please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
BBF's Fortitude, Nova, Independence and Holler were on sale on cask on Saturday with Moor's Italia'Hop as a guest. 6 keg beers as well (with 3 of them priced in excess of £5 a pint), again all from the Bristol area (apart from the Siren Craft Yu Lu). Although nobody has posted a review on this site for nearly 5 years, I can reassure readers that the views across the water are still the same!
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Enjoyed a beer with a view of SS Great Britain and a summer sunset. Good atmostphere inside.
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Went here (Sat 5th Jan) after the Bag o' Nails and what a difference. The barman was very chatty - although fairly busy - and was keen to talk about Bristol Beer Factory beers (which they seem to feature). The beer I tasted was good and the whole atmosphere very convivial. I shall certainly revisit next time I'm in Bristol.
martyngs
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The trendy atmosphere might put some people off but the Bristol beers are reliable. It might be a bit grim in winter but on our vist the weather was beautful for enjoyment of the waterfront activities.
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Like the previous poster, 'Blackthorn', we visited this on a fairly cold saturday night, and I beleive this effected the atmosphere a little. It was a little bit cold inside, whilst all the windows were heavily condensated, so any view was rendered impossible.
That said, the bar had a decent selection of BBF beers, served by a friendly barman, so it wasn't all bad. just probably better on a warm afternoon !
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The beer is excellent and the staff very friendly. Great place on a sunny day. Without a doubt worth a visit.
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Really nice views, rather bland BBF beers, but everyone has got their views on the beer, and the Ashton Press is at 3.50 a pint, ouch!! Great belly of pork sunday lunch and a lovely if rather pricey cheese board. I like the place.
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Really nice views, rather bland BBF beers, but everyone has got their views on the beer, and the Ashton Press is at 3.50 a pint, ouch!! Great belly of pork sunday lunch and a lovely if rather pricey cheese board. I like the place.
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This is a terrific spot on a sunny day to sit and look at the harbour, the dockyards opposite and all the activity on the water. On a cold November�s evening it�s slightly less appealing. Unfortunately a boat is never going to be exactly cosy, but it could have definitely done with being a few degrees warmer. The radiators were doing there best, but seemed to be fighting a losing battle. 270� panoramic windows are great when it�s warm, but not so great when the temperature is hovering around the freezing mark.
That said, I still like it here and found the barman to be efficient and helpful, in contrast to some of the other comments on here. Inevitably a boat is going to be long and narrow which limits the seating options somewhat, and it can on occasions be difficult to get anywhere to sit. The d�cor is what you would expect from an old barge with plenty of wood paneling and some interesting fish related murals on the walls. The main bar area is on the upper deck offering great views as mentioned previously. The lower deck is available for private functions and hosts regular live music nights on Friday�s.
There�s a decent food menu chalked up on a couple of boards consisting of some unusual dishes at reasonable (but not cheap) prices, including an interesting range of sandwiches. Wednesday night is pie night where they do a pie and a BBF pint deal for �8.50. Probably not the cheapest offer around, but the two pies we sampled (Beef & caramelized onion with horseradish mash and a Smoked haddock and prawn) were both very good, and I would have happily paid �8.50 without the beer. As it was a most enjoyable pint of No. 7 was a bonus. There was also a selection of cakes at the end of the bar which seemed unusual, although something that�s cropping up in more and more pubs these days � The Battle Axes at Wraxall and The Star & Dove in Totterdown are two more that immediately spring to mind.
Beers on tap were primarily from Bristol Beer Factory, with their Sunrise, Acer, No. 7 and Stout. The guest was On The Rails from Ascot Ales. Ciders were Ashton Press and Lilley�s Apple & Pear.
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It was mid-afternoon when I visited recently so not many punters,but still a place to go to for a very decent pint (the Bristol Sunrise being exceptional) and to watch the comings and goings on the water. Very pleasant young ladies behind the bar - this must be a great place to have a beer on a warm summer's evening. I will make a note in my 2011 diary !!
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Enjoyable place to visit with a decent range of beers. We stayed all night in the end so it must've had sometihng going for it.
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Am flummoxed by the negative reviews here....
Have had dinner here three times in recent weeks, and the food was spectacularly good, in my opinion....mains are about �8-10.00, and are beautiful...
Personally, i really like the Bristol Beer Factory Beers, and its worth noting that they have added to their range recently, with the terrific "Southville Hop" & "Acer" recently available on tap here, plus the "Bristol Hefe" Wheat Beer in bottles....
OK, its not a typical or traditional "Pub" vibe, but i love the views out over the River, and the laid back music (Fleet Foxes Etc Etc)...staff have been excellent, friendly & welcoming on all my visits....
Just wish i lived closer by.....
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Fairly characterless bar on a barge moored in the docks. However, we sat on deck in the sunshine of the late afternoon and had a couple of nice pints. Wouldn't want to be there if it was busy or the deck wasn't available (rain etc).
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Very welcome coming across this place on one of the few sunny days we've had. Not a great fan of the Bristol range but one of their lighter coloured, not too heavy beers (can't remember the name) was just the ticket whilst sat out in the sun on deck. Pretty basic though - wouldn't fancy it when it gets busy!!
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Bit like Marmite if I'm honest. Excellent beer, nice location but not partuclarly well furnished and food was very pricey. Staff also didn't seem to give a monkies.
That said, worth a visit if you're in Bristol but there are better pubs not that far away.
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As said bbf shop , which either you like or you don't, I had about 5 or 6 pints in here today , so gave it my best shot ., but frankly wasn't impressed , the whole place comes across as being a starbucks that sales alcohol , the place smells of coffee . admittedly this isn't my sort of place , but i didn't think the beer quality was that special .
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Rare to see this type of venue serve real ale, but why should the 'trendy' wine bars have all the interesting locations? Great riverside location and good slection of Bristol Beer Factory ales.
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Great location, pleasant informal interior, not too expensive. Had a pint of stout which was really delicious but served too cold. Worth a visit.
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Last floating pub I went to was the one in Peterborough, downstairs was closed due to a private party so beer was had on top. BBF Sunrise, Stout, Red, Exhibition & No. 7 were on, the Exhibition was good and the views good too. A revisit is on the cards.
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Very interesting idea but not really my sort of thing. I agree with others that the staff didn't seem to be at all friendly when we arrived - put me off straight away really. Won't be bothering again but i'm sure I won't be missed.
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A very likeable pub, well OK it's a barge, the views are fantastic, the beer is 'Bristol Factory', great tasting & well kept. Such a cool place with quite a mixed crowd.
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I'd sworn I'd reviewed this place before, but the audit trail below suggests not. Slapped wrist for me as this was very remiss. What I've been meaning to say about the GB is, well, more or less an echo of the various comments now made by many others who have sampled and been won over by its charms. The idea of beer on a boat might sound obviously alluring, as it is something of a novel concept even in a Maritime city such as Bristol. But the proprietors still have to get it right - and happily, they have. Each visit has found a range of at least three (usually four) BBF ales on board; it is tempting to have a quick 'alf of each, as theirs is one of the few portfolios which can support a seamless "horizontal" tasting (sorry to pinch a wine-buff's term but it is appropriate here!) without the flavour jarring. Swing from Sunrise to Milk Stout via the Red and No 7 and let your palate decide!
As for the interior, it is airy and thoroughly in-keeping with what one should expect from a pub housed in a boat. I rather feel it tops the Apple for overall water-borne drinking/eating experience, if only because it is above the Plimsoll line and isn't so gloomy! Excellent views to be had across the Harbour, especially on a fine day from the outdoor deck area.
As for grub, tales of tarting up with tea-towels aside, I found it to be both hearty and tasty when I tried it - I wouldn't write the Barge off if you happen to be peckish as well as thirsty while aboard.
I should make mention of the service before I close - very helpful and pleasant in my experience. Barmaids tend towards the attractive which I am bound to say can only be a good thing!
All in all, excellent work and keep splicing that mainbrace!
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Called in to see if the Milk Stout was available and it was so we enjoyed one of the best beers brewed by this company. Couldn't get a table but enjoyed the experience of being on the boat anyway.
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I've always found the service helpful & friendly over the course of many months and many visits. Admittedly I generally go in the afternoon at weekends so maybe things are a bit more frantic in the evening. Good beers, but for me a big plus is the food. Excellent quality & value, the best I've found in a Bristol pub.
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Great beer. Different location, nice views if you can get a seat on the top (although slightly scary misplaced hen night when we were there). Staff were really friendly.
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I was in the area on a business trip so was trying a few bars. I stopped here for some food and a beer - excellent food and good value - and locally brewed beer in superb condition. Also interesting being on a boat :-)
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If you have an interest in how beer is served, please ignore the earlier comment about "extra yeast added to the cask" - ask someone who knows instead!
MrKiA - 29 Jun 2009 00:45 |
I really like coming here for the BBF ales and of course the views over the harbour but I am a bit bemused by good reports of customer service as I think that that is the one thing that lets this place down. The staff often seem bloody miserable and put out by having to serve you - don't think I could say we've ever had a 'friendly' welcome in about 5 or 6 visits.
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Another cracking pub. Ales well cared for and jazz downstairs. Though we were there on a flying visit. Staff attentive. Very clean venue.
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Nice conversion of the old "Shoots" floating restaurant. Bristol Beer Factory ales were in good condition, staff friendly and decor good. Always wonder how many times the tall barman has hit his head on the roof..........
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I really enjoyed this bar, the first beer I had was a lovely session bitter, followed up by a bottle of (what I have been told is legendary) Milk Stout.
Great service, would certainly recommend .
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Called in for some Bristol Beer Factory beers and enjoyed those we tried on the barge. When being served, the barman picked a glass up and it was dirty. He saw me looking and picked a bartowel up and cleaned the glass with it. I would hope there are cleaner habits in the kitchen. Didn't eat here, but food looked and smelt good.
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As someone else said on here - although nice place for a pint , they risk alienating customers by reserving tables for eaters. is it pub, restaurant, gastropub or what? shame really as me and the mrs had to stand at the bar drinking while empty tables stayed empty apart from reserved signs, spoiled our evening a bit actually
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Good beer, good food (a ggod selection of specials and pies), good views. Slightly pricey perhaps, but you're paying for the location.
Well woth a visit.
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Grain Barge - location great, full range of Bristol Beer Factory beers available blah blah blah. Recommended to colleagues but when got there most of the tables were reserved for office Xmas parties, and were told to vacate our table and move somewhere else. This is NO WAY to treat your paying customers - and I'm sure the people I persuaded to come along were not impressed as we made our way down to the 'hold'. Barman said they only do this at Xmas and did I want to speak to the manager. What a let down.
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Dissappointed to find no real ale on a Friday lunch time. Opted for the bottled milk stout instead which was very nice. Food good but a bit fussy.
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Well worth the walk and the beer is well kept. My favourite has to be the bottled Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout.
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One of my favourite watering holes! Local ales, a friendly service and on a summer's afternoon/evening there's nothing better than a beer on deck as the boats drift by.
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An ale boat - excellent! Bristol's version of the Tattershall castle in London. And better.
Enjoyed the focus on local produce, Bristol ale and Bristol pies. Super. Ale is almost certainly bright (that means it doesn't have extra yeast added to the cask before sealing and shipment, the beer is essentially siphoned off the main vat at the brewery). I can forgive them for this, given the slightly unstable nature of the stillage!
Pricey, but it's all about the location, which in this case is lovely. Worth the extra few pence on your pint.
Well worth a visit, especially on a summers evening.
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Sat on the top deck recently quoffing some excellent beer watching rowers & the world go. Well worth a visit on the way to/from The Nailmakers.
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Venue Magazine's Bar of the Year 2007. Great food including Pieminister pies from Bristol and a good range of ales and a couple of foreign lagers. Luckily no Fosters or alcopops!
On a nice summer evening you can sit out on the deck and there are two smoking areas, one is covered.
Owned by the Bristol Beer Factory, the Grain Barge has live bands most weekends in the "Hold" downstairs. Another great thing is the space age Dyson hand dryer!
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This is a fairly unique concept - real ale on a boat - but it works. The beer was in good nick - I assume it's bright beer. Difficult to tell if you're swaying from the beer or the wake of the passing boats?
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