BITE user comments - Brewshed
Comments by Brewshed
The Horns Lodge, South Chailey
I am the landlord of the Horns Lodge and would like to respond to Bigglesworth's comment. The day that he visited was part of our charity beer festival. As a result we charge �5 to go into the festival so that the charity makes money (we take nothing from the proceeds of the festival). In the bar we did not replace real ales when they went off to encourage people into the festival but always had three real ales on. In addition, there were two real ciders on in the bar all the time.
18 Sep 2010 07:17
As others have said this is a fairly upmarket place in a great locaton opposite the Cathedral. We stayed in one of the quite expensive but very nicely furnished rooms. We did not eat so i cannot comment on the food (although on a previous visit we did have a nice snack). The bar side of the pub seemed to be operating well as a drnking bar and it did not feel out of place to not be eating. The ales are well kept (very nice Hampshire Rose) and the staff are efficient and welcoming. All in all we had a very pleasant stay and we will return.
13 May 2010 19:14
I finally managed to get to the Royal Oak for the first time today. The pub reminds me of country pubs as they used to be about 30 years ago when I first started pubbing. Small, quirky, friendly and selling excellent ales. The sandwiches are just that, properly made tasty sandwiches without garnish etc. A first rate pub well worthy of its reputation.
13 May 2010 16:55
Visited on a weekday lunchtime and found a group og locals at the bar having some good banter. A choice of four ales and I chose the Dark Star stout which was very nice. The decor is quite basic bt in quite a nice traditional community pub way. The welcome was friendly and because the weather was unseasonably good we sat in the pleasant garden with lovely views. The menu was quite limited (not necessarily a bad thing) but we did not eat so cannot comment on teh food. Certainly a pub to visit if in the area.
18 Mar 2009 18:20
The Duke Of Cumberland Hotel, Whitstable
This large Shepherd Neame pub in the centre of town gives the impression of being rather run down despite having some nice traditional features. We visited on a Monday and Tuesday evening recently and the bar staff and landlady were very friendly and the beers was well kept. Rather lacking in atmosphere becasue it was virtually empty on both occasions, although I can imagine it being busy in the season. Not sure what the food is like. I suspect that this pub is rather limited by the lack of investment but is worth a visit nevertheless.
18 Mar 2009 18:13
Ship Centurion Arminius, Whitstable
Visited on a Monday evening and given teh reputation of the this pub was a bit disappointed in teh beer selection (Admans, Elgoods Black Dog plus one ither). Having said that, the Adnams I had was well kept. The barman was very friendly and there was some good banter between him and the regulars. On the down side we could not escape the TV's which are everywhere and generally I did not like the ambience of the pub. It is a reasonably good pub but no more and definitely not what I woudl expect from a Kent Pub of the Year.
18 Mar 2009 18:06
Visited the Unicorn for the first time on Thursday lunchtime this week and was very impressed. A lovely old style pub with a good range of beers (I had the Surrey Hills Ranmore which was well kept). The landlord is very friendly and the pub appears to be well run. We did not try the food but it looked fine. There is a small but pleasant garden to the rear. Definitely wortn a visit.
18 Mar 2009 18:00
Stopped here for lunch whilst on a walk yesterday. Efficient and very pleasant bar staff who noticed the Summer Lightning was not quite as it should be while pouring it. Went and made sure the problem was sorted out before serving our pints (our beers were fine). Food very acceptable, if a little expensive for ploughmans. The specials board looked interesting and worth a try. Generally a nice pub which is worth visiting again.
3 Oct 2008 13:22
The Horns Lodge, South Chailey
The Horns Lodge is now open under new ownership (as of 26th June, 2008). The pub is a true freehouse stocking Harveys Best, Dark Star Hophead and a continuously changing microbrewery guest ale (it is hoped to increase the number of guest ales in the future). In addition we serve properly home cooked pub food at reasonable prices and we also have two B&B rooms. A number of events are planned for the future including our first beer festival. Our aim is to be a proper welcoming community pub providing quality real ales and food for people in the village and from further afield. We look forward to seeing you.
Because I am the owner and am very honourable I have not scored the pub!
2 Jul 2008 17:37
We went here the other day early evening and had a pint and a bite to eat. The pub is a bit young and trendy for my liking but maybe that because I am old! The ales are from Badger which is not a favourite of mine burt were OK nevertheless. The food was good and reasonably priced. The staff were very friendly and the service good. If you are like trendy little pubs then this one is quite good.
11 Jun 2008 13:46
Modernised pub which has tried to become a cross between a stylish bar and a pub (lots of sofas but a pool table in the bar). Friendly bar staff and good service. Usually three real ales on which are well kept (my Taylors Landlord was very good). Food looks quite good but we did not try it. Nicely landscaped courtyard garden. If you just want a traditional pub then this is not for you, but if you want a good pint in clean friendly surroundings then this is well worth a try.
11 Jun 2008 08:58
I visited this pub for the first time inb many years last Sunday evening. It seems to have changed relartively little and is still a nice old fashioned pub. Beers were from Harveys and Larkins and were well kept, prices were average. The service was good and very friendly. OIt was bvery quiet when we went in but it was latish on a Sunday evening. I suspect it gets much busier at other times. Overall a nice pub.
27 May 2008 17:41
Visited this pub on a Sunday night when it had live music and was very busy. It was offereing three Harveys beers including Copperwheat, however this went off during our order. The 2 pints of Copperwheat that we had been given were not very good (the last ones out of the cask so rather dead) and we asked for them to be changed for something else. The landlady was initially reluctant to change them but checked one of the pints and agreed that they were not right and was then very happy to change the beers. We did not see any of the food but the pub's atmosphere was good and I suspect that it is a lively village pub. Worth a return visit.
27 May 2008 17:36
Out of the way country pub with a main bar and a small games bar (I thgink there is a restaurant area as well). It was quiet when we visited (it was Sunday evening though). The Larkins beer was well kept and Harveys was also available and prices were average. Service was efficient and friendly. We did not try the food but it looked to be reasonably priced. Generally seemed a nice country pub which still felt like a proper pub. Large outside area in a lovely setting. Worth a visit.
27 May 2008 17:27
The Lord Louis, Stanstead Abbotts
The Lord Louis has plenty of potential but never quite seems to fulfil it. The bar is quite pleasant and it is the nearest thing to a proper pub in Stanstead Abbots. The Fullers beers are acceptably kept but never really on top form. Sometimes it has been noisy with lots of football showing etc which I personally do not like but others obviously do. Caught at the right time it is not a bad place, at other times it is best avoided.
15 Apr 2008 18:57
Jolly Fisherman, Stanstead St Margarets
McMullens pub next to the river so in a nice location. The main bar is fairly food oriented but the smaller bar is better. Ales generally kept OK but nothing special and the food is quite acceptable. Can get quite busy but the service is reasonable most of the time.
15 Apr 2008 18:54
In a nice location by the river but there is not much else to recommend this pub. It is a 'family pub' in the Harvester sense of the word. The beer was acceptable but nothing to write home about and the food is of the churned out variety that you find in most of these chain pubs. Acceptable on a nice summers day if you are desperate and don't mind rthe crowds flocking there with you but apart from that, very unispiring.
15 Apr 2008 18:49
We stopped here a few months ago on a weekday lunchtime. Dificult to find (we had to ask directions at the farm shop) but well worth the effort. As others have said it is a very small pub but in a lovely location and pretty much untouched by modern day. The real ale was well kept (can't remember what it was but remember it was good) and we just had a ploughman's which was basic but an enormous chunk of cheese. A shame so few of these old style pubs are still around.
15 Apr 2008 17:08
The Battle of Trafalgar, Brighton
Quite a nice pub only a coupe of minutes walk from the station. Quite a traditional feel to it witha couple of different rooms and a patio garden. Beers well kept(Harveys, Sharps Doombar and Summer Lightning when I was in). We ate lunch and the food was pub grub but quite acceptable and not extortionate. Well worth the visit.
11 Apr 2008 18:27
Great pub hidden away from the High Street. Excellent real ales and good food and interesting decor. Unfortunately I do not live nearby so rarely get the opportunity to visit, but when ever in Tring then I will head here. A real pub that is definitely worth the visit.
4 Mar 2008 18:59
The Cross Keys, Norton Fitzwarren
Went in here on a Sunday night a few weeks before Christmas as it was the only place to get a meal. It is a bit of a barn of a place and had little atmosphere. Generally staffed by youngsters but they were quite friendly and the service was acceptable. The food was mediocre at best and the ales were nothing special (not sure how it is in the Good Beer Guide). OK if desperate but not much more.
22 Feb 2008 15:08
Went in last night (early evening) for the first time since it changed hands. General atmosphere seemed similar to before the change of ownership. Beer choice was a bit less adventurous than before but still quite acceptable (Harveys, Kings Red River and Palmers Bicentenary). The Palmers Bicentenary was excelent and did not seem extortionate at �2.80 for a 5% beer. However, the winelist seemed expensive (in most cases nearly �4 or more for a 175ml glass). I did not look at the menu so cannot comment. Overall a good pub to go and have a pint in.
21 Feb 2008 18:53
Tucked away on the edge of town and right on the edge of the forest this is a pleasant traditional pub. Very friendly couple run the pub which served some fgood real ales when I was there (very nice Butcombe). The food was well priced and freshly cooked. Friendly locals who I got talking to and becasue I was staying I ended up sitting up late and drinking rather more than I had intended! the B and B accomodation is basic but clean and not expensive. All in all a friendly pub serving good ale and food.
7 Feb 2008 19:33
Quite a nice pub with generallly comfortable bar area. We ate on a Sunday night and the food was good but not exceptional. The St Austell ales were in good condition and the atmosphere was friendly with good service. A nice chatty landlord. Probably the best pub in teh Buckfatsleigh area.
3 Feb 2008 13:07
Pub in the centre of this pleasant small town. One open plan bar area, which has been recently refurbished and is quite nice but nothing special, plus a small courtyard garden. Only one real ale on (Princeton Jail Ale) which was Ok but nothing special. Seems to be very quiet (even on a Saturday night)and the landlord did not seem to be very interested in anything, including his pub (could these two observations be linked???). A pub with potential but not worth visiting at the moment.
3 Feb 2008 13:02
This hidden away country pub can be hard to find but it is well worth the effort. A mixture of several rooms which have not really changed that much in many years and also an outdoor seating area. It is deservedly popular and so is often busy. Harveys best bitter is the main real ale which most of the time is in good condition although I have had the occasional poor pint over the years. The service is probably the weak point and I have on a number of occasions been ignored for quite a while in favour of locals before being served. It is well known for excellent live music every week.
31 Jan 2008 14:34
Wetherspoons, Victoria Station
Occasionally stop here early evening if waiting for a train, it being the only place to get a pint of real ale in the station (I think). It is always busy and in a bit of a state. The staff could be quicker and seem unmotivated and unknowledgeable. The beers are usually OK but nothing to write home about. The toilets are a complete mess. The best thing is to buy your beer and go out onto the terrace outside and watch the masses scurrying home. a place for when you are despaerate and no more.
24 Jan 2008 11:07
Not the most attractive pub in a very attractive small town. The decor in the lounge bar is still as it was during the 60's (wood effect cladding on the walls) and the public bar is basic. A couple of ales on when I went (a Sunday evening) and my first pint was pretty ropey but was exchanged without argument for a better one from the other pump. Locals were very friendly and chatty but the pub really needs some money spent on it.
22 Jan 2008 17:17
Nice looking stone pub near the canal in this pleasant village. Some quite interesting real ales that seemed to be well kept. Something of a gastropub with a good menu and the food was very good although definitely on the expensive side (�10-15 per main course). Gets very busy and may need to book if eating. Not somewhere to go everyday but good if looking for a nice meal out in a pleasant atmosphere, albeit at a price.
22 Jan 2008 16:51
Traditional fairly basic city centre pub near the station serving excellent Harvey's ales. Most of the time there is a good atmosphere although I have occasionally been in there when some of the other customers have been distictly the worse for wear and generally a bit too lively. Not the best pub in Brighton but certainly in the top group.
21 Jan 2008 15:55
A great pub serving excellent real ales (3 dark Star plus guests) and real ciders. Decor quite mosdern but pleasant enough. Usually quite busy but always very friendly. The bar staff are welcoming and knowledgeable and the locals always seem happy to chat. Little in the way of food but the pasties are well worth trying. Darts and bar billiards for those who want something to do but most people just sit and chat and enjoy great beers and ciders in a great atmosphere. Not to be missed.
21 Jan 2008 15:42
Nice looking pub on the Oxford canal at the end of the terrace of houses which makes up the classic canal houses of Thrupp. The bar is pleasant enough although the snug is cosier. Nice garden out the back. Real ales are reasonably kept and can include ones from interesting breweries, but not always. The food is good but a bit on the pricey side. Service is good and ythe landlord (who I am sure is actually Rod Stewart!) is attentive.
18 Jan 2008 11:06
Quite a large pub in a very good location next to the Oxford canal. As a result it attracts many people from the boats in the season and can be busy. Given the potential here it is very disappointing with a feel of a Harvester about it. Real ales were uninspiring and although we have not eaten there vthe food looks OK but nothing special. If you want a pub rather than a fanmily restaurant for tourists then I would suggest The Boat a couple of hundred yards up the canal is a better bet.
18 Jan 2008 11:02
Well worth seeking out this back street pub opposite the gasometerand near the hospital. Quite a small pub and usually quite busy with plenty of people sitting at the bar. Always planty of banter going on especially when the landlady is on duty. Good selection of excellent real ales from microbreweries. Does basic pub grub and while I have not eaten there the food is supposed to be pretty good. Not sure I like the fact taht the V is on most of the time but this is a minor fault compared to all the excellent qualities of the pub.
17 Jan 2008 18:17
The Duke Of Wellington, Shoreham by Sea
Bit of a strange one this. Located in a pretty grim industrial area of Shoreham. Pub owned by Dark Star brewery so as you would expect the real ales are good with dark star plus microbrewery guests. It is often rather quiet (maybe that is becasue if I go in it is early evening) with just a few people sitting at the bar. Bar service is OK but nothing more. The decor is rather odd with laminate flooring and bright colours but it does not really work. Bottom line is that although the beer is good there is little atmosphere and it is definitely not as good as other the other Dark Star flagships (Evening Star and Stand up Inn).
17 Jan 2008 17:19
We stayed here for a night a few weeks ago. It was a Sunday so everything was very quiet but the pub was welcoming and has a fantastic old fireplace with log fire kept in all winter. Although it was a Sunday evenoing they were accomodarting with providing some club sandwiches when they were not normally available. The beer was reasonably well kept and the staff friendly. I expect at a busier time it would have a good atmosphere. I am not a smoker but it looked as if they had made some effort to provide a cosy smoking shelyter incluidng a nice solid fuel stove. Worth a visit.
10 Jan 2008 14:49
If you like real community pubs that have not been mucked around then you will love the Stanley. Backstreet local which serves an ever changing range of excellent real ales as well as holding regular beer festivals. Friendly locals and if you sit at the bar you will usually end up in a conversation with someone. definitely worth seeking out.
7 Jan 2008 17:40
Nice street corner local up at the top of the hill. An ex-Gales pub so now selling Fullers, but the Ale is consistently well kept. Sometimes nice and quiet and sometimes busy and full of atmosphere. Very good andf reasonable Sunday roasts. If I am in Brighton and I want to escape the world then it is often to the Napier!
7 Jan 2008 17:35
Large rather impersonal pub that has suffered at the hands of the pub company theme designers over the years. Gets busy but not really with much atmosphere. Real ale acceptable but nothing special. A place to go if desperate. Much better to go to the Evening Star anbout 100 yards (oops I must be old.... metres!) down the road.
7 Jan 2008 17:22
City centre pub with interesting decor. Generally well kept reales including Harveys and reasonable food. Can get very busy but worth a visit if in the area.
7 Jan 2008 17:13
The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton
Lively street corner pub just bear the North Laines area. Fullers ales (since the Gales takeover) which are well kept and good food. Busy but friendly with plenty of atmosphere. One worth seeking out.
7 Jan 2008 17:06
The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton
Lively street corner pub just bear the North Laines area. Fullers ales (since the Gales takeover) which are well kept and good food. Busy but friendly with plenty of atmosphere. One worth seeking out.
7 Jan 2008 17:05
Definitely one for the real ale lovers. Usually has about 6 ales on, 2-3 from Dark Star brewery, all very well kept and turned over quickly. Lots of stripped wood and pretty basic but not in an unpleasant way. Dangerous place to 'pop in for a quick one' because you will take a long time to 'pop out again'!
7 Jan 2008 16:59
The Duke of Wellington, Brighton
Pleasantly refurbished pub selling Harveys real ale. Sport shown on TV much of the time so good if that is your thing. Reasonably friendly but sometimes pretty busy.
7 Jan 2008 16:11
The Waggon and Horses, Brighton
A good pub for an area which is largely filled with trendy bars etc. Beer (including Harveys) generally well kept and staff friendly. Can get very busy but an outside seating area. Worth a visit.
7 Jan 2008 16:07
I went into this pub about three of months ago in the late afternoon. It was pretty quiet and the few people there were beinfg accosted by a couple of guys who were blind drunk. We went and sat outside only to be followed by one of the drunks who rambled on at another couple sitting there. About an hour after I left I went past the pub and the drunks were sitting outside shouting at passers by. At no time did the staff seem at all intersted in the behaviour of the drunks. OK if absolutley desperate but theer are plenty of better pubs in Brighton.
7 Jan 2008 16:00
Went here for a Sunday lunch a few weeks ago and was generally quite impressed. Nicely laid out quite smart pub interior with 2 or 3 real ales (I had a veruy nice pint of Butcombe Bitter). The main bar was full so we ate in the restaurant area which was a very pleasant room. The Sunday roast was very good and well above the average pub roast. The landlord was very welcoming apologied when the barmaid was a bit slow becasue it was her first day. Took care to explain to her how to serve the beer etc. A good pub well worth a return visit.
2 Jan 2008 13:14
Visited this pub early on a Sunday lunchtime and it already had several people propping up the bar. Goit the impression it was very much a drinking mans pub (which is not necessarily bad!). The range of ales was OK with small breweries in evidence but a bit disappointing and the beer was quite well kept. It was very dark and not particularly welcoming (we left after one drink and went to another pub nearby. Having read all the reviews I would say that generally I was a bit disappointed but would probably give it another try (on my own rather than with my wife who didn't like it) to see if there were some interesting beers on.
2 Jan 2008 13:07
Went here for lunch between Christmas and New Year. Pleasant traditional pub with 3 real ales on, I had a pint of Adnams Broadside which was very passable but not spectacular. The food was similarly very passable but nothing to write home about. The pub was quite busy for a lunchtime with several people eating and generally had a good atmosphere. Bar staff were welcoming and overall impression was of a pub that is worth a visit if in the area but not one to seek out.
2 Jan 2008 12:59
Stopped here for a quick drink this lunchtime (Boxing Day). Typical Weatherspoons chain pub but in a good location. Beer accetable but not particularly exciting. Food looked mediocre and the same as you get in most chain pubs (we just had some cheesy chips (keeps the teenagers happy!) which took a while to arrive and were unremarkable). Staff were looking gnereally bored and not very intersted in serving (our barmaid could just about manage a grunt!). OK if you are desperate but no better.
26 Dec 2007 17:38
I would agree with most of the other comments that this pub serves excellent ales but lacks atmosphere. It is nice in some ways that it seems to have changed very little since the middle of teh last century but wothout the atmosphere it is not somewhere that I would want to use all the time.
18 Dec 2007 16:23
The Old Cross Tavern, Hertford
Small but quite cosy pub selling a good range of changing ales from microbreweries including some you will rarely find in Herts. Staff are friendly and the beer is well kept. I have heard some comment on it getting very crowded but when I have visited (afternoons admittedly) it has had enough people for atmosphere but not been overly crowded. If in Hertford you should try to vist.
18 Dec 2007 11:13
I visit this pub regularly and can see why some may feel it a bit intimidating at first because it can be full of some rough and ready characters. However, it is worth persevering because it is actually quite a friendly place. There is always a selection of about 6 interesting real ales which are ever changing (often including a dark beer.... yummy!). The beers are well kept and the staff are happy to let you sample before you buy. Basic and no frills but none the worse for that. If in Lewes you really should make the effort to visit.
14 Dec 2007 13:48
I have visited this pub many times over the years. I would agree with orther comments that the pub has lost something from the refurbishments but that is nothing unusual these days and the I have seen much worse done to other pubs. It is defintely still a real pub that is run by one of the most professional landlords I have seen for several years. The beer is Greene King which is a disappointment, but there is usually something there that is worth drinking and the beers are well kept. I know many many people who would love to replace their own local with one like this and would recommend it.
12 Dec 2007 14:48
Harveys brewery tap so generally the beer is well kept and being Harveys is always a good start. The food in here is good quality and reasonably priced for the area. We had a function in the upstairs room and were very well looked after with lovely foos and attentive staff. Some of the bar staff do tend to be young and more interested in chatting with each other and having a bit of a laugh sometimes but apart from that well wortbn a visit.
7 Dec 2007 18:38
The Horns Lodge, South Chailey
As the owners, Linda and Mike are very pleased to announce that the Horns Lodge has been voted this year's Brighton and Southdowns CAMRA country pub of the year! It really is much appreciated and makes all the hard work seem worthwhile. A big thank you to everyone who voted for us!
18 Apr 2011 17:06