BITE user comments - Brownspot
Comments by Brownspot
I am told that the Castle has now been taken into the Palmers Brewery stable. People will have their own opinions on Palmers Ales and they generally have good reviews.
Palmers have a very poor record of having guest beers in their establishments and they have no history of keeping real ciders at all and so this 2014 CAMRA cider pub of the year may soon have no real ciders. It remains to be seen what happens.
12 Sep 2016 11:17
I have visited my ‘local from home’ on a number of occasions since February and have seen the gradual transition from Pub to Restaurant continue.
It is good that at least one person finds ‘the sofas’ nice to sit on in the afternoon when having tea. However, they are not very useful when there is a group trying to get to the bar to drink beer in the evening. Table space, in what was the public bar, is limited and all tables are prioritised for diners.
The local ‘regulars’ that I have spent many evenings chin wagging with over the years have mostly gone. They have been largely replaced by vehicle bound visitors and family groups, with children, as also mentioned in a report below.
Dart boards have gone and 10.30pm closing does not encourage, or allow, traditional pub games such as league darts or table skittles.
All this may be the way forward to keep establishments open but it’s a shame that another village pub is on its way to changing into a gastro-diner.
Beer is a big interest of mine and I am sorry that the Palmers flagship ale, ‘200’, has gone. Not enough being sold apparently. (Car based custom?) The rest of the real ales (IPA etc) as mentioned by another reviewer is now ‘iffy’ to say the least and cannot be recommended.
So, worth a visit if you have children and beer is not your priority or you fancy a cream tea in the afternoon. Groups of serious and discerning beer drinkers look elsewhere.
23 Jul 2013 10:59
Not sure about the outside views but inside you have a warm pub with a good choice of real ales. A real ale buffs idea of heaven.
Everyone was friendly. A good visit.
16 Apr 2013 13:52
I dont know why I go in to Wetherspoons................... probably for the cheap food, such as on this visit. The atmosphere is dire and the beer poor......... that is if you can get served.
Cheap they may be but they are not 'pubs'.
16 Apr 2013 13:47
My Local (I wish) . I have nothing to gain from these comments . Do try. Its and absolute pleasure in everyway.
6 Feb 2013 16:12
The beer selection here is good. Real ale people should give it a visit. I go quite often and have never had anything to complain about. Not the most comfortable of places but the beer is a great attraction.
6 Feb 2013 16:06
I visit this area 2/3, sometimes 4 times a year and have seen this pub make dramatic changes over the past 6 or 7 years............. almost all for the worst.
Evidently, the 'Grumpy Old Men' double act has recently ended and they now have a new landlady. She had only been there a week on this visit. The locals tell me it is too early to come to a conclusion but , what is sure at the moment , is that she calls time at 10.30 and sticks to it. It may be 11 on Fridays and Saturdays.
The bar area is now dominated by two huge sofas which, in my opinion , are far too big for the environment. Tables and chairs are consequently limited and you find yourself doing quite a detour to get to the bar. Eating in the bar will also be limited as tables seem to have been 'lost' to accomodate the sofas. So for us visitors and holiday makers, especially in the summer, it may be limited or you may have to go in the lounge. I know that locals dont use the lounge very much.
The beer was good but had gone up by 30p a pint with the change of landlord. I guess £3.50 is average for a pint in that neck of the woods?
I am down again for a longer visit in a few months and will report again.
6 Feb 2013 15:16
The Lulworth Beach Hotel, West Lulworth
I called in here the other day expecting to see a change as, last time I was in the area, I was told that Palmers were taking over. Apparently that all fell through and things are as they were. Great for real ale and cider drinkers and dog owners who like to share their bedroom and dining facilities with them.
Former CAMRA real cider pub of the year. Worth a visit just for that.
6 Dec 2016 15:15