Ball and Wicket, Heath Endback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Hadn't been in for ages and I am generally suspicious of "brewpubs" since tiny volumes often compromise quality. However I have to say I was really impressed with the ale. Mike Hawthorn @5.5 is a bit strong for summer but the William Cobbet @4.5 was superb and the Bishop Sumner at 3.8 was also excellent and didn't suffer for coming after x pints of 4.5!
really hope the on-going refurb works for this pub. Hale could do with a real quality pub - not occassional flashes in the pan.
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The recent reviews all mention a fantastic improvement in beer quality, and I'm pleased to confirm it. Apparently Gary (the landlord) has taken over the brewing himself, and he's doing a fine job. I think one or two of the recipes are still in development, but in our last few visits everything has been extremely drinkable. For at least one visit the William Cobbett was a dark ale, somewhere between a dark mild and porter in character and of a similar strength, but more recently it was a light, hoppy session beer. Both were great. The Bishop Sumner and Mike Hawthorn are similar to the original recipes, but no longer have the strange toasty/smokey flavour that the previous brewer seemed to think was necessary.
Speaking of the previous brewer, I never saw him drink his own product - lager was his tipple. Then again, I've only ever seen Gary drink lager, but if his brewing continues as it is then I can't criticise him for that.
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This is a lovely pub, very friendly atmosphere & very welcoming. Bar staff all lovely. Home brewed beers are now better than ever, my favourite is the William Cobbett which now there is a new brewer in house is always excellent, as are all beers.
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Having recently moved into the area I was concerned that my local pub wouldn't live up to my high expectation of what my local should be. The Ball and Wicket has more than met up to my needs. 3 fine beers brewed on the premises. The Hawthorn is a fantastic beer (but I don't start on it too early as I won't last the night.) The Bishop and Cobbett are also very good. Gary,Jan and the friendly staff, welcome ALL. Here's to more great nights up the road for me and the missus.
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The Pub did suffer with consistency when the last Brewer was brewing and he was sacked but for the last two months a new Brewer has been in place and won Best Ale at a local beer festival recently, so I would suggest that people give it a try and then applaud the owners for returning brewing back to pubs, not the national, mass produced, ubiquetous beer found elsewhere. Very disappointed with the comments made by "hotlegs" who then praises highly the Ball & Wicket's nearest rival, almost as if they had a vested interest, hmmmmmm.
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A small pub with a great atmosphere, hence the reason that local people still go there. The beer is brewed on the premises, but it's awful and best avoided. No guest ales, but if there were, they would fly in this pub. Since the brewery started the pub is almost empty on most week nights. Before the brewery started, I'd have given this pub a rating of 10, what whats a pub where you can't drink the ale.
anonymous - 22 Jun 2007 08:24 |
Small locals pub, hard to get to the bar. Beer OK (not their own brew); location is the real plus point.
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Have to agree with littlecon - this is our local and we used to be a regular visitors, but since the brewery started again the beer quality has been very disappointing with no alternatives on offer. We have another go every few weeks in the hope that things will improve, but no luck so far.
Apart from the current issues with the beer, it's a great pub with a great atmosphere. The landlord has plans for a pub-grub type restaurant in the building next door, so the pub shouldn't change.
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its now brewing again, but the beers undrinkable AVOID
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Popped in for a few pints on Friday night, first time in the place, staff were friendly and found the place welcoming. The setting is really nice, opposite the green, but would be better with a nice big beer garden overlooking the green. Would recommend this one.
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This is a nice cosy little number, it's alright trust me on this one.
yorts - 17 Feb 2006 14:52 |
3 ales on, I believe this use to be a brew pub but no more, beer was good
anonymous - 7 Aug 2005 23:09 |
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