UK TOWN AND CITIES PART TWO,,
AS FROM DECEMBER 2018 THERE WILL BE NO MORE PUBS ADDED TO THIS PAGE
Including Belfast, Exeter and Exmouth, Manchester, Cardiff, York,
Derby, Edinburgh, Bristol, the Lake District and Norwich
BELFAST
Belfast is the capital of Northern
Ireland, with a population of 333,000. The country was well-known for what was
called the ‘troubles’ between 1968 to 1998, between the loyalists and the
nationalists. Which ended with the Good Friday Agreement 1998. This has given
Northern Ireland what is called a peace dividend, with regeneration, investment
and tourism coming into the country. Tourism-wise Belfast is divided into 7
quarters, the most recent being the Titanic Quarter. A day trip to the Giant’s
Causeway is strongly recommended.
Beer-wise: While Belfast has some
good pubs, choice of beer, including real ale, is thin on the ground.
Bittles
Bar, 70 Upper Church Lane, Belfast, BT1 4EL.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
no real ale, but craft keg on tap.
Telephone-
028-9031-1088
Lovely small traditional pub in the city centre, with paintings on the
wall of various Northern Ireland celebrities. A few craft beers on tap, but no
samplers are given. Friendly barman who is getting into good banter with his
regulars, making for a good atmosphere. A pint of Bally Black Stout was £4.30.
John 8/10 visit March 2018
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Bridge
House, 27 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7EJ.
Owner-
Wetherspoons
Beers-
Sharp’s Doombar, Greene King Abbot, Deuchars IPA, Phoenix Hop Sack, Brains St
David’s Ale, Truman Runner.
Telephone-028-9072-7890
Web
site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/n-ireland/county-antrim/the-bridge-house-belfast
Best choice of real ale ( and other beers) in Belfast, because this is a
Wetherspoons pub! Standard Spoons decor over two floors in an open-plan style .
Good atmosphere at the time of my visit. In a way this is a English pub in
Belfast! A pint of Brains St Davids Ale was £2.49.
John 9/10 visit March 2018
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Crown,
48 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7BA.
Owner-
Nicholson
Beers-
Nicholson Pale Ale, Sharp’s Doombar, Whitewater Belfast Ale, Rudgate Instant
Treasure, Itchen Valley Pride of the Valley, Mourne Gold.
Telephone-
028-9024-3187
Wonderful Victorian pub with an amazing ceiling and tiled floor. The pub
has private booths/snug rooms each with its own door which cuts you off from
the rest of the pub, something I have not seen in a pub before. All the booths
are taken up at the time of my visit, but the bar area is lovely as well. There
are 6 real ales on handpump, 5 are from England, but I have a pint of the local
Whitewater Belfast Ale at £4.30. Glad to get
to this pub at last, after having read so much about it.
John 9.5/10 visit March 2018
FOOT NOTE
A week after my visit Prince Harry and Megan visited this pub, as part
of their visit to Belfast. So it is a ‘must visit’ tourist attraction!
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Carrick
Bar, 29 Chichester Road, Belfast, BT1 4JB.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
No real ale
Telephone-028-9032-1984
Web
site- http://www.thegarrickbar.com/index.htm
Nice small traditional pub, with lots of wood panelling and a checked
floor. There are 2 screens with the football on low volume, but no one is
really watching. The one real ale, Sharp’s Atlantic is not on today, so I had a
Hophouse 13 lager ( Guinness) at £4.20 a pint. The pub has a good range of US
and European bottled beers.
John 7/10 visit March 2018
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Dirty
Onion and Yardbird, 3 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LA.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
no real ale but craft keg on tap and bottled beers.
Telephone-028-9024-3712
Web
site- http://www.thedirtyonion.com/
Claims to be one of the oldest buildings in Belfast. Low lighting and
candles on the tables give this place a cosy atmosphere. Another Belfast pub
with fiddle players on a Sunday afternoon. A few interesting beers on tap; I
had a Whitewater Belfast Dark Stout at £4.50 a pint, as well as a good range of
bottled beers.
John 7/10 visit March 2018
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Duke
of York, 7/11 Commercial Court, between Hill St and Donegal St, Belfast, BT1
2NB.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
no real ale
Telephone-
028-9024-1062
Web
site- https://dukeofyorkbelfast.com/venues/duke-of-york/
This pub has one of the most impressive beer/whiskey memorabilia I have
seen for a while. Every inch of space on the walls are taken up by brewery or
whiskey mirrors, the ceiling is full up with beer and whiskey trays.
Impressive. Live music again on a Sunday afternoon, but this time guitars and
singing, no fiddlers. No great beer choice, but a lovely pub. A pint of
Guinness was £4.50.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2018
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Errigle
Inn, 312 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 2GE.
Owner-Free
House
Beers-
real ales in the Oak Lounge.
Telephone-
028-9064-1410
Web
site- http://www.errigle.com/
A large traditional roadside pub with a cosy relaxed atmosphere, mainly
full of diners having their Sunday roast. Big mistake here; the real ale is in
the Oak Lounge bar not the main bar, so I had a pint of Guinness at £4.20,
before I realised my mistake! Across the road from the Northern Lights, which
makes the long trip worthwhile.
John 7/10 visit March 2018
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Hudson
Bar, 10/14 Gresham Street, Belfast, BT1 1JN.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
no real ale but a few craft keg beers.
Telephone-
028-9023-2322
Web
site- http://hudsonbelfast.com/
Small modern bar with a big outside drinking area. A few interesting
beers by Belfast standards, but not enough. A Clonmel Irish lager ( which I
found out is brewed by Bulmers) is £4.30. Asked to give up my seats for diners!
John 5/10 visit March 2018
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John
Hewitt, 51 Donegal Street, Belfast, BT1 2FH.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Shepherd Neame Whitstable Bay Pale Ale
Telephone-
028-9023-3768
Web
site- http://www.thejohnhewitt.com/
Nice wood panelled pub, with a nice fire. Lots of different rooms around
the pub, plus the stage for live music. Only one handpump, Shepherd Neame
Whitstable Bay Pale Ale was £4.10 a pint, plus various Belfast micros on the
keg taps. Opens 19:00 on Sunday.
John 7/10 visit March 2018
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Kelly
Cellars, 30 Bank Street, off Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1HL.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
no real ale
Telephone-
028-9024-6058
Web
site- http://www.kellyscellars.com/
Traditional pub with a lovely black and white decor, off an alleyway
from a main shopping street. Very busy at the time of my visit, with a lively
atmosphere. My pint of Guinness took a while to pour ( as it should) and was
£4.70. No food which might explain the most expensive pint of Guinness on my
trip!
John 7/10 visit March 2018
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MuHughs,
29 Queens Square, Belfast, BT1 3FG.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Whitewater Maggies Leap
Telephone-
028-9050-9999
Web
site- http://www.mchughsbar.com/
Claims to be one of the oldest buildings in Belfast ( 1711). The pub has
different rooms going off the bar, including an upstairs dining room. One of
the rooms has musicians playing the fiddles; I am in a quieter room with comfy
seats and a fire. A pint of Whitewater Maggie’s Leap was £4.50.
John 8/10 visit March 2018
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Northern
Lights, 451 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 3GQ
Owner-
Galway Bay Brewery
Beers-
10 craft keg taps from Galway Bay Brewery.
Telephone-
028-9029-0291
Web
site- http://www.galwaybaybrewery.com/northernlights/
A long walk from the city centre ( 25 minutes). This is a Galway Bay
pub; their first in Northern Ireland (they have 9 in the Republic). There are
10 taps ( and 1 disused handpump) with the beers mainly from their brewery.
Modern place over 2 floors, which seems pleasant enough, hard to judge the
atmosphere as I am the only person in at 12:25 on a Sunday! Food is mainly
burgers. Had a pint of Galway Bay Ale at £4.75.
John 7.5/10 visit March 2018
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Ronnie
Drew’s, 79 May Street, Belfast, BT1 3JL.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
no real ale
Telephone-
028-9024-2046
Nice traditional pub on the edge of the city centre, which might be why
it’s not too busy on a Saturday night. Nice traditional decor and atmosphere,
the pub is more locals than tourists. Had a good pint of Guinness at £4.00.
John 7/10 visit March 2018
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Sunflower,
65 Union Street, Belfast, BT1 2JG.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Hidden Ale
Telephone-
028-9023-2474
Web
site- http://www.sunflowerbelfast.com/
A nice traditional pub to the North of the city centre. Small pub with a
large beer garden, which while heated, is being used by a lot of young people
on this cold winter’s day-us old farts will stick inside! A nice group of woman
drinkers on my table give me a centenary women’s suffrage badge to wear. A pint
of Hidden Ale was £3.90. Nice place, with a good atmosphere.
John 8/10 visit March 2018
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Woodworkers,
22 Bradbury Place, Belfast, BT1 4QN.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
14 craft keg taps from all over the UK.
Telephone-028-9087-1106
Web
site- https://www.facebook.com/thewoodworkersbelfast/
Not an easy place to find; no sign outside and no road number on
Bradbury Place. Nice upmarket place with a good atmosphere and staff. While the
pub does Guinness ( £4.20 a pint) and other mainstream beers, there are 14
craft taps from the UK on the blackboard above the bar, from the likes of
Beaverton, Buxton and Marble. I had a Lost and Grounded Running with Sceptre,
2/3 of a pint is £4.30 and a pint is £6.00.
John 8/10 visit March 2018
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EXETER and EXMOUTH
Exeter is the county of town Devon
with a population of 127,000, the main employers being, the City Council,
Exeter University, EDF, Flybe and the Met Office. It is a pleasant, if a little
hilly city, on the River Exe. Most of trains from London Paddington come into
Exeter St David Station. The journey time is roughly between 2 hours 15 minutes
to 2 hours 30 minutes. Beer-wise most of the handpump beers come from small
Devon breweries, which makes for interesting drinking! It is a good
beer-drinking city with some interesting pubs.
EXETER
CITY
CENTRE
Beer
Cellar, 2 South Street, Exeter, EX1 1DZ.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Tring Side Pocket for a Toad, Blackjack Belgian Gold, Dixie Spring Dixie Gold,
Waen Pamplermoose.
Telephone-
01392-757570
Small modern café/bar close to Exeter Cathedral which has the best
selection of micro beers ( real ale and craft) in Exeter. The décor and
atmosphere is not as impressive as the beer choice and the ( London) prices
were the most expensive on my trip. Four
different real ales, had a pint of Waen Pamplermoose at £4.50. Liked the silver
plated loo seat!
John 7/10 visit March 2017
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Fat
Pig, 2 John Street, Exeter, EX1 1BL.
Owner-
Fat Pig Brew Pub
Beers-
Fat Pig John Street, Tiny Ale, Black IPA plus one more ale.
Telephone-
01392-437217
Web
site- http://www.fatpig-exeter.co.uk/
Small back street local down a narrow street in the City centre. Nice
pub, with maybe too many reserved seats, but this does take away from a good
atmosphere. Home of the Fat Pig brewery; there are 3 of their beers on handpump
plus a guest beer. Had a pint of Fat Pig Tiny Ale at £3.80.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2017
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Georges
Meeting House, 38 South Street, Exeter, EX1 1ED
Owner-
Wetherspoons
Beers-Ruddles
Bitter, Sharp’s Doombar, Greene King Abbot, Dartmoor Jail Ale plus 4 guest
ales.
Telephone-
01392- 454250
Web
site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/devon/georges-meeting-house-exeter
Another impressive Wetherspoons pub; this time it is in an ex-chapel,
the pulpit, etched-glass windows and upstairs gallery all remain in the pub and
add to the atmosphere. Large pub but very busy, even in the early afternoon.
The guest beers are £2.49 a pint.
John 9/10 visit March 2017
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Oddfellows,
60 New North Road, Exeter EX4 4EF
Owner
–Free House
Beers-
St Austell Tribute, Proper Job, Camerons Brown Beer, Hop To It.
Telephone-
01392- 209050
Web
site- http://www.theoddfellowsbar.co.uk/
A pub which is similar to the Old Fire Engine across the road (see review below) in terms of clientele and atmosphere. The
difference is that the beer is from the handpump and there is no low lighting.
A pint of Camerons Brown beer was £3.50.
John 7.5/10 visit March 2017
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Old
Fire Engine, 50 New North Road, Exeter. EX4 4EP
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
5 real ales in barrels and lots of real cider and bottled beers.
Telephone-
01392-277279
Web
site- http://www.oldfirehouseexeter.co.uk/
This pub has impressive front courtyard entrance; inside the atmosphere
is wine bar/bistro with low lighting and candles on the table. Beers are from
the barrels . Whilst the names of the beers are on the fridge door, it is not
clear what brewery they are from. The menu is mainly pizza with 4 vegan
choices; the pizzas looked good! Had a pint of Yeovil Ruby at £3.40. The
clientele is mainly students and young people creating a good atmosphere.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2017
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Rusty
Bike, 67 Howells Road, Exeter, EX4 4LZ.
Owner-
Fat Pig
Beers-
Fat Pig John Street, Pegasus, plus one guest ale.
Telephone-
01392-214440
Web
site- http://www.rustybike-exeter.co.uk/
A nice back street local owned by local brewery Fat Pig, close to Exeter
Central Station, but just off the city centre. Bigger than it looks from the outside
with mainly benched seating. There is
table football in the middle of the pub. Opens at 1700 hours Monday to
Thursday. Had a pint of Fat Pig John Street at £4.00. The outside pub sign is a
rusty bike! Friendly staff.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2017
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Ship
Inn, 1/3 Matins Lane, Exeter, EX1 1EY
Owner-
Greene King
Beers-
Greene King IPA, Abbot, London Glory, Rugby Beer, Otter Bitter,
Telephone-
01392-272040
One of Exeter’s oldest pubs which is down an alleyway off the High
Street. Traditonal décor as you might
expect and the low lighting adds to the atmosphere. A Greene King pub, but I
had a pint of Otter Ale for £3.45. The friendly barman ran a pub quiz, to cut a
long story short, 3 students and me won it and got £40 worth of beer! Which
made it a memorable night!
John 8.5/10 visit March 2017
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White
Hart Hotel, 66 South Street, Exeter, EX1 1EE
Owner
- Marstons
Beers-
Wychwood Pinhead, Jennings Golden Host, Ringwood Blazer Bag.
Telephone-
01329-279897
Web
site- https://www.whitehartpubexeter.co.uk/
Everyone’s idea of an old coaching inn, with a flagstone floor, old
beams and a cobbled courtyard entrance. Lots of different rooms to go into, I
went into the tap room and secret garden. Didn’t have time to look at the
posters and pictures that were on the ceiling! Had a pint of Wychwood Pinhead
at £3.30.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2017
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MARSH
BARTON
Double
Locks, Canal Banks, Exeter, EX2 6LT
Owner-
Young’s
Beers-
Young’s Bitter, O’Hanlon Yellow Hammerhead, St Austell Cousin Jack, Exeter
Exocet.
Telephone-
01392- 214464
Web
site- http://www.doublelocks.com/
Not an easy pub to get to, but well worth the effort to find ( see below
on how to get there). The pub is in a lovely isolated location next to a canal
lock. I have previously visited here and it is good to see the pub remains
unchanged and has kept its charm. A big outside drinking area makes it perfect
for a summer’s day. Open at 1100 hours, but can close early on a winter’s
evening. A pint of St Austell Cousin Jack was £3.90. Classic pub.
John 10/10 visit March 2017
HOW TO GET THERE.
By car go through the Marsh Barton Industrial Estate, over a wooden
bridge, turn right, go along a single track road, then you see the pub car park
or you can walk from the city centre from The Samuel Jones-pub cross the
footbridge near the pub walk along the River Exe, cross over the next
footbridge to the left hand side, you are on the Exeter Canal. Follow the canal towpath to the pub; it’s about a half
hour walk through the pretty Riverside Valley Park.
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ST
DAVIDS
Great
Western Hotel, Isambard Parade, Exeter, EX4 4NU
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Exeter Exocet, Ferryman, Dartmoor Legend, Jail Ale, RCH Pitchfork, Skinners
Penny Black.
Telephone-
013292-274039
Pub close to Exeter St David’s Station. In the previews I read about
this place, most said it needed a makeover; well the pub is in the middle of
being refurbished at the moment and it looks like they are doing a good job. A
good choice of local ales on the
handpumps. I had a pint of Exeter Ferryman at £3.25.
John 8/10 visit March 2017
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Imperial,
New North Road, Exeter, EX4 4AH.
Owner-
Wetherspoons
Beers-
Sharp’s Doonbar, Ruddles Bitter, Greene King Abbot, plus 9 guest ales and 3
real ciders.
Telephone-01392-434050
Web
site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/devon/the-imperial-exeter
One of Wetherspoons flagship pubs. An impressive building which was once
a grand hotel, with lots of different rooms, including a conservatory area.
There are 12 real ales and 5 real ciders over 3 bars. Had a pint of Gald’s No5
at £2.19, it is part of Spoons Monday club, it should be £2.49. There is a
pizza menu which is the first for me in a Spoons ( good idea). Pub is close to
St David’s Station and also Exeter college, which should suit both parties!
John 9/10 visit March 2017
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Mill
on the Exe, Bonhay Road, Exeter, EX4 3AB.
Owner-
St Austell
Beers
St Austell Tribute, Proper Job, Papermaker, Cousin Jack.
Telephone-
01392-214464
Web
site- http://millontheexe.com/
I have previously visited this pub with Stuart and Sue as part of the St
Austell passport. Then I called it a St Austell flagship pub; it still is.
Great location on a former paper mill on the River Exe; love the sound of the
water from the nearby weir. I think there has been a conservatory added since
my last visit, but most seats try to have a view of the River Exe. Had a pint
of St Austell Cousin Jack at £3.80. Great place for a pint and to watch the
world go by.
John 10/10 visit March 2017
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ST THOMAS
Sawyer
Arms, 121 Cowick Street, Exeter, EX4 1JD.
Owner-
Wetherspoons
Beers-
Sharp’s Doombar, Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Bitter, Bays Devon Dumpling,
Moorhouse Pride of the Pendle’s, Exeter Old Bitter, O’Hanlon Yellow Hammer plus
8 real ciders in the fridges
Telephone-
01329-269520
Web
site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/devon/the-sawyers-arms-exeter
A Wetherspoons pub in the St Thomas area of the city; about a 10 minute
walk from the High Street. Unlike the other 2 flagship Spoons pubs I have
visited, this is a modern pub. Décor is
open-planned and low ceiling with friendly atmosphere and staff. A pint of Bays Devon Dumpling was £2.45.
John 8/10 visit March 2017.
Wetherspoons other pub in Exeter, the Chevalier Inn in the city centre,
was closed for refurbished.
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THE
QUAY and ST LEONARDS
Samuel
Jones Smoke and Ale House, 37 Commercial Road, Exeter, EX2 4AE
Owner-
St Austell
Beers
St Austell Tribute, Coca Porter, Brains Bread of Heaven, Otter Ale.
Telephone-
01392-345345
Web
site- https://www.samueljonesexeter.co.uk/
Another St Austell riverside pub in a nice location. This time it is in
the Quay regeneration area. Modern comfortable décor with views out on the
River Exe. No handpumps, but the 4 beers I mention are real ales on taps; the
beers are served in 1/3, 2/3 and pints. A had a pint of St Austell Coca Porter
at £3.60. Despite the ‘please wait to be seated’ sign, most people are drinking
here. On draught there are 7 ales, 2 lagers, 1 stout and 2 ciders.
John 9/10 visit March 2017
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Prospect
Inn, The Quay, Exeter EX2 4AN
Owner-
Heavitree
Beers-Otter
Ale, Dartmoor Legend, South Hams Wild Blonde, Exeter Ferryman
Telephone-
01392-273152
Nice riverside pub on the Quay. It says it is an independent proper pub
and encourages people to eat, drink and relax. Décor is upmarket and
comfortable. It is cask marque approved and the staff are being paid the living wage ( first time I have seen
this in a pub). There 4 real ales on from local breweries; I had a pint of
Otter Ale at £3.90. Pub is owned by Heavitree who used to be a brewery, but
changed to being a pub-owning company in the 1970s.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2017
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On
the Waterfront, 4/9 The Quay, Exeter, EX2 4AP
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Sharp’s Atlantic, Dartmoor Jail Ale, Otter Ale.
Telephone-
01329-210590
Web
site- http://www.waterfrontexeter.co.uk/
A pub which is in some archway cellars, which are on the waterfront.
Most people are drinking outside today; inside the pub goes back a fair way,
but this is mainly taken up by diners. The front part of the pub is for
drinking. There are 3 real ales on; like the nearby Prospect it is Cask Marque approved, a pint of Sharp’s
Atlantic was £3.90.
John 8/10 Visit March 2017
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Hour
Glass Inn, 21 Melbourne Street, Exeter, EX2 4AU
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Exeter Avocet, Ferryman, Town Mill Black Ven, Long Man American Pale Ale, Black
Tor Pride of Dartmoor.
Telephone-01329-258722
Web
site- http://www.hourglassexeter.co.uk/
Small tucked away back-street
local which reminds me a little of an Amsterdam brown café. Décor is
student/bohemian with a nice City Brewery Ales window. Good atmosphere with
mainly younger people and good bar staff. There are 5 real ales on; I had a
Exeter Avocet at £4 a pint. The pub has a good selection of micro gins and
Scottish malts. See web site for opening hours.
John 9/10 visit March 2017
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EXMOUTH
Exmouth is a nice seaside town at the mouth of the River
Exe; with a population of 34,000 it is the fifth largest town in Devon. It is
under a half hour train ride from Exeter, and there are enough pubs (including
two brew pubs) here, to make a day trip from Exeter worthwhile.
Bicton
Inn, 5 Bicton Street, Exmouth, EX8 2RU
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Black Tor Pride of Dartmoor, Bays Top Sail, Wadworth 6X, Exmoor Dark, Salcombe
Gold, Dartmoor Jail Ale.
Telephone-
01395-272589
Web
site- http://www.bictoninn.co.uk/
Back street local which has been done out to a high standard without
losing its pubby feel. Pub has a pool table in one bar. Regulars are mainly
sitting around the bar. Good choice of beers from local breweries; had a pint
of Black Tor Pride of Dartmoor at £3.20.
John 8/10 visit March 2017
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First
and Last Inn, 10 Church Street, Exmouth, EX8 1PE
Owner-
Brew Pub Free House
Beers-Checkstone
Pole Sands, Neap Tide, Courage Directors, Otter Ale.
Telephone-01395-263275
A Exmouth back street with a difference, this is home to the Checkstone
brewery. It is a long narrow pub with a low ceiling and black and white aerial
photos of Exmouth. Locals are watching the Cheltenham races on the TV. A pint
of Checkstone Pole Sands was £2.50 and tasted good.
John 8.5/ visit March 2017
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Grapevine,
2 Victoria Road, Exmouth, EX8 1PL.
Owner-
Brew Pub Free house
Beers
–Crossed Hand Old Red Hand plus 2 ales from Hopcraft.
Telephone-
01395-222208
Web
site- http://www.thegrapevineexmouth.com/
Brew pub off the main town square. Comfortable modern décor with mainly
high tables and stools. This is the place to go if you like overseas bottled
beer, with a good choice of beers from Germany, Belgium and the USA. Had a pint
from the pub’s brewery Crossed Hands, it was Old Red Hand and was £2.88 a pint.
I got a 20% discount as it was before 1800 hours. Opens 1600 hours Monday to
Thursday.
John 9/10 visit March 2017
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Powder
Monkey, 2 The Parade, Exmouth, EX8 1BJ.
Owner-
Wetherspoons
Beers-Dartmoor
Jail Ale, Ruddles Bitter, Sharp’s Doombar, Otter Head, Hobgoblin Gold, Bays Top
Sail, Brains SA, Exmoor Beast.
Telephone-
01395-280090
Web
site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/devon/the-powder-monkey-exmouth
Standard spoons close to Exmouth Station, with various rooms of the main
bar. The cannon out the front of the pub gives the pub its name ( see on the
walls). Had a pint of Bays Top Sail at £2.75; guest beers here are more
expensive than Exeter!
John 8/10 visit March 2017
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The
Grove Esplanade, Exmouth EX8 1BJ.
Owner-
Young’s
Beers
Young’s Bitter, Special, Courage Directors, O’ Hanlon High Tackle.
Telephone-
01395-272101
Web
site- http://www.groveexmouth.co.uk/
A Young’s pub on the Esplanade, with the beach across the road. Nice
beer garden at the front of the pub. There is also a first floor balcony, from which I assume you can see the
beach. The ground floor bar is nice and
relaxing. A pint of O’Hanlon High Tackle
was £4.05.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2017
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MANCHESTER
Manchester is the largest city in the North West of England; the
population of Greater Manchester is 2.5 million people. Tourist-wise, there is
Lowry museum, National Football museum, China Town plus the Northern quarter
and Salford which have been regenerated. From a beer point of view, Manchester
is a great drinking city, with 4 traditional family breweries-Holts, Hydes,
Lees and Robinsons- all surviving the takeover mania of the 1950s and 1960s;
all have pubs in the city centre. Most cities were lucky to have 1 family
brewery surviving this period, and no city has more family breweries than
Manchester! As well as this there, are some good free houses selling a wide
range of beers from some good North West micros and other breweries further
afield. There are also a fair number of pubs selling Belgian bottled beers.
Another plus for the city is people in the customer services, be it pubs,
shops, restaurants, have a more friendly attitude to their customers than their
London counterparts. Visited May 2016
MANCHESTER CITY CENTRE
ARNDALE
Micro
Bar, Unit FC16, Arndale Market, Manchester, M4 3AH.
Owner-
Boggarts
Beers-
Boggart Ray of Sunshine, Rum Porter, Great Heck Voodoo Mild.
Telephone-0161-277-9666
A small bar in Arndale market
which lives up to its name! The bar is in the food market and not easy to find;
all that money spent on a large shopping centre, and no maps! Only 3 beers on
handpump, but all hard-to-find beers, plus 4 craft keg beers on draught and
lots of bottled beers in the fridge. I had a pint of Great Heck Voodoo Mild at
£3.00. Opening hours are 1100 to 1900 hours Monday to Saturday and 1200 to 1700
Sunday.
John 8/10 visit May 2016
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CASTLEFIELD
Cask
, 29 Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4NQ.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Fell Robust Porter, Arbor Oz Bomb, Elland White Prussia, Ticketey Pale Ale.
Lots of Belgian and German bottled beers.
Telephone-0161-819-9527
Small pub with only 4 cask ales from micro–breweries, but lots of craft keg on draught, as well as a good range
of Belgian bottled beers. Nice atmosphere with no TV and the occasional record
on the jukebox. Fell Robust Porter was £3.60 a pint.
John 8/10 visit May 2016
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Knott
Bar, 374 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LY.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Magic Rock Ring Master, Rapture, Knotts House Ale Castlefield Gold, Pictish Alchemist
Ale, El Diablo, Red Willow Smokeless Thornbridge Japipur. 8 craft draught kegs
on draught plus a good bottled beer collection.
Telephone-
0161-839-9229
Web
site- http://knottbar.co.uk/
A nice funky bar close to Deansgate station, so close you can feel the
trains going by the rail arch the pub is under! No mainstream beers in a
friendly laid-back atmosphere, with two knowledgeable barman. Not sure why the
Magic Rock Rapture is £4.60 a pint when the rest of the beers on draught were
under £4.00. Had a Magic Rock Ring Master at £3.90 a pint.
John 9/10 visit May 2016
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The
Wharf, 6 Slate Wharf, Manchester, M15 4SZ.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Abbeydale DR Morto Duck Baffler, Tatton White Queen, Atom Blonde, Weetwood
Cheshire Cat, Phoenix B&P Original,
Wold Top Bitter, Milestone Little John, Wincle Beer Red Diesel, Lytham
Beery Blonde.
Telephone-
0161-220-2960
Web
site- http://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/thewharf/
Modern canal-side pub, while modern, the décor is retro with old photos
and posters on the walls. There is a large drinking area outside, which is not
being used today as it’s raining. Good choice of 9 real ales with information
about the beers on a sheet on the bar ( good idea). Had a Wincle Beer Red
Diesel; at £3.80 a pint, nice beer. About time I heard Oasis in a Manchester
pub!
John 8.5/10 visit May 2016
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CHINATOWN
Circus
Tavern, 86 Portland Street, Manchester, M1 4GX
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Tetley Bitter, Robinsons Lizzy Blonde.
Telephone-
07863-349957
Lovely small traditional city centre pub, which is best visited in the
afternoon, before it gets too busy. Claims to be Europe’s smallest bar, with
just enough room on the bar for 2 handpumps and 3 keg taps. Off the bar are two
small rooms full with sporting memorabilia, mainly of old Manchester City and
United team photos. Had a pint of Tetley Bitter at £3.40 a pint.
John 9.5/10 May 2016
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Grey
House Inn, 80 Portland Street, Manchester, M1 4QX.
Owner-
Hydes
Beers-
Hydes Orginal, Old Indie, Lowry, Rose and Crown Ale, Beer Studio Copper
Cascade.
Telephone-
0161-236-1874
City centre Hydes pub; like the nearby Circus Tavern it is small, and
traditional, but it is more open-planned
with no rooms off to the side. Like the photos of old Manchester on the wall.
Friendly atmosphere, local’s and barmaid who knows how to keep regulars in
order! A pint of Hydes Original is £2.97..
John 9/10 visit May 2015
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Old
Monkey, 90/92 Portland street, Manchester, M1 4GX.
Owner-
Holts
Beers-
Holts Mild, Bitter, IPA, Two Hoots, Moreland Old Specked Hen, Bootleg Chorlton
Pale Ale.
Telephone-
07827-850267
Holts pub in the city centre, which has a comfortable décor and
atmosphere. This afternoon it is full of older drinkers enjoying an afternoon
pint. The upstairs bar does live entertainment. The Holts Bitter which was
£2.67 a pint which was cheaper than the guest beers at the nearby Spoons. The
beer is not as ‘bitter’ as I remember, but it is still a good pint.
John 9/10 visit May 2016
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COLLYHURST
Angel,
6 Angel Street, Manchester, M4 4BQ.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Wilson Potter In The Black, Don’t Fall, Liverpool Organic Imperial Stout,
Shipwreck IPA, Kelham Island Pale Rider, Hawkshead Windermere Pale, Mallinson’s
Station, Prospect Nutty Black.
Telephone-
0161-838-4786
Web
site- http://theangelmanchester.com/
A little bit of a non-descript pub by a busy road junction, from the
outside. Inside the décor is pleasant;
there are also 9 real ales from some interesting breweries and a good
choice of beer styles. Prices were
reasonable; my pint of Wilson Potter In The Black was £3.20 and the staff were
friendly.
John 8.5/10 visit May 2016
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Marble
Arch, 73 Rochdale Road, Manchester, M4 4HY
Owner-
March Arch
Beers-
March Arch Manchester Bitter, Pint, Lagonda IPA, Built to Fall, Chocolate
Stout, Earl Grey IPA, Howgate and Kemp, Summer Wine Brewing Oregon Pale Ale, Valencia, Resistance. Marble
Arch keg beers and Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone-
0161- 832-5914
Web
site- http://www.marblebeers.com/marble-arch/
Wonderful Victorian pub which is a bit of a walk from the city centre,
but well worth the effort. The frontage shows the pub lives up to its name,
with lots of marble by the front door. Inside there is a mosaic floor and a
golden brick wall. The pub was a brew pub, but the beers are now brewed nearby.
There are 7 Marble Arch beers on draught from the 10 handpumps, with the other
3 from Summer Wine Brewing. Friendly staff willing to give out samples. Had a
pint of Built to Fall at £4.00. A
Manchester institution.
John 9.5/10 visit May 2016
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GAY VILLAGE
Molly
House, 26 Richmond Street, Manchester, M1 3NB.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Little Vale Craggy Bitter, Sonnet 43 Burbon Milk stout, Bear Town Rear Ass,
Bearing Spring, Stockport Avant Garde.
Telephone-
0161-237-9329
Web
site www.themollyhouse.com
Small pub with décor a little like a Belgian brown café. One of the big selling points of this place are the
5 real ales from nearby breweries; the distance from the pub is on the handpump
clip. Food is from an open kitchen and smells nice; there is also a vegan menu.
Friendly atmosphere and bar staff. I had a pint of Little Vale Craggy Bitter at
£3.90.
John 8/10 visit May 2016
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MANCHESTER UNIVERISTY
Font,
7/9 New Wakefield Street, Manchester, M1 5NP.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Mallinsom’s WPA, Hopsmith IPA, Hawkshead Windermere Pale. Duvel and Budvar on
draught.
Telephone-
0161-236-0944
Web
site- https://thefontbar.wordpress.com/manchester/
Just a little south of the city centre, close to Oxford Road station.
Student type bar/café with a wide range of beers including international
bottled beers and the very rare Duvel on draught. Lots of different drinking
areas on two floors. There is a DJ at the weekends and Camra discounts. Had a
pint of Mallinsom’s WPA at £3.60.
John 8/10 visit May 2016
________________________________________________________________
Salisbury, Ale House, 2 Wakefield
Street, Manchester M1 5NE.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Theakston Old Peculier, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, XPA Golden Ale, Adnams Fat
Spart
Telephone-
0161-236-5590
Pub so close to Oxford Road, one of the entrances is next door to it!
Open-planned music pub, with lots of different drinking areas and old photos of
Manchester on the wall, including one of the pub. A little dead at the time of my visit.
Discounts for Camra members. Real ale range from regional breweries; I had a pint of Theakston Old Peculier at
£3.50.
John 7.5/10 May 2015
___________________________________________________________________________
Sandbar,
120 Grosvenor Street, Manchester, M1 7HL.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Bear Town Polar Eclipse, 7 Brothers Session Bitter, Facer Clwyd Gold, Sonnet 43
Aurora, Phoenix Arizona, Cwru Lal Tail Whip, plus one real cider.
Telephone-
0161-273-1552
Web
site- http://www.sandbarmanchester.co.uk/
Modern pub/bar in the student area, to the south of the city centre.
Does it’s bit to try to appeal to everyone, with real ale, craft beer,
cocktails and tea and coffee. Deco is shabby chic, with a beer garden out the
back. Good range of real ales from micro-breweries; had a pint of Bear Town
Polar Eclipse at £3.00.
John 8.5/10 visit May 2016
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PICCADILLY
Piccadilly
Tap, Station Approach, Manchester, M1 2GH.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Hawkshead Windermere Pale, Dry Stone Stout, Summer Wine Brewing Resistance, Adnams Mosaic, Vocation Pride and
Joy.
Telephone-
0161-393-4168
Web
site- http://piccadillytap.com/
Small shop unit pub close to Piccadilly station. Modern décor with bits
of beer memorabilia on the wall, mainly in the form of beer mats in framed
displays. Good choice of beer of all sorts , as with most of the tap chain.
Owned by the people who own the Euston Tap, so you can have a drink at both
ends of the line in London and Manchester! There is an upstairs drinking area.
Had a pint of Dry Stone Stout at £3.80 a pint.
John 9/10 visit May 2016
____________________________________________
PETER’S FIELD-CONFERENCE QUARTER
Britons
Protection, 50 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester M1 5LE.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Moorhouse Premier Bitter, Cottage Conquest, Britons Protection Bitter,
Robinsons Unicorn, Jennings Cumberland Ale.
Telephone -0161-236-5895
Web
site- http://www.britonsprotection.co.uk/
Most streets are lucky to have 1 Camra heritage pub ( the Peveril of the
Peak); Great Bridgewater Street has 2, with this pub. Very much a 2 room pub,
the small front bar has all the beers on display, the larger back bar which you
will find down a lovely tiled corridor next to the front bar, is more
spacious, but does not have the beers on
display. Lovely traditional, cosy décor in both bars. The pub specialises in
whiskies, with over 300 to choose from, as well a barrel from the St Georges
distillery on the bar. There are 5 real ales including a home beer, I had a
pint of Moorhouse Premier Bitter at £3.80. Nice place.
John 9/10 visit May 2016
____________________________________________________________________
Paramount,
33/35 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 4BT.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Sharp’s Doombar, Greene King Abbot, Elland 1872 Porter, Moorhouse Blond Witch,
Thwaites Wainwright, Saltaire Bavarian Gold, Kelham Island Dunkel, Robinsons
Trooper, Titanic Iceberg.
Telephone-
0161-223-1820
Web
site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/manchester/the-paramount-manchester
Large modern Spoons in the city centre near to Oxford Road station. The
pub is open-planned with large windows for people to look inside, or is it the
other way round! Good choice of guest ales from £2.75 a pint; mine was Elland
1872 Porter. Friendly staff.
John 8.5/10 May 2016
__________________________________________________________
Peveril
of the Peak, 127 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester, M1 5JQ.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Timothy Taylor Landlord, Rat Brewery White Rat, 7 Brothers Session Ale.
Telephone-
0161-236-6364
Wonderful ex-Wilsons pub, still with company’s old logo on the inside
and outside of the pub. Largely unchanged over the years; a multi-room pub,
with 2 rooms of the main bar. One room has a pool table and the main bar room
has table football. Lovely to see a pub like this left unchanged. No TV or
music. No great beer choice here, but a great pub! A pint of Timothy Taylor
Landlord was £3.75. Most people who
visit Manchester know this pub.
John 10/10 visit May 2016
_____________________________________________________________
Rain
Bar, 50 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester, M1 5JG.
Owner-
Lees
Beers-
Lees Bitter, MPA, Kaleidoscope, Marco Pierre White the Governor.
Telephone-0161-
235-6500
Web
site- http://www.rain-bar.co.uk/
A modern Lees canal-side pub in a former umbrella factory, hence the
name, as it’s been raining most of today,
and it’s aptly named at the moment. To make my timing even better ‘ Why
does it always rain on me?’ came on the jukebox! Stuck between two Camra
heritage pubs, this is a good pub in its own right, plus the beer is cheaper,
with a pint of Lees Bitter at £3.35 a
pint. The back bar leads to an outside drinking area, but not for today!
John 9/10 visit May 2016
____________________________________________________________
NORTH QUARTER
Bar
Fringe, 8 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JN.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Glamorgan Jermica Fitchfork, Mordue Five
Bridges, Fix Wheel Century Gold, St
Peters Ruby Red, Cottage Golden Arms, Milton Minotaur plus Belgian bottled
beers.
Telephone-
0161-835-3815
Small pub with a good choice of beers- the 5 real ales on tap are not
local- plus some good Belgian bottled beers. Pub has a CD jukebox-remember
them? Décor includes a round goldfish bowl and various bits of Belgian beer
memorabilia on the wall. I had a pint of Fix Wheel Century Gold at £3.80 a
pint. Busy with a good atmosphere.
John 9/10 visit May 2016
_____________________________________________________________________
Blackjack
at Smithfield, 37 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JZ.
Owner-
Blackjack
Beers-
Blackjack Double Buff, Stockport Arch 14 Mild, Siren Protus vol 2, Ilkey Mary
Jane, Ortherton Passepartout. 12 craft beers price range £4.80 to £8.60!
Telephone-
Ex dir
Web
site- http://www.blackjack-beers.com/smithfield/
Friendly pub on the edge of the Northern Quarter, with décor which seems
to be aimed at the younger drinker. A good range of beers; 6 cask and 12 keg
with lots of information about the beers at the point of sale, as well as a
good range of Belgian bottled beers. Despite this being a Blackjack pub, only 1
of their beers was on handpump; the beer was Double Buff and was £3.10 a pint
and was in good nick. Closed on Monday, opens at 1630 hours Tuesday to Friday.
John 9/10 visit May 2016.
___________________________________________________________
Castle
Hotel, 66 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LE.
Owner-
Robinsons
Beers-
Robinsons Trooper, Dizzy Blonde, Hartleys Cumbrian Way, Hop Stuff Fussier,
Flipside Dark Denomination.
Telephone-
0161-237-9485
Web
site-
http://thecastlehotel.info/
Robinsons only city centre pub, which is very traditional with a small
bar at the front and rooms of a corridor behind the bar. One of the rooms is
for live music and another has a piano in it. The front bar has a jukebox.
There are 3 Robinson’s beers on draught, plus 2 guest beers. A pint of
Hartley’s Cumbrian Way is £3.40 a pint.
John 8.5/10 visit May 2016
_____________________________________________________________
Crown
and Kettle, 2 Oldham Road, Manchester, M4 5FE
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Thornbridge Squatters Pale Ale Moor
Optimism, Castle Rock Black Gold plus 2 other guest beers.
Telephone-
0161- 636-2923
A nice grade two listed pub (Est 1857) at a busy road junction. while at ground level the pub doesn’t show
it’s age, just look up to the ceiling
and you can see its real age. Good choice of real ales from non-local
breweries, plus craft bottled beers in the fridge, which are well advertised. A
pint of Thornbridge Squatters Pale Ale was £3.00 a pint.
John 8.5/10 visit May 2016
___________________________________________________________
Port Street Beer House, 39/41 Port Street,
Manchester M1 2EQ.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Dark Star Expresso, Left Hand Giant Red, Blackjack ESPB, Fallen Light Freight.
Telephone-0161-237-9949
Web
site- http://www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/
Hipster bar in the Northern Quarter with London prices. This said, it is
a nice relaxing place with a good atmosphere. Rare non-talkative Manchester
barman or maybe he thinks he is being cool! A pint of Dark Star Espresso is
£4.20. Opens 1600 hours Monday to Thursday and 1400 on Friday.
John 8/10 visit May 2016
_________________________________________________________________
SALFORD
Eagle
Inn, 18 Collier Street, Salford, M3 7DW.
Owner-
Holts
Beers-
Holts Bitter, Two Hoots, plus 3 beers from the Bootleg brewery.
Telephone-
0161-819-5002
Web
site- http://eagleinn.info/
This is a lovely traditional red brick pub, with rooms off a small bar
making for a cosy atmosphere. The pub looks strangely out of place on an
industrial estate. While a Holts pub, only 2 of their beers are on handpump,
with the other 3 coming from the Bootleg brewery. A pint of Holts bitter was
£3.00. Opens 1500 hours Monday to Thursday and 1300 hours Friday to Sunday.
John 8.5/10 visit May 2016
__________________________________________________________________
King
Arms, 11 Bloom Street, Salford, M3 6AN
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Deuchars IPA, Bear Town Ginger Bear, Bridestone Sandstone, Burscough Flat Rib
Mild, Deeply Vale DV8 Stout.
Telephone-
0161-832-3605
Web
site- http://www.kingsarmssalford.com/
Nice red brick Victorian pub, with rooms off the main bar including a
snug. The main bar area has leather seats around the side, plus an impressive
ceiling. There are 6 local real ales to
add to the traditional feel of this pub, Had a pint of Bear Town Ginger Bear at
£3.35. The pub does live music at the weekend. There was a film crew going in
and out of the place when I visited.
John 9/10 visit May 2016
_____________________________________________________________________
New
Oxford, 11 Bexley Square, Salford, M3 6DB.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-Poynton
Dark Star, Brown Cow Thriller in Vanilla, North Union Arch 25, Empire Imperial
IPA, Rat Queen Rat, Salopian Pathfinder, Provenance Yakima IPA, Rudgate Perles
of Wisdom, Cornish Coast SPA, Prospect Ginger Stinger, Phoenix Oxford Pale,
Bear Town Blueberry, Oakham JHB, plus 3 real ciders and over a 100 Belgian
bottled beers.
Telephone-
0161-832-7082
Web site-
http://thenewoxford.com/
Best pub in Salford for beer choice, with over 100 Belgian bottled beers
and 14 real ales all marked up clearly on the blackboard. The pub’s décor is
modern and bright, but it has a good pubby atmosphere, along with friendly bar
staff. Belgian bottled beers reasonably priced- compare to London! A pint of
Empire Imperial IPA was £3.60. Found it
hard to leave this place!
John 10/10 visit May 2016
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Salford
Arms, 146 Chapel Street, Salford, M3 6AF.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Salford Arms Bitter (brew by Green Mills) plus 5 other real ales from micros (
I think!), two guys standing at the bar, make it hard to see the beer clips!!
Telephone-0161-288-8883
Web
site - http://www.salfordarmshotel.co.uk/
Large pub close to Salford Central Station and just across the river
from the city centre. Un-Camra-like pub ( it’s in the GBG 2016), with most of
the pub geared up for live football and pool. This said the staff were friendly
and there was a wide range of local ales ( I think, see above!) and the beer I
had, which was the house beer at £3.00 a pint, was good. A few prints of Lowry
on the wall.
John 8/10 visit May 2016
___________________________________________________________________
SPINNIGFIELDS
Brink,
65 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BQ.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Hophurst Campfire, Twisted Une Cosmati, Wily Fox Crafty Fox, Serious Brew
Moonlight.
Telephone-
0161-834-6346
Web
site- http://www.brinkmcr.co.uk/
Like the Gas Lamp across the road, this is a basement pub. While the Gas
Lamp is traditional, dimly lit and is
playing indie music, the Brink is modern, bright and playing music from the
1960s! Friendly barman had a good range of 5 local real ales. Had a good pint
of Hophurst Campside at £3.20. Recently opened pub. Closed Monday, opens at
1600 hours Tuesday and Wednesday.
John 9/10 visit May 2016
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Gas
Lamp, 50A Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BW.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-Left
Handed Pale LHG Pale, First Chop, Alphabet Brew Hey Buddy. 4 craft keg beers,
lots of Belgian and US craft bottled beers.
Telephone-0161-478-1224
A basement pub of character, with the white bricked wall which looks
like it’s been there a while. A small draught beer selection, 3 real ales and 4
keg, but there are no mainstream beers. The pub also has a good range of
bottled beers, as well as spirits. There is more seating in the back parlour
room. A pint of Left Handed Giant LHG Pale was £3.90. Opens at 1600 hours
Monday to Thursday.
John 8.5/10 visit May 2016
________________________________________________________________
TOWN HALL
Café
Beermoth, 40 Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 1EN. Entrance in Brown Street.
Owner-
Free House-
Beers-
Summer Wine Oregon, Resistance, Hawkshead Red, Roostes Buckeye, Red Willow
Shameless, Mollinson’s Station.
Telephone-0161-835-2049
Web
Site- http://beermoth.co.uk/
Café Beermoth started as a bottle shop serving a wide range of bottled
beers. This is their first pub, which has an excellent range of draught beers.
Modern place which is busy, with a good atmosphere. The beer taps are not at
the front of the bar, but against a wall behind, with the brewery name above
the tap. In a hip area of Manchester (there’s a Jamie Oliver’s nearby) the pub
is full of young people, with most of them enjoying the beers. A pint of Summer
Wine Brewing Oregon was £3.20.
John 9/10 visit May 2016
_________________________________________________________________
City Arms, 46 Kennedy Street, Manchester, M2
4BQ.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Tetley Mild, Merlin the Wizard, Brightside Odin, Wye Valley HPA, Moorhouse
Pride of the Pendle, Tweed Orange
County IPA, Titanic Plum Porter.
Telephone-
0161- 236-4610
Nice cosy traditional pub, with 8 real ales from different breweries.
Green leather seating is all round the pub, plus photos of old Manchester on
the walls. Friendly atmosphere with early David Bowie as background music.
Reasonably busy for 12:30, the lunch time drinking break is not dead in
Manchester! A pint of Merlin the Wizard is £3.65.
John 9/10 visit May 2016
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Waterhouse,
67/71 Princess Street, Manchester, M2 4EG.
Owner-
Wetherspoons
Beers-
Greene King Abbot, Sharp’s Doombar, Hawkshead Windermere Pale, Phoenix May Fly,
Bobbly Bob, Lymestone Stone the Crow, Naylor Spring Ale, Bradfield Farmers
bitter, Cryptic Grey 1049.
Telephone-
0161-200-5380
Web
site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/manchester/the-waterhouse-manchester
Strange Spoons close to the City Hall. Not sure what the building was
before it became a pub, but there are lots of different rooms and you feel a
little cut off from the rest of the pub.
Décor is upmarket with white walls and pillars. Guest beers are £2.75 a
pint; I had a Phoenix May Fly.
John 8/10 visit May 2016
__________________________________________________________
Vine Inn, 42 Kennedy Street, Manchester, M2
4BQ.
Owner-
Free House
Beers- Timothy Taylor landlord, Copper Dragon Double
Fagon, Robinsons Dizzy Blonde, Roosters Yankee plus one more beer.
Telephone-
0161- 237-9740
Web
site-
https://thevineinn-public.sharepoint.com/
City centre pub which has upstairs and downstairs drinking areas in
comfortable surroundings. The pub also has a dartboard. Some of the real ales
are in the downstairs bar, so they are spread. A pint of Timothy Taylor
Landlord is £3.35.
John 8/10 visit May 2016
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CARDIFF
Cardiff
is the capital of Wales its largest city in Wales with a population of 346,000.
It is a little over 2 hours on the train from Paddington. Tourist attractions
including Cardiff Castle, Bute Park, Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Bay (which
is home to BBC Wales where Sherlock and Dr Who are made). Beer-wise’ local
family brewery Brains ( a marketing slogans man’s dream) produce some good
beers, including one of my favourite beers, Brains SA for their tied houses.
There is a good free house trade which
is strong on selling beers from Welsh micros and ciders, plus some interesting
beers from the rest of the UK. Visited March 2016.
CITY
CENTRE
Central Bar, 39 Windsor
Place, Cardiff CF10 3BW
Owner – Wetherspoons
Beers- Sharp’s Doombar,
Ruddles Bitter, Greene King Abbot, Brains Bread of Heaven, Marstons Old Empire,
Jennings Sneck Lifter, Boss Brave, Brawn.
Telephone-029-2078-0260
Web site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/wales/cardiff/the-central-bar-cardiff
Wetherspoons pub with a nice tiled frontage;
inside is the standard Spoons décor. Good afternoon atmosphere, the pub is busy
with mainly older people. Interesting bottled beers in the fridge including
Duvel, Chimay, Anchor Steam and Sierra Nevada. I later found out this is standard in most Spoons pubs in Cardiff.
Had a Marstons Old Empire at £2.45 a pint.
John 8/10 visit March 2016
____________________________________________________________
Crockerton, Greyfriars
Street, Cardiff CF10 3AD
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Greene King Abbot,
Sharp’s Doombar, Hobgoblin Gold, Celt Experience Cardiff Resin.
Telephone- 029-2037-5600
Web site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/wales/cardiff/the-crockerton-cardiff
A Wetherspoons/ Lloyds No1 pub. Visited at
1500 hours so no bouncers or music. Modern pub with a low ceiling and soft
lighting, at the moment filled with the more mature punter. I had a pint of
Celt Experience Cardiff Resin at £2.45 a pint.
John
7/10 visit March 2016
___________________________________________________________________
Goat Major, High Street,
Cardiff CF10 1PU
Owner- Brains
Beers- Brains Dark, Bitter,
SA, Bread of Heaven, Rev James
Telephone- 029-2033-7161
Web site- http://www.sabrain.com/goatmajor
Another Brains pub with a good traditional
atmosphere, with the TV on low volume and no music; claims have been around
since 1830. Wood panelled walls, white ceiling and chequered floor all add to the place. Five Brains beers
on draught; I had a pint of Brain SA at
£3.00.
John 7.5/10 visit March 2016
___________________________________________________________________
Gravity Station, 6 Barrack
Lane, Cardiff CF10 2FR
Owner- Micro pub
Beers- 4 real ales and 4
micro kegs on draught plus over 100 non-stream bottled beers to drink in or
take out.
Telephone- 029-2034-0252
Web site- http://thegravitystation.com/
Micro pub in a row of new shops in the city
centre, just off a shopping centre. Small pub where the beer is served from
taps from behind a cupboard! There are 4 real ales and 4 craft keg beers. Large
section of bottled beers with take out or drink in prices on the bottles.
Unlike other micro pubs I have visited, this one does background music, keg
beer and credit cards! Had a Black Jack New Deck at £3.45 a pint. Closes 1900
hours Monday to Thursday and 1800 hours Sunday.
John 7/10 visit March 2016
______________________________________________________________
Hopbunker, Northgate House,
Kingsway, Cardiff CF10 3FD
Owner- Hopcraft/ Dixie Spring
Beers- 12 real ales from
Welsh micros
Telephone- 029-0398-8889
Basement pub with a good atmosphere. An impressive bank of handpumps is at the
bar, with some good beers from all over the UK on offer. I had a Poachers Black
Crow Stout at a reasonable £3.00 a pint
and very nice too! Décor is new with
bits of beer memorabilia around the wall. Friendly bunch of people at the bar.
John 9/10 visit March 2016
_____________________________________________________________
Old Arcade, 14 Church Street,
Cardiff CF10 1BG
Owner- Brains
Beers- Brains Dark, Bitter,
SA, Phonics, Rev James
Telephone- 029-2021-7999
Web site- http://www.sabrain.com/oldarcade
A Brains pub which calls itself Cardiff’s
premier rugby pub; as you expect it is full of rugby memorabilia. This is a
nice cosy traditional pub, as befits a independent family brewer. Five Brains
beers on draught,including the hard-to-find Brains Dark at £2.75 a pint.
John 8/10 visit March 2016
________________________________________________________________
Pen and Wig, 1 Park Grove,
Cardiff, CF10 3BJ
Owner- Free House
Beers- 10 real ales mainly
from Welsh micros
Telephone- 029-2037-1217
Web site- http://www.penandwigcardiff.co.uk/
Nice cosy pub tucked away in a residential
street to the North of the city centre. Very grand décor with a relaxing
atmosphere; it almost feels like a country pub. There are 10 handpumps on the
bar, with most handpumps coming from
Welsh micros. Had a Evan Evans St David Ale at £3.45 a pint. Nice pub.
John 9/10 visit March 2016
_______________________________________________________________________
Rummer Tavern, 14 Duke Street, Cardiff CF10
1AY
Owner- Free House
Beers- Butcombe Gold, Grey
Trees Mosaic Ale, Hancock HPA, HB, Ringwood Razor Back, Bath Gem, Purity Goose.
Telephone- 029-2023-5091
Web site- http://www.therummertaverncardiff.co.uk/
Claims to be Cardiff’s oldest pub. The mock
Tudor décor gives it a comfortable cosy feel, but maybe not the heavy metal
music! A good choice of beers on the bar, I had a pint of Butcombe Gold at
£3.30. Reasonably priced food menu for city centre. Close to Cardiff Castle.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2016
________________________________________________________________________
CITY
CENTRE WESTGATE STREET
Road
which runs alongside the Millennium Stadium.
Brew Dog, 31 Westgate Street,
Cardiff CF10 1DX
Owner- Brew Dog
Beers- Brew Dog keg beers plus guest keg beers
Telephone-029-2023-1684
Web site- https://www.brewdog.com/bars/uk/cardiff
Much better than most London Brew Dog pubs,
with friendly bar staff, inviting décor and, while trendy, a welcoming
atmosphere. The Punk IPA tasted better than on recent visit to Brew Dog Soho,
where it was cold and tasteless. This said it was the most expensive pint on my
visit to Cardiff at £4.65. Craft beer= rip off prices. Indie soundtrack.
John 7/10 visit March 2016
______________________________________________________________
City Arms, 10/12 Quay Street,
off Westgate Street, Cardiff CF10 1EA
Owner- Brains
Beers- Brains Bitter, SA, Rev
James. Guest ales 4t’s EPA, Wire, Moor
Festival, Waen Liquidator, Black Jack American Amber, Northern Monk Festival
Star.
Telephone-029-2064-1913
Web site- http://www.thecityarmscardiff.com/
Impressive Brains flagship pub, with 4 Brains
ales, 7 guest ales and 10 real ciders. Lots of different areas to drink in this
drinkers pub ( didn’t see any food). Photos of old Cardiff on the wall and
handpump clips about the pub. Good atmosphere at the time of my visit. Had a
pint of Moor Festival at £3.25.
John 9.5/10 visit March 2016
________________________________________________________________
Gatekeeper, 9 Westgate
Street, Cardiff CF10 1DD
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Greene King Abbot,
Sharp’s Doombar, Celt Experience Cardiff Resin, Burton Bridge XL Bitter, Boss
Brawn, Dark, Rhymmey Export.
Telephone- 029-2064-6020
Web site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/wales/cardiff/the-gatekeeper-cardiff
Large Wetherspoons pub on two floors. Pub is
clean and cosy with various bits of Rugby memorabilia around the place. Good to
see the pub doing 5 real ciders. Guest beers are £2.49 a pint.
John 7/10 visit March 2016
_______________________________________________________________________
Queens Vaults, 29 Westgate
Street, Cardiff CF10 1EH
Owner- Free House
Beers- Castle Combe Bybrook
Bitter, Brains Bitter, Phonics plus 3 other Welsh ales.
Telephone- 029-2022-7966
On the Westgate Street strip so this pub is
noisy, with loud music and 3 pool tables, but a good atmosphere at the time of
my visit. Old photos of Welsh rugby legends above the bar. Five real ales shows
a good commitment to good beer. Had a Castle Combe Bybrook Bitter at £3.40 a
pint.
John 7/10 visit March 2016
______________________________________________________________
Urban Tap House, 26 Westgate
Street, Cardiff CF10 1DD
Owner- Tiny Rebel
Beers- Tiny Rebel One Inch
punch, Fubar, lupulin Fiasco, Canterbury Red Rye, Torpedo, Allgates Blue Sky
Tea, Wigan Junction. 5 real ciders and 10 craft keg taps
Telephone- 029-2039-9557
Web site- http://www.urbantaphouse.co.uk/cardiff/
Tiny Rebel are a new award-winning Newport
brewery, this is their flagship pub in Cardiff. Multi-room pub with a drinking
area upstairs; the décor is modern chic. Only 2 of their beers are on handpump;
the other 5 are guest ales. They also have 5 real ciders. Good to see a lot of
young people drinking beer or cider. I had a Tiny Rebel One Inch Punch at £3.30
a pint.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2016
_____________________________________________________________
Zero Degrees, 27 Westgate
Street, Cardiff CF10 1DD
Owner- Brew Pub
Beers- Pilsner, Pale Ale,
Wheat Ale, Black Lager, Mango Beer, Six Nations Ale.
Telephone-029-2022-9494
Web site- http://www.zerodegrees.co.uk/venue/cardiff/
I have visited Zero Degrees pubs in Bristol
and Blackheath, and I am impressive with
this pub. Modern pub with a cosy
atmosphere; you can see the brewery clearly from the windows. Good bar staff
willing to talk about their beers and give samples. Visited during happy hour (
Monday to Friday 1600 to 1900 hours). My
pint of Six Nations Ale was £3.00, (outside of happy hour £4.25.)
John 8.5/10 visit March 2016
______________________________________________________________
CITY
CENTRE MARY STREET
Road
which runs parallel to Westgate Street. So only a few minutes’ walk extra to
the Millennium Stadium.
Cambrian Arms, 51 St Mary
Street, Cardiff CF10 1AD
Owner- Brains Craft Brewery
Beers-Tudor Black Mountain,
Dark Star American Pale Ale, Boss Blaze, Abbeydale Absolution, RCH Chocolate
Slug Stout, Brains Cambrian Ale. 10 craft keg beers.
Telephone- 029- 2064-4952
Web site- http://www.thecambriantap.com/
A Brains Craft Brewery pub, as in there are
no mainstream beers here, only Brains craft and UK micros. Modern and clear,with booth bar stool seating
along the wall. Friendly barman giving out samples. Most of real ales are £3.75
a pint ( had a Tudor Black Mountain) and
most of the craft keg are £5.50 a pint. Drawn your own conclusions! Food is
pies from the Celtic Pie Co.
John 8/10 visit March 2016
_________________________________________________________________
Cardiff Cottage, 25 St Mary
Street, Cardiff CF10 1AA
Owner- Brains
Beers- Brains- Dark, Bitter,
SA, Bread of Heaven, Rev James
Telephone- 029-2033-7195
Web site- http://www.sabrain.com/cardiffcottage
An aptly named pub, with a good traditional
feel to it for a city centre pub. Like the old photos of Welsh icons like
Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins, also the street photos of Cardiff. Not too
busy on a Wednesday night, but a nice atmosphere. Had a Brains Dark at £2.50 a
pint.
John 8/10 visit March 2016
_______________________________________________________________________
Great Western, 64 St Mary
Street, Cardiff CF10 1FA
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Sharp’s Doombar,
Ruddles Bitter, Greene King Abbot, Brains SA, Rhymmey Export
Telephone- 029-2035-3990
Web site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/wales/cardiff/the-great-western-cardiff
A Wetherspoons/ Lloyds No1 pub which means
not so many real ales. The impressive
building was a Victorian hotel before becoming a pub. The pub is on two floors, with lots of different
rooms and alcoves, as well as photos of old rugby stars and Welsh icons. Close
to Cardiff Central Station. Guests ales are £2.49 a pint.
John 7.5/10 visit March 2016
_______________________________________________________________
Prince of Wales, 81/83 St
Mary Street, Cardiff CF10 1FA
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Sharp’s Doombar,
Ruddles Bitter, Greene king Abbot, Celt Experience Golden Ale plus 5 other
guest ales.
Telephone-029-2064-4449
Web site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/wales/cardiff/the-prince-of-wales-cardiff
What a original name for a Welsh pub! A
Wetherspoons pub on two floors which is reasonable full on a Thursday night
with a good atmosphere. A good range of beers; had a Celt Experience Golden Age
at £2.45 a pint. Staff coping well as it gets busier.
John 8/10 visit March 2016
____________________________________________________________
Yard Bar and Kitchen, 42/43
St Mary Street, Cardiff CF10 1AD
Owner- Brains
Beers- Brains Bitter, SA, Rev
James, Phonics
Telephone- 029-2022-7577
Web site- http://www.yardbarkitchen.co.uk/
Modern pub in the former Brains brewery,
which has been turned into an Old Brewery Quarter. Nice modern décor, with the
pub having a comfortable feel to it.
Prices higher than the more traditional Brains pubs on Mary Street. A pint of
Rev James was £3.45.
John 7/10 visit March 2016
______________________________________________________________________
CANTON
Area
to the East of the City centre.
Chapter Arts Centre, Market
Street, CF5 1QE
Owner- Free House
Beers- Twisted Gaucho, Pied
Bull Red Bull, Milestone Crusader, Shine, Boss Blondle, Cymryd Y Pyst Cwrw
Rygei.
Telephone-029-2030-4400
Web site- http://www.chapter.org/
A bar in an arts centre, the plastic chairs
and tables remain of a school canteen! I seem to the only one here not having a
meal or coffee! This said, it has 6 interesting real ales and is in the 2016
Good Beer Guide. While I like pubs in
unusual places ,this one does not do it for me. A pint of Twisted Gaucho was
£3.65 . Not easy to find.
John 6/10 visit March 2016
__________________________________________________________________________
Landsdowne, 71 Beda Road, Cardiff
CF5 1LX
Owner- Free House
Beers- First Chop POD,
Mumbles Hop Kick, Mantle Hookwinked, Mad Dog Now in a Minute.
Telephone-029-2022-1312
Web site- http://thelansdownecardiff.co.uk/
This pub is in Canton about a 20 minute walk
from the city centre; very much a community pub. Décor is no carpet, wooden
tables, chairs and floorboards, with handpump clips and dry hops above the bar.
There are 5 handpumps on, 4 local ales and 1 real cider, I had a First Chop POD
( vanilla stout) at £3.40 a pint. Close to Cardiff City FC.
John 8/10 visit March 2016
___________________________________________________________________
CARDIFF
BAY
Part
of the city on the coast. Home to the Welsh Assembly, BBC Wales and the Dr Who
Experience.
Mount Stuart, Landsea House,
Stuart Place, Cardiff CF10 5BU
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Greene King Abbot,
Ruddles Bitter, Sharp’s Doombar, Celt Experience Silures, Loddon Hocus Pocus
Pale Ale.
Telephone-029-2044-8000
Web site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/wales/cardiff/the-mount-stuart-cardiff
A new Wetherspoons pub on the waterfront on
Cardiff Bay. The pub is on two floors, so most people go upstairs for the
better view. Modern décor with lots of bar stools. Whilst the pub has an
outside patio, it is too windy today for anyone to go out! It is nice to look
at the view from the warm inside. I had a pint of Celt Experience Silures at
£2.49. Beer range above was from the upper bar.
John 8/10 visit March 2016
_____________________________________________
The Packet, 95 Bute Street,
Cardiff CF10 5AB
Owner- Brains
Beers- Brains Bitter, SA, Rev
James
Telephone- 029-2048-7167
Web site- http://www.sabrain.com/packet
Brains pub in Cardiff Bay which is not on the
waterfront; which makes it a good traditional locals’ pub. A warm welcome from the barmaid and the regulars at
the bar. The décor is sailing ropes and photos of old ships on the wall. Nice
pint of Brains SA at £3.10.
John 8/10 visit March 2016
____________________________________________________
Waterguard, Harbour Drive,
Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 4PA
Owner- Sam Smiths
Beers- No real ale
Telephone-029-2049-9034
A Sam Smiths which is not easy to find; I saw
a blackboard with the pub’s name and an arrow! The décor is modern, but like
most Sam’s pubs it has no TV or music. There are views across Cardiff Bay, even
if the car park is in the way! Very reasonably priced food menu with some good
‘ 2 meals for £10’ deals. Had a bottle of Sam’s Oatmeal Stout at £5.
John 6/10 visit March 2016
_______________________________________________________________________________
PONTCANNA
Home
of Glamorgan Cricket Club. There is a nice walk through Bute Park to get here.
Cayo Arms, 36 Cathedral Road,
Cardiff CF11 9LL
Owner- Marstons
Beers- Wychwood Dirty
Tackler, Gold, Marstons EPA, Ringwood Boon Boogie.
Telephone- 029-2023-2917
Web site- http://www.cayopub.co.uk/
A Marstons pub down the road from the
Cricketers, which is a little more open-planned. Similar décor to the
Cricketers with sofas and old photos. Good prices and friendly barmaid. A pint
of Wychwood Dirty Tackler was £ 2.84.
John 8/10 visit March 2016
_________________________________________________________
Cricketers Arms, 66 Cathedral
Road, Cardiff CF11 9LL
Owner- Evan Evans
Beers- Evan Evans Warrior,
Cwrw, St Davids Ale, WPA
Telephone-029-2034-5102
Web site- http://www.cricketerscardiff.co.uk/
An aptly named pub close to Glamorgan Cricket
Ground in a Victorian townhouse, the sign outside says real ale, real food,
real welcome. The decor is grand with large sofas and framed photos of old
Cardiff and cricketers. Most of the beers are from local brewery Evan Evans. Had a pint of
Warrior at £2.90.
John 7.5/10 visit March 2016
___________________________________________________________
Mochyn Pu/ Black Pig, Sophia
Close, Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9HW
Owner- Free House
Beers- Vale of Glamorgan Cwrw
Cymru, Cwrw, Cymryd Y Pyst Cwrw Rygei, Glamorgan 1st XV.
Telephone- 029-2037-1599
Web site- http://www.ymochyndu.com/
Modern pub close to the Swale Stadium; looks
like it’s been built recently. There are 4 local ales with Welsh names! Most public
buildings in Cardiff, have their names in English and Welsh; this was
the only pub I saw in Cardiff like this! Also the only time I heard Welsh
spoken on my visit. A pint of Glamorgan XV was £3.40. Friendly bar staff.
John 8/10 visit March 2016
______________________________________________________________
YORK
York is an
historic city with some charming old buildings, as well as some great
individual shops. There are also the tourist attractions of York Minister, the
National Railway Museum and river trips down the River Ouse. It is only 2 hours
and 10 minutes on the train from London. Pub-wise York must be one of the best
drinking cities in the UK. Never have I seen so many traditional pubs in one
place in all my drinking career! Lots of good pubs to choose from. Not only
that, but the choice of drink in most pubs was good. Prices were from £2.90 to
£3.90 a pint, outside Sam Smith and Wetherspoons pubs, which were £1.80 and
£2.40 a pint Respectively. Happy Drinking!
Blue
Bell, 53 Fossgate, York YO1 9TF.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Kelham Island Kelham Best, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Bradfield Farmers
Blonde, Rudgate Ruby Mild, Roosters
Leghorn, Hop Studio Pale.
Telephone-
01904- 654904
Small pub with its original Edwardian interior intact. Two small rooms
either side of the bar. It doesn’t take too many people for this pub to be
crowded. Best visited when it opens at 1100 hours on a Saturday or Monday.
There were 6 real ales from local breweries, I had a pint of Kelham Island Best
at £3.40.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2015
____________________________________________
Brigantes,
114 Micklegate, York, YO1 6JX.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-10
real ales mainly from local micro-breweries plus non-mainstream keg and
lagers.
Telephone-
01904-654904
Web
site- http://www.brigantesyork.co.uk/
In a city full of traditional pubs, this one is a little different.
While it has no TV or music the décor is modern with wooden floorboards and
light green wood panelled walls. The 10 beers on handpump are mainly from
Yorkshire breweries, I had a Great Heck Washington Red at £3.68 a pint. The
barman had an interesting punk hairstyle!
John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2015
______________________________________________________________
Cross
Keys, 34 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF
Owner-
Nicholson
Beers-
Nicholson Pale ale Tiny Rebel Billabong,
Adnams Ghost Ship, Redemption Rising Sun, John Smith’s Cask, Oakham
Citrus.
Telephone-01904-655082
Web
site- http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/yorkshireandthehumber/thecrosskeysgoodramgateyork
A Nicholson pub which is not as old as some York pubs, this one was
built in 1908! Nice open-planned pub with background music, TV on with no
volume and a cosy atmosphere. There are 7 real ales that are on ; I had a pint
of Tiny Rebel Billabong at £3.80.
John 7/10 visit Nov 2015
___________________________________________________________
Duke
of York, Kings Square, York, YO1 8BH
Owner-
Free House
Beers-Leeds
Pale Ale, Best Bitter, Yorkshire Gold plus 4 guest ales.
Telephone-
01904- 676065
Web
site- http://www.lbdukeofyork.co.uk/
Leeds brewery pub in York, which had a lot of thought put into the name!
Nice comfortable pub with low lighting, candles on the table and low beams ( this
being York the beams are probably genuine!) Old building, not sure if has
always been a pub? Good pint of Leeds Best Bitter at £3.50.
John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2015
___________________________________________________________________
Eagle
and Child, 9 High Petergate, York YO1 7EN
Owner-
Leeds Brewery
Beers-
Leeds Best Bitter, Pale ale, Yorkshire Gold, Midnight Bell.
Telephone-01904-
631536
Web
site- http://www.eagleandchildyork.co.uk/
Another Leeds Brewery pub in York ( see the Duke of York). While with a
modern décor with bay windows, shiny
wooden floor, low lighting and candles on the table, this pub was built in 1640
and is a grade 2 listed building. Good atmosphere on a Monday evening. Had a
pint of Leeds Best Bitter at £3.50.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2015
_____________________________________________________________________
Fossgate
Social, 25 Fossgate, York YO1 9TA
Owner-
Free House
Beers-No
real ale. 5 craft beers on draught plus craft bottled beers.
Telephone-01904-628692
Coffee shop come bar, which sells draught keg beer. The beer and coffee
drinkers seem to get on well together. There are 5 taps plus some interesting
bottled beers. Friendly staff create a laid back atmosphere. Beer is served in
2/3 pint glasses. I had a Magic Rock Dark Arts at £3.45.
John 7/10 visit Nov 2015
___________________________________________________________________
Fox,
169 Holgate Road, Holgate, York YO24
4DQ.
Owner-
Ossett
Beers
–Ossett Blonde, Big Red, Sliver King, Excelsior, Nottingham Mild, Rat King Rat,
Tetley Bitter.
Telephone-
01904-787722
Web
site- http://www.ossett-brewery.co.uk/pubs/fox-york
This is the only pub which is outside the city centre; it’s a 15 minute
walk but it is well worth it. A lovely Victorian heritage pub on a main road
which has been wonderfully restored to its former glory. The bar is off to
right; get your drink and look at all the rooms off the main corridor, they are
all are impressive. Had a pint of Ossett Blonde at £2.90 from the friendly
barman.
John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2015
_________________________________________________________________________
Golden
Ball, 2 Cromwell Road, York, YO1 6DU.
Owner-
Free House-
Beers-
6 real ales from micro-breweries.
Telephone-
01904-652211
Web
site- http://www.goldenballyork.co.uk/
Traditional multi-room which is owned by the locals. While the décor is
traditional, it is modern and clean with a comfortable feel to it. A good beer
choice from the 6 handpumps; I had an
Acorn Barnsley Bitter at £3.30. Outside the city wall to the South of the River
Ouse makes it less crowded. Opens at 1700 hours Monday to Thursday, 1600 hours
Friday and 1200 hours Saturday and Sunday.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2015
________________________________________________________________________________
Golden
Slipper, 20 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LG
Owner-
Free House
Beers-Copper
Dragon Golden Pidden, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Wells Bombardier plus two other
guest ales.
Telephone-
01904- 651235
Web
site- http://www.goldenslipper.co.uk/
Next door to the Royal Oak, this is also a lovely old pub. Like the
décor with old football and cricket team photos, saucy postcards and quotes
about drinking on the wall; there are also lots of rooms to explore. Nice
place. Had a pint of Copper Dragon Golden Pippen at £3.55 a pint.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2015
_________________________________________________________________________________
Hole
in the Wall, 10 High Petergate, York YO1 7EH
Owner-
Marstons
Beers-Marstons
Pedigree, Rudgate Ruby Mild,Volsung, Mansfield Cask, Hobgoblin Ale.
Telephone-01904-634468
A Marston pub close to the Petergate wall, hence the name. Another cosy
traditional York pub with low beams, bare brick walls etc. A little empty on a
November Sunday evening, but I bet its crowded during the Summer tourist
season. Good pint of Pedigree at £3.09.
John 8/10 visit Nov 201
_____________________________________________________________________
Hop,
11/12 Fossgate, York YO1 9TA.
Owner-
Ossett
Beers-
Ossett Blonde, Big Red, Silver King, Excelsior, plus 2 guest beers from King
Rat and Stamps.
Telephone-
01904-541466
Web
site- http://www.ossett-brewery.co.uk/pubs/hop-york
Ossett city centre pub which combines good beer, pizza and live music.
Long narrow modern pub, with no music at
the time of my visit. The Pizza kitchen is at the back of the pub. There are 8
real ales on handpump with 4 from
Ossett. An Ossett Silver King was £3.25 a pint. Very busy at the time of my
visit on a Saturday afternoon. Like the quotes about beer on the wall opposite
the bar.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2015
________________________________________________________________________
Lamb
and Lion, 2 High Petergate, York YO1 7EH
Owner-
Free house
Beers-
York Guzzler, Black sheep Bitter, Timothy Taylor Boltmaker, Saltaire Stout,
Grey Hawk Guy Hawes.
Telephone-01904-
612078
Web
site-
http://www.lambandlioninnyork.com/
A pub next to the Petergate Wall, so they might catch a few people
coming into the centre! Nice and cosy in the front part of the pub. No TV, but
it does have background music. Good choice of 5 real ales from Yorkshire
breweries, I had a Timothy Taylor Boltmaker at £3.70 a pint. Last pub of the
evening.
John 7/10 visit Nov 2015
______________________________________________________________________________
Last
Drop Inn, 27 Colliergate, York YO1 8BN
Owner-
York Brewery
Beers-York
Guzzler, Terrier, Ghost Ale, Otherside IPA, Nethergate Growler, Ossett Big Red.
Telephone-01904-621951
Web
Site- http://www.york-brewery.co.uk/Pubs/Last-Drop-Inn
York Brewery, which started in 1996, owns 4 pubs in York ( including the
brewery tap). This looks like a shop conversion with bare brick walls, slated
floor and barrel tables with bar stools, which has been done well. Late Sunday
afternoon, we have a saxophonist playing cool jazz at the right volume-nice! I
had a York Otherside IPA at £3.15.
John 7.5/10 visit Nov 2015
______________________________________________________________________________
Malting,
Tanners Moat, York, YO1 6HU.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
York Guzzler, Black Sheep Bitter, Golden Sheep, Rooster Providence, Imperial
Platinum Blonde, Stamps the Russian plus Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone-01904-
655387
Web
site- http://www.maltings.co.uk/
‘ If you like swearing, singing, loud music and crap beer this pub is
not for you’ it says on the sign on the outside of this pub! As you might have
guessed this is a traditional pub, right down to its two fires, slated floor
and wood panelled ceiling! A good cosy atmosphere on a Sunday afternoon. Close
to York railway station. Had a pint of York Guzzler at £3.40 a pint.
John 8.5/ 10 visit Nov 2015
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Old
Starre Inn, 40 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS
Owner-
Taylor Walker
Beers-
8 real ales on handpump.
Telephone-01904-623063
Web
site- http://www.taylor-walker.co.uk/pub/ye-olde-starre-inne-york/c1731/
In a city with so much history, this pub claims to be the oldest pub in
York, established in 1644. You have to
walk down an alley to get to this pub. As you expect you get all the olde world
décor with multi-rooms, wood panelled walls, beams and low lighting. The
Spanish family next to me were impressed, they kept taking photos. Had a pint
of Black Sheep Bitter at £ 3.45.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2015
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Pavement Vaults, 2 Piccadilly, York. YO1 9NU.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Timothy Taylor Landlord, Oakham Citra, Steam Brewery Tunnel Vision, Pilot
Blonde, Tapped Brew Dry English Stout, Thornbridge Jaipur. Non-mainsteam keg
and lagers including Bernard Czech lager and Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone-
01904-670777
Web
site- http://pavementvaults.co.uk/
Pivovar third pub in York, it has a good beer range like the other two
pubs, but this is more modern, with half the ground floor taken up by dining.
There is also a downstairs drinking area. Just opened at the weekend; I visited on the Monday ( you can still smell
the paint!) A pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord at £3.90 , made me think I was in
London!
John 7/10 visit Nov 2015
_________________________________________________________________________
Pivni,
6 Patrick Poll, York, YO1 8BB.
Owner-
Pivovar
Beers-
Fyne Pipers Gold, Dark Star Green Hopped IPA, Rockhead, Vocation Heart and
Soul. Non-mainsteam keg and lagers including Bernard Czech lager and Belgian
bottled beers.
Telephone-
01904-635464
Web
site- http://pivni.co.uk/
A pub which is on three floors. The ground floor bar reminds me a little
of a Belgian café, small and with low lighting. If busy there are two other
drinking areas upstairs just as charming. The building dates back to 1190, with
genuine beams. The pub calls itself a world beer free house with some
interesting beer on offer including Bernard Czech lager on draught and Belgian
bottled beers. There are 4 real ales on draught; had a Fyne Piper Gold at £3.40
a pint. Good cosy pub.
John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2015
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Postern
Gate, 90 Piccadilly, York YO1 9NX.
Owner-
Wetherspoons
Beers-
Great Heck Dave, York Ghost Ale, Rudgate Ruby Mild, Exmoor Gold, Sharp’s
Doombar, Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Bitter.
Telephone-01904-526220
Web
site- https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/north-yorkshire/the-postern-gate-york
Modern Wetherspoons pub which, while within the city walls, is away from
the busy city centre. Large pub, but
still with some empty seats on a Saturday lunch time. Good atmosphere, with bar
staff clearing the punters at the bar
quickly. Unusually for Spoons this pub has some interesting Belgian and US
bottled beers, like Duvel and Anchor Steam. Hope this is the future for Spoons.
Had a pint of Great Heck Dave at £2.40.
John 9/10 visit Nov 2015
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Punch
Bowl, 7 Stonegate, York YO1 8AN
Owner-Nicholson
Beers-Nicholson
Pale Ale, Harveys Old Ale, Draught Bass, Madness Lovestruck, Caledonian Autumn
Red, Three Wise Mods( I think!)
Telephone-
01904-655147
Web
site- http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/yorkshireandthehumber/thepunchbowlstonegateyork
Another traditional York pub! It’s a tough job etc.. This Nicholson pub
claims be to over 400 years old. The pub might be, but the black beams are not! It is a nice
place none the less. A pint of Harveys Old Ale was £3.55.
John 7/10 visit Nov 2015
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Punch
Bowl, 5/9 Blossom Street, York YO24 1AU.
Owner-
Wetherspoons
Beers-
Sharp’s Doombar, Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Bitter, plus 4 guest beers.
Telephone-01904-666740
Web
site-
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/north-yorkshire/the-punch-bowl-york
Wetherspoons pub which is just outside Micklegate Wall. The pub is
strangely small, with not much room about the large bar. Came in here for
Sunday breakfast; the pub was doing a good trade. Guest beers were £2.25 a
pint.
John 7/10 visit Nov 2015
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Red
Lion, 2 Merchantage, York YO1 9TU
Owner-
Free House
Beers-Rudgate
Ruby Red, Obixous, Robinsons Dizzy Blonde, Hobgoblin Ale, Goose Eye Purity.
Telephone-01904-
640418
Web
site- http://redlionyork.com/
Nice historic pub claims to be an 13th century building with
the original beams and fireplace. Lovely cosy atmosphere; manage to sit by the
fire on a cold and windy day. Not as crowded as some York pubs are on a
Saturday afternoon. A pint of Rudgate Ruby Mild was £3.50.
John 9/10 visit Nov 2015
____________________________________________________________________________
Rook
And Gaskell, 12 Lawrence Street, York, YO10 3WP
Owner-
Free House-
Beers-
8 real ales from micro-breweries plus non-mainstream keg and lagers.
Telephone-01904-655450
Web
site- http://www.rookandgaskillyork.co.uk/
Another traditional York pub outside the city wall, with a good
atmosphere on a Saturday night. While busy, there were a few seats available.
There were 8 real ales to choose from, had an Acorn Freebird at £2.90 a pint.
Opens 1600 hours Sunday to Thursday.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2015
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Royal
Oak 18 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LG
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Theakston Old Peculier, Best Bitter, Greene King Abbot, Ridgeside Black Night,
Brains Rev James.
Telephone-01904-628869
Web
site- http://www.royaloakyork.co.uk/
A 17th century two bar pub with a good standard of
décor; the fireplace on a cold winters
day is a godsend. Friendly landlord and locals. There is 20p off cask ales for
Camra members. Had a pint of Theakston Old Peculier (which I have not had for a
long time) at £3.40.
John 7.5/ 10 visit Nov 2015
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Slip
Inn, 20 Clementhorpe, York YO23 1AN
Owner-
Free House
Beers-Leeds
Pale Ale, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Rudgate Ruby Mild, plus 2 other guest ales.
Telephone-01904-621793
Web
site- http://www.theslipinnyork.co.uk/
Back street local just down the road from the Swan. Small crowded pub
which the big sport screen dominates. There are 5 real ales which are on, had a
Leeds Pale Ale at £3.10 a pint. Good atmosphere. Opens from 1700 hours Monday
to Friday.
John 7/10 visit Nov 2015
_________________________________________________________________________
Sutlers,
54 Fossgate, York YO1 9TF
Owner-
Free House
Beers-Roosters
High Treason, House Beer, Saltaire Pride plus two other guest ales.
Non-mainsteam keg and lagers including Anchor Steam on draught.
Telephone-01904-625226
Modern bar, the only seats are bar stools by the window. There were 5
real ales from micro-breweries, plus a good range of non-mainstream kegs and
lager including Anchor Steam. Not much atmosphere at the time of my visit. I
had a pint of Roosters High Treason at £3.80.
John 6/10 visit Nov 2015
_________________________________________________________________________________
Swan
16 Bishopgate Street, York YO23 1JH.
Owner-
Free House
Beers-Coxside
Bourbon Stout, Tetley Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Bradfield Blonde, Swan
Blonde ( house beer).
Telephone-01904-634968
Lovely traditional pub with various rooms off a main corridor. As this
pub is to the South of the River Ouse, here are not too many tourists, which
creates a good atmosphere. The pub has 2 regular ales and 4 guest ales; I had a
pint of Coxside Bourbon Stout at £3.50. Opens from 1600 hours Monday to Friday.
John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2015
__________________________________________________________________________
Three
Legged Mare, 15 High Petergate, York YO1 7EN
Owner-
York Brewery
Beers-
York Guzzler, Terrier, Ghost Ale plus 3 guest ales.
Telephone-01904-638246
Web
Site- http://www.york-brewery.co.uk/Pubs/The-Three-Legged-Mare
Another York Brewery shop conversion in an old building. Modern décor
with wooden floorboards, light grey walls and portraits on the wall. Nice cosy
atmosphere for a Sunday evening. Had an enjoyable pint of York Ghost Ale at
£3.15 a pint.
John 7.5/10 visit Nov 2015
__________________________________________________________________________
Trafalgar
Bay Inn, 7 Nunnery Lane, York YO23 1AB
Owner-
Sam Smiths
Beers-
Sam Smiths OBB
Telephone-01904-653336
Whilst outside the city wall, I am amazed this pub only has about 10
people in it, on a Saturday night! This said everybody is talking to each other
across the tables including me! Talking to a nice man from Newcastle about
football and house prices! Only Sam Smith’s can own a pub like this! The OBB
was £1.80 a pint. The pub opens 1000 to 1600 and 1800 to 2300 hours Monday to
Saturday and 1200 to 2230 hours Sunday. I visited the pub about 1830 on
Saturday, which might explain the lack of people!!
John 7/10 visit Nov 2015
_________________________________________________________________________
Trembling
Madness, 48 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Cloudwater Red, Smoked Porter, Greak Heck Treason Stout.
Telephone-
01904- 640009
Web
site- http://www.tremblingmadness.co.uk/
An interesting place in the heart of York. Downstairs is an off license,
up the stairs is a mock Tudor bar( I
think, but the building does looks old!) with 3 handpumps and a good range of
bottled beers from the UK and overseas, like the off license downstairs. Very
busy for a Monday night, with a good atmosphere. All 3 real ales are very
interesting, I had a pint of Cloudwater Red at £3.50. Different place.
John 9/10 visit Nov 2015
________________________________________________________________________
Waggon
and Horses, 19 Lawrence Street, York YO10 3BP
Owner-
Batemans
Beers-Batemans
XB plus 4 other guest ales.
Telephone-01904-637478
Web
site- http://www.waggonandhorsesyork.com/
A nice Batemans pub which serves guest beers from other breweries. Just
outside the city walls, so less touristy with a good atmosphere on a Saturday
night. Greeted by friendly dog! I had a pint of Batemans XB at £3.10. Opens at
1500 hours on Monday and 1200 hours the rest of the week.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2015
_______________________________________________________________________________
Walmgate
Ale House, 25 Walmgate, York YO1 9TX
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
5 real ales from local breweries.
Telephone-01904-
629222
Web
site- http://www.walmgateale.co.uk/
Despite the name, this is a new pub with a décor of wooden floorboards,
tables and chairs. It says the loft upstairs seats 50 people and has a ghost!
Not sure why the front of the pub has a rope theme! There are 5 real ales with
the names of the beer on a chalked handpump clips; they are all £3.50 a
pint, and are served by a friendly
barman. I had a Walmgate Ale brewed by the York Brewery.
John 7/10 visit Nov 2015
__________________________________________________________________________
York
Arms, 26 High Petergate, York YO1 7EH
Owner-
Sam Smiths
Beers-
Sam Smiths OBB
Telephone-
01904-624505
Sam Smiths pub in the city centre with Sam Smiths prices; the Old
Brewery Bitter was £1.80 a pint.
Standard Sam’s décor with wood panelled walls and old photos on the
wall. A little quiet for a Sunday evening, but there are 4 pubs within a 50
yards walking distance!
John 7.5/10 visit Nov 2015
_________________________________________________________________________________
York
Tap, York Railway Station, York YO24 1AB
Owner-
Pivovar
Beers-
19 real ales and 1 cider on handpump plus 10 non-mainstream keg and lagers
including Bernard Czech lager and Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone-01904-659009
Web
site-
http://www.yorktap.com/
Excellent pub at York railway station. Busy traditional pub ( no music
or TV) with a marble floor and an impressive domed ceiling. Great choice of
real ales and draught kegs. Must admit I
thought this place would have single people having a pint before their train,
but it is full of groups of locals. If
travelling by train this should be your first and last stop! Had a pint of
Braggy Heavy Industry Nos smoked Porter at £3.70.
John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2015
____________________________________________________________________
Yorkshire
Terrier, 10 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS
Owner-
York Brewery
Beers-
York Guzzler, Terrier, Ghost Ale, Oakham JHB, Coniston Bluebird, Tring Kotuku.
Telephone-01904-676711
Web
site - http://www.york-brewery.co.uk/pubs/yorkshire-terrier
You walk through a corridor to get to the bar, the front is a beer shop.
Ground floor is small with a cosy atmosphere; décor is fake spit and sawdust!
There are 3 York beers on handpump, plus 3 guest ales, with a 10% discount for
Camra members. There is seating upstairs. Guest handpump clips on the corridor
wall. Had a York Ghost Ship at £3.25 a pint.
John 8/10 visit Nov 2015
_____________________________________________________________________________
DERBY
Derby is an East Midlands city with a population of 248,000 people,
which is home to Rolls-Royce and Toyota.
It is one of the best beer-drinking cities in the UK; one of the reasons
for this is a strong Camra branch who hold two beer festivals a year and offer
free advertising in their local newsletter if Camra members get a discount on a
pint of real ale. Derby has 5 brew pubs plus 5 micro breweries, two of which
own 2 pubs each to sell their beers in. There are also some good free houses
serving a large range of beers from breweries all over the country. All of
which of makes for a good drinking experience! Pubs visited in March 2013.
RAILWAY QUARTER
Alexandra Hotel, 203 Siddals Rd, Derby, DE1 2QE
Owner- Castle Rock
Beers- Castle Rock Harvest Pale Ale, Tripple, Midnight Oil plus
6 other micro beers on handpump
Telephone-01332-293993
Web site- http://www.alexandrahotelderby.co.uk/
A pub in Derby’s railway
quarter, just around the corner from the Brunswick, this is an old school pub
with a public and lounge bar. The lounge side had a rabbit in a pen (I kid you
not!) The public bar side had a lot of modern railway memorabilia including a
old Red Star Parcel sign (remember them?) and a modern 24 hour station clock.
Owned by Castle Rock, whose 3 beers are cheaper than the other 6 guest beers.
There is a 20p a pint discount for Camra members. A basic pub with a good atmosphere and beer
choice. Castle Rock Harvest Pale was £2.50 a pint.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2013
______________________________________________________________________
Brunswick `1 Railway Terrace, Derby,
DE1 2RU
Owner- Everards brew pub
Beers- 4 Brunswick brew pub beers plus 12 beers on draught from
mainly micro breweries. Budvar on draught.
Telephone- 01332-290677
Web site http://www.brunswickderby.co.uk/
A wonderful brew pub of great character, as well as a great
choice of beer, which is within walking distance of Derby railway station. The pub is cosy and atmospheric, with lots of
alcoves and rooms of the bar. Dartboard, flagstone floor and old railway theme
photos all add to the place. As well as the pub’s 4 brews (which are reasonably
priced) there are 12 guest ales on draught. Prices are on the blackboard at the
bar. An excellent pub. Brunswick Railway Porter was £2.50 a pint.
John 10/10 visit March 2013
_________________________________________________________________________
INSIDE CITY CENTRE RING ROAD
Babington Arms, 11-13 Babington Lane, Derby DE1 1TA
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- 6 regular real ales plus 10 guest real ales
Telephone- 01332-383647
Web site- http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-babington-arms
While Wetherspoon’s other pub- the Standing Order-is a grand
impressive pub, this pub is a more down-to-earth Wetherspoons. It’s biggest
selling point is that it does 16 real ales, more than any other Wetherspoons
pub in the UK. The beers and the prices are on a screen to the right of the bar
and is a beer tickers paradise. The pub
goes back a fair way, and was very busy for Thursday lunchtime. Standard
Wetherspoons décor, but the pub does have a brewery mirror with the pub’s name
on it. Not sure what the pub does when there is a Wetherspoons beer festival
on- it seems there is a beer festival on all the year round! Had a pint of By
the Horns, Diamond Geezer at £2.49 a pint.
John 9/.5 10 visit March 2013
________________________________________________________________________
Brewery Tap, 1 Derwent St, Derby, DE1 2ED
Owner- Derby Brewery
Beeers- Derby Penny Porter,
Business as Usual, Midas Touch, Light Mash. Timothy Taylor Landlord, Burton
Bridge Trail End Topy,
Telephone-01332-366283
Web site- http://www.derbybrewing.co.uk/home_121_3_63.html
This is a Derby Brewery
pub just over a bridge in the city centre. Modern place with wooden
floorboards, bright lights, white walls and a bare brick bar. Pub is small with
a good atmosphere, the background music is low.
Four Derby Brewery beers are on draught; had the Penny Porter at £2.85 a
pint, which was a nice pint. Good beer, good pub and good bar service.
John 9/10 visit March 2013
_______________________________________________________________________
Exeter Arms, Exeter Place, Derby DE1
2EU
Owner- Dancing Duck
Beers- Dancing Duck Seduction, Gold, 22, Marstons Pedigree, plus
2 Milestone beers
Telephone - 01332-605323
Web site- http://www.exeterarms.co.uk/
A small Dancing Duck pub which was very busy at the time of my
visit, due to a live blues/folk band playing; they were not bad. Dancing Duck
are a new micro who own 2 pubs in Derby. Low ceiling, low lighting and candles
on the table would have given a good atmosphere were it not so crowded. Beer
was okay; I had Seduction which was £3.00 a pint. Just around the corner from
the Brewery Tap.
John 8/10 visit March 2013
_______________________________________________________________________________
Flowerpot, 23-25 King Street, Derby DE! 3DZ
Owner- Free House
Beeers- Ringwood Old trumper, Marstons Pedigree, Sweet Chariot,
East Kent Goldings, Oakham Bishops Farewell, Headless Zynosis, birds Black
Widow Stout, Black Jack Salford arms, Whim Hartington IPA, Black Iris
Sunflower,
Fernando Duskcutter,
Telephone-01332- 204955
Cosy city centre pub with a great range of 11 real ales, which
are priced on the blackboard. Low red
ceiling with white walls, red seating and old photos of Derby make up the
décor. At the back is where there is live music; tonight is acoustic night at
2100 hours. List of forthcoming bands are mainly tribute bands- like the name
Fred Zeppelin! Home to the Black Iris brewery. I had a pint of Birds Black
Widow Stout which was £3.05 a pint.
John 9/10 visit March 2013
____________________________________________________________________________
Old Silk Mill, 19 Full Street, Derby DE1 3AF
Owner – Free House
Beers- Bartrams Coal Porter, Kelham Island Pale Rider,
Thornbridge Jaipuer, Bass, Castle Rock Harvest Pale, Wye Valley HPA.
Telephone – 01332-369748
City centre pub which was a little empty at the time of my
visit, but there seems to be things to do most nights including acoustic, quiz
and open mikes nights, but there is nothing tonight. A large pub with seating
around the side of the pub. No food, but you can bring your own in and they
will provide you with the plates and cutlery. Good range of 8 beers plus 2
ciders, had the Bartram Coal Porter at £3.00 a pint which was excellent. Camra
members get 25p a pint off.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2013
________________________________________________________________________________
Smithfield, Meadow Road, Derby DE1 2BH
Owner- Free House
Beers- Bass, Oakham Bishops Farewell, Lincoln Green Poacher,
Whim Arbour Ales, Smithy Ale ( House beer )
Telephone- 01332-370429
Web site- http://www.thesmithfield.moonfruit.com/#
Two bar pub in an isolated part of the city centre, which was a
little empty at the time of my visit. Not exactly a riverside pub but it does
have river views from the patio out the back. Looks like the pub has some new
paint on it recently! Five real ales on,
I had a pint of Lincoln Green Poacher which was nice. There is 20p a
pint off for Camra members.
John 7.5/10 visit March 2013
_________________________________________________________________________
Standing Order, 28-32 Iron Gate, Derby DE1 3GL
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers-Marstons Pedigree, Ruddles Bitter, Greene King Abbott,
Courage Directors, Shepherd Neame Spitfire. Guest beers Lymstone Stone Cold,
Gainstone Fithy Fithy, Ringwood Old Scrumper, Milestone Rich,
Telephone-01332-207591
Web site http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-standing-order
An impressive Wetherspoons pub which was an ex-bank, it reminded
me a little of the Cross Keys in the City of London. Wonderful marble pillars,
ceiling and statues, also with some nice old portraits on the walls of the pub.
Island bar with lots of handpumps there are 5 regular ales plus 5 guest ales;
had Marstons Pedigree at £2.39 a pint. Classy pub.
John 9/10 visit March 2013
_____________________________________________________________________
Ye Olde Dolphin, Queen St, Derby DE1 3DL
Owner- Free House
Beers- Dolphin Centurion Red (house beer), Sharp’s Doombar,
Adnams Bitter, Bass, Marstons Pedigree, Deuchars IPA.
Telephone- 01332 267711
Web site http://freespace.virgin.net/dmh.derby/dolphin/
This is Derby’s oldest pub, which is a lovely old building with
original beams and low ceiling. Different rooms run off the corridor and the
bar. There is a quiet atmosphere which befits the pub; it is almost like a
country pub despite being in the city centre. There is also a whiskey menu and
a reasonably priced food menu. There are 8 real ales mainly, from regional
breweries plus the house beer Centurion Red which was £2.70 a pint.
John 9.5/10 visit March 2013
_______________________________________________________________________________
NORTH OF CITY CENTRE RING ROAD
Bridge Inn, 3 Mansfield Rd, Derby DE1 3QY
Owner- Free House
Beers- Courage Directors, Moreland Old Speckled Hen, Wells
Bombardier
Telephone-01332-380863
Web site- http://www.thebridgederby.co.uk/
An aptly named upmarket riverside pub. Pub is on three levels
with views of the River Derwent and rowers, plus a large outside drinking area.
Prices are high for Derby- must be the river views! Lots of handpumps, but only
3 average beers are on! Courage Directors (long time no drink!) was £3.40 a
pint.
John 7/10 visit March 2013
_______________________________________________________________________________
Five Lamps, 25 Duffield Road, Derby DE1 3HN
Owner- Everards
Beers- 14 real ales mainly from local micros. Five Lamps Bitter
brew by Derby Brewery. Budvar on draught.
Telephone- 01332-348730
Web site- http://www.fivelampsderby.co.uk/
This pub is just to the North of the city centre and is worth
the journey. This is another Derby pub
with a large range of ales, this time 14, mainly from local micro breweries. No
TV or music, but the pub is busy with a lively atmosphere. Jugs on the ceiling
and teapots around the pub add to the décor. Reasonably priced food menu being
served between 1700 and 2000 hours. Pub is very dog friendly. Peak Brewery
Chatsworth Gold was £2.70 a pint.
John 9/10 visit March 2013
____________________________________________________________________________________
Furnace Inn, 9 Duke St, Derby DE1 3BX
Owner- Free House
Beers- Hop Studio Porter, Blue Monkey Infinity, Hoppy Valley
Little Rascal, East London Pale Ale
Telephone-01332-385981
Outside it says it is home to the Shiny Brewery, but none of
their beers were on. This is a one bar pub, but with a lounge side and a basic
public bar side with a dartboard. There are 4 real ales on, all from micro
breweries with a discount for Camra members. While near a river, the pub has a
back-street local atmosphere. Pub opens 1600 hours Monday to Thursday. East
London Pale Ale was £2.80 a pint.
John 8/10 visit March 2013
____________________________________________________________________________
Horse
and Groom, 48 Elms Street, Derby DE1 3HN
Owner-
Free House
Beers- Bass, Thornbridge Kipling, Phoenix March Hare, Rooster
Leghorn
Telephone- 01332-384775
Web site- http://www.horseandgroomderby.co.uk/
This is a back street local which is a large open planned pub
with a big stage for live music at the weekend. The pub only has 4 real ales
(small by Derby standards!) but they were all interesting beers and the one I
had-Thornbridge Kipling-at £2.90 a pint was in good nick.
John 7/10 visit March 2013
_____________________________________________________________________________
Peacock, 87 Nottingham Road, Derby, DE1
3QS.
Owner- Marstons
Beers- Peacock PPA (house beer), Marstons Pedigree, Whim Arbor
Light, Oakham Bishops Farewell plus two other guest beers.
Telephone- 01332-603362
A cosy pub which is now by passed by the busy Nottingham Road.
Pub has good back-street local feel to it. There are old photos on the wall of
the area and the glory days of Derby County in the 1970s. The Dave Mackay
holding up Billy Bremner is one of my all time favourite football photos! Good
choice of beers for a Marstons pub, with 5 guest beers and one beer straight
from the barrel. Marstons Pedigree was £2.95 a pint.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2013
___________________________________________________________________________________
WEST OF CITY CENTRE RING ROAD
Greyhound, 76 Friargate, Derby DE1 1FN
Owner- Derby Brewery
Beers- Derby Brewery Business as Usual, Penny Porter, Double
Mash, Hop Until You Drop, Moon Touch plus 3 guest beers.
Telephone- 01332-344155
Web
site- http://www.derbybrewing.co.uk/the-greyhound_62_7.html
Derby Brewery,s second pub in Derby, which is about 5 minutes
walk to the West of the City Ring Road. Similar décor to the Brewery Tap with
wooden floorboards, bright lights and bare brick walls, which creates a
pleasant atmosphere. As you walk past the bar there is another drinking area
around the back. Five beers are from the Derby Brewery plus 3 guest beers.
Derby Brewery Business as Usual was £2.85 a pint.
John 8/10 visit March 2013
____________________________________________________________________
Mr
Grundys, Ashbourne Road, Derby DE22 3AD
Owner-
Free House Brew Pub
Beers-
Mr Gundys Lord Kitchener, Trench Foot, Sniper, Red Baron plus 2 guest beers
Telephone-
01332- 349806
Web
Site- http://www.mrgrundysbrewery.co.uk/
Brew pub on the Ashbourne Road just to the West of the city ring
road. The brews and the pub have a World War One theme. The area around the bar
was full of bar posers blocking your way to getting a drink! I haven’t had this problem in a long time!
Interesting photos of old Hollywood movie stars on the wall, plus an old red
telephone box by the bar, all add character to the place. A pint of Trench Foot
was £2.95.
John 7.5/ 10 visit March 2013
________________________________________________________________________________
New
Zealand Arms, 2 Langley Road, Derby DE22 3GL
Owner-
Dancing Duck
Beers-
6 Dancing Duck beers on draught Plus Old Peculiar
Telephone- 01332-204991
Web
site- http://www.newzealandarms.com/
Dancing Duck,s second pub is a back street local off the
Ashbourne Road. Busy at the time of my visit, there is a pool table and
dartboard on one side of the pub and a quieter area for drinking on the other
side. All Dancing Duck beers were £2.50 a pint, which is good value, especially
with the stronger beers. This is the original back street local with friendly
bar staff, locals and dog!
John 8.5/10 visit March 2013
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TWO BREW PUBS I DID NOT GET TOO
Falstaff
Tavern, 74 Silverhill Road, Derby DE23 6UJ. Brew pub about 20 minutes walk
south of the city centre.
Rowditch,
246 Uttoxeter New Road, Derby DE22 3LL. Brew pub on a main road out of
the city centre. Open at 1900 hours. It is also homeme to the Middle Earth
brewery
__________________________________________________________________
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of the most
underrated cities in the UK. Any city with a castle high up, looking down on
the city, is a winner with me. A wonderful civilised and relaxing city with
some lovely buildings. As well as being a great city it is an excellent beer
drinking city with some great pubs and friendly locals. I highly recommend this
city.
A few pubs serve the beer under the Scottish air pressure system;
there is no handpump and it can look like a keg pump. The Camra Scottish
branches consider this real ale, see if you like it! The local brewery is
Caledonian now owned by Heineken, their main beer Deuchars IPA is found in most
Edinburgh pubs; I must admit I prefer the 80 shilling. One thing which has
changed since my last visit is that pubs are offering lists of their malt
whiskies; in some cases up to a 100 malts. Enjoy your drinking!
OLD TOWN
9A, 9A Holyrood Road, Edinburgh. EH8
8AE
Owner- Free House
Beers- Moor Stout plus 3 other UK micro beers. Plus micro beers on draught
from Belgium, Norway and England.
Telephone -0131-556-5044
Web site- http://www.fullerthomson.com/eating-and-drinking/holyrood/
A modern bar with a good
choice of beers from the UK and overseas on draught; if you want to try a
hard-to-find beer in Edinburgh, this is the place for you! The real minus side
is the prices Moor Stout was £4.30 a pint and a pint of Flying Dog Raging Bitch
was £7.50 a pint; prices to make even Londoners think twice around buying! The
food menu is mainly burgers including a haggis burger!
John 7/10 visit March 2012
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Albanach, 197 High Street, Edinburgh.
EH1 1PE.
Owner- Belhaven
Beers- Greene King Abbot, Belhaven IPA,
80 Shilling plus over 200 malt whiskies.
Telephone -0131-220-5277
Nice pub which specialises
in malt whiskies, it has over 200 of them ( you need to ask for the menu). Nice
upmarket décor with an exposed brick wall along one side. The pub is on the
Royal Mile which makes it a little bit of a tourist trap, but the bar staff are
friendly for a city centre pub. There is
more seating at the back of the pub. A half pint of Belhaven IPA and a Glen
Elgin whiskey was £4.85. Nice civilised pub.
John 8/10 visit March 2012
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Bow Bar, 80 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1
2HH.
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Stewart
No 3, Fyne Avalanche, Williams Midnight Sun, Rebellion Mutiny,
Hawkshead Oakmeal Stout, Dark Star APA,
York Guzzler plus world bottled beers.
Telephone -0131-226-7667
This is a small shop-like
pub which reminds me a little of an Amsterdam brown café. The pub was crowded on a Friday night, but
atmospheric with lots of old Scottish whisky and brewery mirrors on the walls.
All the beers are served on the Scottish air pressure system. The Scottish ales
were roughly the same price as the English ones. Stewart No 3 was £3.30 a
pint.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2012
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Blue Blazer, 2 Spittal Street, Edinburgh. EH3 9DX
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Orkney Dark Island, Cairngorm
Trade Winds, Stewart 80 Shilling, Pentland IPA.
Telephone- 0131-229-5030
This is a traditional pub in the Old Town in an area of tourist
trap pubs. Nothing looks like it’s changed too much over the years! The décor
is mainly blue. There is a plaque outside the pub with the history of the pub.
Two of the pub’s real ales are on the Scottish air pressure system. The road
outside is busy and noisy but in here it is calm and relaxing.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2012
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Brew Dog, 143 Cowgate, Edinburgh. EH1
1JS
Owner- Brew Dog
Beers- No real ale. Beers from the Brew
Dog keg range plus Milikbeer and Stones
Telephone -0131-220-6517
Web site- http://www.brewdog.com/bars/edinburgh
The Brew Dog pub in
Edinburgh is in Cowgate which is in the nightclub area of the city. There are
two door supervisors, who are friendly!
A surprising small place
which modern ducks, stainless steel window and not many seats; I was sitting on
a beer barrel! The pub has beers from Milkkeller and Stones, as well as their
own brews, a pint of Punk IPA was £3.70, in their London pub it was £3.90. Sign
on the way in says, ‘No football, No shots, No Stella’!
John 7/10 visit March 2012
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Halfway House, 24 Fleshmarket Close,
Edinburgh. EH1 1BX
Owner- Free House
Beers-
Mordue Northumbrian Blonde, Ayr
Jolly Brewers, plus 2 other micro beers.
Telephone -0131- 225-7101
Web site http://halfwayhouse-edinburgh.com/
Down an alley between
Cockburn Street and Market Street (which is a bit uphill from Market Street) is
this gem of a pub. Even before you enter the pub you get the feeling it is
going to be a cosy back street local, which it is. Small cosy pub with a good
atmosphere, where everyone
seems to know each other.
Yet another Edinburgh pub which reminds me of an Amsterdam brown café. Had Ayr
Jolly Brewers at £3.20 a pint. Good pub.
John 9/10 visit March 2012
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Mitre, 131 High Street, Edinburgh. EH1
1SG
Owner – Nicholsons
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, 80
Shilling, Harviestoun Natural Blonde, Wooden Hand Pirates Gold.
Telephone -0131-652-3902
Web site- http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/themitrebarroyalmileedinburgh/
A pub on the Royal Mile
which has some nice traditional décor, especially the ceiling. Trouble is half
of this not very large pub is taken up for dining. Five real ales were on
including Wooden Hand, all the way from Cornwall. Caledonian 80 Shilling was
£3.25 a pint.
John 7/10 visit March 2012
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Whiski bar, 119 High Street, Edinburgh.
EH1 1SG
Owner- Free House
Beers-
Caledonian Deuchars IPA, 80 Shilling plus over 200 malt whiskies.
Telephone- 0131- 556-3095
Web site- http://www.whiskibar.co.uk/
This is another pub on the Royal Mile, which
specialises in the Scottish national drink. Nice comfortable décor, the pub
goes back away. The pub is busy, but there is still room for a singer doing
some covers of old standards in the corner. Not sure if the beers are served
under the Scottish air pressure system.
My last pub of the night so I had a whisky and why not!
John 7.5/10 visit March 2012
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NEW TOWN
Alexandra Graham Bell, 128 George Street, Edinburgh. EH2 4JG
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best
Bitter plus guest beers at the Wetherspoons beer festival at £2.55 a pint.
Telephone- 0131- 240-8220
Web site- http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-alexander-graham-bell
A modern and smaller Wetherspoons pub than the Standing Order,
which this down the road from is pub. I am sure this explains the beer festival
beers are £2.55 a pint here and £1.99 a pint in the Standing order! A pleasant
pub with a nice atmosphere with low lights etc. Bar staff are checking the
tables for empty glasses and plates always a good sign in a pub.
John 7.5/10 visit March 2012
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Barony Bar, 81 Broughton Street, Edinburgh. EH1 3RJ
Owner- Free House
Beers-Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Flying Scotsman, Orkney Dark Island,
Stewart Edinburgh Gold, Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted plus
Westons Traditional Cider
Telephone – 0131-558-2874
A wonderful Camra inventory
pub which has a good choice of real ales. Impressive décor with wonderful
ceiling, tiled wall and some of the largest brewery and whisky mirrors I have
ever seen. Bar menu has the history of the pub on it. Friendly bar staff and
locals. There is live music here on a Sunday night. Had a pint of Orkney Dark
Island at £3.60 a pint.
John 9/10 visit March 2012
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Café Royal, 19 West Register Street,
Edinburgh. EH2 2AA
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, William
Wallace, Marston Single Hop, Kelburn Dark Moon plus two other guest beers.
Telephone- 0131-556-1884
Web site http://www.caferoyal.org.uk/
This pub is down a quiet
back street, the outside of this pub is impressive, the inside is more so!
Everything about this pub is stylish, with a capital S! Impressive tiled wall
murals, curtains, ceiling and lighting- you have to see it for yourself! This
is he place to go if you want to impress someone. Use the buffet entrance for
the pub, not the revolving door restaurant one. Good bar service and there is a
small list of malt whiskies. I had a
pint of William Wallace at £3.50 a pint.
John 9/5/10 visit March
2012
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Cask and Barrel, 115 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh. EH1 3RZ
Owner- Free House
Beers- 4 regular beers plus 4 guest
beers had Fyne Cobber Stout at £3.10 a pint.
Telephone- 0131-556-3132
Web site- http://www.caskandbarrel.co.uk/
New Town pub with
traditional décor, but done out in a modern way! Lively atmosphere at the time
of my visit, there are 7 TV screens with 2 showing English Premiership games,
all with the volume turn down. As well as the usual brewery and whisky mirrors
on the walls, this pub also has old cigarettes brand mirrors and old photos of
brewery workers. Too crowded at the bar to get down the names of the beers, but
I did have a Cobber Stout at £3.10 a pint.
John 8/10 visit March 2012
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Guildford Arms, 1 West Register Street,
Edinburgh. EH2 2AA
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA,
Highland Scapa Special, Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted, Orkney Dark Island,
Youngers #3, Stewart 80 Shilling, Leeds Best Bitter, Pontyrod Oxmoron, Bradford
Steelow, Shepherd Neame Earlybird.
Telephone- 0131-556-4312
Web Site- http://www.guildfordarms.com/contact.htm
You start with a impressive
etched glass frontage with the pubs name on it. Go through the revolving doors,
you will see an impressive ceiling and a wood panelled wall between the etched
glass window. The back of the pub is less impressive with a low ceiling, wooden
floors and white walls but is okay(
looks like a extension). So drink in the front! There is a good range of 10
real ales mainly from Scottish brewers, which are priced between £3.35 and
£3.70 a pint. Great place-still as good as I remember!
John 10/10 visit March 2012
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Kay’s Bar, 39 Jamaica Street, Edinburgh
EH3 6HF.
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA,
Theakston Best Bitter, Stewart 80 Shilling, Orkney Wayfarer, Cairngorm Black
Gold, Trade Winds, Wildcat.
Telephone- 0131-225-1858
Small cosy mews pub with a
nice warm fire on a windy day, there is a small back room behind the fireplace.
The pub has 7 real ales, which is good for a small pub, not so good are the
prices between £3.40 and £4.00 a pint, to make Londoners feel at home! Visit
Monday lunchtime-a nice relaxing atmosphere with a good beer-Black Gold at
£3.80 a pint makes it hard to leave.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2012
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Oxford Bar, 8 Young Street, Edinburgh.
EH2 4HB
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Inveralmond Ossian,
Cairngorm Trade Winds, Strathaven Duchess Light.
Telephone- 0131-539-7119
Web site- http://www.oxfordbar.co.uk/
The bar is off to the left
as you walk in; to the right is the seating area as there is no more room to
sit by the bar area. Recently decorated with new white walls, the rooms are
cosy, I liked the fireplace. The etched glass window has the pub’s name on it.
The pub is mentioned in Rankin’s Rebus books; the author likes to drink here as
well. Good unspoilt New Town pub. Further down the road is the Cambridge Bar! I
had a pint of Trade Winds at £3.30 a pint.
John 9.5/10 visit March
2012
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Standing Order, 62 George Street, Edinburgh. EH2 2LR.
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Lots of guest beers from the Wetherspoons beer festival
at £1.99 a pint.
Telephone- 0131-225-4460
Web site- http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-standing-order-edinburgh
An wonderful building
(ex-bank?) which has been turned into a Wetherspoons pub, yet another Edinburgh
pub with an impressive ceiling, as well as marble pillars and etched glass
windows which all adds to the atmosphere. Scottish flags hang from the ceiling
and there is a tartan tent hanging over some of the seats! Visited during the
Wetherspoons beer festival, barman who served me knew his beer, and we had a
good talk about the beers on offer. Good beer, good place, had a good drink.
Festival beers were £1.99 a pint.
John 9/10 visit March 2012
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Waterloo Buffet, 3-7 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. EH1 3BG
Owner- Free House
Beers- No real ale
Telephone- 0131-556-7597
Small bar close to North
Bridge. In the Camra inventory pub list, looks unchanged with a
Waterloo/Theakston brewery mirror being the best feature. Only 3 customers in
here watching a boring American soap on TV. No real ale so I had a Highland
Park whisky. About time I hit a bad pub!
John 4/10 visit March
2012
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Windsor Buffet, 45 Elm Row, Edinburgh. EH7 4AH
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Tryst VIP, Orkney Corncrake, Double
Death
Telephone- 0131- 556-4558
Strange name for a pub in
Edinburgh! A nice traditional pub with an impressive ceiling, green leather
seats along the walls and wood panelled walls. The pub has a student-type
atmosphere with indie music in the background. There are 4 real ales on from
Scottish breweries, had a Tryst VIP at £3.30 a pint.
John 8/10 visit March 2012
______________________________________________________________________________________
ROSE STREET
Rose Street is famous for its pub crawls.
I counted 13 to 14 pubs along the street, depending on what you define a pub
as! Lots of places seen to be aimed at the tourist market, but there are some
good pubs too.
Abbotsford Bar and Restaurant, 3 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PR
Owner- Free House
Beers-Orkney Red McGregor, Cairngorm Trade
Winds, Tryst Brookville, Fyne Ales Avalanche
Telephone- 0131-225-5276
Web Site http://www.theabbotsford.com/contact.htm
The pub is on the ground, the
restaurant is upstairs. This is a
traditional pub with an island bar with red leather seating, wood panelled
walls, and a wonderful ceiling. There is no TV here, just conversation. The
beers are served by the Scottish air pressure system. Had a pint of Orkney Red
McGregor which was in good nick, at £3.10 a pint. This pub has a nice relaxing
atmosphere to drink your beer in.
John 9/10 visit March 2012
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Dirty Dick’s, 159 Rose Street, Edinburgh. EH2 4LS.
Owner- Free House
Beers- Stewarts Edinburgh Gold, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Black
Sheep Bitter,
Telephone- 0131-260-9920
A likeable pub with low beams and low lighting and jugs hanging
from the ceiling, which creates a cosy atmosphere. Strange bric-a-brac around
the pub and a slate floor add to the pub as well as candles on the tables. The friendly barman was into his blues music!
Only 3 real ales are on, The Edinburgh Gold was £3.90 a pint, but a good pub
for atmosphere.
John 7.5/10 visit March 2012
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Kenilworth, 152 Rose Street, Edinburgh. EH2 3JD.
Owner- Nicholson
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, 80 Shilling, Dutchman, Moorhouse
Black Cat, Brains Milkwood, Pontyprod Thai-Bo.
Telephone- 0131-226-1773
Web site- http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/thekenilworthrosestreetedinburgh/
A small Nicholson heritage pub on Rose Street,
which was founded in 1904. Impressive décor with great tiled walls, wonderful
light blue and white ceiling, etched glass windows and wood panelled walls
makes for good drinking surroundings. An island bar serves 6 real ales-3 from
Scotland, 2 from England and 1 from Wales. Had a pint of Moorhouse Black Cat at
£3.40.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2012
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Milnes of Rose Street, 35 Hanover Street, Edinburgh. EH2 2PJ
Owner- Free house
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Broughton 80 Shilling plus 2
guest beers.
Telephone- 0131-225-6738
A Cask Marque pub on Rose Street, even if the address is in
Hanover Street! Compact pub, but there is more seating downstairs. Décor is
black beams on a white ceiling and leather seating in a modern way. Pub is
mainly full of tourists. The Broughton 80 shilling was £3.40 a pint and in good
nick.
John 7/10 visit March 2012
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DUDDINGSTON
Sheep Heid Inn, 45 The Causeway,
Duddingston, Edinburgh. EH15 3QA.
Owner- Free House
Beers- Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted,
Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Wadsworth Bishop’s Tipple, Hop Back Summer Lightning
Telephone- 0131-661-7974
Web site- http://www.sheepheid.co.uk/
A wonderful walk through
Holyrood Park gets you to Duddington village, to this nice village pub.
Multi-room pub with low beams leads to a skittle alley and a beer garden at the
back. Nice relaxing pub at the time of my visit. Four ales are on, 2 from
Scotland and two from England. I had the Wadworths Bishop’s Tipple at £3.15 a
pint. The pub is a 40 minute walk from the Royal Mile- I know, as I have done
it! If not, you need to try the number 4 or 44 buses which stop nearby.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2012
LEITH and NEWHAVEN
Foot of the Walk, 183 Constitution Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6
7AA
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, 80 Shilling, Ruddles Best Bitter
plus 5 guest beers from the Wetherspoons beer festival at £1.95 a pint.
Telephone- 0131- 553-0120
Web site- http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-foot-of-the-walk
Large open plan Wetherspoons
with the tables all lined up in a row; there are a few rooms of to the side.
Scottish League cup final between Celtic and Kilamarnock is on TV but volume is
low, and not many people are watching.
Visited during the Wetherspoons beer festival, the festival beers are £1.95 a
pint, I had Batemans Smoky Joe.
John 7/10 visit March 2012
________________________________________________________________________
Malt and Hops, 45 Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6
6QU,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA. Demon Brew Demon Black, Couch
Vale Brewers Gold, Atlas brewery Latitude, Cromarty Happy Chappy, Stewart Edinburgh Gold, Tryst Blathan.
Telephone- 0131- 555- 0083
Web site- http://www.barcalisa.com/
A small cosy pub with a good
address, the Water of Leith is across the road. The décor of the pub is a
little like a fisherman’s cabin with low beams with hops, banknotes and handpump
clips on the beams, plus brewery and whisky mirrors on the wall. Good choice of
real ales from some interesting breweries, Ideal for a Sunday lunchtime drink,
the pub does no food. Had a pint of Demon Black at £3.40 a pint.
John 8.5/ 10 visit March
2012
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Starbank Inn, 64 South Laverockbank
Ave, Newhaven Edinburgh, EH5 3BZ
Owner- Belhaven?
Beers- Belhaven IPA, 80 Shilling, Pentland IPA, Cairngorm Trade
Winds, Houston Gemini, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Fyne Ales Jarl, Orkney Raven.
Telephone - 0131- 552- 4141
Web site- http://www.starbankinn.co.uk/
Nice laid back pub with
great views over the Forth (get a window seat).
It is worth the bus ride from Leith to Newhaven. There are old photos of Newhaven around the
walls, as well as model ships on the window ledge. A Belhaven pub but only 2 of
the 8 real ales are from Belhaven, the rest are from Scottish independences.
Stewarts Pentland IPA was £3.20 a pint. This is a good place to relax and have
a Sunday lunch.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2012
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Teuchters Landing, 1c Dock Place, Leith, Edinburgh,
EH6 6LU
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Houston Peters Well, Fyne Ales
Jarl, Highland Brewing Dark Munro, Osmanian, plus Brew Dog, Budvar and Innes
and Gunn on draught.
Telephone- 0131- 554- 7427
Web site- http://www.aroomin.co.uk/
When you first walk into
this pub you think it is small, but there are rooms around the back, including
a conservatory and some outside decking overlooking the water. Formerly the
waiting room of the Leith to Aberdeen ferry, this building has a lot of
character. There are five real ales from
Scottish independents, plus some interesting draught beers. The pub also does a
good range of malt whiskies; see the blackboard next to the bar. Service was a
little on the slow side, Hearts v Hibs is the game on the TV. Dark Munro was
£3.70 a pint.
John 9/10 visit March 2012
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SOUTHSIDE
Cask and Barrel Southside, 24 West
Preston Street, Edinburgh. EH8 9PZ
Owner- Free House
Beers- Standing Brewery Standing Out,
Box Steam Funnel Blower, Strathaven Line Out, Titanic Plum Porter,
Bath SPA, Orkney Best, Stewart 80
Shilling, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, plus a good range of Belgian, Czech and
German bottled beers.
Telephone -0131-556-3132
Newish pub but is done out
in a traditional way, talking and drinking seem to go hand in hand in this
atmospheric pub. Lots of old Scottish brewery mirrors around the walls plus
some English ones as well; also there are some Scottish whisky mirrors. A large
pub with a few alcoves, with mostly older clientele. There are 8 handpumps with
some interesting breweries plus a good range of overseas bottled beer. The TV
is turned off here. Orkney Best was £2.90 a pint.
John 9/10 visit March 2012
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Dagda Bar, 93 Buccleuch Street,
Edinburgh. EH8 9NG
Owner- Free House
Beers- Tryst VIP, Mordue Radgie Gadgie,
Northumbrian Blonde,
Telephone - 0131-667-9773
Web site- http://dagda.co.uk/
A small pub but there is
room for me to find a seat on a Friday night. Décor is mainly wood, a low green
ceiling and a slate floor. The clientele is mainly younger here, the music is
indie and beers are mainly unusual for Edinburgh. Nice place, but a little
lacking in atmosphere. Tryst VIP was £3.30 a pint.
John 7.5/10 visit March 2012
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Leslie Bar, 45 Radcliffe Street,
Edinburgh. EH9 1SW
Owner- Free House
Beers- Timothy Taylor Landlord,
Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Tryst Carronade, Stewart Holyrood, Broughton
Exciseman ,
Telephone -0131-667-7205
Web site- http://www.lesliesbar.com/
A wonderful traditional bar. There are two
entrances to this pub-go to the right hand one, this is where the handpumps
are- all 6 of them! The other side has no beer taps, just snob screens to shout
your orders through. A narrow pub with not much room on either side of the bar.
Wonderful ceiling and wood-panelled clock above the bar. There is just the sound of conversation in
this pub, no other distractions! Stewart Holyrood was £2.35 a pint; think I hit
some kind of happy hour as it was £3.40 on the board! Nice place.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2012
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STOCKBRIDGE
Bailie Bar, 2 St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh. EH3 5AL
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Flying
Scotsman, Courage Directors, Stewart Copper Cascade, Belhaven Six Nations,
Tryst VIP.
Telephone- 0131-225-4673
Web site- http://www.thebailiebar.co.uk/
This is a basement bar with a low ceiling and
décor of red carpet, red leather seating, black walls and low lighting, which
gives this place a relaxed locals feel, along with a set of newspapers to read!
A cask marque pub which has 6 real ales, 2 regular beers and 4 guest beers with
prices ranging from £3.50 to £3.60 a pint. Good pub to do alongside the nearby
Stockbridge Tap.
John 8/10 visit March 2012
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Stockbridge Tap, 2 Raeburn Place,
Edinburgh. EH4 1HN.
Owner- Free House
Beers- Kelham Island Pale Rider, Green
Jack Orange Wheat Beer, Stewart Pentland IPA, 80 Shilling, Black Isle Red Kite,
Cairngorm Trade Winds.
Telephone- 0131- 343-3000
Traditional pub with a
modern refit, there are new tables, chairs, green leather seating and green
tiled walls. There is also the usual beer memorabilia around the walls and some
newspapers to read. The pub has 7 real ales which are priced at between £3.30
and £3.50 a pint. While in Stockbridge, this pub is an 10 minute walk from the
Oxford Bar in New Town. A non-Deuchars IPA pub! Friendly barman.
John 9/10 visit March 2012
TOLLCROSS, HAYMARKET and WEST EDINBURGH
TOLLCROSS
Bennetts Bar, 8 Leven St, Tollcross,
Edinburgh. EH3 9LG
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, 80
Shilling
Telephone- 0131-229-5143
This is a wonderful
traditional pub which I have visited before. Nice wood panelled walls with some
impressive mirrors, including a Bernard’s brewery mirror. Not so traditional is
the big screen showing the six nations rugby with the volume very loud. There
is a side room at the back of the pub which is not so noisy! Had Caledonian 80
Shilling at £3.20 a pint.
John 8/10 visit March 2012
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Brauhaus, 105 Lauriestion Road,
Tollcross, Edinburgh. EH3 9JG
Owner- Free House
Beers- No real ale, lots of German and
Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone- 0131-656-0356
This is a small shop pub,
which seems to be a favourite with German exiles. There are 2 German football
games being shown on the screens. Lots of German football memorabilia around
the pub. Only about 40 people in this pub but it is crowded! No real ales in
this pub, but there is a good range of Belgian and German bottled beers. I had a Duvel at £3.90 a bottle.
John 7/10 visit March 2012
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Cloisters Bar, 26 Brougham Street,
Tollcross, Edinburgh. EH3 9JH
Owner- Free House
Beers-Stewart Penland IPA, Holygrail,
Highland Scarpa Special, Carngurn Trade Winds, Phoenix Double Gold, Atlas Three
Sisters, Houston Killellen, Acorn Blonde.
Telephone- 0131-221-9997
This pub was an ex parsonage, which I have
visited before on my last trip to Edinburgh. Not much seems to have changed
since my last visit. The décor is wooden benches, chairs, tables and
floorboards. There are 8 real ales written on the blackboard to the left of the
bar. There are also a few overseas bottled beers. Nice atmosphere, nice place.
Atlas Three Sisters was £3.20 a pint.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2012
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WEST EDINBURGH
Athlete Arms, 1-3 Angel Park
Terrace, West Edinburgh EH11 2JX
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, 80
Shilling, Flying Scotsman, Dutchman. Isle of Skye Red Cuillin, Stewarts Diggers
80 Shilling, Bushy Castletown Bitter.
Telephone-0131-337-3822
A classic pub with a
friendly atmosphere and some great décor includes a black and white checked
floor, red leather seating around the sides and wood panelled walls. While the
sports are on the TV, the volume is turned down low. The pub is famous for only
selling McEwans 80 shilling on all its air pressure fonts until the 1980s, now
the pub has a good selection of ales including a Diggers 80 shilling plus over
a 100 malt whiskies. The pub nickname
is diggers as it is close to two cemeteries! Sign around the pub says unnecessary
mobile calls are not tolerated. Had an
Isle of Skye Red Cuillin at £3.00 a pint which was in good condition. My
favourite pub in Edinburgh.
John 10/10 visit March 2012
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Caley Sample Room, 42 Angel Park
Terrace, West Edinburgh.EH11 2JR
Owner- Caledonian
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, 80
Shilling, Imperial Stout. Tempest Citra IPA, Black Isle Red Kite, Tryst Hop
trail, Cromarty Brewed Awakening.
Telephone- 0131-337-7204
Web site- http://www.thecaleysampleroom.co.uk/
The Caledonian brewery tap
is a modern pub with a cosy atmosphere which might be because of the low
lighting. A small part of the pub is taken up for dining, but not many people
are sitting in it. As well as Caley beers there is a choice of sample beers
from another Scottish breweries. While not one of my favourite beers, Deuchars
IPA is in a lot of Edinburgh pubs. I would like to see more Caledonian 80
Shilling. There are bottled beers from
around the world in the fridge. Pricey the Caledonian 80 Shilling was £3.50 a
pint.
John 8/10 visit March 2012
_________________________________________________________________
McCowan Brewhouse, Fountain Park
Complex, Dundee Street, West Edinburgh. EH11 1AF
Owner- Free House
Beers- Inveralmond Duncan IPA, Lia
Fail, Trappledouse
Telephone- 0131-228-8198
Web site http://www.originalpubco.com/pub-food/mccowans-brewhouse-pub-/pid-S1094
Modern pub which is not in
the Fountain Complex, it is outside it, I went to the wrong place! Sadly the
brew house is no more, but there are 3 beers on from Scottish independent
brewery Inveralmond to make up for it a little. Six nations rugby is on the big
screen. The volume is loud. Had a Inveralmond Duncan IPA at £3.00 a pint.
John 7/10 visit March
2012
______________________________________________________________________________
HAYMARKET
Bert’s Bar, 29-31 William Street, Haymarket Edinburgh EH3 7NG
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Timothy Taylor Landlord,
Inveralmond Thrappledouser, Houston Killenvan, Angus Ales Mashie Niblick,
Stewarts Copper Cascade.
Telephone -0131- 225- 5748
Web site- http://www.bertsbar.co.uk/berts-bar/home/berts-bar-edinburgh.html
Nice back street local with
a good choice of beers, with a relaxing atmosphere even for a Saturday night.
The pub looks like it has been recently refurbished; I like the green tiled
walls around the pub. Interesting old photos of the pub on its opening day in
October 1935 on the wall- bet its changed a bit since then! Only minus side was
the prices, Knops California Common was £3.80 a pint.
John 8/10 visit March 2012
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Haymarket, 11-14a West Maitland Street, Haymarket, Edinburgh.
EH12 5DS
Owner-
Free House
Beers- Caledonian
Deuchars IPA, 80 Shilling, Flying Scotman. Cross Bay Nightfall, Harviestoun
Bitter and Twisted, St Austell Proper Job, Moorhouse Black Cat, Adams
Lighthouse.
Telephone
-0131- 228- 2537
Web
site- http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/haymarketedinburgh/
Landmark pub next to
Haymarket station. Recently refurnished by Nicholson’s, who own a few heritage
pubs in London with an upmarket style. A
large pleasant pub with a few areas set aside for dining, but retains a pubby atmosphere. There is a good range of real ales from
Scotland and England from a bank of 12 handpumps. A pint of Nightfall was £3.50
a pint.
John 8/10 visit March 2012
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Mather 1 Queensferry Street, Haymarket Edinburgh.EH2
4PA
Owner- Fee House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, 80 Shilling, Wadworth 6X, Mather
West End Ale, Stewart SRA.
Telephone- 0131- 225- 3549
A traditional pub which is
small and compact. Décor includes wood panelled wall which goes all around the
pub, impressive ceiling and nice red leather seating. On Saturday night there
are some folk singers who are going down well with the punters. Had a Mather
West End bitter at £2.70 a pint.
John 7.5/ 10 visit March
2012
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Ryries Bar, 1 Haymarket Terrace,
Haymarket, Edinburgh EH12 5EY.
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, 80
Shilling, Flying Scotman.
Telephone- 0131-337-7582
Web site http://www.ryries.com/
A Camra inventory pub close
to Haymarket station, good décor as you might expect with lots of wood, wood,
more wood and a Youngers etched-glass window. Good atmosphere on a Saturday
night, for some reason there is Itaian football on the TV with the volume low!
No great beer range but a nice pub, none the less. Caledonian Flying Scotsman
was £3.50 a pint.
John 7.5/10 visit March
2012
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Thomson
Bar, 182-184 Morrison St, Haymarket, Edinburgh
EH3 8EB
Owner- Free House
Beers-Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Tryst Into the Light, Kelham
Island Pale Rider, Fyne Ales Jarl, Cobbler Stout. Crouch Vale Brewers Gold.
Telephone -0131- 228- 5700
Web site- http://www.thomsonsbaredinburgh.co.uk/
Small traditional pub with a
good cosy atmosphere even on a Saturday night. Standard brewery and whisky
mirrors about the walls. The wood seems new here, including an impressive wood
panelled bar. Four of the real ales on are on handpump, two are on the Scottish
air pressure system. Had Cobber Stout at £3.40 a pint. Nice pub.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2012
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
BRISTOL
Bristol is the main city in the West Country area, with a
population of 442,000 it is the 8th largest city in England. In a
good setting by the River Avon, the city centre and the docks’ area are vibrant
and pleasant, and unlike some city centres the people and pubs are mainly
friendly! Beer wise there are lots of micros in the surrounding area; some
micros like Butcombe, Bath Ales, Arbor, Dawkins and Wickwar are now buying pubs
in Bristol to showcase their beers, and in some cases they sell beers from
other micros as well. There are also a fair number of pubs selling at least 5
handpump beers, which makes for enjoyable drinking. This being the West
Country, there are a few specialist cider pubs, as well as regular real pubs
selling real cider. Visited April 2011
CITY CENTRE
Apple, Bristol Docks, Off Welsh Bank,
Bristol BS1 4SB
Owner- Free House
Beers- No beers apart some bottles and
cans. 8 real ciders on draught plus 30 ciders in bottles.
Telephone- 0117 925 3500
What a great name for a cider pub, apart from wine and
a few bottled and canned beers all this pub sells is cider, with 8 ciders on
draught and 30 in bottles. The setting is on a barge in Bristol docks, which
makes it more special. The bar is in the lower deck; you can sit there but
there are no views out. The upper deck has a canvas window to keep us warm in
the winter! There is an outside drinking area as well, on land. Reasonably
crowded for a Monday night, with a mainly young/student clientele creating a
good atmosphere. Winter hours are from 1700 hours to Monday to Friday and 1200
hours at the weekend. The sign boarding the barge says ‘the finest range of
ciders on the planet’- who I am to disagree!
A unique pub.
John 10/10 visit April 2011
______________________________________________________________________
Bank, 8 John Street, Bristol BS1 2HR
Owner- Free House
Beers- Arbor Ales Inferiority Complex,
Glastonbury Back as Yer’at, Fiery Fox (Welsh Brew), GWB Premium Bitter, Castle
Rock Hemlock Bitter, plus real ciders
Telephone- 0117- 930 4691
Back-street local, tucked away in the financial area
of the city centre. So on a Sunday evening it is not too busy; in fact there
are only 4 people in the pub! A great
choice of beers from micros near and far. The friendly Barman tells me they can
turn over as many as 8 real ales a day!
A small compact pub with low lighting and candles on the table. The background music is 1980s, Dire Straits and
House music. I had a Castle Rock Hemlock
Bitter at £3.10 a pint, which was in good nick.
John 9/10 visit April 2011
__________________________________________________________________
Bridge Inn, 16 Passage Street, Bristol
BS2 0JF
Owner- Bath Ales
Beers- Bath Ales SPA, Gem, Heart of
Wales Welsh Back plus other guest beer
Telephone- 0117 929 0942
Web site- http://www.bathales.com/pubs/bridge.html
Small Bath Ales pub by a bridge; sadly it is not near
enough for river views! Framed photos of what looks like the regulars are all
over the walls. Old vinyl albums and singles are by a record player, which
provides background music. Outside drinking area is almost as large as the
inside drinking area! Cosy atmosphere for Monday lunchtime, all real ales are
£2.20 a pint on a Monday.
John visit 8/10 April 2011
_______________________________________________________________________________
Colston Yard, Colston Street, Bristol
BS1 5BD
Owner- Butcombe
Beers- Butcombe Bittter, Gold, Mendip
Spring, Fullers London Pride. Veltins and Pilsner Urquell on draught.
Telephone- 0117 376 3232
Web Site http://www.colstonyard.butcombe.com/
After being to a few small traditional pubs, this one
makes for a pleasant change, as it is large and modern. Brown leather seats are
around the sides of the walls, plus some nice comfy seats in the middle. This is a Butcombe pub, with 3 of the 4 beers
from their brewery. Nice Fullers brewery mirror on the wall. The Butcombe Gold was £3.20 a pint.
John 8/10 visit April 2011
_______________________________________________________________________
Commercial Rooms, 43 Corn Street,
Bristol BS1 5BD
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Lots of beers on for the
Wetherspoons beer festival at £2.15 a pint
Telephone -0117 927 9681
A Wetherspoons
pub in a very impressive old building, which I think was once a bank. This pub is on a par with the Hamilton Hall
and Metro Bar in London for best décor in a Wetherspoons pub. There are names
of people on old barrels- I am not sure what this is about! Visited during a
Wetherspoons beer festival which means there are lots of real ales on draught
for £2.15 a pint (good timing!). Good relaxing Sunday evening atmosphere; no TV
unlike some Wetherspoons pubs!
John 8/10 visit April 2011
___________________________________________________________________
Cornubia, 142 Temple Street, Bristol
BS1 6AB
Owner- Free House
Beers- Slater Supreme, Quantock
Sunraker, St George’s Dragon Blonde, Banks & Taylor Edwin Extra Stout, SOS,
Dorset Tom Browne, Cornubia Spring Edition. Budvar on draught plus 2 real
ciders.
Telephone- 0117 925 4415
A pub which claims to have been around since 1775,
which is now surrounded by offices, down a quiet road in the city centre. Small
but, cosy with 6 real ales and no mainstream lagers. Nice décor with pride of
place going to the fish tank, which had some turtles in it. The walls are full
of handpump clips of previous guest beers. The sign outside says; real ales,
real food and real people and it lives up to it! Cornubia spring Edition was
£2.90 a pint. Great pub.
John visit 9.5/10 April 2011
__________________________________________________________________________
Graze Bar, 63 Queens Square, Bristol
BS1 4JZ
Owner- Bath Ales
Beers- Bath Ales Gem, SPA plus Budvar
on draught
Telephone- 0117 927 6706
Web site http://www.bathales.com/pubs/graze-bar-and-chophouse.html
Modern pub owned by Bath ales, just off Queens Square
in the old city centre-with its green square and lawyers’ offices. The pub is
half food and half drinks; the majority of people are in the drinking area.
Green tiled bar, wooden tables and red lighting makes for an upmarket
atmosphere. Only two Bath beers are on draught, but the Bath Gem was £2.90 a
pint. Interesting place.
John 7/10 visit April 2011
_______________________________________________________________________
Hope and Anchor, 38 Jacobs Well Road,
Bristol BS8 1DR
Owner- Free House
Beers- Otter Bitter, Brighter, Wickwar
Penny Black Porter, Cheddar Valley Potholer,Butcombe Gold, Wadworth Old Timer
Telephone- 0117 929 2987
This is a nice
pub up a hill, next to the Brandon Hill Nature Park. Not sure if this pub is in
the city centre or not? Traditional pub with no Sky TV, pool etc, with 6 West
Country real ales. The dry hops above the bar tell you what this pub is about!
The friendly young bar staff will offer you samples, if you are undecided about
which real ale to have. Homely atmosphere for Sunday lunch time with a very
mixed clientele enjoying the beer and food from a mainly snack menu. Nice
cartoons of the regulars on the wall. A
nicely under-stated pub. Penny Black Porter was £3.30 a pint, expensive by
Bristol (and even London) standards!
John 8.5/ 10 visit April 2011
______________________________________________________________________________
Kings Head, 60 Victoria Street, Bristol
BS1 6DE
Owner- Free House
Beers- Sharp’s Coaster, Doombar,
Wadworth 6X, Butcombe Gold
Telephone – 0117 927 7860
Lovely Camra inventory pub. Small narrow corridor as
you walk into the pub leads to the Tram Car bar at the back of the pub which
has old wood, red carpet and mirrors. Nice old black and white photos of
Bristol, with old brewery memorabilia from Bass and Courage on the walls. Small
outside drinking area. Sharp’s Doombar was £3.20 a pint. Closes Sunday between
1500 and 1700 hours, opens at 1400 hours on a Saturday.
John 8/10 visit April 2011
_________________________________________________________________________
Knights Templar, 1 The Square, Temple
Quay, Bristol BS1 6DG
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Lots of beers on for the
Wetherspoons beer festival at £2.15 a pint
Telephone- 01117 930 8710
Big modern Wetherspoons pub which is in a modern
shopping centre. One big window is along the front of this pub; halfway into
the pub the ceiling becomes low! Big clock above the bar is impressive (wonder
what happens when they have to put the clocks back!). Friendly locals tell me I
dropped my money on the floor. Visited during the Wetherspoons beer festival,
so all beers was £2.15 a pint.
John 8/10 visit April 2011
_______________________________________________________________________
LLandoger Trow, King Street,
Harbourside, Bristol BS1 4ER
Owner- Brewer Fayre
Beers- St Austell Tribute, Hobgoblin
Ale
Telephone – 0870 990 6424
Web site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llandoger_Trow
One of the oldest pubs in Bristol, see the link for a
detailed history of the pub. The grand timber exterior does its job in tempting
you into the pub. Interior is olde worlde, with low lighting and polished wood
which looks good; the pub seems to be lacking a little atmosphere at the time
of my visit. Only two real ales are on; had a pint of St Austell Tribute at
£2.86 a pint.
John 7/10 visit April 2011
___________________________________________________________________________
Old Fish Market, 59 Baldwin Street,
Bristol BS1 1QZ
Owner- Fullers
Beers- Fullers Discovery, London Pride,
ESB, Front Row, Butcombe Bitter
Telephone- 0117 921 1515
A Fullers pub which is in the city centre. Décor is in
the Ale and Pie style for those of you who know their Fullers pubs! Large old
paintings on the wall add a touch of class to an impressive décor. Lots of
different alcove areas, which you can wander off into. There are lots of
hanging baskets and potted plants- for those who like that sort of thing!
Visited on a quiet Sunday evening with a nice relaxed atmosphere. Fullers
London Pride was £3.10 a pint.
John 8.5/10 visit April 2011
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Seven Stars, 1 Thomas Lane, Bristol BS1
6JG
Owner- Free House
Beers- Presscott Grand Prix, Track
Record, Glastonbury Thriller, Berrow Winter Warmer, Box Stream Tunnnel Vision,
Mayfields Priory, Arbor Hunny Beer, Abbey Cardinal Sin plus 4 real ciders.
Telephone- 0117 927 2845
Web site- http://www.7stars.co.uk/
Like the Cornubia
this city centre pub is surrounded by office buildings; good to see a
pub like this doing well. With 8 real ales from micro breweries, this place is
a beer ticker’s dream. Décor is wooden
floor, seats along the wall, with beer memorabilia on the wall above the seats.
Berrow Winter Warmer was a £3.20 a pint. Discounts on real ale for Camra members.
Friendly atmosphere.
John 9/10 visit April 2011
_____________________________________________________________________________
Shakespeare, 68 Prince Street, Bristol
BS1 4QD
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King IPA, Abbott,
Moreland Old Speckled Hen, Thwaites Wainwright, O’Kelly Old Skipper
Telephone- 0117 929 7675
Nice hotel bar in the city centre which is owned by
Greene King, which is Cask Marque accredited.
Wooden floor and tables, plus low lighting and paintings on the wall
give this place more atmosphere than most hotel bars. As well as Greene King
beers, there are guest beers as well-had a Old Skipper at £2.85 a pint. Nice place.
John 8/10 visit April 2011
__________________________________________________________________________
White Lion, Quay Head, Colston Avenue,
Bristol BS1 1EB
Owner- Wickwar
Beers- Wickwar, Long John Silver, Penny
Black Porter, Champion, Bob
Telephone- 0117 927 7744
Web site http://www.wickwarbrewing.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=9
Small traditional pub which is close to a busy road
junction. Nice green tiled, white pillar frontage, inside is nice and
traditional with white walls, ceiling fans, chandeliers and pot plants creating
a good atmosphere. The pub is owned by
Wickwar with 4 of their beers on taps. Gents’ loo is down a spiral staircase.
Wickwar Long John Silver was £3.10 a pint.
Small drinking area at the front of the pub. Nice pub.
John 8.5/10 visit April 2011
_________________________________________________________________________
Zero Degrees, 53 Colston Street,
Bristol BS1 5BA
Owner- Chain brew pub
Beers- Zero Degree Wheat beer, Dark lager, Pale Ale, Pilsner
plus seasonal beer
Telephone- 0117 925 2706
Web site- http://www.zerodegrees.co.uk/location-bristol.html
Having been to Blackheath branch of Zero Degrees, it
is good to see branches in Reading and Bristol. This is Bristol’s only brew
pub. Large modern barn of a place, with the brewing vessels behind the bar;
which was a little empty on a Monday afternoon at 1630 hours. Photos of the
brewing process are on the wall. Eager barman only too willing to give me
samples of their seasonal beers, Three Malts at 7.2% and Bitter at 4.4%. Good
service. The house Pale Ale was £2.90 a pint.
John 8.5/10 visit April 2011
____________________________________________________________________
HOTWELLS
Grain Barge, Hotwells Road, Bristol BS8
4RU
Owner- Bristol Beer Factory
Beers- Bristol Beer Factory Acer,
Sunshire, No 7, Southville Hop
Telephone- 0117 929 9347
Web site http://www.grainbarge.com/
A pub on a barge on the River Avon with great views of
the river, it is good to watch the sail-boats and rowers go by. This pub is a
little downstream from the new harbour development, but worth the walk. You can take your beer out onto the upper
deck if you want the fresh air! Décor is wood with lots of windows showing the
river. Pub is owned by the Bristol Beer Factory with 4 of their beers on
draught; the No 7 was in fine form and was £2.90 a pint. The pub does live
music in the evenings and is closed on Mondays. Nice place for a relaxing beer
on a Sunday afternoon.
John 9.5/10 visit April 2011
Merchants Arms, 18 Merchants Road,
Hotwells, Bristol BS8 4PZ
Owner- Bath Ales
Beers- Bath Ales SPA, Gem, Barnstormer,
plus a beer from the Studland brewery and Budvar on draught.
Telephone- 0117 904 0037
Web site- http://www.bathales.com/pubs/merchants-arms.html
A small pub at a busy road junction. While small the pub, has a cosy atmosphere,
as well as a separate drinking area behind the bar. Décor is mainly old wood
which reminds me a little of a Dutch brown café. The friendly locals at the bar were telling
me about their times in London! A Bath Ales
pub with a guest beer; the SPA was a reasonable £2.70 a pint.
John 8/10 visit April 2011
________________________________________________________________
Pump House, The Pump House, Merchants Road, Hotwells, Bristol, BS8 4PZ
Owner- Marstons
Beers- Bath Gem, Butcombe Bitter, St
Austells Tribute, Sharp’s Doombar
Telephone – 0117 927 2229
Web site http://www.the-pumphouse.com/
A pub next to a lock. The pub sign says it is a
Marston’s pub, but choices of beers are from the West Country. Nice décor with
red flagstone, exposed brick grey walls and comfy sofas plus an outside
drinking area by the dock. Sadly the three members of staff, who seem very busy
running around doing various things, were not able to do the important things-
like finding time to serve the customers!
I left after 10 minutes.
John visited April 2011 no mark given
____________________________________________________________________
Three Tuns, 78 St Georges Road, Bristol BS1 5UR
Owner- Arbor Ales
Beers- Arbor Brigstow, Acer, Simcore,
Inferiority Complex, Brentwoood Maple Mild, Clockwork Orange, Green Jack Baltic
Trader plus 2 real ciders
Telephone- 0117 907 0689 ?
This pub, which looks like it’s been recently
redecorated, is done out in a modern style with green walls, wooden floorboards
and comfy seats. An Arbor pub with 4 out of the 7 beers coming from Arbor;
which are reasonably priced between £2.50 and £2.80 a pint, the guest beers
cost more. Busy for a Monday evening, with a good atmosphere. A little off the
beaten track, but close to the River Avon. A good start under new ownership.
John 9/10 visit April 2011
_____________________________________________________________________
KINGSDOWN and STOKE CROFTS
Bell, Hilllgrove St, off Jamaica
Street, Stoke Crofts, Bristol BS2 8JT
Owner- Free House
Beers- Butcombe, Bitter, Gold, Old Vic
Porter
Telephone- 0117 909 6612
Low ceiling two bar pub, which seems to be more of a
music pub in the evening judging by the turntables. Outside drinking area is at
the back of the pub. This is a Butcombe pub which has 4 of their beers on,
including the rare Old Vic Porter which was £3.10 a pint. I visited the pub at 1845 hours on a Monday
evening with only 2 people in it, so it was lacking a little in atmosphere.
John 7/10 visit April 2011
Hare on the Hill, 41 Thomas Street
North, Bristol BS2 8LX
Owner- Bath Ales
Beers- Bath Ales Gem, SPA, Barnstromer
Telephone- 0117 908 1982
Web site http://www.bathales.com/pubs/hare-on-the-hill.html
This pub is close to the Hillgrove Porter Stores pub;
it is just a short walk along Dove Street. A small Bath Ales pub, with lots of
alcoves for a small pub. Décor is mainly wooden, but the wood is well polished!
A cosy pub with a nice atmosphere, with 3 Bath Ales on; the Gem was £2.90 a
pint. The pub opens between 1200 to 1430 and 1700 and 2300 hours on weekdays
and 1200 to 2400 hours at the weekend.
John 7.5/10 visit April 2011
______________________________________________________________
Highbury Vaults, 164 St Michael Hill,
Bristol BS2 8DE
Owner – Young’s
Beers- Young’s Bitter, Special,
Highbury Gold, Brains SA, St Austell Tribute, Arbor Racer, Derail Ale.
Telephone- 0117 973 3203
Web site http://www.youngs.co.uk/pub-detail.asp?PubID=416
Go through a narrow corridor to the bar; behind it is
an alcove of rooms leading to a large beer garden-where most of the pub seems
be! A Young’s pub (due to them taking
over Smiles) which is allowed to sell other breweries beers-which might explain
why the pub is so popular! Brown walls and old wooden tables remind me of an
Old Dutch brown café. Bar billiards is at the end of the pub. Nice pub. Brains
SA was £3.00 a pint. Looks like a Banksy
mural on the side wall, outside of the pub?
John 9/10 visit April 2011
_________________________________________________________________________
Hilllgrove Porter Stores, 53 Hillgrove
Street North, Bristol BS2 8LT
Owner- Free House
Beers- Dawkins Bob Wall, TTT, Green
Barrel, Cheddar Ales Gorge Best, Arbor Tettnang, Artisian, Vale Haddes Winter
Solstice, Three Castles Knight Porter, Teignworthy Amys Ale plus Brew Dog 5AM
Saint on draught. Sam Smith and Brew Dog bottled beers plus 1 real cider.
Telephone-0117 924 9818
What a long list of beers! Nine real ales all told,
plus some interesting bottled beers. Prices are high for Bristol between £3.30
to £3.50 a pint, but this is the pub to go to if you want rare quality micro
beers in Bristol. Nice cosy back-street local with dry hops, guest beer clips
and beer memorabilia around the pub. Another Bristol pub with a great range of
real ales. The pub is more in Dove Street than Hillgrove Road. Open from 1600
hours weekdays and 1400 hours at the weekends. Great pub.
John 9/10 visit April 2011
____________________________________________________________________________
SPIKE ISLAND
Cottage Inn, Baltic Wharf, Cumberland
Road, Bristol BS1 6XG
Owner- Butcombe
Beers- Butcombe Bitter, Gold, York
Terrier. Veltins lager on draught
Telephone - 0117 921 5256
Web site- http://www.butcombe.com/pubs_cottage_inn.shtml
A nice pub in a riverside location-the sign says it
all. As you might expect, the pub has a
large drinking area outside over looking the river. Inside is nice; full of
people mainly having their Sunday lunch, but the place has a good pub
atmosphere. The pub sign says free house, but it is owned by Butcombe, with 2
of the 3 beers from Butcombe. The Butcombe bitter was in good nick at £2.90
a pint.
John 7.5/10 visit April 2011
______________________________________________________________________
Orchard Inn, 12 Hanover Square, Sike
Island, Bristol BS1 6XJ
Owner- Free House
Beers- RCH Firebox, PG Steam, Bath Gem,
Palmers 2000, Fullers London Pride. 11 real ciders in the back room.
Telephone- 0117 926 2678
Small cider pub down a side street. Small outside
drinking area with lots of smokers while inside the pub is half empty! The
décor is black beams and white walls and ceiling. All the ciders are on the
blackboard to the right hand side of the bar. There are 11 ciders on draught,
which come from a back room. The real ales come straight from barrels behind
the bar. Good atmosphere, helped by friendly staff. Unique pub.
John 9/10 visit April 2011
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SOUTHVILLE
Coronation, 18 Dean Lane, Southville,
Bristol BS3 1DD
This pub was just down the road from my hotel. Sadly it
was closed for redecoration at the time of my visit. A Hop Back tied house.
Only a few minutes walk from the footbridge in the city centre
_______________________________________________________________________
BEDMINSTER
Windmill, 14 Windmilll Hill, Bedminster,
Bristol BS3 4LU
Owner- Free House
Beers- Bath Gem, SPA, Isle of Purbeck
Solar Power plus Bitburger on draught
Telephone - 0117 963 5440
Nice back-street local in Bedminster, close to
Bedminster station and within walking distance from the city centre. Décor is
gastro pub/ Bohemian with newspapers, wooden floors, tables and chairs and a
laid-back atmosphere. There is a small family room at the end of the pub. Not
sure if this is a Bristol Beer Factory pub as none of their beers are on tap. The
Isle of Purbeck Solar Power was £3.10 a pint.
John 7.5/10 visit April 2011
___________________________________________________________________________
LAKE DISTRICT
The Lake District is located in the county of Cumbria, in the North
West corner of England. It truly has some of the most breathtaking scenery in
the UK! Most roads are very scenic-doubly so when the sun is shining-as it did
when I visited in April 2010 (I was very lucky!).The lakes attract a lot of
ramblers and fell walkers who like to support local products including local
beers-your average Ibiza lager drinker is a bit out of place here!
Cumbria did have two local independent breweries; Hartleys of
Ulverston and Jennings of Cockermouth. Hartleys was taken over by Robinsons,
with the brewery closed in 1991 and a few beers brewed with the Hartleys name
in Manchester, which explains the 50 odd Robinsons pubs in the Lakes. Jennings
was taken over by Marstons; the beers are still brewed in Cockermouth and
Marstons are committed to brewing in Cockermouth-as proved by the repairing of
the brewery after the 2010 floods.
There are 32 micro breweries in Cumbria including 6 brew pubs. Some
of the brew pubs do accommodation which is well worth taking advantage of. Lots
of pubs in the Lake District sell real ale to meet the demands of the locals
and tourists. There are truly some of the best pubs in the UK, in this area. My
only pet hate is that you are not considered a proper Lake District pub unless
you have numbers on your tables for food!
AMBLESIDE
Town at the North end of Lake Windermere
Golden Rule, Smithy Brow, Ambleside,
Cumbria. LA22 9AS
Owner- Robinsons
Beers- Robinsons Unicorn Bitter,
Hatters, Double Hoop, Dizzy Blonde,
Hartleys XB, Cumbria Way.
Telephone-015394-32257
A pub which is not easy to
find and, due to double yellow lines all around the pub impossible to park! You
have to park in the nearby main car park. What you get is a classic Lakeland
town pub with a good atmosphere from the locals and barman. Red is the colour
here from carpets to seats. Landlord is the last remaining from when Robinsons
over Hartleys in 1991. There are 6 beers from the Robinsons range, the Hartleys
XB was £2.70 a pint and in fine form! Cosy and homely like a good back street
local should be.
John 9/10 visit April 2010
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BOOT
Village after Hardknott Pass which has great views
Woolpack Inn, Boot, Cumbria CA19 1TG
Owner- Free House
Beers- Jennings Cumberland Ale, Stickle
Path, Great Cable Bitter
Telephone-019467-23230
Web site http://www.woolpack.co.uk/
If coming from Hardknott
Pass, this is the first pub you will see and you may feel like you deserve a
drink! The pub has two bars: I am drinking in the walkers’ bar, a little basic
but not unpleasant. Décor is wooden tables and chairs and lots of wood! I visited this pub at the wrong time
(maybe)-former landlord blogger Woolpack Dave has left the pub and the pub is
no longer a brew pub. Still a very nice pub with some good Lakeland views
outside. Great Cable bitter was £2.70 a pint.
John 8/10 visit April 2010
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BOWLAND BRIDGE
Village in the Lyn Valley to the SE of Lake Windermere
Hare and Hounds, Bowland Bridge, Cumbria LA11 6NN
Owner- Jennings
Beers- Ringwood 49ers and Old Trumper
Telephone- 015395-68333
Web site- http://www.brilliantpub.co.uk/harehoundscumbria/
The Hare and Hounds is down at the bottom of the
valley from the Mason Arms (see Strawberry Bank) The pub is opposite the
village shop/Post Office. The exterior
has white walls and hanging baskets with an outside drinking area with good
views. The interior is slated floor and wood around the walls. This is a Jennings pub with 2 Ringwood beers;
a bit of a disappointment if you are expecting Jennings beers. More corporate
than individual.
John 7/10 visit April 2010
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BOWNESS-on-Windermere
Town which is the self-styled capital of
the Lake District!
Hole
int’ Wall, Lowside, Bowness-on-Windermere,
Cumbria, LA23 3DH
Owner-
Robinsons
Beers-
Robinsons Double Hop, Unicorn, Hartleys XB
Telephone-015394
3488
I
have great memories of this pub; it was where I had my first taste of Hartleys
XB in the 1980s. A magic pint then, sadly not the same beer since owned by Robinsons!
The pub is more upmarket than I remember, but is still the best pub in Bowness
for atmosphere. The décor is low ceiling and beams with jugs hanging from them,
and a fire which creates a cosy atmosphere. There is another room behind the
bar area which had a folk singer when I first came in. Friendly bar staff very
informative about the beers. Oldest pub in Bowness it’s been a pub since 1612.
The sign on the door as you walk in says ‘mind the step’-guess who misses it!!
And this was my first pub of the night!!!
John
9.5/10 visit April 2010
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White
Horse, Robinson Place, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3DQ
Owner-Free
House
Beers-
White Horse Ale (brewed by Hawkshead)
Telephone-015394-43731
Web
site http://www.whitehouse-lakedistrict.co.uk/
A
good name for a white walled building! Outside drinking area in front of the
pub; inside is very modern white walls (of course), a glowing fire, sofas,
modern art paintings and newspapers on the table. I am the only person inside
on a Sunday at 1730 hours. Only one real ale on which was a house beer brewed
by Hawkshead which was £2.90 a pint.
John
7/10 visit April 2010
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Churchills
Tavern, Lowside, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3DQ
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Hawkshead Pale, Bitter
Telephone-015394-43548
Despite
the name, a newish pub which looks like it might have been a restaurant
once. A slated floor runs throughout the
pub; there is an eating conservatory area with the rest of the pub taken up by
a pool table, music and TV and loud locals at the bar the sort who shout at
each other, even when they are standing next to each other! Hawkshead Bitter
was £2.90 a pint.
John
6/10 visit April 2010
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Stags
Head, Church Street, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3DQ
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Stags Imperial, Moorhouse Blond Witch, Thwaites Bomber
Telephone-
015394-43132
Confusingly
has 6 real ales advertised outside; one bar is shut and there are only 3 real
ales on the other bar. This is a large open plan pub with football being shown.
I was just in time to hear Wenger moaning about another Arsenal defeat!! After
this a man was setting up the karaoke for later on tonight. Not an unpleasant
pub but not my sort of pub really, despite a good real ale commitment and Cask
Marque credited. Thwaites Bomber was £2.90 a pint.
John
7/10 visit April 2010
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Village
Inn, Lake Road, Bowness-on- Windermere LA23 3DE
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Black Sheep Bitter, Hawkshead Red, Tetley Bitter, Windmill Golle Wobble,
Bit’er Ruf
. Erginger on draught.
Telephone-015394-43731
Despite
the name, this is a large modern bar and restaurant, but it does have a good
pub feel and atmosphere. White walls and low lighting with a combination of
sofas stools and high tables and modern seats and tables mean you can choose
what you are most comfortable with! Five real ales are on, with 3 from local
brewers. Had a pint of Windmill Bit’er Ruff (get it!) which was £2.90 a
pint-nice beer! There is an outside
drinking area at the front of the pub. Alistair Darling is banned from this
pub- and so he should be!
John
8/10 visit April 2010
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Royal
Oak, Brantfell Road, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3DB
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Barngates Red Bull Terrier, Coniston Bluebird, Jennings Cumberland Ale, Tetley
Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord
Telephone-015394-43970
Web
site- http://www.royaloak-windermere.co.uk/
A
good pub which is a little way up a steep hill.
One of the areas of the pub includes a pool table, with a touch jukebox
with a great section of all types of music. Wooden floor on one side of the pub
and slated on the other side. This is a
small pub which is full of tourists mainly drinking, which creats a good
atmosphere. Nice laid back Sunday evening feel.
Good choice of real ales, apart from Tetley’s! Coniston Bluebird was
£2.80 a pint.
John
8.5/10 visit April 2010
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Albert
Hotel, Queens Square, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3BY
Owner-
Robinsons
Beers-
Robinsons Dizzy Blonde, Dragon Fire, Unicorn Bitter, Hartleys XB
Telephone-015394-43241
Robinsons
town centre pub which is bigger than it looks on the outside, with rooms
running off from the bar. Despite the size the pub is full. Upmarket décor with
a lot of people eating food; in the area of the pub than I am in there is an
impressive large portrait painting. Robinsons beers, the Hartleys XB was £2.80
a pint.
John
7.5/10 visit April 2010
__________________________________________________________________________
Mariners,
Lake Road, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3AP
Owner-
Jennings
Beers-
Jennings Stickle Pike, Cumberland Ale, Marstons Pedigree
Telephone-015394-45678
A Jennings pub to the north of the town
centre; no tourists eating meals in this pub!
This is a smallish pub with nice décor, including old photos of
Windermere, which were mainly to do with the lake. The pub also has a model
ship as befits the name. The pub does karaoke on Friday and Saturday night, it
also has a jukebox with some classic rock. Jennings Cumberland Ale was £2.90 a
pint.
John
7.5/10 visit April 2010
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CHAPEL
STILE
Village in the Langdale valley
Wainwrights,
Chapel Stile LA22 9JH
Owner-
Free House
Beers-Jennings
Cumberland Ale, Sneck Lifter, Banks’s Bitter, Bitter End Lakeland Bitter,
Langdale Tup, Tirrel 1823, Stringer Pale Ale
Telephone-015394-38088
Web
site http://www.langdale.co.uk/dine/wainwrights/index.htm
Nice
pleasant upmarket pub with low ceiling and beams as well as low lighting which
creates a cosy atmosphere. Not sure if this is Marston/Jennings pub as you walk
in the first three beers you see are from this stable. Walk around the side and
you see four beers from local breweries. I had a Lakeland bitter at £2.76 a
pint. Pub is named after the father of
Lakeland fell-walking Arthur Wainwright.
John
8/10 visit April 2010
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CLEATOR
Village on the A5086
Brook,
93 Trumpet Terrace (on A5086), Cleator, Cumbria CA23 3DX
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Timothy Taylor Landlord, Hop Back Summer Lightning, Yates Gold, Hawkshead Gold
Telephone-
01946-811635
A
roadside pub which is the last house in the village on the A5086. No red carpet
or upmarket here; the décor is eccentric black gothic. There is a shop front
dumbier to the side of the bar, chained up in case you want to take it away! Food menu is written on blackboards around the pub. The 4 real ales
are on a blackboard behind the bar with prices. Friendly barman and locals.
Landlord was £2.80 a pint; one of the best pints of Landlord I have had in a
while.
John
8.5/10 visit April 2010
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COCKERMOUTH
The birthplace of William Wordsworth, he
of ‘wandering lonely fame’, and home to the Jennings and Bitter End breweries.
Bitter
End Pub and Brewery , 15 Kirkgate, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9PJ
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Bitter End Blonde Bitter, Amber, IPA, Jennings Cumberland Ale. Budvar on
draught, plus various US craft and Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone-
01900-828993
Web
site- http://www.bitterend.co.uk/
Brew
pub which is Cockermouth another brewery after Jennings! Three bar areas which
are roughly the same; comfortable and upmarket with old photos of Cockermouth
life throughout the years. As well as the pub’s own beers there are also
Jennings beers-I am not quite sure why! Has a good bottled beer menu with
Sierra Nevada as beer of the month as well a good choice of US and Belgian
beers. There is a bottle takeaway of Bitter End beers if you want.
John
9/10 visit April 2010
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CONISTON
A lovely village close to the top of
Coniston Water, famous in the 1960s for Donald Campbell and water speed
records.
Sun
Inn, Coniston LA21 8HQ
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Ennerdale Dark, Barngates Tag Lag, Kensham Island Pale Rider, Yates Gold,
Loweswater Gold, Hawkshead Bitter, Coniston Bluebird, Black Sheep Bitter.
Telephone-015394-41248
Web
site http://www.thesunconiston.com/
This
is a wonderful pub up a hill with good views overlooking the village and hills.
Modern walkers’ bar with a slated/stone wall, slated floor and black beams. The
walls have old photos off Donald Campbell and Bluebird, a big thing here in the
sixties. There are 8 real ales mainly from local breweries, the beer I had-
Barngates Tag Lag-was £3.00 a pint and was spot on. Nice pub, nice atmosphere
and friendly pub dog and bar staff.
John
9/10 visit April 2010
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Black
Bull, Yewdale Road, Coniston, LA21 8DU
Owner-
Coniston
Beers-
Coniston Oliver Light Ale, Bluebird Bitter, Bluebird XB, Old Man Ale, No 9
Barley Wine, Oatmeal Stout, Loweswater Gold. Warsteiner on draught.
Telephone-
015394-41335
Web
site http://www.conistonbrewery.com/black-bull-coniston.htm
A
pub which is right in the centre of the village. Exterior is a white wall
building; the inside is red carpet, white walls and black beams plus photos of
Donald Campbell. Home of the Coniston brewery which is behind the pub, which
was the champion beer at the Camra national beer festival in 1998. There are
press cuttings in a framed case on the wall with all the details. Full range of
Coniston beers with 2 banks of 6 handpumps; if they don’t taste good here, then
they are in trouble! Oatmeal stout was £3.50 a pint, dearer than most London
pubs!
John
8/10 visit April 2010
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ELTERWATER
Village in the Langdale valley
Britannia
Inn, Elterwater, LA22 9HP
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Coniston Bluewater, Jennings Bitter, Britannia Inn Ale, Gales Seafarers,
Thwaites Wainwrights
Telephone-
015394-37210
Web
site- http://www.britinn.net/
No
real pub sign outside the pub, but it is a big white building in the centre of
the village. Bar is to the right side as you walk in. There are other rooms
down the corridor-some for drinking and one for dining. Small drinking area by
the bar; luckily it is a nice day and there are a lot of walkers outside
enjoying the lovely views. Décor looks like it has not changed much, which I
think is a good thing- some Lakeland pubs are a bit too clinical! There are
five ales on, including a house beer from Coniston. Prices are on the beer
clips along with a description of the beer, Jennings Bitter was £2.80 a pint.
John
8/10 visit April 2010
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FOXFIELD
Village on the A595 with its own railway
station and a great pub.
Prince
of Wales, on A595, Opposite Railway station, Foxfield, Cumbria LA20 6BX
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Foxfield Tims Brown Ale, Some like it Stout, Green Jack Excelsior, Church End
Gravediggers, Hawkshead Brodies Pride, Beckstones Border Steams. Belgian and German Bottled beers and Silly
Pils on draught.
Telephone-
01229 716238
Closed Monday and Tuesday, opens 1445
Wednesday to Thursday, 1200 Friday to Sunday
Web
site http://www.princeofwalesfoxfield.co.uk/
Décor
is basic or unspoilt depending on your opinion, but for atmosphere this is one
of the best pubs I have ever been in. The pub has a nice traditional feel to it
with bar billiards and a piano. The beer range is great, with 6 real ales on,
including 2 beers which are brewed on the premises. The prices range from £2.00
to £2.50 a pint with the good home brew beers at £2.00 and £2.20 a pint-
competitive even for Wetherspoons; all the beers were excellent. There is a good choice of bottled beers on
the blackboard from Belgium and Germany as well as the only lager on draught,
Silly Pils from Belgium. Started quietly but the evening gets more crowded as
people come off the train from the station next door. This is a pub with a
loyal following, with everyone knowing each other, a pub where people will talk
to you and the first conversation is always about beer. Tonight is a musicians
jam night, no singers just people playing their instruments like an Irish
country pub. Everyone here is drinking real ale enjoying themselves late into
the night- good job I have a room here tonight (see website). If you love good beer this is the pub for
you. Thanks to the hosts, Stuart and Lynda, for a great night.
John
10/10 visit April 2010
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GREAT LANGDALE
At the end of Langdale valley this is
isolated pub
Old
Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Great Langdale, Cumbria LA22 9JY
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Black Sheep Bitter, Theakston XB, Old Peculier, Jennings Cumberland Ale,
Wensleydale Poacher, Yates Bitter. Budvar on draught.
Telephone-015394-37272
Web
site- http://www.odg.co.uk/home/index.cfm?id=1
First
this pub is at the end of the B5263; on your way you will see the New Dungeon
Ghyll Hotel. I am not sure what that pub is like but this pub is the original
Lakeland walkers’ pub so come here first! The location is in a wonderful
valley, so the pub has benches outside. Inside is basic but atmospheric-looks
like nothing has changed too much over the years. Red floor, white walls and wooden benches,
this is a place that walkers don’t have to worry about their muddy boots, after
working up a thirst! A good range of beers at reasonable prices, the Yates
Bitter was £2.60 a pint. Classic Lakeland pub.
John
10/10 visit April 2010
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HAWKSHEAD
Pedestrianised village close to
Esthwaite Water
Kings
Arms Hotel, The Square, Hawkshead, Cumbria LA22 0NZ
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Hawkshead Bitter, Windermere Pale, Marble Manchester Bitter, Coniston Bluebird
XB
Telephone-015394-36372
Web
site http://www.kingsarmshawkshead.co.uk/
Wonderful
small pub in a now traffic-free village. Low ceiling and beams makes this pub
look like it’s been around for a few centuries. There is an interesting
life-size wood carving of an American Indian in the corner. A ex-coaching inn,
you have an image of the horses pulling up in the square out front. Dining area
is off to right as you go in. Two Hawkshead beers plus two guest beers are on;
I had the Marble Arch Manchester Bitter at £2.70 a pint, a good beer. Despite
the name, the Hawkshead beers are now brewed in Staveley.
John 8/10 visit April 2010
INGS
Village off A591 with a brew pub
Watermill Inn,
Ings, Cumbria LA8 9PY
Owner- Free House
Beers-Watermiil
Collie Wobbles, A Bit’er Ruf, Dogth Vader, Wruff Night, Theakston Old Peculier,
Wensleydale Falconer, Foxfield Some like it Stout, Sands, Bitter End Lakeland
Bitter, Hawkshead Bitter, Moorhouse Black Cat Mild, Cumbrian Legendary
Grassmoor Dark, Wolf Coyote, Blackbeck Blackbelle. Budvar
on draught.
Telephone-01539-821309
Web site- http://www.watermillinn.co.uk/
Nice conversion from a guest
house to a brew pub. As you walk in you have the choice of two bars: the one on
the right is ‘restaurant’ in style, the one on the left is pubbier; it also has
views of the river and brewery. Both sell a lot of food. White wall, flagged
floor and black beams-so far so Lake District! There are guest beer clips on
the beams and beer memorabilia above the bar plus a wall full of Camra awards.
There are no TV, music or fruit machines here. One bar has a bank of 8
handpumps and the other bar has the same: two handpumps are unused so it makes
a total of 14 beers on tonight, making this the largest beer range in the Lake
District. All the beers are on a blackboard with prices at the bar. Pub is dog
friendly- as you can tell by the names of the brew pub beers- there are 4 dogs
in here at the moment. This is another
Lake District brew pub which does rooms for the night (see website). I stayed
here, a nice way to relax at the end of the day. Prices for the real ales range
from £2.60 to £3.10.
John 9/10 visit April 2010
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KENDAL
Historic town which is the gateway to the Lake District.
Brewery Arts Centre (Vats Bar), 122a
Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4HE
Owner–Free House
Beers- Caledonian Brewers Passion,
Deuchars IPA, Hawkshead Art and Arty, Jennings Cumberland Ale
Telephone-01539-725133
Web site http://www.breweryarts.co.uk/
There are two bars in the
Brewery Art Centre, this bar the Vats bar is the more interesting one for us
beer drinkers! Modern décor as you might expect with two large vat seats, as
well as white walls and a lot of wood. There are 4 real ales on, including a
house beer from Hawkshead which was £2.90 a pint. As the name suggests, there
was brewery here once (there are photos on the way to the loo), this complex
makes an interesting replacement. Friendly staff and atmosphere, with Latin
music in the background.
John 7.5/10 visit April 2010
_________________________________________________________________________________
Miles Thompson, Allhallows Lane, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4JH
Owner-
Wetherspoons
Beers-
7 real ales from the Wetherspoons beers festival, plus Greene King Abbot Ale
and Ruddles Best.
Telephone-01539-815710
A
Wetherspoons pub which is a little different; it is a long narrow multi-level
pub. The tables on the upper level are almost laid out like a mini German beer
hall, but with carpet! At the time of visit Saturday 1645 there is a good
atmosphere. A stone wall going down one side of the pub adds to the decor.
Friendly barman is very informative about the 7 festival beers which are on.
The festival beers are £1.69 a pint. A good Wetherspoons.
John
8/10 visit April 2010
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Rifleman
Arms, 4-6 Greenside, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4LD
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Barngates Dog Lag, Loweswater Gold, Greene King Abbot, Tetley Bitter
Telephone-01539-723244
A
pub which is up a steep hill from Highgate (High Street). The pub is
overlooking a green, and has a back-street local feel to it. There are old photos of Kendal on the walls,
plus a red carpet and black seating around the walls, with a friendly locals’
atmosphere. Two real ales are national and two local, the Hawkshead Gold was
£2.70. Open 1800 to 2400 hours on Monday to Fridays.
John
8/10 visit April 2010
____________________________________________________________________________________
Burgundys
Wine Bar, 19 Lowther Street, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4DH
Owner-
Free House
Beers-Stringers
Dark Country, Yates Gold, Mad March Hare, Loweswater Gold. Few European lagers
including Duvel Green, plus a few Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone-01539-733803
Web
site- http://www.burgundyswinebar.co.uk/
It
says on the window ‘real ale specialists’ and this is the best place for beer
choice in Kendal. Despite the name, this is a pubby place, even if it looks
like it might have been a shop once. Four local beers plus a good range of
Belgian bottled and most impressive Duvel Green on draught which is even find
to find in Belgium! A multi-level pub with green carpet and red seating around
the walls, with beer memorabilia above the seats. There is an outside drinking patio at the
back. Free range eggs are for sale on the bar! Stringers Dark Country was £2.70
a pint.
John
9.5/10 visit April 2010
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Bridge
Hotel, 99 Stramongate, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4BD
Owner- Free House
Beers- Marstons Pedigree
Telephone- 01539-724170
Only one real ale, but this pub is a nice place, with
a beer garden which backs on to the river Kent, the river which flows through
Kendal. Pub is into its TV sports as well as having a pool table. Pedigree was
£2.70 a pint.
John 6/10 visit April 2010
____________________________________________________________________________________
Castle Inn, 13 Castle Street Kendal, Cumbria
LA9 7AA
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Black Sheep Bitter, Hawkshead Windermere Pale, Jennings Bitter, St Austell
Tribute
Telephone-
01539-729983
A pub which is just off the
main road, but has the feel of a back-street local. As you walk in you have the
choice of two doors, but they both lead to the same bar! A small pub which is crowded with a good mix
of people. Décor is white ceiling, black beams, red carpet, plates on the wall
and pride of place goes to the impressive fish tank. Windermere Pale was £2.90
a pint. Good pub, good atmosphere.
John 9/10 visit April 2010
____________________________________________________________________________________
Riverside
Bar, Stramongate Bridge, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6EL
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Hawkshead Bitter, Lager
Telphone-01539-729983
Web
site http://www.riversidekendal.co.uk/
An
upmarket hotel bar with 3 drinking areas. The décor is conservatory style with
shiny floor and sofa seating. The first area is by the river, the second area
has a fire and paintings and the third area is by the bar with a slated floor.
Stylish place but you feel comfortable drinking in here. Hawkshead Lager was
£2.90 a pint.
John
7/10 visit April 2010
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Shakespeare
Inn, 78 Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4HE
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Theakston Mild, Fullers London Pride, plus 4 other real ales.
Telephone
-01539-724069
Web
site- http://theshakespeareinn.co.uk/
A
traditional pub on Highgate. Despite this being a Saturday night there are
plenty of locals in here, mainly seated at the bar. Polished wood tables,
cushion seats, low white ceiling and etched-glass windows make for a good cosy
atmosphere for a town centre pub. Six real ales are on draught, the Theakston
Mild was £2.60 a pint.
John
8/10 visit April 2010
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KESWICK
Northern Lakes town which is on the
shores of Derwent Water
Keswick
Lodge, Main Street, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5HZ
Owner-
Thwaites
Beers-
Thwaites Bitter, Wainwrights, Lancaster Bomber.
Telephone-
017687-74584
Web
site- http://www.keswicklodge-inn.co.uk/default.aspx
A
Thwaites pub in the centre of Keswick which is cask marquee accredited. While
in the centre of town, there is no traffic going past the window, which gives
the pub a peaceful feel. One half of the pub is for eating and other half for
drinking: food menu is above average, bar menu is pricey. Pub was built in the
18th century, but it does look like it. Polish barmaid making hard
work of pulling a pint! Thwaites Wainwrights was £2.70 a pint.
John
7/10 visit April 2010
____________________________________________________________________________________
George
Hotel, 3 St Johns Street, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5AZ
Owner-
Jennings
Beers-
Jennings Bitter, Cumberland Ale, Sneck Lifter, Cocker Hoop, Stickle Path,
Brakspear Oxford Gold
Telephone-017687-72076
Web
site- http://www.georgehotelkeswick.co.uk/
The
George is the oldest pub in Keswick, the history of the pub is on a plaque by
the front door. There are two areas for drinking at the front of the pub, a
dining room off to the side and a big stand up area at the bar which is
reasonably full. This is a Jennings pub,
with a guest beer from the Marstons stable. Cumberland Ale was £3.00 a pint.
John
8/10 visit April 2010
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Oddfellows
Arms, 19 Main Street, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5BL
Owner-
Jennings
Beers-
Jennings Bitter, Cumberland Ale, Cocker Hoop, Sneck Lifter
Telephone-017687-72682
Web
site- http://www.theoddies.net/
Jennings
are based in nearby Cockermouth and owned a lot of pubs in Keswick including
this one. I have visited this pub before in the 1980s, but can’t remember
anything around the pub, apart from the name! A long narrow pub with plenty of
room for tables at both ends of the pub. There is also a beer garden at the
back. Lots of horse racing photos and headlines of the landlords horse winning
a big race. Good laid-back atmosphere which might not be the case when the live
music comes on at 2100 hours! Jennings Bitter was £2.90 a pint.
John
8/10 visit April 2010
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Bank
Tavern, 47 Bank Street, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5BT
Owner-
Jennings
Beers-Jennings
Bitter, Cumberland Ale, Cocker Hoop, Sneck Lifter, Stickle Path, Morrell Oxford
Blue, Marstons Dragon, Ringwood 49ers
Telephone-
017687-72663
Web
site http://www.cumberlandtaverns.co.uk/
Jennings
pub at the start of the main road, an historic street in an historic town.
Another pub full of tourists eating meals; still the pub is doing good business
for a Monday night. The décor is standard upmarket Lakeland town décor! There
is a good atmosphere as well as a good beer choice. A Jennings pub with 5 of their
beers on plus 3 guest beers from the Marston group. The Cocker Hoop was £3.10 a
pint, expensive, but was well looked after.
John
8/10 visit April 2010
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Pack
Horse Inn, Pack Horse court, off Main Street, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5JB
Owner-
Robinsons
Beers-
Robinsons Double Hop, Unicorn Bitter, Hartleys XB, Cumbria Way
Telephone-017687-
71389
Pack
Horse yard is next to the LloydsTSB bank on Main Street. A Robinsons pub in a
town full of Jennings pubs! No food being served here, but that might be
because it is after 2130 hours. Standard red carpet, white walls and beams, the
pub is multi layered at the back, going up two floors. Pink haired barmaid
makes a change from the standard uniform staff you get in London pubs.
John
7/10 visit April 2010
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Dog
and Gun, 2 Lake Road, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5BT
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Keswick Thirst Hop, Thirst Ascent, Coniston Bluebird, Oatmeal Stout, Theakston
Old Pecuilar, Hawkshead Windermere Pale.
Telephone-
017687-73463
If
you want beer choice in Keswick, then this is the place for you! Five real ales
are on, including 4 from Cumbria. Thanks to the large number of brewers’ tied
houses, this is one of the few chances to sample beers from the local Keswick
brewery. Very crowded for a Monday evening now the meals have finished, I have
managed to get the last seat! Slate floor on one side of the pub, carpet on the
other plus dry hops on the ceiling. Keswick Thirst Hop was a good beer, even at
£3.00 a pint. Good atmosphere and friendly staff who are keeping their regulars
happy.
John
9/10 visit April 2010
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NETHER
WASDALE
Village in the Wasdale valley close to
Wastwater lake.
Screes
Inn, Nether Wasdale, Cumbria CA20 1ET
Owner-
Robinsons
Beers-
Robinsons Dizzy Blonde, Dragon Fire, Unicorn Bitter, Hartleys Cumbria Way
Telephone-019467-26262
Web
site- http://www.thescrees.co.uk/
There
are two pubs in this village, which are opposite each other. This pub is a
Robinsons pub which is nicely done out with old black and white photos on the
wall, as well as a painting of the pub. There is a stuffed fox in a glass case
in the corner. On a Tuesday night the pub is half full, creating a good
atmosphere. A pint of Cumbria Way was £2.80 a pint. Another red carpet Lakeland
pub!
John
7/10 visit April 2010
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Strands
Hotel and Brewery, Nether Wasdale, Cumbria CA20 1ET
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Strands Brown Bitter, Angry Bee, Snow Ho, Glaxay Cream, Jennings Cocker Hoop
Telephone-
019467-26237
Web
site- http://www.strandshotel.com/
This
is the other pub in the village; this is a brew pub with the brewery around the
back. Décor is white walls, black beams, wooden floor and a stone fireplace.
Good atmosphere with walkers coming in telling their tales of the day! The brew
beers are good and are also good value (Brown bitter £2.25 a pint and Angry Bee
£2.45 a pint), Why the pub does Jennings I don’t know! The pub other beers are
Peroni, Carlsberg Gold, Thatchers Gold cider and Marstons Oyster Stout. There
is also a good selection of malt whiskies. Friendly owner and barmaid. The pub
does rooms (see website) which are reasonably priced- I know I have stayed
here! What better way to finish the day than drinking in a good beer in a good
pub knowing you only have to walk upstairs!
John 10/10 visit April 2010
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RAVENGLASS
Village where the fells meet the sea.
Home to the Ravensglass to Eskdale steam railway.
Holly
House Hotel, Main Street, Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SQ
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Jennings Bitter, Cumberland Ale, Ennerdale Copper, Loweswater Grassmoor,
Moorhouse Blond Witch
Telephone-
01229-717230
A
pub overlooking the beach, with views out to the Irish Sea; makes the most of
its location with seats by the windows and outside. Entrance is by the door at
the side-not easy to find! Pub has a
pleasant upmarket décor with photos of boats and the town on the wall.
Comfortable place with a good atmosphere (I was helping the bar staff with the
crossword), with 5 real ales, the Grassmoor was £2.60 a pint, not as expensive
as some pubs in the central lakes.
John
8/10 visit April 2010
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Pennington
Arms, Main Street, Ravensglass, Cumbria CA18 1SD
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Jennings Cumberland Ale, Stickle Path, Hesket Newmarket Skiddaw Special Bitter
Telephone-01229-717222
Hotel
bar with no views out of the Irish Sea because there is a house in the way and
the bar is out the back! Modern stylish décor with comfortable chairs and
sofas, the sort you might find hard to get up from! There is also an outside
patio. I was the only person in so it was a little quiet. Had a pint of Skiddaw
Special Bitter at £2.60 a pint, first time I have try a beer from this
brewery-it was good! The beer was reasonably priced for the surroundings.
John
7/10 visit April 2010
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Ratty
Arms, at Ravenglass Station, Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SN
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Ennerdale Copper, Theakson Best Bitter, Black Bull Bitter, Ruddles Best.
Telephone-01229-71767
A
pub next to the railway station platform on the Barrow to Carlisle line. Next
door is the Ravensglass to Boot steam railway. The pub has a seating like
railway carriage, but no railway memorabilia, it looks like the pub is being
redecorated so it might have been taken down.
More regional beers than local but the Ennerdale Copper was £2.50 a
pint, reasonably priced like the other two pubs in Ravenglass.
John
7/10 visit April 2010
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STAVELEY
Village bypassed by the A591. Home to
Hawkshead beers
Hawkshead
Brewery and Beer Hall, Mill Yard, Staveley, Cumbria LA8 0LR
Owner-
Hawkshead
Beers-
Hawkshead Organic Stout, Bitter, Red, Lakeland Gold, Windermere Pale. Belgian
and German bottled beers.
Telephone-01539-83364
Web
site http://www.hawksheadbrewery.co.uk/more_info_extra.asp?current_id=79
Brewery
tap of the Hawkshead brewery, the beer hall is aptly named even if the wood is
new. It is very well done out in benches and tables, there are sofas at one end
for those who like their comfort. Well done to Hawkshead for making this place
a little different. Only half full but a good atmosphere. No TV, fruit machines
or music here. Pub is not easy to find, it is at the end of an industrial
estate off the main road. Opening hours are 1200 to 1800 hours, not sure why
they are not open in the evening, maybe looking for corporate custom? Good
beers as you would expect, with Hawkshead Organic Stout at £2.60 a pint, they
also have a good range of Belgian and German bottled beers.
John
9/10 visit April 2010
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Eagle
and Child, Kendal Road, Staveley, Cumbria LA8 9LR
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Foxfield Casaded Encounter, Keswick Thirst Bloom, Hawkshead Bitter, Windermere
Pale, Deuchars IPA. Budvar and Belgian bottled Beers.
Telephone-01539-821320
Web
site- http://www.eaglechildinn.co.uk/
Staveley
has now been bypassed; this pub is on the old main road. A nice cosy pub with a good atmosphere, all
the locals are seated, not standing at the bar. Good eccentric sort of décor,
with various bits of bric-a-brac all around the pub, with the fire adding to
the feel of the place. There is no TV or music. There is a beer garden across
the road which backs on to the River Kent. This is the place to go when the
Hawkshead Beer Hall closes at 1800 hours. Staveley is lucky to have 2 fine
drinking places and the Windmill brew pub in the next village-the place to be!
Foxfield Casaded Encounter was £2.70 a pint.
John
9/10 visit April 2010
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STRAWBERRY
BANK
Hamlet in the Lyn Valley to the SE of Lake Windermere
Masons
Arms, Strawberry Bank, Cumbria LA11 6NW
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Hawkshead Lakeland Lager, Windermere Pale, Bitter, Kirby Lonsdale Ruskin, Black
Sheep Bitter, plus Budvar Erdinger Leffe Blonde and Warsteiner on draught.
Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone-015395-68489
Web
site- http://www.masonsarmsstrawberrybank.co.uk/
This
is the image everyone has of a country Lake District pub with low beams, slated
floor, fire (not in use at the moment), antique chairs and tables. It is a
sunny day and most people are outside enjoying the wonderful views from top of
the valley. Not easy to find-you need a car, and the narrow road is not easy,
but lots of people seem to know where this gem of a pub is! Five real ales are
on, mainly from local micros, plus some real lagers add to a great experience.
Sit down, relax and enjoy! A pint of Windermere Pale was £3.00 a pint. A classic Lakes pub.
John
10/10 visit April 2010
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TORVER
Village at the junction off the
A593/A5084. Close to Coniston
Church
House Inn, Torver, Cumbria LA21 8AZ
Owner-
Free House
Beers-
Hawkshead Lakeland Gold, Barngates Tag Lag, Ennerdale Bitter
Telephone-015394-41282
Web
site- http://www.churchhouseinntorver.com/
This
is a lovely old 15th century pub in the village on the road to
Coniston. The décor is rustic olde world
with low ceiling, original beams, slated floor and a roaring fire. The sun is
shining but it is windy today and the fire is welcome and adds atmosphere to
the pub. Out the back is the beer garden, with great views and wandering
chickens! All 3 beers are local;
Hawkshead Lakeland Gold was £3.10 a pint.
John
8/10 visit April 2010
___________________________________________________________________________________
WASDALE
HEAD
At the end of Wastwater. This pub is
about the only thing here-but what a pub!
Wasdale
Head Inn, Wasdale Head, Cumbria CA20 1EX
Owner-
Free House
Beers-Black
Sheep Bitter, Riggwelter, Ennerdale Copper, Blonde, Coniston Bluebird Bitter
Telephone-
019467-26229
Web
site- http://www.s213669645.websitehome.co.uk/4.html
The
drive to this pub, the 6 miles from Gosforth-must be one of the best in the UK,
lovely views of the mountains and lakes. Despite the gazing sheep on the road,
the oncoming traffic down the narrow road, and no barriers as you drive high
alongside the lake, it is worth the effort to get to this remote pub. The location of the pub is breathtaking; you
can see why it was voted best view in Britain. Décor is not your standard
Lakeland red carpet, it is wooden benches and chairs-a little like a German
pub. Like the Old Dungeon Ghyll this is a walkers pub. There are old climbing photos and maps of the
Lakes on the wall. The pub does food, but there is no music, TV or fruit
machines. The 5 real ales on are mainly local, the Ennerdale Copper was £2.70 a
pint and was good. The pub is no longer
a brew pub, the Great Cable beers are brewed elsewhere. The walkers create a
good atmosphere. Sort of pub you dream about, if you are in a hot humid country
with no great beer! A Classic Lakeland Pub. Save the best until last!
John
10/10 visit April 2010
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NORWICH
NORWICH CITY CENTRE
Norwich is the main city in the county of Norfolk with a population
of 300,000 including the surrounding areas. If holidaying in the Norfolk broads
or the Norfolk and Suffolk coast, Norwich is well worth a day trip, with a
castle, cathedral, good shops, and of course, some excellent pubs! From the
dark days of the 1970s and 1980s, when Watneys dominated the local pub scene,
Norwich has developed into one of the best drinking cities in the UK. As well
as nearby regional brewers Adnams, Batemans and Elgood with tied pubs in the
city, there is a good free house scene for Norfolk’s 30-odd micro
breweries. In most parts of the UK a pub
is doing well when they are serving 5 real ales; in Norwich there are pubs
serving double this number to a grateful drinking public who seem to support
pubs who serve a wide range of beers.
CITY CENTRE
Adam and Eve, 17 Bishopgate, Norwich.
NR3 1RZ
Owner- Free House
Web site- http://www.adamandevenorwich.co.uk/
Beers- Adnams Bitter, Mauldens
Mole-Trap, Wells Bombardier, Theakston Old Peculiar
Telephone- 01603- 667423
This pub claims to be the
oldest pub in Norwich- as befits the name! Interior is as lovely as the
exterior. Like the Wig and Pen this pub has a rural feel to it, not a city
centre one. There is a bar area
downstairs, and alcoves to the side give this pub a cosy feel. There are old photos of Norwich in my alcove.
There are four ales on with Adnams Bitter at £2.80 a pint. The pub is Cask
Marque credited. A country pub in the City.
John 9/10 visit March 2010
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Belgian Monk, 7 Pottergate, Norwich,
NR2 1DS
Owner – Free House
Web site http://www.thebelgianmonk.com/index2.html
Beers- No real ale. Belgian
Bottled beers including 4 beers from
Belgian regional brewers only available here
Telephone-01603-767222
This is a lovely old
building in a cobbled street. Bare floorboards, white walls and what looks like
the original beams give this place a monastery feel-as befits the name. The
Belgian food looks good, the menu claims they get through 13 tons of mussels a
year! There is a restaurant upstairs and a courtyard area at the back. Mainly
an eating place but it is okay to have a beer from a good Belgian beer
menu. I had a bottle of Hopus which was
£4.35.
John 7/10 visit March 2010
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Bell, 5 Orford Hill, Norwich, NR1 3QB
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Nethergate IPA, Wolver, Umbel
Magna, Woodforde Wherry, Ruddles Best, Greene King Abbott
Telephone-01603-630017
City centre Wetherspoons pub
on two floors in a 15th century building. On the top floor there are
photos on the walls of US air crews during World War Two. Visited at 1100 the
place is crowded; half the pub is having drinks and other half is having coffee
and breakfast, creating a nice atmosphere.
John 7/10 visit March 2010
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Champion, 101 Chapelfield Road,
Norwich, NR2 1SE
Owner- Batemans
Beers- Batemans Mild, XB, XXXB, GHA,
Woodforde Nelsons Revenge, Rosetta Stone,
Telephone- 01603-765611
A Batemans pub on the inner
city ring road. The pub sign has a boxer on it, and inside there are photos of
old boxers on the wall. Also there is a collection of beer bottles (they looked
full) on the upper shelves around the walls. As well as Batemans beers there
are a few guest beers too. A small pub with a good atmosphere. Good to see the
landlord and landlady behind the bar serving and chatting to the locals.
John 8/10 visit March 2010
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Coachmakers, 9 St Stephens Road,
Norwich. NR1 3SP
Owner- Free house
Beers- Greene King IPA, Abbot, Wolf
Golden Jacket, Woodforde Wherry, Nelsons Revenge, Mardlers
Telephone- 01603-622080
A roadside pub which looks
like it might have been a coaching inn, with an old courtyard for outside
drinking. Low ceiling with fake beams, this said, it is a pleasant pub with a
good locals atmosphere. There is also a dartboard in the corner. The pub is
smaller than it looks from the outside. The six real ales come straight from
the barrel which I think is the best way to serve real ale- no chance of dirty
pipes!
John 8.5/10 March 2010
____________________________________________________________________________
Kings Arms, 22 Hall Road, Norwich. NR1
3HQ
Owner- Batemans
Web site- http://www.kingsarmsnorwich.co.uk/
Beers- Batemans Mild, XB, XXXB, Miss
Ireland, Salem Porter, Hop Back Lightning, Adnams Bitter, Wolf Golden Jackal,
Buffys Beaufort, Green Jack Orange Wheat beer, Histon Bitter
Telephone-01603-766361
This pub is just to the
south of the inner city ring road. A Batemans pub serving five of their good
honest beers (the XXXB was great) plus 6 other guest beers. Lots of old wood
around the pub along with the low ceiling gives this place a traditional feel.
There are also boxing photos on the wall. The pub gets posher the further back
you go, with a conservatory at the back. Nice friendly local. Batemans XXXB was
£2.90 a pint.
John 9/10 visit March 2010
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Kings Head, 42
Magdalen Street, Norwich. NR3 1JE
Owner- Free House
Web site- http://www.kingsheadnorwich.com/
Beers-
Spectrum Black Ruffle, Trip Hazzard, Wizzard, Woodforde Wherry, Nelsons
Revenge, Winters Revenge, Tripples Longshore, Wolf Beast, Straw Dog, In Sheeps
Clothing, Granny Wouldn’t like It, Green Jack Canary.
Telephone-01603-620468
An excellent city centre
pub, with feel of a back street-local to it’s atmosphere. It might be because
the pub has a keg- free policy-serving only real ale and bottled beers. There is no TV, music or fruit machine here,
just people talking. This is a brave
venture for the owners, but there are a fair amount of people in here for a
Monday night to support this pub. Good range of local beers to tempt us beer
nuts! I didn’t write which of the 12 beers on draught I had!! But I do know it
was good and it cost £2.20.
John visit 9.5/10 March 2010
_________________________________________________________________________________
Red Lion, 79 Bishopgate, Norwich. NR1
4AA
Owner- Free House
Beers- Deuchars IPA, Adnams Bitter,
Woodforde Wherry.
Telephone-01603-620154
Nice riverside pub in an
unspoilt area near to Norwich cathedral; the bridge next to the pub is closed
to traffic. The riverside patio is not being used much at the moment because it
is dark and cold, but it must be packed in the summer! The rest of the pub is
nicely done out. Good location doesn’t make up for only 3 real ales being on or
am I being spoilt by the good choice of beers in other Norwich pubs! Adnams
bitter was £2.60 a pint.
John 7/10 visit March 2010
_______________________________________________________________________________
Ribs of Beef, 24 Wensum Street,
Norwich. NR3 1HY
Owner- Free House
Web site- http://ribsofbeef.co.uk/
Beers- Elgood Black Dog Mild, Adnams
Bitter, Fullers London Pride, Hop Back Summer Lightning, Woodforde Wherry,
Oakham JHB, Wells Eagle IPA,
Telephone-01603-619517
City centre pub in a great
location by the River Wensum. Makes the most of the river views; at the time of
visit it is dark and cold but I am sure this is a great pub for a summer’s
evening outside drinking. The beer range is large, but is mainly known regional
brewers, not local micros. The beers are on a blackboard by the bar. Décor is
upmarket, including leather seats and carpet. Closed as a pub in 1958, but
reopened again in 1985. A pint of London Pride was £3.00.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2010
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Take 5, 17 Tombland, Norwich. NR3 1HF
Owner- Free House
Beers- St Peters Organic Ale, Humpy
Dumpty Porter, plus guest beer
Telephone- 01603-614210
The exterior is a Tudor
style, but the interior is a continental style bar, probably the sort that new
Labour was thinking of when they introduced 24 hour drinking! It does work
here, giving it a good student/bohemian atmosphere with art- work on the wall.
A change is as good as rest, as they say! Lots of people are eating here
tonight. Only 3 beers on, but the beer was in good form. St Peter,s Organic Ale
was £3.00 a pint.
John 8/10 visit March 2010
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Trafford Arms, 61 Grove Road, Norwich.
NR1 3RL
Owner- Free House
Web site- http://www.traffordarms.co.uk/
Beers- Greene King Mild, Abbot Ale,
Tetley Bitter, Greenshots, Adnams Witbier, Bitter, Irish Stout, Oakleaf Bitter,
Winters Strom, Woodforde Wherry
Telephone- 01603-628466
Pub in a side street, just
off the inner city ring road. Large pub with an upmarket décor, but with a cosy
feel to it, there are exposed brick walls on one side, plus a display cabinet
with empty beer bottles. Another Norwich pub with a wide choice of real ales,
this time ten, the pub has more regional brewers than local ones. Pub has a
vodka menu with 16 vodkas on it. Adams Stout was £2.90 a pint. Good honest
boozer.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2010
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White Lion, 73 Oak Street, Norwich. NR3
3AQ
Owner- Milton
Web site- http://www.individualpubs.co.uk/whitelion/
Beers- Milton Minotaur, Colossus,
Icarus, Dionysus, Pegasus, Nero, Caligula
Telephone- 01603-63233
Until I walked to this pub I
thought Norwich was unyuppy!! But this area is. That said, this is a good
down-to-earth pub with a good mix of people. A low ceiling, beams, slated floor
and wooden tables and chairs all create a good laid-back atmosphere. Milton
beers are named after Greek or Roman gods and are good. Another Milton tied
house, to add to their two good pubs in London, the Oakdale Arms, London N4 and
the Pembury, London E8. (see my London page)
John 8.5/10 visit March 2010
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Wig and Pen, 6 St Martins Palace Plain,
Norwich. NR3 1RN
Owner- Free House
Web site- http://www.thewigandpen.com/
Beers- Adnams Bitter, Chalk Hill Gold,
Fullers London Pride, Oakham JHB, Ringwood Forty-niner, Shepherd Neame Bishops
Finger.
Telephone- 01603-625891
An unspoilt pub in an
unspoilt part of the city! The area that the pub is in is close to the
cathedral, giving it a rural feel despite being in the city centre. Wonderful
white-wall pub exterior and the interior is nicely olde worlde, as befits the
area. The TV is switched off, but there is football advertised you think it
might not be as quiet as it was when I visited.
John 8/10 visit March 2010
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EAST NORWICH
Coach and Horses, 82 Thorpe Road,
Norwich. NR1 1BA
Owner- Chalk Hill
Web site- http://www.thecoachthorperoad.co.uk/
Beers- Chalk Hill Tap, CHB, Gold,
Dreadnought, Flintknappers Mild, Old Tackle, Fools Gold. Tiger Lager on
draught.
Telephone-01603-477077
Pub is set back a little
from the road; with an upper balcony it looks a little unpub like! Inside is
pubby and busy with a good lively atmosphere for a Tuesday night. Modern décor
with lots of wood, but with a traditional feel.
This pub is home to the Chalk Hill Brewery with 7 of their beers on draught.
The Chalk Hill Tap was £2.20 a pint. The price of the beer was reasonable but I
thought the food was a little more expensive, however a fair percentage of
people are eating here. Live football on the TV, but there is no sound on. An enjoyable visit.
John 9/10 visit March 2010
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Ketts Tavern, 29 Ketts Hill, Norwich.
NR1 4EX
Owner- Free House
Beers- Wolf Remus, Golden Jackal, Hero,
Woodforde Nog, Wherry, Humpy Dumpty Porter. Budvar on draught and in bottles,
plus Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone- 01603-628520
A pub close to a roundabout
junction. Décor is Courage 1970s which means black beams, white ceiling and red
seating; also has a fire which creates a cosy atmosphere. There is a
conservatory with a pool table, and beer garden at the back of the pub.
Articles on the wall include Norwich’s glory night in Europe when they beat
Bayern Munich. There are various food
and beer bargains to be had here including 50p off a pint of real ale. Six
local ales are priced from £2.60 to £3.10 a pint. The Woodforde Nog was £3.00 a
pint. The landlord is doing his best to pull the punters in.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2010
________________________________________________________________
NORTH NORWICH
Cottage Freehouse, 9 Sliver Road,
Norwich. NR3 4TB
Owner- Mauldens
Web site- http://www.thecottagenorwich.co.uk/
Beers- Mauldens Micawbers Mild, Suffolk
Pride, Blackadder, Fullers Chiswick Bitter, Couch Vale Gold, RCH Pitchfork,
Woodforde Admiral Reserve. Budvar lager and Dark and Bitburger.
Telephone- 01603- 665535
Nice one-bar pub just north
of the inner city road. A Maulden’s pub; as well as their own beers there are
other guest beers as well. Seven real ales in total are on, including Suffolk
Pride at £2.70 a pint, which was in good nick.
There is a good choice of lager, with Carlsberg being the only
mainstream lager. Low lighting, cosy
atmosphere and the radio on in the background. Friendly barman and pub dog adds
to this under-rated pub.
John 9/10 visit March 2010
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Duke of Wellington, 91 Waterloo Road,
Norwich. NR3 1EG
Owner- Free House
Web site http://www.dukeofwellingtonnorwich.co.uk/
Beers-
Elgood Black Dog Mild, Fullers London Pride, Hop back Summer Lightning,
Wolf Golden Jackal, Straw Dog plus 9 beers on gravity in the middle of the bar.
Pater Czech Lager
Telephone-01603-441182
Large back-street local with
an excellent range of beers; most pubs in London would be happy with 5
handpumps on the bar-this pub has another 9 beers in barrels! There is a whiteboard
off to the right of the bar with the beers and prices. A low-beamed pub with a
lively atmosphere at the time of visit.
Yet another Norwich pub with a large range of real ales! Pub is about 10
minutes’ walk from the inner city ring road. A pint of Wolf Golden Jackal was
£2.30.
John 9/10 visit March 2010
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Leopard, 98 Bulls Close Road, Norwich. NR3
1NQ
Owner- Batemans
Beers- Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Wolf
Leopard Ale, Wychwood Paddy Stout
Telephone-01603-623505
A Batemans pub with no
Batemans beer!! Maybe I missed some handpumps on the bar!! A small pub which
looks like it’s has been decorated recently. The décor is impressive, including
a tiled loo, as well as various bits of Batemans beer memorabilia on the green
and white wall. Good cosy atmosphere in a pub you feel comfortable in straight
away. A pint of Spitfire was £2.60.
John 8/10 visit March 2010
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Whalebone, 141 Magdalen Street,
Norwich. NR3 4BA
Owner- Free House
Web Site http://www.whalebonefreehouse.co.uk/
Beers- Broadland Best, Fullers London
Pride, ESB, Oakham JHB, Bishops Farewell, Hop Back Summer Lightning, Adnams
Irish Stout, Woodforde Wherry.
Telephone-01603-425482
A pub close to the Duke of
Wellington; the 8 real ales on the bar makes this pub well worth a visit. The décor of the pub is wood-panelled walls
and exposed brick, with two drinking areas either side of the bar creating a
lively atmosphere. One side has live football on, which is Leeds V Millwall;
important game for Norwich fans in their bid to win League One. A pint of
Broadland Best was £2.30.
John 8.5/10 March 2010
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SOUTH NORWICH
Beehive, 30 Leopold Road, Norwich. NR4
7PJ
Owner- Free House
Web site- http://www.beehivepubnorwich.co.uk/
Beers- Wolf Golden Jackal, Wolf Ale,
Fullers London Pride, Oakham Bishops Farewall, Nethergate Pub Boar, Tipples
Lady Evelyn. Erdinger on draught, plus a few Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone-01603-451628
A pub which is about 30 minutes’
walk from the city centre, in a residential area. At the start of the road you
don’t think there is going to be a pub! But not only is there a pub, but a used
car dealership opposite the pub! A two room pub; one is full of sofas, the
other room has a more public bar feel with a dartboard, TV and a pool table
upstairs. Six real ales are on draught with prices ranging from £2.50 to £2.70
a pint. An excellent pint of Wolf Ale was £2.60. Opens 1700 hours on Monday,
1100 hours the rest of the week.
John 8/10 visit March 2010
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Eaton Cottage, 75 Mount Pleasant,
Norwich. NR2 2DQ
Owner- Free House
Beers- Theakston Mild, Winter Eaton
Cottage, Crouch Vale Snowdrop, Amarillo, Wolf Golden Jackal, Straw Dog,
Tripples Moon Rocket, Fullers London Pride. Westons Old Rosie cider.
Telephone- 01603-453048
Like the Beehive (above),
this pub is in a residential area. The pub’s location is at the junction of
Unthank Road (great name!). A small pub
with a colonial feel, with ceiling fans and tall plants. Ten real ales are on
with some hard to find beers for some beer tickers, which is good for a small
pub. Handpump beer clips are around the walls. Sky TV is at one end of the pub.
Crouch Vale snowdrop was £2.85 a pint.
John 7.5/10 visit March 2010
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WEST NORWICH
Alexandra Tavern, 16 Stafford Street,
Norwich. NR2 3BB
Owner- Free House
Web site http://www.alexandratavern.co.uk/
Beers- Blackfriars White Swan, Fullers
London Pride, Chalk Hill CHB, Brewery Tap, Gold.
Telephone-01603-627772
Cosy back-street local with
a room off to the right of the bar making it bigger than it looks at first.
Pool table at the back takes up a lot of room for a small pub. Good laid-back
atmosphere, reasonably busy for a Monday. Pride of place in this pub gos to the
vinyl jukebox, with mainly 1980s hits-£1 you can get 10 songs. The money put in
the machine on Monday gos to charity Alan Partridge would be pleased!! An excellent pint of Blackfriars which was
£2.70.
John 8.5/10 visit March 2010
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Fat Cat, 49 West End Street, Norwich.
NR2 4NA
Owner- Free Mouse!! (Say the pub)
Web site http://www.fatcatpub.co.uk/
Beers- 12 beers on handpump including 4
Fat Cat brews and 14 beers on gravity. Budvar and Bitburger on draught and 50
bottled beers from around the world.
Telephone- 01603-624364
Where to begin? Looking at
the above beer list alone should have most beer lovers falling off their bar
stools! This pub is a permanent beer festival, with 26 real ales on draught;
stand back from the bar and you will see all the beers on offer on a blackboard
above the bar. Well done to the Norwich drinking public for creating the demand
to keep this pub going; even London can not match this pub for the amount of
draught beers they do. Décor is black and white checked floor, red wooden
partitions with etched-glass above and of course various bits of beer
memorabilia all around the pub, including a Watneys red barrel sign hanging
from the ceiling! With no music, fruit machine and TV, creates a wonderful
atmosphere! Deserved Camra national pub of the year in 1998 and 2004. Fat Cat beers brewed at the Cider Shed in
Norwich are from £2.00 to £2.60 a pint; other real ales are from £2.70 to £3.00
a pint. Living near this pub must push up your house prices! Beer heaven, beer
paradise, how did I get out of this pub-I don’t know?
FN
If Carlsberg did pubs, this
would be the perfect pub, especially as it doesn’t have any Carlsberg in it!!!!
John 10/10 visit March 2010
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Nelson, 122 Nelson Road, Norwich. NR2
4DR
Owner- Free House
Beers- Deuchar IPA, Shepherd Neame
Spitfire, Woodforde Wherry, Adnams
Cornhill
Telephone-01603- 626362
A back-street local which is close to the
famous Fat Cat. A good two room locals pub, with a model ship and blue boards
on the bar. Friendly landlord and locals plus 4 real ales make this pub a
worthwhile visit. Visited after the Fat Cat which is a little after the Lord
Mayors show, but this pub is marked as an individual pub. A good pint of
Woodforde Wherry, which was reasonably priced at £2.30.
John 8/10 visit March 2010
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Reindeer, 10 Dereham Road, Norwich. NR2
4AY
Owner- Free House
Beers- Elgood Greyhound, Golden Neat,
Cambridge, Chalk Hill CHB, Marston Pedigree
Telephone- 01603-762223
Elgoods only tied house in
Norwich is a big pub close to a busy road junction. Nice wood-panelled décor
with low lighting makes for a cosy atmosphere despite the lack of punters. TVs
are on, but the volume is low. Student discounts here so there must be a
university nearby! Chalk Hill CHB was £2.80 a pint.
John 7/10 visit March 2010
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