please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
One of the highlights of the week, tried to visit here a couple of years ago but couldn't find it as it's below eye level (also suspect the pub sign was off the wall being re-painted).
Although fairly busy the owner took time out to come and have a chat, and having established we weren't staying close (in Chester) gave us some good advice about where to eat.
Only down side was there weren't any of their own (McGiven) beers on so had a pint of Facer's Flintshire Bitter, which was pretty good.
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I was due to be travelling through Ruabon with possibly time for a stop-off, so I had a look in the GBG to see whether they had anything listed, and spotted this place. Very glad I made the decision to drop in.
As expected it is next to the bridge on the main road – but also about 5 or 6 feet below the level or the road, and the grandly named “Bridge Street” (the official address) is very small and insignificant. On entering through the front door, you are immediately presented with a choice of unmarked doors – to left or right ? Choose the one to the right, as that leads to the main bar, which is long narrow and low beamed with (as per the season), a roaring fire at the far end.
There was a choice of 6 or 7 real ales on tap, most of them of some interest. I went for the McGiverns Matt Black a 5.3% stout, brewed on the premises that was very nice.
There wasn’t any room to sit at the main bar, so I was ushered through another door into a smaller room at the back, on a higher level. This also had a fire, and also a hatchway to the bar, though you weren’t allowed to order there (a notice said so). Both rooms had newspapers, brochures, leaflets and bookcases full of well thumbed books. Very much a living collection.
I’m not sure about food. Nothing I saw advertised any, but when a couple opposite me got up to leave, they cleared some plates away. I suspect the food might be of the “pork pie” variety ?
7/10 – a warm welcome, I will be back
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Always call here before train home,well run community pub run by the Mcgivern family. Good selection of well kept beers
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Stopped off here a couple of weeks ago to check out last year's national pub of the year. This is a pleasant little village local a few minutes walk from the railway station and home to the McGivern Brewery. Whilst a good pub, I think there are better pubs around the country. The bar staff were friendly and eager to impart their excellent knowledge of beer. Locals also seemed to be well up on their ales. Beers on were Salopian Darwin's Origin, Hobsons Mild, McGivern Bridge Bitter, Bridge Pale & Pyramid Porter, Tatton Blonde & Montys Moonrise. Ciders were Abrahalls Thundering Molly & Rosies Triple D. A good pub and certainly worth a visit if you're in this neck of the woods.
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Visited again this afternoon, really good to see it busy mid-afternoon on a Sunday.One McGivern beer on (Decipher). Beer quality good, except for Orme Best, which tasted like it had a brewery fault, rather than cellermanship.
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I had to come to this pub because everyone raved about it being the best in the country. I wasn't disapointed as the beer was good, better than most but didn't have the atmosphere and allure some of the others have. No surprise really, it was very rowdy, packed to the rafters. For that reason we didn't stay long, It could be much nicer if not so popular so a victim of it's own success I suppose and in times of economic hardship it is a big shame for other places who seemed to be struggling.
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Good pub in a convenient location off the train, though not deserving of poty imho, i have been to many, far superior pubs in GB. The beer was very nice and I enjoied a pie. The bar fella took lots of time to talk to us about beer, a lot. No music, very much a quiet afternoon place, personally I'd only want to stay for two. Well done for turning this closure into a nice little pub, keep up the good work!
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Visited for the 1st time last weekend. They had two of their own brewed McGiverns Ales on tap. Both home brews were very good quality. Very friendly staff . Loads of Beer clips from a wide range of breweries adorn the walls and ceilings. Current CAMRA National Pub of the Year. Handy for Ruabon Station.
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had to visit after a few good comments from friends.small old fashioned pub with low ceilings.small collection of books to pass away the time and 5 real ales on the go.locals seem a friendly lot.swot up on conference football before you go so you know how the robins are getting on!handy for ruabon station for trains to chester.i`ll be making another call!
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Cracking pub. Ticks all the boxes. A worthy winner of CAMRA National POTY 2012. Can't wait to go again.
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Congratulation on the CAMRA National Pob of the Year award. Recently visited this great friendly local. Good beer and there was live irish music on the evening we visited. cosy real fire also added to the great atmosphere. Keep up the good work.
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UK CAMRA pub of the year for 2012, and well deserved, in what (NE Wales) used to be a real ale desert. A must visit if you are in the area.
mps77 - 16 Feb 2012 17:56 |
Wonderfully characterful pub, with a real sense of a village local used by all. Excellent beer, including darker local ale, with only down side being size and skightly eccentric (inattentive to some) service. A possible new classic.
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Looks and feels much more like a country pub than one on a busy road through a small town. Good range of real ales from local breweries, including a first-class Old Wavertonian stout from the Spitting Feathers Brewery. Good, friendly atmosphere too.
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I agree that it's friendly although given that everyone was drunk at the time of my mid-afternoon visit, the experience was somewhat bizarre. No hassles though and I'd go there again.
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NICE WELCOMING COUNTRY STYLE PUB, GOOD FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY AND LOVELY BEER GARDENS
MRS JONES - 15 Jun 2006 21:18 |
Friendly, traditional pub with plenty of charater.
Mrs Jones - 17 May 2006 23:53 |
