please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
4 ales on, helpful & friendly barmaid, I had Six Bells Brewery 'Owdo' [nice pint] & Slaters 'Top Totty [ a very smooth creamy ale].
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Traditional popular pub with a pleasant & friendly landlady; it possesses a good smoking area. I indulged in Sixbells brewery ''Cloud Nine'' [decent pint], Ludlow Brewing Co. ''Gold'' [nice creamy beer] & Hobson''s ''Town Crier'' [a well kept pint].
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Okay but nothing special. I'd be happy enough to stay here for a session but there are better alternatives close by.
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Didn’t realise that I hadn’t reported on this pub before, so I forgot to make nay notes, and I’d had a few by the time I got here, so the memory is rather hazy ! However, here goes
The Benbow is located in the quiet backstreet, just a short walk away from the main shopping streets. On first entry it appears rather small, with the bar more or less straight ahead and drinking areas to the left and right. However, if you go to the toilets to find there is another room behind the bar (on the left) and a beer garden / fag alley on the right.
I do remember being confused by the handpumps being covered in clips – about 3 to each pump ! In all I think there were 7 real ales available, but the clips were for ciders as well. Like Wezzielad, I had the Ludlow Gold which was reasonable. Most of the other beers were localish, but not very exciting.
I also remember candles on the tables, and discussions with the locals about the difference between Stockholm and Stockhausen !
6/10 – reasonable pub, but not the best in town.
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A medium sized room pub with a large outdoor seating area and an extra room that you will see if you go to the toilet. The pub itself has an oldish feel to it and has various objects dedicated to sailing, including a picture of Admiral John Benbow himself, behind the bar they have clips of beers that they have sold in the past. The ales seem to be from all local(ish) breweries. Including Salopian Hop Twister, Ludlow Brewery Gold, 1066 by Battlefield Brewery, and HPA by Wye Valley. The pint of Ludlow gold was nice and cost 3.20. Barmaid was friendly and the locals seemed okay. Music was playing in the background and there was a television but that was not on. Definitely one of Shrewsbury's better pubs from my experience
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Another freehold pub hooked on selling local ales which is great if you like them but some are an acquired taste (Salopian - every one tastes right lemony - they even have one called Lemon Dream) but all tend to go for the same market - IPA ish so the lot tend to be quite boring. Could be a nice pub but quite dark and if you sit opposite the bar in their window seat you can suffer the dreaded vibrations from the washing machine below.
Quite clicky too........
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I called in here as part of a day out in Shrewsbury. I hadn't been in for a few years but it was the same as my previous visit, friendly staff, traditional surroundings, and a very relaxing, pleasant beer garden, all of which created a very good atmosphere in which to enjoy the equally fine, well-kept ale.
Recommended.
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3rd pub of my 5 to tick in Shrewsbury in one day and this is the best hands down.
7 ales and 3 real ciders are served, a few locale breweries including Salopian which I have seen in every here so far.
I'm unsure of the history of this place or where the name comes from but its a cracking pub. I keep finding these quality pubs nowhere near where I live, most annoying.
The landlord holds court well and I guess at the weekend is the centre of the action here, decent chap.
Large back garden with plenty of tables and bench seats and an extremely large umbrella to shadow you from the beating sun...the garden is a sun trap.
Previous reviewers have given a good account of the pub it really is the place to visit for a real ale in Shrewsbury.
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Very good pub, fine range of well kept local ales and good selection of foreign bottled stuff (Belgian). If there are more than three people in your group suggest you stagger your arrival times as the last time we visited man on door -landlord?- refused us entry even though the place was only moderatly busy.
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We visited the pub on 15th Dec from Cumbria before our (Carlisle Utd) game against Shrewsbury. All I can say is that it was a very welcoming pub,the landlord was top notch and looked after us for the couple of hours we were there.Very friendly and excellent crack. The ale was spot on,well kept and so was some of the excellent scrumpy that was on offer. Nice old classic snug and a beer garden out back made this a lovely experience,and the nice added touch of the candles on the tables
The landlord was probably the most friendly chap that we have come across on our away day travels. A good example on how to look after his customers. Others should take note. The home made pork pies with stilton were delicious too.
A shame we had to leave for the game,the landlord even organised the taxi for us to the game. Hope to return here again in the future as it was such a lovely little querky pub with quality ale and service. Dont often give a 10 but on this occasion this pub deserves it. A must if you visit Shrewsbury.
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On a dreadful day weatherwise this pub offered a warm homely feel. The big TV screen was a bit distracting but I reckon it was only visible in one part of the pub. There was a good range af ales such as Ironbridge Gold and Ludlow Gold to Salopian Stout which was delicious. A couple of others I had weren't quite on from, a bit hazy, but we shall return at our next visit in March. Lovely town by the way; worth working a pub tour to include the medieval buildings en route.
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Visited on 27 October to watch the mighty U's chuck away a two goal lead. This was the best pub of the day, (also went to the Salopian Bar, Three Fishes and Nag's Head. Very pleasant interior, we three chaps particularly liked the romantic candles on the table; excellent ales and friendly service. Lucky Shrewsbury to have such a good pub.
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I had been recommended by several people in the town to visit this place. I'm glad that I did as it was my kind of pub - old fashioned, full of character and the ale was kept in good condition. I went for the Monty's Stout brewed by Ludlow Brewing Co and it was sublime.
I must admit though that where I live in Manchester, I am spoilt by the prices in and around the city. So when I was paying on average �3 a pint in Shrewsbury it did crease me.
A trip to the gents sent me on a fascinating trail though corridors and a hidden beer garden.
My only gripe about the place was that it was empty. (Maybe it was due to the time when I visited?)
Well worth a visit!
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Or possibly "Mediocre"?
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"Average" is the word you're looking for...?
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not good, but not bad either
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Saturday was my first visit to the Admiral Benbow and I was very impressed. There is a good selection of beers and ciders - Ironbridge Gold, Montys Midnight, Six Bells Bursting Out & Supper, Slaters Top Totty, Wye Valley HPA & Salopian Lemon Dream. Ciders were Rosies Black Start, Wicked Wasp & Triple D & Gwatkin Foxwhelp. Service was very friendly and the bar snacks - pork pies and Scotch eggs went down very well. There is a nice little outdoor patio for summer days too. This pub is hidden away from the main shopping area, but close enough to be a must for any Shrewsbury visitor in search of a real ale or cider.
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A real ale drinkers paradise and pub as it should be. Always go here when in the area. And, in the 15 or so years, can confidently say never had a bad pint , or reason to complain.
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The best pub in Shrewsbury. The Salopian Darwin's Origin was in superb condition and the landlady (or at least the lady behind the bar) was very nice and friendly. It's a proper , traditional pub (and by traditional, I mean it's what a pub should be like). There's a beer garden out the back too. Don't miss this place.
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really nice pub great to see the lighting at the right level and the candels burning adds so much to the atmosphere,the young lady who served us was very nice and chaty,good range of realale n cider 4got the name of the dark ale we tried but it was lovely and intop condition,well worth a visit
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Very welcoming pub with extremely courteous people serving. Very good selection of ales. Monty's Sunshine was a good beer but slightly past its best and look forward to trying it again a touch sooner after it goes on. Ludlow Gold excellent. Large selection of speciality bottled beers including several fruit beers and also a range of ciders, many of which appeared to be of Welsh origin. Lighting, background music, temperature, use of candles all spot on to create a great atmosphere. Look forward to visiting again.
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First visit to this pub (remember it doesn't open until 5pm during the week). Bit of a square room but pleasant enough. Staff were friendly and polite and the beer range was good - we tried Ludlow Gold. Not many customers in (Wednesday night) so the atmosphere was a bit quiet although I expect it is much better on a busy weekend evening. I would go back - and it is next door to The Coach & Horses so makes for a nice little pub crawl.
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My wife and I spent three nights in Shrewsbury recently and visited the Benbow every night. Love the pub, love the beer, and the bar staff were pleasant and polite. Best pub in town, in our view.
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Not as good as we'd expected given previous reviews. Nice pub, friendly bar staff and very busy for a Saturday night. There was a good range of beers available, we tried the Titanic Anchor, Monty's Sunshine, Bishops Castle Fork Handles and Ironbridge Brewery Foundry Gold. They were all adequate but not great and we were glad we were drinking halves instead of pints. We had thought, based on reviews here, that we'd not want to carry our crawl any further once we'd reached the Admiral Benbow, but based on the four beers we tried, we were happy to move on.
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Visited this lovely pub with my wife Saturday on a day trip and enjoyed a pint of Slaters Queen Bee which was well-kept and delicious, while my wife savoured a Belgium fruit-beer (framboise). It is a great place to relax and have a quiet chat without competeing with a cacophony of noise. A generous selction of ales were on offer but we had a train to catch, maybe next time! :-)
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Cannot fault this place at all, great boozer with a really good selection of ales, they support the local breweries too which all seemed a nice tipple to me. Nice chatty landlady, nice pleasant surroundings and a beer garden to the rear.
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It's a real shame that a pub I used to really rate and give a lot of business to, has let me down.
I was served beer in a dirty glass and when I politely mentioned this to the landlord, he poored the beer into a new glass and handed it to me. When I asked for a fresh pint he refused and said that he didn't do dirty glasses. He asked me to show him the dirt and even though there was a bit of crap still vaugely visable in the cloudiness of my beer sitting nicely in a fresh clean glass, he and his half blind wife donned their glasses and scrutinised it whilst refusing that anything was wrong.
I will give him credit, he keeps beer quite well (only had two or three dodgy pints) but when it comes to being fair and giving decent people respect, you can forget it.
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Probably the best pub in Shrewsbury. Friendly service, great selection of regional beers and ciders, convivial atmosphere and as a bonus: they don't let in the under30s! The Gwatkins perry was top class and you cannot go wrong with any of the ales from Salopian brewery.
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The 'premier ale house' in the town. Loads of ales on (with another 8 in the back room), very nice pint of Benbow IPA, excellent local pork pies on offer - so what's not to like ? Well i am finding more and more that a lot of these 'premier' ale houses attract the trainspotters of the beer world (a bit rich form someone like myself probably) and instead of people debating how crap the current government is or last night's match or how Barry got home last night all the talk is of the beers on offer and the breweries and other beer bore associated stuff. I know the site is called beer in the evening and I like to make a note of good ales and decent pints I get in my head but I often find that 'premier' ale houses are full of people who can bore for England on the fineries of a pint of Old Stoatweasel and are in fact killing off the very purpose of pubs as local hostelries and meeting places where locals socialise and turning them in to social clubs for trainspotters.
anonymous - 31 Oct 2010 15:29 |
Friendly local with probably the best choice of real ales in town.
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Nice friendly pub, very welcoming staff - Rosie's Triple D Cider @ � 3.20 a pint very refreshing - other ciders equally strong
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A real ale lovers shrine. 8 OR 9 very regional beers covering the whole spectrum of colour and taste on my recent visits. Add in two ciders and there is no excuse to leave sober
Well staffed bar made for efficient service and no delay for thirsty reviewers.
My experience of the atmosphere and clientele was quite the opposite to RogberB's. I found the crowd in most to be quite urbane giving a buzzy atmosphere. Mix in a few nutters (someone who knew someone who had been on masterchef and a treacle dressed up as Dorothy Goodbody)and some nice eye candy and you are sure to smile.
Veridct .The Cathedral of Shrewsbury's real ale pubs.If you are a real ale visitor and /or local and recently divoreced this is a must visit on any to visit to this lovely town.
R19
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I think I counted 9 ales and most of them local - tried the Gertie Sweet and Salopian Darwins Origin. The beers had a bit of head on them but they were topped up Ok. Great pub for local ales.
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Situated just off the main drag, the Admiral Benbow certainly offers one of the best ale selections in town but that cannot disguise the fact that the pub itself is fairly plain and quite dull. The main bar is divided into 2 areas with an underplayed nautical theme. The right hand side has a bit of a wine bar feel with candle lit tables that seem to beckon romancing couples. The other side is a bit more pubish but overall there is little that catches the eye. The place was deserted on my Thursday evening visit in contrast to the Coach & Horses a few doors down that had a healthily bustle. To the rear is a glazed walkway that now alleviates what would have originally been a wet and windy walk to the outside bogs. A small back room contains a dart board and has its own serving hatch to the main bar. The beer garden is a pleasant bonus but the main draw is the ales, all from local(ish) breweries. Shropshire Pride, HPA, Ludlow Gold, Gertie Sweet, Old Recumbant and the pubs own Benbow ale, certainly a few unusual beers in there worth exploring. In addition there were 2 Yarlington ciders (7.5% and 7.8%). Well worth a visit for the beers alone but don�t expect a pub brimming with atmosphere or ambience.
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Another fine traditional Shrewsbury pub just outside the main shopping area and just a few doors down from the Coach and Horses, on which I have just posted.
It's a single bar traditionally furnished pub specialising in locally - brewed real ales which, on my recent visit, included Ironbridge Gold and Ludlow Gold and also a beer from the Severn Valley Railway. The pub is a GBG regular
The right hand area of the bar had lit candles in wine bottles on the tables, as if to try to attract a more upmarket and select clientele. On the left hand side is a Holt Plant and Deakin mirror, perhaps reflecting previous ownership. Given the name, there's the expected seafaring memorabilia.
Belgian bottled beers are also sold and I noted a cider from G Watkins of Hereford called Foxwhelp which, with a gravity of 7.8% rightly earned the "be warned" message on the chalkboard.
This pub was noticeably less busy than the nearby Coach and Horses, perhaps because of the fact that it doesn't open lunchtimes on most days of the week, but, if it is open, it's worth calling in.
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Have to agree with the other reviews. A proepr ale-drinkers' pub, don't be put off by the under 30s rule, it seems that as long as you're clearly not an idiot you'll be fine. Traditional setting but quite opened out, main bar serves two distincet areas. Lots of local beers to try and friendly staff. Along with the Coach and Horses next door, it's another Shrewsbury must.
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To tarkatheotter, I tend to regard carpeted floors and comfortable bench seating as signs of quality in a pub.
The Admiral Benbow is an excellent pub concentrating on local micro breweries. The beer in my experience is consistently good. It has extensive indoor seating and an excellent outside area for the smokers.
Just a pity it only opens in the afternoon on Saturdays.
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This place is great, big selection of English ales, but also various bottled European ales. Dead friendly. Hasn't been tarted up. Has a few different rooms. Really good atmosphere.
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Nice brick exterior, though the inside is a little threadbare. The memorabilia is naval in theme, which suits the pub - Benbow being an admiral who died during the War of the Spanish Succession, against the French, in 1702.
The pub gives friendly service and a big choice of everything from real ales to bottled lagers (didn't see any French ones!)
I had the Old Castle Dark MILD, which was quality and the Shropshire Stout, which wasn't so nice. Great pub, always to be visited when in Shrewsbury, especially with the Coach & Horses next door.
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Initially this looks like a one room pub but there is another room with a dartboard down a few steps at the back. The main room is nicely done with a white painted ceiling with small wooden beams. The walls are decorated with mainly maritime memorabilia as might be expected from the name. There is a large TV screen on the wall on the left which was showing the cricket when I was in but it�s not obtrusive. Lot�s of candles around which probably makes for a very homely feel once it gets dark. Six handpumps on the bar serving mainly local brewery beers. Ludlow Gold, Wem Shropshire Stout, Wye Valley HPA, Six Bells 1859 and Worfield Coalport Dodger Mild alongside GK IPA. I had a pint of the Stout and the HPA which were excellent. Friendly regulars and staff made for a very pleasant hour.
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My friend and i gave the Benbow a licking,let my hair down tried 3 different brews,all in fine fettle to say the least,never been disappointed here yet
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Not a bad pub , just seems to think it`s a great one , my pint of real ale ok , wife`s lager yuk . Worse than expected .
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Late review from November visit. Lovely pub serving good beer from local micro breweries. Enjoyed Six Bells and Ironbridge beers.
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This place isn't quite as good as it's current 8.5 rating might suggest. I suspect there might have been a bit of a concerted effort going on here. Having said that it has 6 handpumps, one selling cider (Cheddar Valley) and including a couple of guests. It's a nice place but there are quite a few "elitest" types in here. You know the type, aged 57, peroxide blonde, pink fingernails, says things like "I'm going to visit mummys after I've finished here, another G & T please darling". The Wye Valley HPA was good though. Worth a look for a decent pint.
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Last time i visited here [ 10 years ago at least ] it was full of scantily clad teenage girls but the beer was undrinkable , now the beer is great but alas no teenage totty , i prefer it now must be getting old!
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Cracking real ale pub this,several ales too choose from,and all very Quaffable.when ever i return to the area,this place is defintely on the list,and even go out of my way for a pint here.
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I am a fan of the Benbow. Wide range of beers and pleasant atmosphere make it a great place for a quiet drink. I believe they operate an over 30's policy which accounts for the older clientele.
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Pub serves 6 casks and 3 ciders. Only open in the evenings. A pleasant, relaxed pub with a small, but attractive beer garden. Background 70s music. An all round decent place.
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Nice enough boozer in a quiet side street, just off the hustle and bustle of the main square. Slightly disappointing pub interior reminiscent of an 80's makeover. Lose the carpets and past their best "soft" bench seats and replace with wood/flagstones etc and it would be transformed ( no doubt such things cost a lot of beer sales though).
However, top marks for excellent range of real ales, bottled beers, ciders,etc. I hadn't heared of any of them so plumped for Cambrian Gold, which was one of the most more-ish ales I have tasted for a long time-very nice. And served by a very lovely barmaid!!
There is also a nice little beer garden outside for those addicted to the weed:- that's tobacco you silly things, nothing more exotic!!!
Despite comments on interior (picky me) I would definitely revisit and would almost certainly have ended up being installed for the afternoon, sampling all on offer, but my short visit didn't allow.It appears to champion everything I hold dear about real pubs so do visit and support them when in Shrewsbury.
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this is a great pub with a amazing atmoshpere. all thanks to mike and claire. there doing as well as the darts team ;-). the beer is always good and the selections are brilliant. the bar staff are all very friendly and happy to help. i would recomend this pub to anyone (over 30 because the age limit mike and claire have impossed seperates this pub from the usual rough and tumble). try it for yourself. thanks for reading.
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1st rate real ale pub,i tried 4 pints all different brews everyone were faultless.the bee,s knees for real ale drinkers in shrewsbury,without a doubt.if drinkings your game,this place is your utopia.
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Always a good selection of real ales in this friendly pub. Never eaten here but normally stay for 2 pints when crawling around Shrewsbury
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UPDATE: Still as good, if not better, that it was when I last reported in Feb 2004. As a local lad it is stil one of my regulars The support for this freehouse has gone from strength to strength. Latest in the line up is a conservative, but initially sensible, range of Belgian Beer; Chimay Blue, Red and White, Duvel, Orval, a couple of Liefmanns Krieks and a little hop over the border for some German Erdinger Weissbire and their Dunkelweiss. Real Cider and Perry now feature constantly with usually two ciders and a perry, all gravity fed from cellar located casks. Look out for the Renshaw Red Eye Cider, a medium to dry 8%er which doesnt taste like its ABV, watch out.. it will hit you in the back of the head when you least expect it. Well done Mike & Claire, superb and long may it continue!
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Real ale pub to die for,I were taken there by friend born and bred aka a local.tried several different ales naturally.Everyone came out on top form.If you a real ale freak,fan,or just prefer real ale this is the pub for you.
anonymous - 25 Aug 2006 18:53 |
Would have loved to sample the Titanic MILD today but we were looking for food. No food here but were sent to the Coach & Horses. Thats what I like about a pub, good advice given in a friendly way even though no pints will be poured for me today. Next time in Shrewsbury will certainly be drinking here.
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I can't praise this pub too highly. On a really busy night, the barman came out from behind the bar with a tasting glass for me of a (really good) beer which had just come on and which he thought I might like, based on one I had bought 20 minutes earlier. You don't see dedication like that to customer service very often. The rear arcade style room around the patio is worth a look, and toilets are squeaky clean even if they have antique status.
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Totally agree. Although you have to admire the Over 30's only policy - check it out as you enter. I don't know how serious that is, maybe it's just to deter the alcopop brigade. Whatever, a fine hostelry and another to add to the real pub circuit.
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Great pub, now supporting and concentrating mainly on Shropshire Beers. Usually has 5 real ales on at any one time. Smoking throughout. main bar/lounge complemented by a separate room at the rear and a furnished beer patio which is nice on the warmer days. The pub is no longer frequented by the biker guys and gals who have found new watering holes, so for anyone who still 'tags' the pub with this may find the pub is as good as I say it is. Cask Mark and a welcome back entry for the CAMRA 2005 Good Beer Guide (which comes out late September 2004.
Nigel - 22 Feb 2004 10:50 |
