Blue Bell, Melbourneback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now called the Spirit & vaults... Amazing pub, not often I'd give a ten, but this place is something special... microbrewery, amazing beers, food, staff, location... If your in south Derbyshire give this a visit. PS... walk around the church to the lake.. stunning...
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Fantastic range of beers at this place, I also liked the ambiance of the place, the many horse-brasses etc.
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I enjoyed my Friday evening visit to the Blue Bell. It feels like a proper local and attracts customers of varying age groups. The beers are excellent and varied.
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4 different Shardlow beers on offer, we tried the Narrow Boat which was a very nice pint, and the Rev Eaton which was superb! Unfortunately have to agree with some earlier comments about the bars, but full marks for the ale.
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Managed to return, this time the pub was very quite being just after Christmas. I had studied the menu on their web site and was very impressed with the choice.
Parking is a lottery with street parking only.
The dining area is slightly sparse and cold looking. The menu was slightly different from the internet version with less choice. The prices are reasonable and the main meals tasted okay. The treacle sponge that followed was either soft light and excellent to hard and overcooked - perhaps micro-waved too long.
The pub is owned by Shardlow Brewery so had their Reverend Eaton and Golden Eye on tap. Guest ales included Slater's Western American Pale Ale and Northumberland Jingle Balls.
Overall, not too bad but slightly disappointing.
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I phoned to see if we needed to reserve a table for Saturday lunchtime. I was told that there was no need to as trade was quiet.
As we neared the Bell, just after midday, the streets were lined with parked cars. Passing by the pub we observed a marquee in the garden thriving with people. There was nowhere to park yet alone get into the pub. We drove on.
I later discovered that Melbourne had a festival of performing arts event that day. Why had we not been warned?
I'll try again in a few months time when in the area.
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The Shardlow beers are usually very drinkable and reasonably priced.
The bars are however a bit soulless.
Pleasant outside drinking area.
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I have to more or less agree with gillhalfpint�s review of the Blue Bell, except that during my visit although the locals were watching football on Sky, it wasn�t at all noisy � and although for obvious reasons I didn�t check out the ladies, my wife did, and was well impressed too.
The Reverend Eaton, which in my opinion is one of the Shardlow Brewery�s best beers was superb, and as a bonus, it was served by a very attractive young lady.
Food-wise, although it took well over half-an-hour to be served, I could not fault the ham, egg and chips that I ordered. In fact, the hand carved ham was absolutely delicious and I cannot think of anywhere else where I have had anything better. On the other hand, my wife did not have such a good experience. She ordered salmon, but after waiting for about 20 minutes she was told that it was not available. She then ordered lamb in red wine sauce, but was actually served lamb shanks.
In fairness, the landlady was very apologetic and offered to correct the mistake, but as we were rapidly running out of time, my wife ate the lamb shanks which she said were OK. Accepting that cock-ups with orders do sometimes occur in busy kitchens, I will give the Blue Bell the benefit of the doubt and give them 8/10.
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This is a community local, and they were enjoying their football on the TV when I called so it was a bit noisy. It is the brewery tap for Shardlow brewery, so there was a brilliant choice of real ales on, guests as well as their own. The decor in the ladies was first class. Bright yellow with giant sunflowers and dozy bees painted on the walls and doors.
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