George Inn, Eccleshallback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The worst example of a Brewery Tap you would ever see, although the beer isn't brewed on site anymore it should still be their flagship pub, beer quality was average to low. Slaters beers used to be ones I would look for at a beer festival or pub and I have even been to the George a few times in previous years to sample their wares but it all seems to have gone Pete Tong, the pub was empty while the Royal Oak, Bell and Badger were very busy. Maybe Slaters should look at Titanic as an example of local beers doing the right thing or they will go bust.
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A very nice coaching inn in a really pleasant village. When we arrived for lunch, it was quiet, but the staff were fridnely, the food was really good and excellent value and the Slater's Top Totty was on really fine form. Next time we're in the area, we will definitely visit again.
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The George is a 17th Century coaching inn situated at the central crossroads in the attractive Staffordshire town of Eccleshall.
Despite some sensitive modernisation ( in customer terms, not pubco speak ) , the interior retains quite a traditional feel with some low beams, exposed brickwork and flagstones. It feels a bit bare and it's not particularly comfortable. There's a separate restaurant on the right but, on my recent Sunday afternoon visit, most people seemed to be eating in the separate bar area. As a concession to current demands, there's a small area with a couple of sofas which was showing the Grand Prix on a big screen, but nobody seemed interested. The exterior was currently receiving a lick of paint, so it will probably look less tatty than experienced by previous posters.
The George is the brewery tap for Slaters Ales although these are no longer brewed at the pub, but in nearby Stafford. On my recent visit, 5 Slaters beers were on - Why Knot, Original, Top Totty, Premium and Monkey Magic - at prices between � 1.85p and � 2.10p. The Why Knot ( 3.6% ABV ) at � 1.90p was an excellent pint. There was also a guest beer ( 4.5% ABV ) at only � 1 per pint, but, for some unaccountable reason, I forgot to note down what it was. The pub has been a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular in recent years.
On the pavement outside, a sandwich board tells us that the pub is REAL - Rooms, Eatery, Ales, Log fires - which sums it up pretty well.
I was reasonably impressed with this one.
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One can overlook the slight tattiness and odd layout of the place when faced with the full range of Slater's beers. Why Knot, Original, Top Totty and Premium were all on form (hic).
anonymous - 4 Oct 2009 11:11 |
Good range of Slaters beers but, as the previous poster says, a rather strange looking place that at first sight is a touch offputting. The main bar is in my view excessively basic and faux-rustic and is lacking in comfortable seating.
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Rather a strange looking place at first sight especially if you approach via the right hand entrance, which has the feel of a seventies Italian restaurant to it; the slightly scruffy exterior doesn't help either. Once you're in and discover the main bar, the beams and open fires bit, the scales fall from your eyes. This is where Slaters brewery showcase their beers and very fine it all is. Five (out of six I think) beers on when we stopped for lunch on Boxing day. With friendly, knowledgeable service and delicious hot roast beef sandwiches there's little more you can ask for.
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