The Empress, Cambridge

First visit for a year or so. Last time I went for an Elgood's which was soupy but it was changed with apologies. Earlier this evening I had a buntingford aramis, single hop beer from a new hop so I stuck with it for half a pint before taking it back. It tasted like the malt was bad, in the same way it's very obvious when Adnams beers have been on a bit too long! Asked for a half of oakham JHB, not my favourite, but nevertheless reliable and very difficult to mess up (as someone who has looked after Oakham beers for over 5 years) and was asked to pay for it. It was so cloudy I could barely see my finger through the glass. Returned the beer and was not offered a refund when we said we were leaving. For a pub that publicise the fact that they were branch pub of the year 2010 they need to drastically improve the quality of the beer.

On a personal note, it's quite a friendly pub, we went there to play bar billiards and everyone was very nice. The slightly over-the-top Christmas decorations might offend epileptics but it's cosy. For this reason it's earned its one point out of out of ten.

19 Nov 2012 20:20

The Empress, Cambridge

First visit for a year or so. Last time I went for an Elgood's which was soupy but it was changed with apologies. Earlier this evening I had a buntingford aramis, single hop beer from a new hop so I stuck with it for half a pint before taking it back. It tasted like the malt was bad, in the same way it's very obvious when Adnams beers have been on a bit too long! Asked for a half of oakham JHB, not my favourite, but nevertheless reliable and very difficult to mess up (as someone who has looked after Oakham beers for over 5 years) and was asked to pay for it. It was so cloudy I could barely see my finger through the glass. Returned the beer and was not offered a refund when we said we were leaving. For a pub that publicise the fact that they were branch pub of the year 2010 they need to drastically improve the quality of the beer.

On a personal note, it's quite a friendly pub, we went there to play bar billiards and everyone was very nice. The slightly over-the-top Christmas decorations might offend epileptics but it's cosy. For this reason it's earned its one point out of out of ten.

19 Nov 2012 20:20

The Golden Key, Snape

This pub has recently been accredited as food pub of the year, by Adnams, I believe. As an Adnam's pub I did expect a few more beers being served and my pint of Explorer was pretty flat to be honest. The Bitter was superb but only 3 cask ales, one of which was definitely below par, even for an untied pub.

Food was supreme. I had moussaka with hand-cut chips instead of salad served with no fuss or incident. Said chips were beyond reproach and clearly were in potato form not an hour before they were served. It seems that this place is favoured by actors as I was told that someone from gavin and stacey was having lunch with alf garnett when we were there. Puddings far exceeded expectations ranging from brownie to baked cheesecake via home-made icecream.

I cannot say enough for this rural place. It's located bang-smack in the middle of retirement country but still it provides superb service from the bar and waiting staff as well as reasonable ale and top-quality food. When I first saw the menu I took a sharp intake of breath but after eating was highly satisfied.

17 Jul 2010 02:08