please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
First class pub. Fantastic range of ever changing ale, always well kept. Traditional feel with wooden floors, chunky wooden tables, no music/fruits/TVs. Lovely beer garden out the back. It attracts a large group of regulars and provides a great starting point for anyone going into town. Only downside is that it can get VERY busy, especially on a weekend evening.
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A real premier league ale pub which lucky Ipswich residents have two. This and The Dove within walking distance although its probably about 10 - 15 minutes walk.
A great selection of ale on offer must have been about 14 mid week. Covering local and national micro breweries. The beers on offer cover all the beer styles light/traditional/dark. On the blackboard above the bar it has the beer style indicated next to the beers. A mild and stout were available on my visit which were both in very good condition.
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This pub is a winner for real ale. Always brews from the Fat Cat brewery in Norwich along with a good mind bogling selection from other brewers around the country.
The scotch eggs are large and the other bar food tasty. A winner.
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Good pub, used to meet up here every Friday after work and stay till closing. Excellent giant scotch eggs! haha
Recommended if you want an out of town beer, it's worth the trek!
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Just about the perfect pub. Character, charm, welcoming, great great beer, decent prices, brilliant staff. What better way to spend a few hours in the wonderful atmosphere that is offered here. Brilliant & totally recommended.
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Ok, I’m moving to Ipswich & buying a house somewhere between the Fat Cat & the Dove. Only Adnams on single handpump BUT, an eclectic selection (yesterday) of 13 on stills in the ‘tap-room’, all for less than £2.50. Plain bar, wood floor, bar stools, tables & seating area to the left, conservatory with bleached wood tables to the rear, garden beyond. Friendly barman, apologies for being a twat & moaning drunkenly about my missing scribblings – yes, they were in my pocket! Notice suggests they will supply you with a plate if you want to eat a takeaway (not fri/sat). Belgian selection & Thatchers bottled Perry, but here’s the important stuff – FatCat TopCat & HoneyCat, Wolf – Straw Dogs & In Sheeps Clothing, Crouch Vale Essex Nights & Brewers Gold, Oakham Inferno, RCH Hewish IPA, Woodforde Wherry, and that’s where my decipherable notes for the day end. This was my first FatCat, verdict – marvellous.
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Agree with Pads... a fantastic pub that's only draw back is its popularity. It has got busier and busier over the last 10 years meaning you have to get there earlier and earlier (in the week and the evening). Brilliant choice of ales of offer as well more unusual lagers and bottled beers.
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Yep! Ipswich’s best pub…14 Ales on tap, 4 outstanding international lagers and a variety of tasty treats in bottle form. No Stella or Carling allowed in the door here!!
Managed to sample all the ales between us, several tables enjoyed their pints whilst tucking into ordered takeaways encouraging a truly grand atmosphere.! Also we were graced by the presence of the pub’s fat cat who seemed to approve of the increasing chaos as beers were followed by more beer.
Bit of a trek to get to on foot from the town centre but what an amazing local this would be?! A cracking night oot…enjoy!
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Wow what a find, catch a train! Well worth the short stroll from the station leaving your car behind in the garage….to sample some fine ales. We tried the ‘best’ and the ‘gold’ and both were fresh, extremely tasty and good value! The stronger ‘Gunners Daughter’ (5%+) was a little scary but made an appearance later in the evening in one of our parties sausages. The wine list was mainly Adnams wines, always a good sign, with many served by the glass…!
For a bite to eat, sample the fine rustic food which was predominantly seasonal and reasonably priced, little choice for vegetarians but carnivores and fish eaters will do well scoffing here. The seating is in all wood and the natural light is excellent; plenty of room at the bar and the service was pleasant enough being busy for a Wednesday evening. New owners for the last year and they are keeping the flag flying for BrewPubs, go for gold…..and of course Beer is Best..!
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A great pub,always packed,always worth it.
Almost unique feature is that staff not only allow, but encourage almost you eat food from nearby Chinese at your table if you wish.
Very good little hostelry.
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Please stop recommending this pub. Its my local and its already too busy most evenings... especially Thursday. (when I say local, I have to walk past 6 pubs to get there, but its only about 1/2 a mile or so. I should get first dibs on getting to the bar, and preferably a seat.|)
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At least 16 different ales on gravity - great! Nice winter garden in the back. It is always a pleasure visiting The Fat Cat pubs
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Im out my depth with the reviews already added. this is a proper conneiseurs drinking hole. loads of ales on tap which my taste buds find hard to accept but Ive nver had a bad night in this place. if you like your obscure ales and foreign imported lager this is your place. try the Duvall its 8% proof. the first is like drinking 2 stroke oil but the seconds lot of fun!!! Nice pub in the summer in their garden. like everyone you wonder how the neighbours put up with it but if you were a neighbour you'd be in their.
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Nice but not as good as its sister pub in Norwich (but then that is exceptional). Beers in top condition, this would make a lovely local if you lived here but as I live in Chelmsford I found the Dove more convenient.
anonymous - 9 Oct 2006 12:29 |
An island bar serves a multitude of alcoves with up to 16 real ales drawn mostly straight from the cask in fine condition. With its conservatory,excellent outdoor area,good beer and although a little out of the town centre this is a must visit.
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this is a gem and a half! what a great pub all that you could ever want in a real ale establishment. the food is all made on the premises, and the huge scotch eggs are served with a mango chutney made by a customer, what more could you want. as for the 15-17 beers that are on tap (and most come straight from the barrel)they are served with a smile and a little conservation from the 'very well informed about beer 'staff. can get busy week-ends but always enough room to get to the bar.locals friendly and full of local knowlege. i will keep going and intend to ask all my friends to come along
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Great pub. Friendly staff and locals. Up to 17 real ales on tap, mostly straight from the barrel. Try the scotch eggs. Highly recommended.
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Fantastic pub. Good atmosphere, good conversation, good service and superb beer! Gets incredibly busy at weekends - so get there early.
. - 2 Oct 2004 08:56 |
Open all day unlike other pubs in area
Brian Stickland - 7 Apr 2004 12:37 |
A Fantastic Real Ale Pub. Always something new available and the Tap Room is great to see.
Mark - 5 Dec 2003 13:02 |
Great pub away from town centre. Usually has 18 to 20 beers available - no loud music - no fruit machines - good if you like to talk to people.
TO find FAT CAT - DAYTIME catch either a 2, 2A, 3 or 3A bus from town centre or in EVE from town centre or railway station catch a Route 66 to Golden Key then walk past Golden Key into Caldwellhall Road for 200m then turn right at traffic lights - pub is 40m on the left.
Nigel Smith - 12 Sep 2003 18:00 |
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