The Turf Tavern, Oxford

Hi everyone,

My name is Jonathan Tebbs, I'm one of the assistant managers at the Turf, and before that worked for 2 years as a barman during my studies in Oxford.
I've set up an account on here so I can have a go at defending my beloved pub! If anyone has any issues relating to the pub, especially on the topic of our real ales, please feel free to contact me, as I spend most of my life in the cellar there and take extreme care with the beers we bring on. Apologies to those who have been dissapointed by certain beers being off when they came in, but I refuse to bring a beer on if it is not ready!

I just wanted to quickly answer a few of what seems to be the regular problems people have when visiting.
Firstly, there is the issue of how busy we are! I truly am sorry to anyone who has to wait at the bar or for food, but the simple fact is that we are incredibly busy pub with an incredibly small bar! We can fit at maximum 4 people behind the bar at one time, and due to the fact that we are made to keep to strict wage budget we very rarely have as much staff on as we'd like. What I can assure you that regardless of how busy it is when you come in everyone there will be trying as hard as possible to get you served as quick as possible.
Secondly, yes we are Greene King! We know it all too well! Please stop reminding us! It would however be nice if everyone would not automatically assume because of this we are a bad pub. Come in and make an informed decision yourself. I'd recommend popping in soon as we have the lovely White Horse Black Horse Porter coming on, as well as their new brew 'Blowing Stone'!
Finally, I'd like to say a quick word on those who believe they have been shortchanged regarding beer exchange. I will readily admit that I am loath to replace a pint, but only if there is not good reason. As mentioned earlier, the beer would not have been brought on if it was not ready, and only in the depths on the winter is there ever any chance of a beer being on long enough to go off! We, and I, pride ourselves in our beer quality, and we are happy to provide tasters and advice to make sure you pick a beer you like, 99% when people bring beer back to me it is because they haven't tried it before and assume because they don't like the taste of it it must be off. I would be lying if I said I liked every single beer we had in the Turf- but ale is all about personal preference, hence why it infuriates me when people simply ask 'give me your best ale'! We have 11, often ranging from dark porters and stouts to light hoppy golden ales. I personally prefer a massively hopped, strong beer, preferably a classic IPA, 5%+ and enough bitterness to melt your taste buds! So obviously my best would not be a dark beer, but it may be for you!

So if you want to ensure a good pint please come in and try and catch me at the bar, though you'll be very lucky to find me out of the cellar!!!!!

7 Feb 2011 16:13