landlord is very friendly too. Definately worth a visit.
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I can understand (although not necassarily agree with) many of the previous comments. Busy during the afternoon break from Rochford beer festival - not sure that the staff were really up to the number of punters - but I'm amazed that this is the "best" CAMRA pub in the area. The 3 beers that I tried were fine rather than good - get rid of the sparklers though.
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A good pub ruined by a Spiv of a landlord - damn sure camra must get free beer "pub of the year" it aint
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Excellent pub with great beer & good food too. Staff friendly too.
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pub of the year dont make me laugh full of people than live in a carvan, is someone from camra geting free beer to make this place the best pub in SEE or do they not get about much, better of in the golden lion in fact better of staying in.
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Camra South East Essex pub of the Year hence our recent visit. Six hand pumps; Green Jack Canary, Vale Best Bitter, Mighty Oak Maldon Gold & Memory Loss, Sharps Special and Wyre Piddle Artist. Four of the hand pumps seem to have tight swan necks but the other two are ok. Some of our beers were poured into John Smiths branded glasses which really annoys me so I asked for a jug for the next one. Most of the beers seemed to be �2.70. It is an open plan bar that lets in lots of light on a nice day. A TV was on with Sky Sports News Channel. I have to say I do prefer the Golden Lion and cannot understand S/E Essex's choice this year.
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Not bad at all and a lot better than it was pre-name reversion. Friendly landlord, good beer and an honest menu make for a popular pub. Good range of bitters too, if that's your bag. Recommended.
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An excellent pub for young and old alike. Since taking over the management then Caroline and Danny have doine a great job in maintaining the food standards - I think it's very much on the rise now with some great offerings and selections. The real ale is of a very good, high standard with excellent choices and the clientele has grown because of the recognised effort and good works on festivals (beer, cider, music fests)from the new management. I'm fan and you will too soi get yourself along.
Beertaster59 couldn't be more wrong.
Mcloj - 22 Sep 2008 11:03 |
sorry but a shit hole!
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We've just been back here for the first time since it changed back to the Horse and Groom, and it's lovely.
I think counted five good beers; the interior has been spruced up and there's plenty opf seating outside. Even the roadside benches are pleasant when the garden is full. Anotehr good pub in Rochford
Royed - 29 Jul 2008 18:39 |
what has happened to this pub it was going somewhere under blanchfields but the old doom and gloom is back, who is the new land lord no sense of being able to run a pub, i went in on a saturday night and only two other people there, try the golden lion much better people and beer.
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An excellent real ale pub, food always good.
Has reverted to its original name Horse & Groom.
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Good luck to Steve on his departure - I've been an infrequent visitor for the past 2 years. Steve had a great ale selection and seemed to be blessed with young, willing staff but he needed to be more of a friendly figure in his own boozer and look to the staff good works a lot more. There's great potential here if you get it right. I like the place, layout, party nights, festivals etc and the Sunday lunch was great earlier in the day and value for money.
anonymous - 12 Oct 2007 12:47 |
The pub is now in new hands following Steve's departure on ill health. Dan has little knowledge of Real Ale but has made an excellent start with encouragement from his staff. It's going to be a tough act to follow but early signs are very encouraging. Worth keeping an eye on. Going there tonight ......
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Hard to fault - excellent beer (Porter particularly) and good mix of food/drink. Not the cosiest/friendliest pub though, especially in view of strong local competition.
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Moved here from another local pub. If you're in the Rochford area you're already in the right place for the Ale. If you want oldstyle serving, make your way to the Golden Lion. If you want a good selection with a bar like feeling and tidy beer garden goto Blanchfields. Lets face it, the Golden lion is good but the newly built Beer garden is a little like sitting on a spanish building site!
Never a complaint from this pub and found the staff polite, quick to serve and friendly!
anonymous - 22 Sep 2006 11:32 |
plenty of real beers with emphasis on local ones. Atmosphere variable ... all bar staff friendly enough
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Great beer, but no atmosphere [6.30 on a Saturday].
I admire what they are trying to do with the real ale, but the place is just anodyne.
Go to the Golden Lion instead, much more fun.
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Now the proud and much deserved winner of the South East Essex CAMRA Pub OF The Year 2006.Give it a try.
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formally the Horse and Groom.Now the brewery tap of Blanchfields Brewery. Newly refurbished to a good standard. Normally 6 real ales and a cider on tap. Friendly staff and a good choice of food. occasional beer festivals held.
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