Including
A
full postcode has been provided, for location lick on
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl OR
TOWN
CENTRE
Basketmakers Arms,
Owner- Gale's
Beers-Gale's Festival
Mild, GB, HSD, Greene King Abbot
Telephone-01273-689006
Low beamed Gale's pub, with lots of
bric-a-brac around the place. Old photos, old tobacco tins, brewery mirrors and
beer mats all a
John 9/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Owner- Free House
Beers-Fullers
Telephone-01273-327997
A pub which is close to the station, but
is up a steep hill. A pub with different drinking areas. Green seems to be the
colour here; also there's old navy prints and a fair bit of wood-panelling. Dim
lighting and two fireplaces make for a cosy atmosphere.
John 8/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Evening
Star,
Owner Dark Star
Beers- Dark Star Bitter,
City Porter, Hophead, Natural Blonde, Crouch Vale Anchor Street Porter, Cuckmere Haven Best Bitter plus real cider
Telephone-01273-328931
Web site www.eveningstar.co.uk
Great ale house. No TV or any other
distractions, people are just here for the good beer. Been decorated since my
last visit, maybe needs a little more time for that lived-in feel. Ex home brew
pub for Dark Star until they moved to a bigger site. Dark Star beers are still
here, as well as other micro brews. Close to
John 8.5/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Hobgoblin,
Owner- Wychwood
Beers- Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Ushers Spring Fever, Wychwood
Hobgoblin plus Hoegaarden on draught
Telephone-01273-602519
Standard Hobgoblin pub. Benches, floorboards,
and sport on TV, but has a good lively student atmosphere. This might be
because they offer students 20% off between 14-00 to 20-00 hours. Interesting
beer memorabilia around the pub.
John 7/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Lord
Nelson,
Owner- Harveys
Beers- Harveys Mild, Pale Ale, Best Bitter, Armada
Telephone -01273-695872
Web site www.thelordnelsoninn.co.uk
Great
John 9.5/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Owner- Shepherd Neame
Beers-Shepherd Neame Master Brew Bitter, Spitfire
Telephone-01273-688276
Rare Shepherd Neame outlet in
John 7.5/10 visit June 2001
_________________________________________________________________________
Owner- King and Barnes
Beers-King and Barnes
Bitter, Broadwood, Festive
Telephone-01273-682466
King and Barnes pub which I have not
visited since it was taken over by Hall and Woodhouse. So I am not sure about
the beer quality now. Imaginative décor, including balloon figures hanging from
the ceiling. Modern airly feel to the pub, but a good
atmosphere.
John 8/10 visit June 2001
_________________________________________________________________________
Greys,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Harveys Sussex Best Bitter, Ringwood Best Bitter plus Hoegaarden on draught and Belgian bottled beers
Telephone-01273-680734
Web site www.greyspub.com
Nice cosy locals' pub in
John 8/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Sir
Charles Napier,
Owner- Gale's
Beers- Gale's Buster
Bitter, GB, HSD, Greene King Abbot Plus Budvar in
large bottles
Telephone-01273-601413
Locals pub in
John 8/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
KEMPTOWN
Hand in Hand,
Owner- Kemptown
Beers- Kempton
Telephone-01273-699595
Home brew pub, with some good beers and
reasonable prices. A small place with a nice cosy atmosphere. Walls are full of
old newspaper articles and ties hang from the ceiling. Nice pub.
John 8/10 visit June 2001
_________________________________________________________________________
Owner-Free House
Beers- Fullers
Telephone-01273-699248
Traditional pub still with a saloon and
public bar. Wood panelled walls, white ceiling, black beams. TV is on, but the
locals are into their own conversations. The John Smith's is cask not keg, and
seems popular among the locals.
John 6/10 visit March 2003
________________________________________________________________________--
These
pubs were done on two visits, in June and July 2003.
Alma,
Owner- Ridleys
Beers- Ridleys IPA, Rumpus, Old Bob
Telephone-01223-364965
Ridleys pub well hi
John 8/10 visit July 2003
________________________________________________________________________--
Bird
in Hand,
Owner- Greene King
Beers-Greene King IPA,
Abbot Ale, Ru
Telephone-01223-351919
A small pub which has been nicely
decorated. White walls, dim lighting and leather seats all make for a cosy
atmosphere. Whilst on a main road, it is quiet and pleasant on the inside,
apart from the strange disco music in the background!
John 8/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Owner- Free House
Beers- Adnams Regatta, Cottage Southern Bitter, Elgood's Black Dog Mild, Nethergate
IPA, Woodforde Wherry
Bitter
Telephone-01223-319414
Web site www.colc.co.uk
Small cosy back street pub with a
conservatory at the back, which leads to a beer garden. Rowing theme in the
pub, including oars on the walls and rowing club flags. Overseas bank notes
hanging from bar ceiling. One of two totally non-smoking pubs in
John 8/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Castle
Inn,
Owner- Adnams
Beers-Adnams Bitter, Broadside, Jubilee, Regatta, guest beers
Fullers London Pride, Marstons Bitter, Wadworth JCB, Charles Wells Bombardier
Telephone-01223-353194
Pub just to the north of
the city centre, with a nice cosy feel to it. Recently refurbished, with white walls, bare
floorboards, plants and rowing oars. But still with a traditional atmosphere. Adnams pub with a good choice of guest beers, as well as
their own beers. Good pint of Broadside here. Nice courtyard at the back.
John 9/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Champion
of the
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King IPA,
Abbot Ale, St Austell Tribute
Telephone-01223-352043
A city centre pub with a
nice cosy feel to it. Wood
panelled walls, alcoves, dim lighting and low ceiling make for an almost rural
atmosphere. Rowing theme throughout the pub, including oars
and photos of
John 8.5/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Eagle,
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King IPA,
Abbot Ale, Moreland Old Speckled Hen, Ru
Telephone-01223-505020
Famous city centre pub. It's a pub of many
rooms but you have to visit the back bar, with its graffiti on the ceiling from
World War Two air crews. How it was done is explained, on the wall, as well as
photos of air crews and aircraft from the era. Cosy atmosphere inside, also a
nice courtyard for the summer.
John 9/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Elm
Tree,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Adnams Broadside, Everards Tiger,
Charles Wells Bombardier, Eagle IPA plus Budvar In
bottles
Telephone-01223-363005
Web site www.theelmtreepub.co.uk
Back street local, with a homely touch to
it. It almost feels like being in someone's front room! Wall to wall carpet,
green décor, old prints on the wall, flashing lights above the bar and a fish
tank-it makes you wonder if 'Changing Rooms' has been here! Traditional to the
point of having no food.
John 7.5/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Fort St George In
England, Midsummer Common, Cambridge. CB4 1HA
Owner- Greene King
Beers-Greene King IPA, Abbot
Ale, St Austell Tribute, Charles Wells Bombardier
Telephone-01223-354327
Web site www.fortstgeorge.com
How can you go wrong with the location of
this pub? On one side is a common, on the other is a river. A pub with many
drinking areas, the oldest being to the left of the main entrance, with beams
and a white tiled floor. Lots of bric-a-brac around the pub including rowing
oars, old radios and empty bottles. Can get a little crowded in the summer.
John 9/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Free Press, 7 Prospect
Row, Cambridge. CB1 1DU
Owner-Greene King
Beers- Greene King XX
Mild, IPA, St Austell Tribute
Telephone 01223-368337
John 8/10 visit June 2003
________________________________________________________________________--
Grapes, 19 Histon Road, Cambridge. CB4 3JB
Owner- Greene King
Beers-Greene King IPA,
Abbot Ale, Morelands Old Speckled Hen, St Austell
Tribute, Charles Wells Bombardier
Telephone-01223-506038
Entrance is around the back in this pub.
Bigger than it looks form the outside. Inside is a low white ceiling, red
carpets, prints and plates on the walls. A little quiet at the time of visit,
but a pleasant atmosphere none the less. Closes mid-afternoon.
John 7.5/10 visit July 2003
________________________________________________________________________
Kingston Arms, 33
Kingston Street, Cambridge CB1 2NU
Owner- Lidstones
Beers- Hop Back Entire
Stout, Lidstones Session Bitter, Suffolk Draught, Rawalpindi IPA, TimothyTaylor
Landlord
Telephone-01223-319414
Web site www.kingston-arms.co.uk
This is the only pub owned by the Lidstones brewery from
John 8/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Live and Let Live, 40 Mawson Road, Cambridge.CB1 2EA
Owner- Free House
Beers- Adnams Bitter, B&T Edwin Taylor Stout, Burton Bridge
Festival Ale, Dent Rambrau, Everards
Tiger, Buffys Hopleaf, Nethergate Umbel Ale, Tring Fi
Telephone-01223-460261
Lovely back street pub near to the railway
station. Lots of wood, as well as low beams, prints and photos of cricket and
brewery memorabilia. Beer mats and beer clips hanging from the bar. A great
range of beer from micro breweries, as well as Belgian bottled beers and Scotch
malt whiskys ( see list on bar for last two ) .
Closes mid-afternoon. Great place.
John 9/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Regal, 38 St Andrews
Street, Cambridge.CB2 3AR
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Badger Tanglefoot, Greene King IPA, Abbot Ale, Hop Back Summer
Lightning, Ridleys Rumpus plus Kozel
Czech lager in bottles
Telephone-01223-366459
Large Wetherspoons
pub in an ex- cinema. Supposed to be one of the largest pubs in the country!
Usual Wetherspoons décor with some art décor design .
Standard things you usually find in Wetherspoons,
like non-smoking areas and reasonably priced food and beer. As it's so big you
stand a good chance of getting a seat.
John 7.5/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Salisbury, 76 Tension
Road, Cambridge. CB1 2DW
Owner- Charles Wells
Beers- Adnams Broadside, Badger Tanglefoot,
Everards Tiger, Morlands
Old Speckled Hen, Charles Wells Eagle IPA, Bombardier, Summer Solstice
Telephone-01223-576363
Large back street local, near to the
railway station. Long narrow pub, with a room around the back. Lots of wood
panelling around the pub, with old Camra beer
festivals' posters and photos of old brewery workers on the walls. Bike hanging
from ceiling a
John 8.5/10 visit June 2003
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St Radegund,
129 King Street, Cambridge. CB1 1LD
Owner- Free House
Beers- Fullers London
Pride, Milton Habit, Shepherd Neame, Spitfire plus
Pilsner Urquell Czech lager on draught
Telephone-01223-311794
Web site www.radegund.org.uk
Atmospheric cosy city centre pub with a
wonderful ceiling, with smoked etchings of college names! Nice old prints and
photos all around the pub, mainly with a rowing or rugby theme. Seem to
remember more beers on handpump on my last visit, but
the beer quality was good. Nice place, good atmosphere.
John 9.5/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Zebra, 80 Maids
Causeway, Cambridge. CB5 8DD
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King IPA,
Suffolk Summer, Moreland Old Speckled Hen, Ru
Telephone-01223-512400
Roadside pub, just outside of the city
centre. Light green walls, wood panelled bar and mirrors all round the
pub-which makes it look larger. Dim lighting a
John 8/10 visit July 2003
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DORKING
Dorking
is within easy reach from London Victoria or Waterloo stations, 50 minutes from
Waterloo at the weekend. The centre of the town is a fair way from the railway
station, it's easily to take a taxi to the first pub. Once at the first pub the
rest follow in the order below. The town has pubs owned by four independent
breweries, as well some good free houses. As well as three pubs in West Street,
every other shop in West Street seems to be an antique shop. so if beer and
antiques are your thing this is the place to be.
Star Inn, West Street,
Dorking, Surrey. RH4 1BU
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King IPA,
Moreland Old Speckled Hen.
A small pub with Greene King etched glass
windows. Not too many seats, but there is seating outside for a summers day. No
Greene King abbot Ale, but the Old Speckled Hen was good. This pub is a little
more yuppie in style than the rest of the pubs visited in Dorking, but is a
pleasant pub.
John 8/10 visit June 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Old House at Home, West
Street, Dorking, Surrey. RH4 1BY
Owner- Young's
Beers- Young's Bitter,
Special, Waggledance Golden Zest.
Young's pub which is nicely done out and
like the Kings Arms it's a genuine old pub. Low black and white beams, red
walls and floorboards all a
John8.5/10 visit June 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Kings Arms, West Street,
Dorking, Surrey. RH4 1BU
Fullers London Pride,
Greene King IPA, Downton Quadpa,
Hop Back Fools Frontier,
Genuine old pub on West Street to go with
the antique shops. Done out in mock Tudor style with low beans, red seats and
carpet. Lots of different drinking areas in the pub. Beer garden at the back.
Guest beer was very average, might have just been an average guest beer.
John 8/10 visit June 2005
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Bull's Head, South Street,
Dorking, Surrey. RH4 2DY
Owner Gale's
Beers- Gale's Buster
Bitter, Best Bitter, HSB, Seafarers Ale
Gale's pub with a good range of Gale
beers, I never seen Seafarers Ale before. Small pub with not to many seats, but
a good quiet atmosphere. Unlike the busy road junction outside. Beer was the
best I had today.
John 9/10 visit June 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Spotted Dog, South
Street, Dorking, Surrey.RH4 2HQ
Owner- Free House
Beers- Courage Directors,
Fullers London Pride, Young's Bitter
Low beamed pub, with low lighting which is
bigger than it looks on the outside. Atmosphere is cosy and quiet. Choice of
ales is a little bland, but the beer was okay. Nice beer garden at the back.
John 7/10 visit June 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Cricketers, South
Street, Dorking, Surrey. RH4 2JU
Owner -Fullers
Beers- Fullers
Discovery, Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB,
As befits the name the barebrick
walls of this pub are fill of cricket memorabilia, including a impressive
mirror on the way into the pub. While there was sport on the TV-what else but
Cricket! it is on a low volume. This is a very laid back place. There a beer
garden at the back of the pub.
John 8.5/10 visit June 2005
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Queen's Head, South
Street, Dorking, Surrey. RH4 2JS
Owner- Fullers
Beers-Fullers Chiswick
Bitter, London Pride, ESB
A Fullers pub which is close to the Cricketers.
While the Cricketers is quite the Queen's Head is a lively sort of pub with two
dartboards and a pool table. Ordinary décor with red carpet and plates all
around the pub.. Some benches outside for the summer. Beer in good nick.
John 7.5/10 visit June 2005
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LEWES
A
nice town resting in the Sussex Downs. Home of the excellent Harveys brewery. Harveys only own
3 of the 20 pubs in the town, but only 3 pubs ( 2 of them tied houses of other
breweries ) do not sell their beers.
Brewers Arms, 91 High
Street, Lewes, East Sussex.BN7 1XN
Owner- Free House
Beers- Harveys Sussex Best Bitter, 1648 Bitter ?, Phoenix Sticky
Wicket. Leffe Blonde in bottles. Bi
Telephone-01273-479475
Web site www.brewersarmslewes.co.uk
A quiet pub, with white walls, red
seating, red carpet and a ceiling fan. There is a list of bottled beers above
the bar. Various photos of Lewes throughout the years. Average décor, average
pub, not much going for it apart from the beer.
John 7/10 visit July 2004
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Dorset Arms, 22 Mailing
Street, Lewes, East Sussex. BN7 2RD
Owner- Harveys
Beers-Harveys Sussex Best Bitter, Armada, Greene King IPA
Telephone-01273-477110
Web site www.thedorsetlewes.com
Harveys pub close to the brewery. Two different bar areas;
the public bar side is stripped pine and the saloon bar is white walls, carpet
and old paintings. Beer served was just the right temperature on a hot summer's
day. Outside drinking area.
John 7.5/10 visit July 2004
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Gardeners Arms, 46 Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East Sussex. BN7 2AN
Owner- Free House
Beers-
Archers Golden Bitter,
Telephone-01273-474808
Web site www.gardnersarmslewes.com
Small pub on the high street near the Harveys brewery shop, which at a guess was once a shop. The
décor is just average, but the choice of micro beers and good atmosphere makes
up for this. As well as the beer, there are two real ciders on with one of them
Bi
John 8.5/10 visit July 2004
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John Harvey Tavarn, Bear Lane, off Cliffe
High Street, Lewes, East Sussex. BN7 2AN
Owner- Haverys
Beers- Harveys Mild, Sussex Best Bitter, Armada. Budvar in bottles.
Telephone-01273-486107
Web site www.johnharveytavern.co.uk
New Harveys pub
which was opened in the 1990's. It is an old building, so I wonder what was
here before? The new décor seems to work, giving the pub a comfortable
atmosphere. Flagstone floor, low beamed ceiling and wooden tables and chairs.
The beer barrels behind the bar are not used to served the beer. Has a good
lived-in feel for a new pub.
John 9/10 visit July 2004
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Lewes Arms, Mount Place,
Lewes, East Sussex. BN7 1YN
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King XX
Mild, IPA, Abbott Ale, Harveys Sussex Best Bitter.
Telephone-01273-473152
Web site www.lewesarms.org.uk
Lovely traditional pub with lots of
different rooms and drinking areas. No food, music, or mobile phones ( which
are banned ). A pub with a good atmosphere, as well as some friendly locals. Ex
Beard pub which is now run by Greene King. Good to see a mild on draught. Good
pint.
John 9/10 visit July 2004
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Snowdrop Inn, 119 South
Street, Lewes, Sussex.BN7 2BU
Owner- Free House
Beers- Adnams Broadside, Harveys Sussex
Best Bitter. Budvar in bottles
Telephone-01273-471018
A pub about a five minute walk from the
town centre. Nice cosy pub with a upstairs seating area. Dryed
hops are hanging from the ceiling, as well as a rowing boat! there is some beer
memorabilia in the non-smoking room. Outside drinking area on both sides of the
pub. Nice place.
John 8/10 visit July 2004
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White Star, 36 Lansdown Place, Lewes < East Sussex. BN7 2JU
Owner-Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Harveys Sussex Best
Bitter, King and Barnes Sussex Bitter. Hoegaarden on
draught.
Telephone-01273-480625
Modern wood panelled pub, with a flagstone
floor and wooden chairs and tables. The pub has a White Star and Titanic theme
throughout the pub. Lively atmosphere at the time of visit. Pub is close to
Lewes railway station; a good place to finish your pub crawl of Lewes. Good
pint.
John 8/10 visit July 2004.
_________________________________________________________________________
OXFORD
Like
Cambridge, Oxford has some lovely old colleges and historic buildings, as well
as good pubs. The better pubs in Oxford are in the city centre. Sadly Oxford
family independent brewers Morrells were sold off by
some of the family to a pub-owning chain, eventually finishing up as Greene
King pubs in 2002. London independents Fullers with 5 pubs, and Young's with 4
pubs, join other independents Arkells, Banks's, Everards and Wadworths to make drinking more interesting.
The
pubs below were done on two visits in July and August 2003.
CITY CENTRE
Bear Inn, 6 Alfred
Street, Oxford. OX1 4EH
Owner- Fullers
Beers-Batemans XXXB, Draught Bass, Hancocks
HB
Telephone-01865-728164
Genuine old beamed back street pub, with
bags of atmosphere and character. Pub claims it's been here since 1242. In both
small rooms there is an impressive collection of ties, which are everywhere
including the ceiling! This is a Fullers pub, but it only sells guest beers
from other breweries. Well-hi
John 9/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Chequers, 130A High
Street, Oxford. OX1 4DH
Owner- Free House
Beers-Draught Bass, Hook
Norton Old Hookey, Haymaker plus Staropramen
on draught
Telephone-01865-726904
Genuine old pub, down an
alleyway off the high street.
Long narrow pub with a wonderful white ceiling and walls. Etched glass windows,
wood panelled walls and a slate floor makes this a pleasant place to drink in.
Even has an 'Lord of the Rings' fruit machine! Good pint, good bar service.
John 9/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Eagle and Child, 49 St
Giles, Oxford. OX1 3LU
Owner- Free House
Beers-Draught Bass,
Hancock HB, Hook Norton Old Hookey, Wadworth 6X
Telephone-01865-302925
Long narrow pub, with
lots of wood panelling and nice alcoves. At the back of the pub is a conservatory area, which
is non-smoking. Pub dates back to 1650 ( and I am not saying 4.50 PM ) with CS
Lewis and Toikein connections. Nice feel of tradition
here. Good bar service.
John 8.5/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Far
from the Ma
Owner- Free House
Beers-Oxford Bitter,
Timothy Taylor Landlord, guest beers Hardian and
Border Farne Island, Legion Ale
Telephone- 01865-240900
Web site www.maddingcrowd.co.uk
New pub with some nice ideas, including
modern art paintings on the wall and theatre posters. Green walls, wood
panelling and dim lighting gives this place a good lived-in feel . Two regular
beers, plus interesting guest beers make for good drinking. A good place for a
new pub. Maybe not an aptly named pub on a crowded Friday or Saturday night!
John 8.5/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Head of the River, Folly
Bridge, Oxford. OX! 4LB
Owner- Fullers
Beers- Fullers Honey
Drew, London Pride, ESB
Telephone-01865-721600
Fullers riverside pub in a great location
next to Folly Bridge. Only been a pub since 1977, but has a nice olde-world feel to it, with beams and bare brick walls.
Nice old rowing photos on the walls. A big outside drinking area by the river,
ideal for the summer. Bungee jumping crane doesn't seem to be working on this
visit!
John 8.5/10 visit July 2003
________________________________________________________________________
Hobgoblin, 108 St Aldates, Oxford. OX4 1BU
Owner- Free House
Beers-Brakspears Special Bitter, Budborough
Famous 5 stout, Butts Jester Bitter, Wychwood Shires
Bitter, Hobgoblin Special
Telephone-01865-250201
A student-designed pub in a student town.
A long narrow pub with brown walls and dim lighting. Interesting prints and old
photos on the wall, and the standard rowing oar. Good collection of beer mats
above the bar.
John 7.5/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Kings Arms, 40 Holywell Street, Oxford. OX1 3SP
Owner- Young's
Beers-Smiles Bristol
IPA, Wadworth 6X, Young's AAA, Bitter, Special Bitter
Telephone-01865-242369
A pub of character. Wood panelled walls
throughout the pub, lots of different drinking areas including a non-smoking
room. Pub is big on food, but it doesn't ruin the pub atmosphere. Very
atmospheric at the time of visit.
John 8.5/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Lamb and Flag, 12 St
Giles, Oxford. OX1 3JS
Owner- Free House
Beers- Fullers London
Pride, Lamb and Flag Gold, Plamers IPA, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Skinners Betty Stogs
Bitter, Theakston Old Peculier
Telephone-01865-515787
Wonderful 14th century
inn. As you keep going to
the back of the pub, it gets better. Lots of different alcoves and drinking
areas, all making for a cosy pub. Black beams, white walls and wood panelled
walls with old photos all a
John 9/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Old Tom,101 St Aldates, Oxford. OX1 1BT
Owner- Greene King
Beers-Greene King IPA,
Moreland Old Speckled Hen, Ru
Telephone-01865-243034
Web site www.oxfordinn.co.uk
Long narrow city centre, with a almost rural atmosphere to it. Low lighting, red carpet,
mirrors and jugs hanging from the ceiling. On the shelves are full bottles of
overseas beers, and some empty bottles of Morrells (
this was once a Morrells pub ) Good collection of Morrells beer bottle labels', on one of the beams. Beer
garden out the back. Nice pub.
John 9/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Royal Blenheim, 13 St Ebbes Street, Oxford.OX1 1PT
Owner- Everards
Beers- Everards Beacon Bitter, Tiger
Telephone-01865-726484
A smallish pub off the high street. An Everards pub done out in a wood panelled style, with a pool
table. A well throughout pub, but seems to be lacking sometime- and I am not
sure what. That say it is a pleasant pub, and is worth a visit.
John 7/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Turf Tavern, 4 Bath
Place, off Holywell Street, Oxford. OX1 3SU
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian
80/-,Exmoor Gold, Flowers Original, Greene King Abbot Ale, JW Lees Scorcher
Telephone-01865-243235
Web site www.theturftavern.co.uk
An alleyway leads you to a classic pub.
Original stoned-wall building, low beams and alcoves. Still gets too crowded
for its own good sometimes-visit early! Outside drinking area helps in the
summer, there are heaters for the winter. If you don't like this pub, I
seriously think you should give up drinking!
John 10/10 visit July 2003
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Wharf House, 2 Butterwyke Place, St Ebbes
Owner- Free House
Beers-Butts Bitter, Hook
Norton Bitter, RCH Pitchfork plus Bitburger and Erdinger German lager, Black Pearl Stout and Belgian
bottled beers
Telephone-01865-246752
Pub which is not easy to find, near the
ring road. Basic décor with a capital 'B'. White walls, wooden tables and
chairs and that's it! Looks like nothing has changed here for the last 40
years. Why do people come here? For the excellent beer! A good pint of Hook
Norton comes from the back room, plus a good range of German lagers and Belgian
bottled beers. You will either love or hate this pub!
John 8/10 visit July 2003
Pub
is now closed
_________________________________________________________________________
White Horse, 52 Broad
Street, Oxford. OX1 3BB
Owner- Free House
Beers-Brains SA, Fullers
London Pride, Hook Norton Best Bitter, Ind Coope Burton Ale, Marstons
Pedigree, Timothy Taylor Landlord
Telephone-01865-721860
Web site www.oxfordinn.co.uk
Broad Street seems to be dominated by Blackwall book shops. Next to one of them is this classic
pub. A small, low-beamed pub with wood-panelled walls. On the walls are various
photos of college rowing, hockey and rugby teams. Good range of beers, and a
good atmosphere in the pub. If you think you have seen this pub before, it was
used the most to film Inspector Morse-solving his cases over a pint!
John 9/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
NORTH OXFORD
Harcourt Arms, Cranham Terrace, Jericho, Oxford. Ox2 6DG
Owner- Fullers
Beers- Fullers Chiswick
Bitter, London Pride, ESB plus Budvar in bottles
Telephone-01865-310630
A nice local in the back streets of
Jericho. A small Fullers pub, with a nice relaxing atmosphere. Red ceiling,
white walls, and some well known prints on the walls from Renoir and Picasso
all a
John 8/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Old Bookbinders's,
17-18 Victor Street, Jericho, Oxford. OX2 6BT
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King IPA,
Abbot Ale, St Austells Tribute, Charles Well Bombarider
Telephone-01865-553549
Web site www.oldbookbinders.co.uk
The last time I was here it was just the Bookbiners! The pub has change a bit-mainly for the better.
Low ceiling with lots of bric-a-brac all around the pub, including lighters
above the loo doors, match boxes, beer mats and a railway line upside down on
the ceiling! Okay so its not genuine, but it does give the pub character and it
seems to work. A back street local with a different.
John 9/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Rose And Crown, 14 North
Parade Avenue, Oxford. OX2 6LX
Owner- Free House
Beers- Adnams Bitter, Draught Bass, Hook Norton Best Bitter plus Budvar in large bottles and Leffe
Blonde in bottles
Telephone-01865-510551
Web site www.rose-n-crown.com
Wonderful pub, outside are village like
shops, inside this pub is a village like atmosphere. Two cosy rooms and a
corridor makes for a relaxed feel. Wood panelled walls, dry hops on the low
ceiling and a beer garden at the back. Good selection of malt whiskeys. Seems
to be big on food for a small pub. Cigar vendoring machine
is different.
John 9/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Victoria, Walton Street,
Jericho, Oxford
Owner- Banks's
Beers- Banks's Bitter
Telephone-01865-554047
Pub on a main road, entrance is on the
side. Wolvehampton brewery Banks's
have a few pubs in Oxford, this is one of them. Different drinking areas
including a upstairs gallery area and a small pool room at the rear. Lots of
wood panelling and prints on the wall. Manic Mondays have special prices with Banks's bitter at £1.49. At other times its £1.95, not bad
value.
John 7.5/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
ISLE
OF MAN
The
Isle of Man is located in the Irish Sea. Whilst part of the UK, the island has
its own parliament and laws. The island is very scenic and must be one of the
most under-rated tourist attractions in the UK. The south of the island is like
the West Country, the north of the island is like Scotland and the Lake
District. Outside of the main commercial town Douglas, everything is like going
back in time.
The
island is most famous for TT fortnight, where bikers from all over the UK and
the world come to watch and ride on the course.
Beer
Scene
Okells dominated the Isle of Man pub scene;
their monopoly is especially bad in Douglas. They seem to think that there is
only one beer worth selling to the real ale drinking public-Okells
Bitter. While not the most boring beer in the world, it's not the most exciting
either!.
London
Pride is my favourite beer but even I would not like it, if it was the only
real ale to be sold in every London Pub. Everybody likes choice.
Most
pubs on the island are owned by Heron and Brearley, I
am not sure if Heron and Brearley own Okells or Okells own Heron and Brearley. Either way they seen to go hand in hand. There
are two other breweries on the island- Bushys and the
Shore Hotel home brew pub ( see below ).
Isle
of Man Breweries
Okells
Beers-
Mild ( OG 1034 ), Bitter ( OG 1035 ), seasonal beers.
Took
over rival brewery Castletown in 1986, giving it a monoploy on the island. Closed down both breweries and
moved to a purpose-built site at Kewaigue.
Web
site http://www.okells.co.uk/
Bushys
Beers-
Ruby Red( OG 1035 ), Manx Bitter ( OG 1038 ), Piston Brew ( OG 1044 ), Old
Bushy Tail ( OG 1044 )
Started
has a brew pub ( which is now closed ) in 1986. Now brewing at Mount Murray. It
owns three pubs which serves guest beers, as well as their own beers, a
Web
site http://www.bushys.com/
Shore
Hotel
Pub
brewery at the Shore Hotel, Old Laxey.
Beers-
Bosun Bitter ( OG 1038 )
web site www.welcometo/shorehotel
Pubs
below were visited in April 2004. Beer prices were between £1.80 and £1.95 a
pint for real ale. This is not a best pub guide, but reviews of all the pubs we
have visited on the island. We didn't manage to do everywhere in the Isle of
Man. There are some recommendations of pubs in areas we didn't manage to visit
at the end of the page.
CASTLETOWN
Nice
town, with an attractive castle and harbour.
Castle Arms, The Quay, Castletown. IM9 1LD
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter, Spring Ram
Telephone-01624-824673
A pub at the foot of the castle and by the
quay. A front and rear bar plus an upstairs bar and restaurant. Okells Bitter plus Spring Ram. A locals pub and not bad.
Wooden walls with a nautical theme.
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
A pub in a good location with views to the
harbour on one side, and views to the castle on the other. Low ceiling pub
which is done out in a nautical theme, with model ships, sea prints and a ships
wheel. Good atmosphere in this pub. There are a few malt whiskies at the bar,
but they are well hi
John 8/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Siding, Victoria Road, Castletown. IM9 1EF
Owner- Free House
Beers- Bo
Telephone-01624-823282
This free house serves around 8 real ales.
Busy and friendly. Two bars and football screens on the wall. At least you can
get more than Okells here. Live music on Saturday.
The bus stop back to Douglas is nearby.
Stuart 8.5/10 visit April 2004
Must be the best pub for choice of beer on
the island with 7 handpumps on the bar, even if some
are standard beers. Pub busy at the time of visit, must be beer drinkers
escaping Okells Bitter! Pub is next door to Castledown steam rail station. Décor is okay, with various
football scarves around the pub, but who cares when you have a choice of beers?
John 8.5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Union Arms, Arbory Street, Castletown.IM9 1LH
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Mild, Bitter
Telephone-01624-825286
Basic hotel with 3 bars serving.-.guess
what - Okells ! At least there is the mild as well as
the bitter. It's a bit basic and very much a locals' pub. Full of ciggy smoke, stained pine clad walls and a dart board.
Stuart 7/10 visit April 2004
Pub near to Castletown
Square, very much a drinkers' pub. Décor is not basic, with slate walls, wood
panelled walls and red carpet. A pub with not much going for it. Blinds to stop
you looking at the outside world, or is it the other way round?
John 5/10 visit April 2004
________________________________________________________________________-
DOUGLAS
Capital
of the Isle of Man. Victorian front reminds me a little of Eastbourne.
Albert Hotel, 3 Chapel
Row, Douglas.IM1 2BJ
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter, Jough Bitter
Telephone-01624-673632
By the main bus station, note that the
buses are reliable and cheap. A lively two-bar pub selling Okells
bitter and Manx Jough (Okells).
A pool room to the right and a lounge to the left. Wooden floors and walls.
Handy place for waiting for buses. PS. An all day rover ticket (bus and
railway) are a bit expensive, so check you journey options at the bus station
office first.
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
Basic pub by the bus station, you can't
miss it! Pub reminds me of a traditional Northern local with people playing
cards, pool or chatting away. Décor not much to write home around, but does
have a lively atmosphere. Not for those who like their pubs plush.
John 7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Brendan O' Donnell's, 16
Castle Road, Douglas IM1 2EU
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers- No real ales.
Guinness and Irish Malt Whiskey
Telephone-01624-621566
In the main shopping pedestrianised
area. Although a fake Irish pub it was a break from the bland Okells beer! Draught Guinness and Bush Mills Single malt
the best bet. Lively on a Friday night. Sports screens and a great non-smoking
snug.
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
Yes we know it’s a fake Irish pub but we
are in here for two reasons; one, we ran out of pubs to do, and, two we are
getting fed up with finding only Okells Bitter in
every pub in Douglas! Usual décor for a fake Irish pub; wood panelling and
various bric-a-brac to do with Ireland. Staff didn't know if the Guinness comes
from Dublin or London! Mind you with Park Royal Brewery closing in June 2005,
it won't matter soon. Unlike fake Irish pubs in London, this has Irish people
in it!
John 6/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Bridge Inn, North Quay,
Douglas. IM1 4LQ
Owner-Heron & Brearley
Beers- Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-675268
Keep going up riverside after the Sa
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
Harbour side pub, but the windows do not
look out on the harbour! Low beamed pub with black beams and red carpet. Décor
is modern and bland. Pool table on one side of the pub, TV screen on other.
Various old prints, photos and bike riding memorabilia on the wall.
John 6.5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
British Hotel, North
Quay, Douglas.IM1 4LB
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-616663
Corner pub by the sea terminal up along
the riverside. Large peninsular bar and raised seating area to the right.
Wooden walls and shelves, full of porcelain artefacts.
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
Large pub on the North Quay. Pleasant
décor with wood panelled walls, white ceiling and red carpet. Various
bric-a-brac above the bar. Karaoke or live music on a Thursday night.
John 7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Cat with no Tail, Hailwood Court, Hailwood Road,
Douglas.IM2 7EA
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells
Telephone-01624-616364
At the back of Douglas town, to the North
of the TT start/finish line. A large modern pub with plenty of parking. One
large room with a TV and another large room which is a lounge and eating area.
Raised central seating area. Okells on tap. There is
a good selection of food including pizzas but only served from 12.00 to 2.00
and again in the evenings.
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
This is a non tourist pub on the edge of
Douglas, 2 miles from the centre, mainly uphill. Modern pub with two bars, one
with a pool table and sport screen, the other is quieter with a food menu. Old
photos of hunting on the wall, coloured stained glass ceiling. Good name for a
Manx Pub!
John 6/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Cornerhouse, Ridgeway Street, Douglas.IM1 1EW
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers- Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-673144
Lively karaoke pub by the bus station. Single
bar with various levels. Serves Okells bitter. Don't
come here for a quiet evening! Various video screens around the place.
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
Large pub on a road junction. Traditional
pub with different drinking areas. Tonight is Karaoke night with the usual set
of hit or miss singers! The DJ called last orders early for a joke. ( ha ha ). Lively atmosphere, okay pub.
John 6/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Forester Arms, St George
Street, Douglas.IM1 1AJ
Owner-Heron and Brearley
Beers-Okells Mild, Bitter
Telephone-01624-676509
A Good Beer Guide pub. Basic but friendly.
Rolls and crisps are the only food. Okells bitter and
mild on tap. TV screens for the football. Three bar areas and very much a
locals pub but definitely worth a visit.
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
A basic pub which is in the business area.
There was no housing around, but the pub was well packed with locals who were
friendly. Away from the island bar is a lounge area, which is much quieter.
John 7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Old Market Inn, 2 Chapel
Row, Douglas. IM1 2BJ
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers- Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-673632
A basic boozer with a front and back room
which are both small. A small bar is sandwiched between them. Loud rock music
was playing and the bar man was rather vacant! The wood panelling was tatty, so
were some of the customers, who had yet to master the English Language as they
only reached 'F'. Beer was equivalent to club prices on the mainland.
Stuart 6/10 visit April 2004.
Small basic town centre pub, with two bars', there's a divide down the mi
John 5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Prospect Hotel, Prospect
Hill, Douglas.IM1 1ET
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter, Guest beer?
Telephone-01624-616773
Quite a posh pub for the
island. Okells
plus a guest beer. The gents are quite interesting, with fancy work arches over
the wash basins. At the rear is a nice raised seating area. The front and side
bars are large. Food only served from 12.00 to 2.00.
Stuart 8/10 visit April 2004
Plush pub in the business district.
Impressive décor, with some nice touches, including wood carved ceiling and old
prints. Good atmosphere, but not easy to get to the bar through the suits. Pub said
it did a guest beer outside, but there was none on the bar. Despite what I said
about the décor, the pub is getting re-decorated next week! Wonder what they
are going to do with it?
John 8/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Quarter Bridge Hotel,
Quarter Bridge Roundabout, Douglas.IM1 1HB
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-671008
The TT course turns a sharp right here and
heads for Peel. A large corner pub on a roundabout and river. One large smoking
bar and one smaller non-smoking room. A favourite during TT. We asked the
barmaid if the Guinness came from Park Royal or Dublin. She said it came from a
brewery !?! How well she knows her product!
Stuart 8/10 visit April 2004
Pub on Quarter Bridge roundabout, a famous
TT course landmark. The right hand bar is non-smoking, the left hand side is
smoky and full of locals. Standard décor with white ceiling and red carpet. The
pool room area has some interesting TT photos.
John 7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Queens Hotel, Queens
Promenade, Douglas. IM1 4NR
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-674438
Head south from the terminus; along the promenade.
This old hotel overlooks the bay. Food is served lunch time and evenings. Wood
panelling and a nice hotel bar. Old seaside prints adorn the walls.
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
Pub across the road from the promenade.
One bar pub with two different drinking areas. Both are well decorated and have
a pleasant atmosphere. Impressive wood panelled walls and wooden bar. Old
prints on the wall. Evening meals from 18.30.
John 8/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Railway, North Quay,
Bank Circus, Douglas. IM1 5AB
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-673157
Yuppie pub by bridge road. Served the
worst pint in Douglas and the most expensive. Over £2.00 pint for sulphurous
smelling beer ! Hence the popularity of alco-pops
here. Stainless steel bar, wood floors and modern furniture. Must try harder.
Stuart 4/10 visit April 2004
Modern style bar with lots of sofas , very
bright colours and paintings on the wall. Views out to the harbour, if you get
the right seat! Expensive beer for the island ( £2.10 a pint), but not if you
come from London! The beer was easily the worse we had on our trip. Highest
prices, worst beer.
John 3/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Rovers Return, 11 Church
Street, Douglas. IM1 2AG
Owner- Bushys
Beers-Archers Chocolate,
Bushys Ruby Red, Manx Bitter. Budvar
on draught.
Telephone-01624-676459
One of the small brewers, Bushys, three pubs on the Island. Many different rooms to
try including a snug. More upmarket than the Old Market Inn!. This pub gets the
best reviews in the few guides to Manx pubs. Wooden floors, orange walls. Food
available at northern prices.
Stuart 8/10 visit April 2004
One of three Bushys
pubs on the island. Well throughout out pub with lots of different rooms and
alcoves, including one for Blackburn Rovers and one for fire engines. Low
lighting, wooden floorboards and orange walls a
John 8.5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Sa
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers- Okells Mild, Bitter
Telephone-01624-673161
Up the road from the British. A small
exterior which looks a bit rough. Friendly enough inside. Tribute is paid to
Joey Dunlop, the great TT racer, who sadly died in an accident whilst riding
abroad in 2000. He won many TT races and is missed. The bar has two bars
serving Okells and a guest beer.
Stuart 8/10 visit April 2004
Small low beamed pub with lots of wood
around the pub. The pub has a locals' feel to it, if a little basic. Lively atmosphere
at the time of visit. The pub has photos of TT Rider Joey Dunlop.
John 7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Terminus Tavern, Strathallan Cres, Douglas.IM1 4NR
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Mild, Bitter
Telephone-01624-616254
By the electric railway terminus in
Douglas. Seating outside overlooking Douglas bay. Inside quite comfy. Beers
were Okells bitter and mild. Photos of old Douglas
inside. Particularly the Summerlands complex which
had a massive fire in the 1970's in which many people died.
Stuart 8/10 visit April 2004
Pub at the start of the Manx Electric
Railway. Nice views of the harbour from the benches outside. Nice décor inside
this traditional pub with a comfortable atmosphere. Plush seats, red wallpaper,
white ceiling and old photos of Douglas Promenade.
John 8/10 visit April 2004
_______________________________________________________________________
- Waterloo Hotel, 77 Strand Street, Douglas.IM1 2ER
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-670468
On the main pedestrianised
road and busy on a Friday night. Okells bitter. One
bar pub with a pool room at the back. One overworked barmaid! TV screens
showing Gardeners World ?
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
Pub in the main shopping street in
Douglas. Visited on a Friday night, which made for a lively atmosphere. Low
green ceiling, slate floor, loud music and TV screens all around the pub. The
pub is more peaceful during the day
John 6/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
LAXEY
Laxey is at the top of the hill, with a water wheel and
the electric tram station to the top of Snaefell, the
highest point on the island.
Queens Hotel, New Inn, Laxey. IM4 7BP
Owner- Free House
Beers-Bushys Ruby Red, Manx Bitter, Castletown
Bitter, Fullers London Pride, Greene King IPA
Telephone-01624-861196
On the main road from Douglas to Ramsey;
full of motorcycle photos, particularly Joey Dunlop. 5 real ales including London
Pride. Busy on a Sunday afternoon, with British superbikes
on TV. A very atmospheric pub. Met a great biker who wanted a photo of me on
his Kawasaki! The landlord was really friendly as well.
Stuart 9/10 visit April 2004
Excellent bike-friendly pub. Interesting
real photos of the pub in TT forthnight, including
Joey Dunlop, even for people who are not into bikes. Lively atmosphere with
motorbike riding on TV. Good choice of well-kept beers. Why is London Pride
only £1.95 here and not in London? Beer mats and clips above the bar. Friendly
landlord, staff, and locals made for a memorable visit. Favourite pub on the
island during our visit.
John 9.5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
OLD LAXEY
At
the bottom of the hill, with a harbour and beach.
Shore Hotel, Old Laxey Hill, Old Laxey. IM4 7DA
Owner- Free House
Beers-Bosuns Bitter ( home brew )
Telephone-01624-861509
A brew pub, which is rare for the Isle of
Stuart 8.5/10 visit April 2004
Home brew pub close to the harbour in Old Laxey. Only one beer, but it was nice. Pub is done out in a
nautical theme with various things to do with seafaring. Low lighting and cosy
atmosphere make for a good pub. Front door is closed: use the one on the side.
John 8/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
PORT ERIN
Lovely
place with a great beach and cliff views.
Bay Hotel, Shore Road,
Port Erin.IM9 6 HL
Owner- Bushys
Beers- Busheys Manx Bitter, Ruby Red, Old Bushy Tail, Archers
Bouncing Bunnies, Combine. Budvar on draught.
Telephone-01624-832084
Down by the beach at its south end, with a
nice view over the sea. A more basic hotel bar selling 3 real ales. Wooden
floors and yellow walls. Pump clips around the ceiling. Two bars, one with a
dart board.
Stuart 8/10 visit April 2004
A Bushys pub on
the sea front, with a nice Victorian exterior. Inside the décor reminds a
little of a Cornish surfers' pub. Bare floorboards, lots of mirrors and various
beer memorabilia around including beer pump clips on the ceiling. Light and
airy with a summer feel to it. Good pub.
John 9/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Falcons Nest, Station
Road, Port Erin. IM9 6AF
Owner- Free House
Beers-Bushys Manx Bitter, Okells
Bitter. Guest beers Fullers London Pride, Jennings Bitter
Telephone-01624-834077
Web site www.falconsnesthotel.co.uk
Get the no 1 or no 2 bus from
Stuart 9/10 visit April 2004
Excellent pub with a nice traditional
décor, good sea views and a choice of beers. Go into the right side bar as you
enter the pub. A nice cosy relaxed atmosphere, in this well looked-after pub.
Ceiling fans, wood panelled bar, fireplace and mirrors all a
John 9/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
PORT ST MARY
Nice
harbour-the walk from Port Erin to the harbour reminds us of Cornwall.
Bay View Hotel,
Shore Road, Port St Mary. IM9 5AP
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers- Okells Bitter.
Telephone-01624-832234
From the station hotel walk into town and
down towards the harbour. Two-bar hotel serving Okells.
Good views over the harbour. The lounge has a TV and loads of rugby and
football programmes. The public bar is busier.
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
If you are on the lounge side the pub
lives up to its name, with views out to the harbour and bay. No beer pumps on
our side, so you have to ask what they have got, and you can guess what it's
going to be! Good collection of football and rugby programmes around the pub.
John 7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Station Hotel, Station
Road, Port St Mary. IM9 5LF
Owner-Heron & Brearley
Beers- Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-832236
Right beside the railway station in Port
St Mary. Sells the ubiquitous Okells Bitter. The side
bar has a TV screen and pool table. A mixture of styles inside. Port St Mary
makes a good walk from Port Erin. The landscape reminds me of Cornwall.
Stuart 7/10 visit April 2004
Pub which is next to Port St Mary steam
railway station, but just outside the town. Says it's a free house, but the pub
is just selling Okells Bitter. Pub looks like it's
been refurbished recently. Décor is not unpleasant, but a little bland.
John 7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
RAMSEY
A
town with a pier, harbour and beach. Take the Manx electric railway from
Douglas ( 75 minutes one way ) to get here, for the great cliff top views.
Ellan Vannin,
West Quay/ Market Square, Ramsey. IM8 1JU
Owner- Bushys
Beers- Bushys Manx Bitter, Castletown
Bitter, Harts Golden Best. Budvar and a few Belgian
beers in bottles.
Telephone-01624-812131
This Bushys
house serves 3 real ales. It's down by the harbour. Single bar with two
sections. Wooden floor. Its been modernised recently inside, so the character
is a bit missing. Otherwise a decent pub.
Stuart 8/10 visit April 2004
Bushys pub overlooking the harbour. Décor is modern and airy
with a lot of bar stools and tables, also some strange blue wallpaper! Pub has
a bit of a Irish theme but it's not over-done! Good to see a few Belgian
bottled beers. Ellan Vannin
is Manx for the Isle of Man.
John 8/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Mitre Hotel, Parliament
Street, Ramsey.IM8 1AP
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Mild, Bitter, IPA
Telephone-01624-813257
Serves 4 real ales including Okells IPA. Situated right by the harbour near the
Trafalgar. Really friendly service; serves a great Sunday lunch. It has a
panoramic view of the harbour from the long bar windows. TV showing F1 and a
raised non-smoking area. We could not understand why the other Okells pubs did not serve the IPA, which was really good!
Stuart 9/10 visit April 2004
While the entrance is in Parliament Street
the bar backs on to the quay one floor up, so you are rewarded with nice views
of the harbour. Light green décor is different from most pubs. The pub makes
the most of the views by having seating all along the windows. Nice paintings
on the walls. Good to see a pub offering an Okells
beer which is not Okells bitter! The IPA was good so
why is it not sold more often? Friendly bar service.
John 8.5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Swan Hotel, Parliament
Square, Ramsey. IM8 2LN
Owner- Heron & Brealey
Beers-Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-814236
On the TT course at the square, a mile
before the famous Ramsey hairpin. A tight 2nd gear left hander which marks the
start of the mountain course. Bikes park opposite the pub. The pub serves 2 Okells beers - mild and bitter. A public bar with TV screen
and a lounge with a view of the bikes in the square
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
Modern pub in the centre of Ramsay. Low
white ceiling, white wallpaper and red carpet. Windows look out on the TT
course. Lounge was quiet at the time of visit, not much happening here.
John 6/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Trafalgar, West Quay,
Ramsey. IM8 1DW
Owner- Free House
Beers-Cains Mild, Bitter, Crouch Vale Brewers Gold, Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-814601
Get the lovely electric railway from
Douglas to Ramsey and see great views on the way via Laxey.
A free house at West Quay. Serves 4 real ales. Comfy interior green walls and
carpet. A variety of pictures adorn the walls including motorcycling, Ramsey
town and sailing. Busy on a Sunday lunch time. There is a single bar.
Stuart 8.5/10 visit April 2004
Friendly quayside pub. Low ceiling, low
lighting, white ceiling, green walls, and relaxing atmosphere. Interesting
photos with no real theme, including bikes and the Berlin wall! Camra pub of year for 2004.
John 8.5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
SULBY
Village
on the A3. On the TT course.
Sulby Glen Hotel, Main Road, Sulby. IM7 2HR
Owner- Free House
Beers-Archers Best
Bitter, Bushys Manx Bitter, Okells
Bitter. Warsteiner and Ceres Red Erik on draught.
Telephone-01624-897240.
Nice old hotel right by the A3 and parking
is out the back. A pool room and bar to the left and two small lounge bars to
the right. Photos of the TT adorn the walls. Wood panelling in some parts. The
hotel has sponsored some bikes in previous years. Bushy Manx bitter and Okells on tap. This was Camra pub
of the year in 1999 and 2000. There is a bistro serving reasonably priced food.
Stuart 8/10 visit April 2004
Awarding-winning roadside pub on the TT
course. Collection of TT photos and paintings everywhere around the pub. Wood
panelled walls, pool table and various bric-a-brac are some of the features of
this pub. Good choice of real lagers and malt whiskies. I had a very rare malt
from Islay which I have not seen before ( or tasted!
).
John 8.5/10 visit April 2004
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Recommended pubs we did
not visit;
Crosby Hotel, Peel Road,
Crosby. ( on A1 ) IM4 2DQ
White Horse, Tynwald Road, Peel. IM5 1JP
Waterfall Hotel, Glen
Maye.IM5 3AZ
Railway Inn, Main Road,
Union Mills. ( on A1 ) IM4 4NE
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READING
A
commuter town to the West of London in the Thames Valley. If you get the right
train it's only 30 minutes from Pa
3 B's
Bar,
Owner- Free House
Beers-Marstons Pedigree, Vale Ha
Telephone-0118-9399803
A bar/café in the old town hall which does
manage to combined both. Comfortable sofas, wooden tables and chairs, low
lighting and background music all make for a comfortable atmosphere. Outside
drinking area well used in October. Good to see 3 of the 4 ales are from local
micro Vale. Forthcoming ales are on a blackboard on the bar. Good place.
John8.5/10 visit Oct 2005
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Allied Arms, 57 St
Mary's Butt, Reading, Berks. RG1 2LG
Owner- Free House
Beers- Fullers
Telephone- 0118-9590865
Web site www.allied-arms.co.uk
Two bar pub in the centre of town, with
one bar smoking and the other non-smoking. Small low beamed pub with a nice
atmosphere. Flowerpots out the front of the pub, as well as a beer patio out
the back. Good to see a traditional town centre pub in a town full of chain
pubs. Good pub.
John 8.5/10 visit Sept 2005
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Back of Beyond, 104-108
Kings Road, Reading, Berks. RG1 3BY
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers-Marston Pedigree, Burton Bitter, Greene King Abbot Ale,
Courage Directors. Guest beers Wychwood Dog Bollocks,
Oakham Bishop Festival, Phoenix Arizona, Tornado.
International bottled beers.
Telephone-0118-9595906
A Wetherspoons
with a difference it's non-smoking-or is it? The pub has a beer patio which
overlooks the Kennet Avon canal, which isn’t non-smoking. The pub is crowded,
but many people are going out for a smoke? When I visited there were a lot of
people waiting to be served at the bar, whilst the bar staff did a good job
there were not enough off them.
John 7.5/10 visit Oct 2005
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Brewery Tap, 27 Castle
Street, Reading, Berks. RG1 7SB
Owner- Free House
Beers- Fullers London
Pride, Greene King IPA. Hoegaarden and Leffe Blonde on draught. Budvar
in bottles
Telephone-0118-9576280
Large pub with modern pub with white walls,
floorboards and wooden chairs and tables.. A well thought out pub with
different drinking areas including a games room and a gallery lounge. London
Irish rugby shirts on display. Nice pub, shame about the beer, which was the
worst on my travels!
John 6/10 visit Oct 2005
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Butler,89-91 Chatham
Street, Reading, Berks. RG1 7DS
Owner- Fullers
Beers- Fullers Harvest
Pale Ale, London Pride, ESB
Telephone-0118-9391635
Around 30 years ago this was one of the
few Fullers pubs outside London. Now Fullers have pubs all over Berkshire.
Unchanged over the years, this cosy pub is just outside the town centre ring
road. Good locals feel to the pub, with lots of wood panelling and old photos on
the walls. Good pint.
John 9/10 visit Oct 2005
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Corn Exchange, Forbury Road, Reading, Berks RG1 1SB
Owner- Fullers
Beers- Fullers
Discovery, Harvest Pale Ale, London Pride, ESB
Telephone-0118-9512340
Fullers pub close to the railway station.
Last time I was here both floors were for drinking, now there is a Italian
restaurant upstairs. Modern décor with a few sofas to relax on. Good pint and
good bar service, even if there is less drinking space.
John8.5/10 visit Oct 2005
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Eldon Arms, 19 Eldon
Terrace, Reading, Berks. RG1 4DX
Owner-Wadworths
Beers- Pint size Mild, Wadworth Henry's IPA, 6X
Telephone- 0118-9573857
The original back-street local! A lot of
people are here for a Monday lunch time who only seem to be here for the food
and beer!. Low beamed pub with two bars, but there's not too much difference
between them apart from the carpet. Small beer patio around the back. Long
serving landlord and landlady offering good service and beer in this Wadworth tied house. Only a independent family brewer would
run a pub like this, a national pub chain would ruin this pub if they ran it.
Traditional opening hours.
John 9.5/10 visit Sept 2005
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Fisherman's Cottage, 224
Kennetside, Reading, Berks. RG1 3DW
Owner- Fullers
Beers- Fullers
Discovery, London Pride, ESB. Budvar in bottles
Telephone-0118- 9571553
Good canalside
pub beside a lock on the Kennet Avon canal, with an outside drinking area. The
pub has conservatory style décor with marble tables. The ice cream freezer and
kids menu, means the pub is very much aimed at children. The pub is about a 15
minute walk from the town centre.
John 8/10 visit Sept 2005
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Hobgoblin, 2 Broad
Street, Reading, Berks. RG1 2BH
Owner- Wychwood
Beers- Grand Union Honey
Porter, Burton Bridge Mild, West Berkshire Full Circle, Dr Hexter's
we
Telephone-0118-9508119
A small Hobgoblin town centre pub with a
lot of character. Claims to have served over 4,000 real ales; judging by the
amount of handpump beer clips all over the place
including the ceiling, I think they might be right! Good choice of micros beer
on draught. Student-type atmosphere including some interesting graffiti!
John 8.5/10 visit Sept 2005
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Hop Leaf, 163
Southampton Street, Reading, Berks. RG1 2QZ
Owner- Hop Back
Beers Hop Back Summer
Lightning, Entire Stout, Crop Circle, Best Bitter, GFB, Guest beers Everards Sunchaser, Tiger Ale. Erdinger German wheat beer on draught.
Telephone-0118-9314700
This pub is a fair walk from the town
centre- about 15 minutes. On a one way road coming into town. Small cosy low
beamed pub with a good atmosphere. Bar billiards table on the side and a conservatory
area at the back. A Hop Back brewery pub which not only serves a good pint, but
has a better choice of beers than their London pub. Locals around the bar
remind me of a Cornish pub. Reasonable prices as away from the centre. Opens
from 16.00 hours Monday to Thursdays.
John 9/10 visit Oct 2005
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Outlook (Hogshead),
76-78 Kings Road, Reading, Berks. RG1 3BJ
Owner- Free House
Beers- Greene King IPA,
Al Fresco, Wadworth 6X.
Telephone-0118-9586549
Modern pub on two floors with views of the
Kennet Avon canal. Bare brick walls, wooden floorboards, beams and low
lighting. A little empty at the time of visit but a pleasant sort of place.
John 7/10 visit Sept 2005
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Hope Tap, 99-101 Friars
Street, Reading, Berks. RG1 1EP
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers-Greene
King Abbot, Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted, Lo
Telephone-0118-9582266
One of three Wetherspoons
pubs in Reading town centre. Standard Wetherspoons
things including reasonably priced food and drink. Large open plan pub. Pub had
a interesting range of international bottled beers.
John visit 7.5/10 visit Sept 2005
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Monk's Retreat, 163
Friars Street, Reading, Berks. RG1 1HE
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers-Archers George,
Golden, Lo
Telephone-01189507592
Usual Wetherspoons
décor, but with a bell ringing monk hanging from the ceiling! Paintings on the
wall have a musician theme. Visited this pub at 10.50 AM on a Monday, thinking
it was open for coffee and expecting a few people to be in it. Instead we find
a pub full of people all drinking beer! What this says about the people of
Reading, I don't know!
John 8/10 visit Sept 2005
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Retreat, 8 St Johns
Street, Reading, Berks. RG1 4EH
Owner- Free House
Beers-Four Mark,
Hereford Pale Ale, Ringwood 49er Ballard Best Bitter, Lo
Telephone-0118-9571593
Web site www.retreatpub.co.uk
A quiet back-street local about 50 yards
away from a busy ring road- so an aptly named pub. A good choice of real ales from
micro breweries, as well as some Belgian bottled beers. Small pub but it does
manage to fit in a dartboard and a pool table. As well as a pinball machine,
which you don't often see. Opens late afternoon weekdays.
John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2005
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Sweeney and To
Owner- Free House
Beers-Adnams Bitter, Wadworth 6X,plus
guest beer
Telephone- 0118-9586466
Is it a pie
shop or a pub? The front of this place looks like a pie shop, but carry on up
the steps and you will find the pub part. The beer is good and is real ale, but
not as good as the home made pies which are excellent and well worth a try. The
pub décor is mock Tudor. An unique place.
John 8.5/10
visit Oct 2005
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Birmingham is the second biggest city in the UK. The Birmingham
beer scene is a lot better than the days when it was dominated by two
breweries: Ansells and Mitchell’s and Butlers. Most
of pub are within the city centre and there are a few gems. Pubs visited May
and July 2007..
Bull, 1 Price Street, Birmingham, B4 6JU
Owner – Free House
Beers- Adnams Broadside, Oakham JHB
Telephone-0121- 333-6757
At the time of my visit, half off the pub was being redecorated, but you can see a pub of great character here. Nice intimate feel to the pub with friendly landlady and locals. Décor includes Ansells etched glass windows, water jugs hanging from the bar, cup and plates on the wall and photos of old Irish authors. Outside sign explains the history of pubs in the gun quarter. Yards away from a busy road, but in a world of it’s own. Nice pub.
John 8/10 visit July 2007
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Corner House, 29a Newhill Street,
Birmingham. B3 3PU
Owner- Greene King
Beers-‘Green King IPA, Abbot, Al Fresco, Moreland Old
Speckled Hen, Enville White
Telephone-0121-200-2423
Greene King pub that looks like it might have been a bank once. The outside makes the pub stand out. Rooms off to the side make it a kind of multi-room pub. Bare floorboards, bar stools and lots of space. Not too busy with weekend drinkers at the moment. Guest beer alongside the Greene King range.
John 7/10 visit May 2007
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Old Fox, 54 Hurst Street, Birmingham. B5 4TD
Owner – Free House
Beers-Everards Tiger, Moreland Old
Speckled Hen, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Theakson Old Peculiar
Telephone- 0121-622-5080
Pub in the theatre area. Lots of theatre posters up along the walls. Wooden floorboards, white ceiling and etched glass windows make up the décor. Average pub with good beer, the barman pours lots of beer through the lines before serving a new barrel; always a good sign. Calls itself the Old Fox Theatre Bar, which sums up the audience they are aiming for.
John 7/10 visit May 2007
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Old Joint Stock, 4 Temple Row, Birmingham, B2 5NY.
Owner- Fullers
Beers-Fullers Discovery, Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB.
Guest beer Thwaites Bomber
Telephone-0121- 100-1892
John 9/10 visit May 2007
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.
Old Royal, 53 Church Street, Birmingham. B3 2DP
Owner – Free House
Beers- Fullers London Pride, Marstons
Pedigree, Timothy Taylor Landlord
Telephone –0121-200-3841
City centre pub with an impressive gothic exterior; inside it tries to be church-like. The sport screens are split between the cricket and horse racing. Nice white ceiling and walls plus wood carvings. Three good beers from known regional breweries are on, but no local beers. Good bar service from Pat, who has a more mature clientele. The food menu is until 2100 hours and no meal is over £6.25, not bad for a city centre pub. Enjoyable visit.
John 8/10 visit July 2007
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Prince of Wales, 84 Cambridge Street, Birmingham.B1 2NP
Owner- Free House
Beers- Adnams Broadside, Grene King Abbot, Wells Bombardier, Deuchars
IPA, Brains Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Ansells Mild,
Bitter
Telephone-0121-643-9460
A pub behind the National
Indoor Arena, plus some block of flats. Walking to it you wonder if you are
going to find a pub, but you do! And what a nice pub. Looks like it has been
recently built. Inside has an olde world look, with
lots of wood. Various drinking quotes are on the walls. Big choice of real ales
but mainly from well-known breweries.
John 7.5/10 visit July 2007
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Sack of Potatoes, 10 Costa Green, Birmingham. B4 7ER
Owner- Free House
Beers-Deuchars IPA, Black Sheep
Bitter
Telephone-0121-503-5811
Unusual pub on the campus of Aston University which is not easy to find. Look at the campus map. At the time of my visit it is out of term, so the pub is quiet. Not like a student bar, but this multi-room pub is a little like a Wetherspoons. Live Rugby League on the TV at the time of my visit. Reasonably priced food and beer. Deuchars IPA was £2.25. Drinking allowed on the outside green.
John 7/10 visit July 2007
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Shakespeare, 31 Summer Row, Birmingham. B3 1JJ
Owner- Free House
Beers- Deuchars IPA, Timothy
Taylor Landlord, M&B Brew XI
Telephone-0121-214-5081
Small pub close to a road junction. High white ceiling, wood panelling, red leather seating around the sides plus an interesting old Bass beer mirror shows this pub has been refurbished recently. Beer garden is around the back and there is outside seating at the front. Beer range average, I am not sure who brews the Brew XI now, I thought it was no longer brewed. Not as cosy as the Bull, but a nice pub.
John 7/10 visit July 2007
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Square Peg, Temple Court, 115 Corporation Street,
Birmingham. B4 6PH
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Marstons pedgree, Burton Bitter, Greene King Abbott, Springhead
Bitter, Enville Ale, Handy Golden Honey. Various
overseas bottled beers
Telephone-0121-236-6530
Standard Wetherspoon’s
pub in the city centre. Busy at the time of visit but with only 3 bar staff on.
Not surprising it took a while to get served! Usual Wetherspons
pub with the usual Wetherspoons decor. While not unfriendly, there seems to be
something lacking here.
John 6/10 visit May 2007
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Tap and Spile, Regency Wharf, Gas
Street, B1 2JT
Owner-Free House
Beers- Adnams Broadside, Greene
King IPA
Telephone-0121-632-5602
Pub which is by the canal side in the Gas Street regeneration area. There is something about water, even a canal, which makes people want to build things by them! so you can look out to the water. The pub is on two levels with views out to the canal on both levels. Nice walk along the towpath, but how many people fall in late at night?
John 6/10 visit July 2007
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Wellington, 37 Bennetts Hill,
Birmingham. B2 5SN
Owner- Free house
Beers-Ever changing range of 15 real ales. Bitburger on draught plus overseas bottled beers
Telephone- 021-200-3115
Web site www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk
The sign outside the pub
says real ale pub; maybe it should say Birmingham’s premier real ale pub. A choice
of 15 beers on handpump mainly from local micros, so
if you are feeling adventurous in your drinking this is the place to go! There is a screen and not a blackboard with
the beers and wether they are dark or light. Also as
a number for a handpump if you can’t say the name to
the bar staff! Décor is neat and tidy. Tables full of men with their pint of
real ale reading their newspapers. No food but you are welcome to bring your
own food in. Open until midnight.
John 10/10 visit May 2007
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Woodman, 106 Albert Street, Birmingham. B5 5LG
Owner- Free House
Beers- everards tiger, Moorhouse Black Cat
Mild, plus guest beer
Telephone-0121-643-1959
Multi bar Victorian pub not far from the city centre, but a little isolated on a fake green. Décor including white tiled room, red ceiling and wooden carved bar. Whilst a nice pub, it looks like it needs some TLC and looks a little run-down. Live music at the weekend. Black Cat Mild was £2.50.
John 6/10 visit May 2006
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DIGBETH
Digbeth is within easy walking distance from the city centre. Worth seeing both traditional Victorian pubs.
Anchor, 308 Bradford Street, Digbeth.
B5 6ET
Owner- Free House
Beers- Various micro beers on handpump.
Plus Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone-0121-622-4516
Like the White Swan down the
road, this is a Victorian multi-room pub. Unlike the White Swan, the Anchor is
a free house with an interesting range of micro beers. Good to see this pub
still unspoilt so close to the city centre. Not so traditional is the pool
table and sport screens, but it is only in certain rooms and does not ruin the
pub. Happy hour is 1530 to 2100 hours Monday to Wednesdays. The pub also holds
beer festivals.
John 9/10 visit May 2007
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White Swan, 276 Bradford Street, Digbeth.
B12 0QT
Owner- Marstons
Beers-Jennings Cumberland Ale, Cocker Hoop. Banks’s Mild, Bitter
Telephone –0121-622-2586
Traditional pub with etched glass windows, wooden carved bar and white tiled ceiling. Wonderful multi-room pub with original Victorian fittings. The pub has sport screens but none of the regulars seem to be watching. A Banks’s pub with beers from Jennings, who they took over recently. Banks’s in turn are now known as Marstons. Confusing!
John 8/10 visit May 2007
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HIGHGATE
Lamp, 257 Barford Street,
Highgate, B5 6AN
Owner- free House
Beers-Bank Top Trotters Triple, Everards
Tiger, Church End Gravediggers, Stanway Stanney, Uley Bitter, plus Bitburger on draught
Telephone- 0121-622-2599
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NEWTON
Barton Arms, 144 High Street, Newton, B6 4UP
Owner- Oakham
Beers- Oakham JHB, White Dwarf,
Bishops Farewell. Guest beers Greenjack Summer Dream,
Titanic Lifeboat, Dark Star Mild. Beer menu of mainly Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone-0121-333-5988
Web site www.barton-arms.co.uk
This is the only pub in this
guide which is a long way from the city centre. It is worth the trip to see
this wonderful Victorian gin palace with its original fittings including etched
glass windows, white tiles and ceiling, wood carved door and bar. As befits an
excellent pub it has an great range of beers including some Belgian bottled
beers. There are 7 real ales on, with prices ranging from £2.00 to £2.30. The
food is Thai. Pub is at busy road
junction and stands out from the modern housing. Well done to the Oakham Brewery for doing a good job on the pub.
John 9/10 visit July 2007
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AYLESBURY
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire. It is under an
hour to get here by Train from Marylebone station. There are a few worthwhile
pubs to make this a god pub crawl, but it needs a few more. Visited April 2007.
Aristocrat, 1 Wendover Road,
Aylesbury. HP21 7SZ
Owner- Fullers
Beers- London Pride
Telephone –01296- 415366
A Fullers pub just outside the town centre, on a busy road junction. A pub of two halves. One half is for live music, with a dance floor and no chairs, the other half is smaller with low beams and comfy if worn-out sofa. Pride is the only real ale, but in good nick.
John 6/10 visit April 2007
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Bricklayers Arms, 19 Walton terrace, Aylesbury. HP21 7QY
Owner- Free House
Beers- Adnams Bitter, Fullers
London pride, Wadworth 6X
Telephone-01296- 482930
Hobgoblin, 14 Kingsbury Square, Aylesbury. HP20 2HT
Owner- Wychwood
Beers-Arkells 3B, Everards Tiger, Sharp’s Doombar
Telephone-01296-415100
Town centre pub. While
traditional on the outside, inside it has two pool tables and a large sport
screen. The lighting is low even in the daylight. The pub has a few alcoves..
Two real ales are in barrels on the bar. While I like this, today is a warm day
and there are no temperature jackets on the barrels. Whilst not warm, the beer
should have been colder and better.
John 6/10 visit April 2007
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Hop Pole, 83 Bicester Road,
Aylesbury. HP19 9AZ
Owner- Vale
Beers-10 real ales on handpumps (
5 from Vale and the rest from micros ). Leffe Blonde and Budvar on
draught plus overseas bottled beers
Telephone-01296-482129
This Vale Brewery pub is a
walk outside the town centre, but a must if you like good beer. The pub claims
to be Aylesbury’s permanent beer festival; a claim it lives to up. The décor is
modern with hops and beer clips around the bar. All of the 10 beers on the handpumps I have never tryed
before. Usually I have had one or two beers, which shows how adventurous the
beer range is; also there are no mainstream lagers. Small outside drinking area
at the front of the pub. A great pub to drink great beer in. Well done to Vale
Brewery.
John 10/10 visit April 2007
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Kings Head, Kings Head Passage, Market Square,
Aylesbury.HP20 2QA
Owner- Chiltern
Beers- Chiltern Ale, Beechwood,
300. Freedom lager and Irish porter and Oyster Stout.
Telephone-01296-718812
Old National Trust building, with the beer lease given to
the Chiltern Brewery. A nice walk into the cobbled courtyard. While the pub has
low beams and white walls, the décor is modern with wooden floorboards and
sofas. It creates a cosy atmosphere. The whole pub was non-smoking before the
smoking ban on
John 9/10 visit April 2007
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Owner – Free House
Beers-Greene King IPA, Hobgoblin Dark Ale, Moreland Old
Speckled Hen, Shepherd Neame Spitfire.
Telephone –01296-415484
Town centre pub with low beams and different drinking areas, including a non-smoking area and one area to watch Sky Sports. Strange colouring with white beams and red walls! While not cosy the pub does have a locals’ feel to it.
John 6/10 visit April 2007
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