please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Always a great pub to spend a bit of time in. Basic decor but superb beers and a great place for conversation. Usefully, they sell take out containers so you can enjoy more Hop Back beer in the warmth and comfort of a South West Train.
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It feels like you're sitting in someone's living room, but that only adds to the enjoyment when the beer's this good. Great crisps too!
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Hop Back owned pub offering 5 on Sat, Summer Lightning, GFB, Crop Circle, Spring Zing, and Downton Forest King. Small front room beyond which is a narrow area with bar on left opening back out to seating area at far end with tv, prepping up for the afternoon rugby, below which is sited the somewhat inaccessible dartboard, my scribblings say there was another room to the right opposite the bar. Friendly enough welcome, the locals here were clustered at the bar itself and, with that choice, why not? Not a hugely characterful building, but good beer & folk.
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A typical Hop Back pub, so it instantly acquires a high rating. A near full range, a seasonal plus a couple of guests, all in excellent condition. Local clientelle who just sit there and let you get on with the business of drinking. Highly recommended!
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Perfect pub and superb beer. Would be even better if they had Entire Stout on draught(they have all the other Hopback beers, so why not this one?)
anonymous - 28 Oct 2007 16:33 |
Good ale house serving the full range of Hop Back beers, in clean comfortable surroundings. It feels like you are drinking in somebody's living room and in fact the journey upstairs to the gents had me wondering if I had inadvertently somehow wandered into an adjoining house. Football on the tv yesterday but it was not overpowering. Definitely worthy of a return visit.
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Hard to fault this pub since I am a fan of Hop Back beers - especially Summer Lightning. But my wife didn't find it hugely welcoming. And it was smokey, even in the non-smoking room at the front. After an (unusually) average Summer Lightning I tried the Dragon's Breath (contains chilli) which was superb.
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I've lived all round the country and I can honestly say this is the best pub I've been in. There is always a good selection of beer on tap which is perfectly kept by the landlord.
There ai an eclectic mix of customers including the brewery's MD, head brewer and sales manager. Great place to wind down and wind people up (nicely though!)
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The Holy Grail for Hop Back lovers. The entire range is served in tip top condition in this lively bustling Pub
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I really liked this pub, and I like Hop Back beers anyway so I was spoilt for choice with a range of five or six to choose from - needless to say it was served in peak condition. The building is probably just over 100 years old, it was clearly built as a house and has been converted with many of the interior walls remaining. This creates lots of cosy corners, although I would imagine it feels a bit cramped and difficult to move around when busy - not many spaces for people to stand without getting in everyone else's way when all the seats are taken.
I'm reliably informed that Phil Harding was present during my visit, as suggested below!
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I was put off this place - My wife & I were standing at the bar being served and 3 women just walked in and stood in front of us - no 'excuse me' or anything - and started chatting to the man next to us. Despite what other people have said, I didn't think the place was particularly friendly - and I don't much care for Hop Back beers either. These pale straw coloured beers which they seem to specialise in always seem to to me to be a bit lacking in character.
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Spent a weekend in Salisbury this summer and most of that weekend was spent in this pub.Friendly staff and customers with the added bonus of having the full Hopback range on tap.Summer Lightning must be one of the finest beers ever brewed.
Will return to Salisbury again as apparently there is a cathedral there as well!!
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A first-rate Victorian traditional street-corner local. Larger inside than it looks from the outside. The interior is clean and comfortable. It is the main outlet for the Hop Back brewery. The beer is always in good condition and the pub is a regular in the Good Beer Guide. There are a handful of very good pubs in Salisbury but this is perhaps the best.
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Superb pub. Very friendly atmosphere, you can tell it's a good pub by how popular it is on Friday night! Plus the beer is stunning, I'm a big fan of the Hopback brewery, and it's all here. I believe that it is Phil Harding's (of Time Team fame) local!
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Nice staff very friendly and fab ale (according to my dad and husband!). Lovely old fashioned "proper pub".
Alexandra - 22 Jul 2004 13:20 |
Fine ales, good service working in a crowded environment. It was totally worth the walk across town & the stumble back. (I was never impressed by Hopback's products, but at the Wyndham, since they have move more product, the brewery's ales shone. Of course, now I'm spoilt, and won't want to drink them anywhere else.)
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They do a fantastic beer festival twice a year. They have sell barrells, quad and other measures of top tipplies like Summer Lightning. A great quiz on Tuesdays. Top pub
George - 18 Mar 2004 19:32 |
Excellent beer, a great crowd
Eric - 14 Jul 2003 14:55 |
Hop Back beers rule. Try the GFB first then the Summer Lightning. 2 of Britains best.
Simonf - 11 Jun 2003 17:25 |
THE BEST beer in the South - Summer Lightning, brewed at it's own brewery (now in Downton but years ago onsite in the pub!) The Hopback Brewery. All this from a non-ale drinker, it's got to be good!! If you give 24hrs notice you can buy barrels to take away.
Caroline - 15 Apr 2003 13:59 |
