The Imperial, Exeter

Having just criticised Wetherspoon's in my last review, the roles seemed to be reversed in Exeter. This was a very enjoyable visit to this branch of the chain. The Imperial is huge. I thought I'd found the main bar, only to find a much bigger bar in the so-called orangery. The full ale range across the 2 bars was Hanlon's Yellow Hammer, Kirkstall Dissolution IPA, Greene King IPA & Abbot, Sharp's Doom Bar, Milestone Fletchers, Morland Old Speckled Hen, Walker White Gold, Bowman's Wallops Wood, Hunter's Black Jack, Otter Ale & Exmoor Beast. The real cider range was very impressive - Snail's Bank Yuzu, Mango Cider, Black Forest, Raspberry Ripple, Orchard Dry, Banoffee Pie & Appley Dappley, Barbourne Tangerine Dream, Thatcher's Stan's Cheddar Valley, Hunt's Hazy Dazy & Elf's Tipple, Thistly Cross Whisky Cask & Purbeck Cider Company Katy Perry. The place was absolutely packed with students from the nearby Exeter University. They all seemed to be having a final hurrah before vacating the university due to the coronavirus fears. This was a very good example of a Wetherspoon's and was a fitting last pub before what I presume will be a hiatus of a few months. Adieu for now.

17 Mar 2020 21:31

The Great Western Hotel, Exeter

With just time to take in a couple of pubs in Exeter, before leaving Devon and with the Thatched House Inn closed on a Sunday evening, my first stop was the Great Western Hotel, next to Exeter St David's station. There's a good range of ales here. But, they were all pale ales - Thirst Class Magnum Pale, Exeter Avocet Ale, Orkney Northern Light, Skinner's Chapel Rock, Salcombe Devon Amber, Quantock Nice Try & Dartmoor Jail Ale. Locals were crowded around the bar. Others seemed a bit uncouth. I followed one guy out of the gents who was not interested in washing his hands. He then proceeded to use some fairly flowery language whilst criticising various politicians. Seemingly an outstanding model of the community! I didn't quite take to this pub. Whilst, it has a good range of interesting beers, there was a lack of differing styles and the clientele were more like the ones you'd find in a Wetherspoon's.

17 Mar 2020 21:24

The Poacher's Inn, Ide

Friendly village pub, with a lovely, cosy interior. Locals were having a philosophical debate about the short-term future of the country, given the arrival of coronavirus. They were interested to hear from somebody who was out of town and trying to visit every pub in the country. Sadly, I think my quest may become too easy soon. But I really hope that village locals like this survive the current crisis, as they are integral to our heritage. The ale range was good - Branscombe Vale Branoc, Exeter Tomahawk & Darkness, Salcombe Lifesaver & South Hams Eddystone. The Darkness was the first dark beer I'd seen all weekend in what was my 23rd pub!

17 Mar 2020 21:17