please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Theobald is very much a traditional pub across from the White Hart & it had a different vibe to it on a Saturday night. Where as the WH was packed and had live music, this one was quieter but was playing music from the well stocked jukebox.
The 4 hand pumps boasted a quality selection with the stand out ales being Brentwood Brewing’s Baldy @ 3.8% and the hard to find in the South, Stockport Centaurus @ 4.0%, both quality ales with the Centaurus just shading it for me.
The wall above the bar and bar itself have bundles of pump clips on them. The pub is fully carpeted with old style tables and chairs.
We stopped here for several pints until our train home at gone 10pm. If I lived closer I would certainly use The Theobald over the White Hart, it just had a better feel to it and the ales were excellent.
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Interesting to read the comments below on this place vs The White hart (virtually next door), which the White Hart seems to win out. I tried both and preferred the atmosphere in the Theobold, more of a local's boozer which I prefer, and it seemed friendly enough. Good range of beers in both.
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My preference was the White Hart, The Theobalds had their four ales displayed on shabby bits of plastic on the wall, wiping and changing the various names as they were taken off. On my visits a couple of half pissed idiots had clearly never seen a decent suit before, in all fairness a suit would be slightly out of place in such a spartan pub.The pint of Vens Brewery beer Suze B was reasonably good and full marks to the pub for supporting a new local brewery, i've not particularly checked but Wickford isn't far.
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Good pub, one of the better ones in grays, not as noisy as White Hart
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Nice quiet place for a drink when passing through.
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First trip in 5 years yesterday (24/04/10) and nothing except the jukebox has changed...luckily Roy was in a good mood because one of his beer festivals was on and the sun shone so we sat in the back yard enjoying the fare. As always beer great. If only he could mearge his celler skills with the White Hart's decour.
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Simple food and a selection of fine ales, usually a light or golden ale, a mid brown ale and a porter. The lunchtime staff are legendary for their hospitality, looking after the locals by name and ribbing anyone who's up for a laugh, they will even give you tips on how use your mobile phone!
A mini beer festival at easter and summer make this a pub well worth visiting.
Not a family pub, or a pretentious pub, and the only trouble I have heard about was when the Thames flooded that time.
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Now has Brentwood Brewery Co Roy Rogers rebadged as the pub beer. Still a good selection and I even popped across to have a snoop at the pool table this visit. Good to see pubs like this busy in the current climate.
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Another enjoyable visit yesterday, a relaxing and friendly spot with a decent range of well looked after ale. Sad to see the drug notices and artex on the flat surfaces in the toilets but at least it shows the guv takes a no nonsence attitude to such practices. I still haven't seen the hexagonal pool table in here as you need to leave and re-enter to visit the other room, and I didn't bother.
Courage Best, Nethergate Augistinian Ale, Taunton Ale and a winter ale called Siberia on yesterday, not sure who brews the latter.
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Not the most exciting pub in the world but the ales are first class. Check out the hexagonal pool table (still got six pockets you see...)
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Yes the landlord did bang on a bit about the beers but I did start the conversation! The beers were good and the pub OK. Maybe I'll try the White Hart next time
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The Theos is a very nice real ale pub.
If Roy stopped barring people for nothing, the white hart would be dead; the hart is like a anti-theos establishment.
I know as im barred myself, but you cant help but wonder
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Ok, About the landlord.
1, he does know his beer.
2, He is the MOST arrogant, obnoxious, pig-headed man ever to hold a license!! Oh and
3, Barmaids beware!!! He WILL try it on!! (like a pervy uncle!!!!)
Has lost a very large percentage of his trade to the white hart, which has won camra pub of the year for 2007 and 2008. If you are a beardy, train spotting ale buff, roy will love you. If you are a normal beer lover then you will probably be barred!!!
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Lucky local Gray�s residents have this and the White Hart virtually next door to each other. This pub does not have large TV's like the White Hart next door. A juke box was available which did not appear to be pitched too loud. Four hand pumps although only 3 were in use on Saturday. Archers Black Dog Mild, Mighty Oak Burnt wood and a beer from a brewery that I think may have been Coverdale. Separate saloon and lounge bars were available. No internal door to get to the saloon bar so you have to go outside and into the other door. Reasonably priced beer at �2.40 for the Black Dog Mild.
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A stones throw from The White Hart, another pub with a good real ale policy. A bit more bohemian than its neighbour without the sports emphasis.
Beers on were Brentwood Spooky Moo, Mighty Oak Burntwood Bitter, Cottage Great Eastern and Maypole Flanagans Extra Stout. A bit unusual a selection as all were darker heavily flavoured ales; perhaps something lighter would improve the choice?
The landlord is friendly enough and likes to talk about his beers. A beer festival is advertised from 20-24th March I think it was with up to 20 on offer, most will be on stillage.
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a sarcastic Aussie, ha yes its all comimg back....
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no just the most sarcastic
anonymous - 28 Feb 2008 19:34 |
Is Roy still the rudiest landlord in Essex?
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Still a fantastic pub but watch which beer garden you choose. There are two, one is still full of chilled out people the other full of mad dogs and Englishman drinking beer in the midday sun. They're harmless enough but just be aware of it!!
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Great pub...proper pub. There are no Chavs which makes it a fantastic place to drink. The bar staff are friendly, the people are great and the dukebox is wicked. Give it a try for a lazy Sunday evening beer.
anonymous - 7 Feb 2007 14:00 |
Went in here on Saturday night. The quality of the beer is excellent as always but the pub is so smokey. Whenever I go in for 'a swift half' my wife can always smell where I've been. This place will be much improved when the smoking ban is introduced but I've heard there's a ground-swell of resistance to the new law from behind the bar. We'll have to wait and see.
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Awesome pub, I agree with the best pub in Grays comment. Roy is a very good landlord, and the staff are friendly. The beer is very good. Been hammered many a time in here. Really can't fault it. :)
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This is a great little no nonsence two bar boozer,with three rotating guest ales on.Staff and locals down to earth and very nice people.The Archers Crystal Clear that I had today was in perfect condition and I would expect that the rest are just as good.If you make the five minute walk from the station without being mugged or rapped and pillaged by the low life chav fraternity that seem to infest this otherwise decent town then you will be in for a treat.Give it a try.
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Has a couple of beers at the Theobald early in the evening on Thusday 4th May. 3 guest ales on - 2 that I had were in excellent condition. Nice pub - nice atmosphere, nibbles on the bar @ 5pm [opening time] and very clean toilets. Overall on my first visit - a very good pub - will return as my son lives only 5 mins walk - although he's not yet into real ale. He should be soon with a good ale so close.
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Best pub in Grays. Good beer and friendly atmosphere.
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5 mins walk from Grays Station a quietish Free House that caters for all, even the real ale drinker. Usually 3 or 4 guest real ales on hand pump that are always well kept and changed regularly. Knowlegeable and friendly landlord.
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Plain unpretentious pub where the landlord takes pride in the quality of his ales. Usualy has Courage Best and 3 guests. Seems to have a reputation for food but was not available when we called Sunday lunchtime
lout_from_the_lane - 26 Apr 2004 09:27 |
