BITE user comments - brewmaster54
Comments by brewmaster54
Pleasant enough barman and the beer was OK, but every pint he pulled had a head of froth an inch or more deep and they were not oversized glasses! Nobody said a word and there was no offer to top up. They must be raking in a small fortune! No food for 2 weeks at the moment , so moved on to the Old Post Office and The Castle - see comments for these.
11 Aug 2012 12:42
Happened to be staying overnight in the area. Called in on the basis of recent(ish) reviews. What a mistake!! See comments posted on The Castle. They are obviously so desperate for clientelle that they were selling beer at �1.50 and �2.20 a pint. The clientelle it attracts were the dregs as was the beer. I rarely leave beer, but I did this time. Told the "barmaid" what I thought of it - she said "that's a shame" and disappeared outside for a fag! The pub didn't take long to regress to its former self! Avoid!!
11 Aug 2012 12:32
Disregarded this pub after previous reviews and tried The Old Post Office. What a mistake!! TOPO were selling crap beer at �1.50 to �2.20 a pint. Cheap yes, but the clientelle were the dregs as much as the beer was. In front of me and the missus some drunken sot told everyone he was going for a w*nk outside ( and it had nothing to do with his glazed eyes!) The barmaid (ha, ha - "maid"!!) just ignored him! So we went over the Castle and what a lovely place it is! Very roomy, friendly staff - offered a taster to everyone unsure of the beers. Its a Joules Brewery outlet and the beer was well kept. The food was very good too - big fat homemade chips. The ploughmans platter was a struggle for the missus - loads of it! Give it a go!
11 Aug 2012 12:23
Dropped in for a few jars & lunch before a Bowls match at the Staniforth Club opposite. GK IPA fine, didn't try the Abbott. Everyone who had lunch there were very impressed by the quantity & presentation of the food. Yes, the bar is not quite as imposing as the external facade, but its worth a visit all the same.
23 Sep 2009 18:42
Inevitably tried this 'spoons offering once at the weekend. Fair choice of ales (5) but served poorly by the young wenches behind the bar. Typical setup with beer saturated carpets and tables. Made a change not to have to struggle up or down stairs to get to the toilets! Most 'spoons seem to make you wish you went to the loo before that last beer!
23 Sep 2009 01:42
Pub on the Prom, Great Yarmouth
Had several visits during our Bowls Tour as it was far superior to the grotty hotel we were staying at ( Hadleigh Gables). Only 4 ales on pumps - all ok except from the way they were poured by very young girls behind the bar. "Frothy man!". Had a lovely meal in the adjoining Bistro where you can eat Bar food or something "a bit special" - its a hotel as well. Worth a visit.
23 Sep 2009 01:30
Mariners Tavern, Great Yarmouth
Had a quick visit this weekend during a Bowls Tour in the area. Wished I had longer! 8 ales on tap and 3 ciders - mostly local but some from further afield. Had several halves to try the quality - all superb! An ale lovers paradise! Toilets currently being refurbished, and to a very high standard, by the family running the place. Several themed festivals each year when they have 16 or so ales and 6 ciders. Of the beaten track, so few tourists find it - unlike the Troll Cart! Highly recommended.
23 Sep 2009 01:22
Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall, Staveley
Stumbled upon this setup, in a little Trading Estate, more by luck than effort. Typical Brewery Tap arrangment rather than a pub, but with 6-8 Ales on tap who's complaining! Bought several bottled Ales to savour later! Nice to view parts of the Hawkshead Brewery through large windows, though no activity during our stay. Try the local Bakery afterwards, (almost next door) for lovely fresh bread and cakes - yummy!!
23 Jun 2009 14:00
Very friendly old pub a bit off the beaten track so fewer tourists. 6 Ales in good order. Only had a sandwich for lunch and thought �5 for 2 slices of bread with tuna mayo filling, a bit of salad and 6 chips not very good value for money, though. Rather spoilt the occasion. Pity!
23 Jun 2009 13:47
Popped for a quick one before alighting the delightful little R&E train next door. 4 Real Ales on, but only had time for one. Had one of their burgers which was skinny and definitely not homemade! Had a couple of VERY pleasant Ales at The Holly House Hotel on the estuary earlier though! (not listed yet, but well worth a visit)
23 Jun 2009 13:38
The Village Inn, Bowness on Windemere
One of the largest pubs in Bowness but friendly all the same. 5 Real Ales in good condition. Food very good too. Despite the buildings around it, the large patio area outside is a real sun trap in the evenings! Very pleasant.
23 Jun 2009 13:29
The Royal Oak, Bowness on Windermere
Friendly pub with 6 Real Ales, mostly local. Beer kept well and rotated regularly. Didn't try the food but noted the chips were like house bricks!! Pity the carpark and beer garden are one and the same!
23 Jun 2009 13:24
The White House, Bowness on Windermere
Pub now more of a Bistro cafe than a boozer. Couldn't order at the bar - "waiter service at tables" only?!! Only had Jennings Cumbrian on tap so didn't stay. Don't think it will offer any competition to the other far better pubs in the area.
23 Jun 2009 13:18
The Hole int' Wall, Bowness on Windermere
Very Olde Worlde type pub (its about 400 years old!) with loads of character and ornaments to keep one amused. 4 Ales on tap, mostly Robinsons. Had the Lamb Henry on our last day and it was mouth wateringly good! Recommended.
23 Jun 2009 13:13
The Angel Inn, Bowness on Windermere
Pub located on a pretty steep hill with ample beer gardens on slope up to pub. Only 2 Robinsons Ales on tap but plenty of tasteless lagers and Smoothflows. You need to have the footing of a mountain goat to carry a tray of drinks to your table!
23 Jun 2009 13:07
Called in last week to use the toilets after a buttock clenching drive over Hardknot pass!! Had to try the Ales of course. Had 8 Real Ales on tap, mostly from its own micro brewery in the back plus Hawkshead and a few others. Pub in a nice spot, but very plain and open inside - almost like a village Hall. (Might be under new management). Will need to improve to compete with other pubs locally.
23 Jun 2009 13:02
Called in twice last week ( could have been more often but there were so many great pubs in the Lakes it was a job to get them in! ). Rightly named CAMRA pub of the year in the region. Approx 15 Real Ales on tap, 6 from the micro brewery in the back! Staff knowlegable and pleasant. Food of good quality though not cheap, but then evrywhere in the Lakes is expensive in comparison to many Urban pubs struggling to survive! Highly recommended!
23 Jun 2009 12:54
One of the John Barras chain of pubs. Usually 3 Real Ales on tap plus all the "others". Aimed at the younger generation with numerous TVs for various sporting events. Good variety of typical pub fare with generous portions, many at �8 for 2 meals, so very popular most evenings.
23 Jun 2009 12:44
The Bold Dragoon, Weston Favell
Still selling 5 - 8 well kept real ales. GK IPA, Abbott and Pride are house ales plus 3 to 4 guests. Rather pricey so not doing as well as it used to. Food not as good as it was either. Had a few jars ( of very pleasant Phipp's IPA ) and a meal on Saturday and instead of the usual 2 to 3 deep at the bar ( a few years ago ), the pub was markedly quiet. Managing to survive, but at what cost? A sign of the times!
25 May 2009 20:41
The Brampton Halt, Chapel Brampton
Extensive food menu. Several different themed eating/drinking areas inside. Large outdoor area with its own natural ecopark around a small lake. VERY popular with families and understandably so with the Northampton & Lamport Railway next door. Usually 3 or 4 Real Ales, mostly Everards. Perhaps not a place for a quiet drink, unless you have time during a week day. Popular with local workers after a hard days slog.
25 May 2009 19:50
Popped in over Easter. As usual, a good choice of Ales - typical of Wetherspoons. Staff mostly immigrants who have little knowledge of English pubs. Two members of staff carried on topping up the chiller cabinets despite the two servers struggling to cope with the customers. (again typical of Wetherspoons). Food wasn't up to scratch, sold out of several choices. Cheap for the area and that's why it's popular.
16 Apr 2009 04:00
Tried this pub over Easter on the back of previous reviews - found it dissapointing. Beer was fine but locals ignorant and unfriendly. Why can't people say "excuse me" before barging between you and your partner? Bar was too low to lean on but did have coat hooks under the counter (I wish they all did). Huge windows take up most of the front which is fine for viewing the Great Park opposite but feels more like being in a shop than a pub.
16 Apr 2009 03:49
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The Sun Inn, Coate
Went there on a Thurs night a couple of weeks ago. Staff very pleasant. Beer (Arkells) in good nick and a fair price. Had a very good meal there with friends and had a most enjoyable time. Live group played in Bar area and as they were a more "mature" bunch they played some fine Rock without getting too heavy or loud!
Stayed overnight in one of the superb hotel rooms in a separate block as we were travelling on to Dorset. £60 for B&B in one of those rooms was a fantastic end to our stay. Will definitely be back again when in the area.
4 May 2014 23:39