please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Good Beer Guide Entry 2019.
Popular canal side location with very scruffy tables outside. Could do with a good clean.
Inside, its wooden interior with a central bar and rather small. The bar is fiercely guarded by bar hoggers who obviously lost their space once, as they won't give up an inch.
Meant it was tricky for me to fully review the beers on handpull. I didn't recognise any of the pump clips but always prepared to try - if only I could have seen what was on offer.
Instead, and as it was a red hot day - I went for a Camden Hells Lager - served in a unique glass from the brewery.
Would certainly revisit....
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Excellent locals pub, tho perhaps a bit too twee for some. Excellent pint of Tring Risers Bitter. Good and friendly service. They get it right, while the Boat a few yards down the canal get it so wrong.
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Always on the lookout for a new pub, our original plan before a Tuesday night visit to the MK Arena was a trip to the Red Lion in Fenny Stratford. But we received reports that it was closed for a funeral. So instead we paid an impromptu return to the Rising Sun. Rather disappointingly (at first), nearly all the ciders appeared to have sold out. But one guy returned from a stock take to find 20 boxes in the cellar. The evening suddenly got better. The 6 I tried were Millwhites Riser Cider (on handpull), Ventons Sweet, Lyme Bay Chapel Rock, Wrights Scrumpy & Tutts Clump Blackberry & Jazz. Amongst others on were Tutts Clump Perry, Nempnetts Piglets Choice, Westcroft Dry & Westons Family Reserve. The 5 ales were Red Willow Wreckless, Whitstable East India Pale Ale, By The Horns Stiff Upper Lip & Tring Riser Bitter & Drop Bar. There is also an impressive array of craft beers in the fridges, many in cans. The Rising Sun has knowledgeable staff and is a very pleasant place to spend a summer's evening either in the airy bar area or outside watching canal boat owners and pedestrians navigating the locks. I'm glad I've finally made a return visit. Improving my rating to 9/10.
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Great pub by the canal. When we visited there was a beer festival in the back garden with 20 ales on offer - my Colchester ale was perfectly quaffable. The clientele is well-heeled and young and a bit noisy. But this is a deservedly busy pub.
Definitely worth a visit.
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A good traditional pub. Well run by Nigel and Mark and easily the best pub in Berkhamsted. A great place to spend summer evenings watching the barges go by. In the winter this tiny pub gets very crowded and can be quite uncomfortable. This is not helped by people bringing their children there, often on Fridays when it it extra-crowded - and there is free food. This is not a 'family pub'...if there is such a thing. Otherwise, faultless.
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Cosy, unpretentious, great vibe, great beer, great location - as good as it gets really
Pictured on the front cover of the good beer guide a couple of years back
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Beer festival this weekend very well organized ,good prices and quality, tasty food, friendly landlord and staff, get some food and beer in and watch the barges pass by.
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Visited again for the first time in a couple of years. Still a great pub, still doing fantastic ales and ciders. Very obliging staff - top place.
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We were given a warm welcome in this pub after somewhat riskily using some wobbly stepping stones and an icy pair of lock gates to negotiate passage across the canal. There are lots of nice touches - great ales, a cigar bar and a good colletion of ciders and one can browse the papers. A Thursday night quiz provides temptation too.
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Your two comments on this place are poles apart Ernie. Had a bad experience in there recently?
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If you like dirty, back streeter boozers full of ex-Londoners, this is the place for you.
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I'm fairly sure I've been to this pub in the distant past, but was tempted back by the number 1 rating on here and decent reviews from friends. It's a small 3 room pub by the canalside and next to a lock. There is a front bar, another one to the side and a rear room. 5 ales were on - XT5 American Amber, Tring Jack o' Legs & Riser Bitter, St Austell Tribute & Goffs Summer Knight. In addition, there were a total of 27 real ciders plus a pyder and 4 perries from producers such as Westons, Addlestones, Millwhites, Crossmans, Olivers, Cassels & Tricky. I managed to work through 7 before leaving. I'll have to return to do more. Considering there were so many, I was supposed that most of the ones I tried were in good condition. The 2 guys that appear to run the place appeared friendly and there seems to be a mixture of people appearing behind the bar. The pub also appears to have a varied customer base with plenty of locals, people returning from playing football and a group of rather muddy cyclists were all witnessed during our visit. A nice pub that I can only recommend.
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Deserves all praise - great pub, excellent location, top beer and Nigel and Mark v friendly. Went there today and made to feel welcome. Well done!
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Lovely unspoilt gem in a wonderful location by the canal lock. Good range of local ales from Red Squirrel, Vale etc. Excellent ploughman's. Highly recommended. It's on the cover of the current GBG.
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If i lived here, I would come here. Papers, decent beer. Cider, named after a tramps private parts. You tell me what you want from a pub and I'll tell you what this provides.
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fantastic beer and cider range good prices,clean and tidy plenty of seating, very welcoming,
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Front cover picture of 2012 Good Beer Guide...CONGRATULATIONS.
Well deserved recognition.
The best pub in Berkhamsted for either Beer or Cider - both always well kept and varied.
Great venue on a sunny day (or rainy, or snowy).
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Went there today and it was the busiest pub by the canal by far. Beer and wine very good which we enjoyed by the canalside, taking in the sun and watching the boats go by. Only gripe was that the head on the Rebellion Blonde dispersed rather quickly but taste was spot on.
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The little big pub in berkhamsted. Once a pub that was simply good is now flourishing under new ownership. Small in size, the pub has a cozy bar with plenty of books to satisfy an afternoons repose, which is joined by a typical old fashioned seating area complete with bay window seats overlooking the Grand Union Canal. Tucked behind the bar area is a comfortable snug with old leather fireside chairs. As mentioned the bar is small but absolutely crammed with Real Ales from local and not so local breweries accompanied by more Ciders and Perries than i can count. A varied wine collection and an eclectic collection of spirits, more than you i can count!. They have some of the old favorites from larger breweries but this is a pub all about the beer. They take much pride in serving well kept bright Beer & Cider and if there is anything not to your liking you wont be made to feel awkward as some grumpy landlords have the habit. At the moment food is not top of the agenda and is generally dispensed as a compliment to your beer on certain nights. Well behaved dogs are made very welcome and can even have a biscuit or two from the tin on the bar. The pub is not kept like so many of the fake -proper pubs- these days which are more of a theme park to a bygone era with library facade and unrelated historical pictures. Its a real -proper pub- for proper pub lovers. Trust me you wont be disappointed. As Im sure you can tell I wasnt.
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Definitely the best ale pub in Berkhamstead with a lovely canal side setting.
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Fantastic boozer in a fantastic location on the canal. They were selling snuff, if you're into that, and also had a range of confectionery on the left of the bar for those with a sweet tooth (like me).
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A recent visit confirms previous reviews - its a credit to real ale, cider and Berkhamsted.
Couple of pints of "Tight Arse" 7.5 cider confirmed it all.
Sitting beside the canal on a summers evening......all good stuff
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Nigel, the landlord has worked wonders turning this pub into the best boozer in Berkhamsted. By definition of a great boozer I mean a great place to drink. Always the real ale is looked after and the variety means a constantly changing array of dark ales, milds, IPAs etc.
Then if you want cider or perry then there is even more and with recognition in the Good Beer Guide, the Riser is well and truly on the map.
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Very pleasant canal side alehouse. Tried a pint of Cheltenham's Natural Selection which though drinkable was no great shakes. Good place for cider heads as they had three different draught varieties. Looks like Berko's best ale pub,
anonymous - 9 Oct 2010 22:48 |
There's alot to like about this pub, go for the food(best to check serving times), go for the cider, go the the ale! Another pkus is that it is dog friendly. Lovely location and excellent service.
Tom34 - 13 Aug 2010 14:59 |
Enjoyed a short stop for a couple of pints of cider - still a great selection and atmosphere of a good drinkers pub. If you're thinking about trying this pub........ STOP thinking and do it.
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I visited for the 1st time at the recent Beer Festival and discovered an excellent pub. Well kept and varied choice Real Ale and Cider, support of Locale, a regular Tring house beer, friendly helpful staff, glasses filled to the brim, nice sheltered garden and a great location on the towpath walk. A gem!
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Spent another very pleasant evening here - very nice 80/- beer.
Great atmosphere, welcoming and friendly.
Highly recommended.
(no food though, so don't go hungry)
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Just about everything, for me, that a pub should be:
- excellent ales and bottled Belgian beers
- great ciders, and a large choice too
- a huge range of unusual spirits
- landlord and staff who take a pride in what they are doing & the quality of what they are selling, all done with friendly approach
- great location
If this place is not in the 2011 GBG, something has gone badly wrong
Pay a visit - you will not be disappointed.
mally - 19 Jun 2010 11:34 |
What a great pub, tucked away in the back streets of Berkhamsted on a canal lock.
Small, well considered and varied selection of "out of the ordinary" beers - all looked good and those with me said were in great condition.
I opted for a Cider evening.........how good was that !
High customer focus on taste buds and satisfaction
This is a Beer and Cider appreciaters delight.........Beer & Cider festival looming
No food, but hell whats a real pub for ?
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The Rising Sun is, by far, the best pub in Berkhamsted. It proffers a continuously changing range of ales (with the house ale from Tring Brewery always available) and an extensive selection of ciders. They also offer Warsteiner for lager drinkers, which provides a welcome change from the selection one normally encounters. The service is excellent, the setting wonderful (especially on a sunny day) and the atmosphere is that of a proper pub. Ultimately, a pub for the drinksman in which Kingsley Amis would've been happy to drink (despite the music)!
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Lovely old fashioned proper pub, that serves steady if unspectacular ales. Brilliantly situated on the Grand Union canal, which is lovely on a summer evening. The Landlord and indeed staff are very friendly. It's been refurbished, or probably more appropriately described as "de-furbished" - owing to the removal of some of the dated carpeting to reveal wooden floorbaords beneath; as well as taking away some of the older and more knackered furniture. They also let you takeaway ale in milk cartons as well, which can't be bad!
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This little pub has the feel of a "local" and is in a lovely spot down by the Grand Union canal, especially if it's a warm spring afternoon - which it was. The pub is clean, tidy nicely done out and the beer was clean and went down nicely, too..
A range of lager and real ale (4) on the bar to choose from plus a hefty 13, or so, proper ciders! 3 on the bar and about 10 in the cellar. The well stocked fridge had some interesting looking bottles (a cider from Normandy for example).
There was a beer fest on in the small garden on the day of my visit which added 10 beers to the normal choice.
The service was efficient and friendy even if you had to ring the bell on the bar for service.
I didn't try the food (or the snuff!) but if the pub is anything to go by it will be fine.
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Juke box now gone. RIP. Beer still great, but I must remember to go easier on the free snuff next time I'm in!
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What a find! A beautiful, honest, old fashioned pub! In a world of "gastropubs" this is a rarity. there is a vast selection of beer, ale and cider, including my favourite: Weston's Perry. Nectar of the Gods! over the festive season there has been mulled wine on tap. Delicious! The landlord and staff are warm and friendly, just like their pub! There is a beer garden, and lots of space for outdoor socialising at the front of the pub, where one can sit and watch the canal traffic. This pub is a gem, well worth seeking out. Once you've tried it, you will be back!
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Second your comments about the beer range BF.
The house brew is indeed Brock (the barrels were out for collection on one of my visits).
Having been in The Riser a fair few times now, the ales have always been a bit samey. Let's see a mild, a real IPA (pale, strong and hoppy) a best bitter and a special bitter for example.
I still love the place though.
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A very attractive small canalside pub with two bay windows in the front bar with great views over the lock.Traditional interior with an intimate back lounge around the side of the bar,and a good courtyard area for smokers.Judging by the collection of pump clips some interesting ale has been served here and the pub is committed to traditional cider and a wide range of bottled perry and cider.On our visit in here there was a slightly disappointing ale range,a House brew from Tring Brewery at 3.7%,Rebellion Mild 3.5% ,Rebellion IPA 3.7% ( badly named,how can an IPA be 3.7% and deep copper coloured?) and Batemans GHA Pale Ale 4.2% which by default became the object of our quaffing.I would suggest that more thought needs to be given to the beer range,with a greater range of strengths and styles possibly by dropping the House brew which probably was just rebadged Brock Bitter.However the Riser is a must visit in Berko,should be in the GBG and could become the best pub in the town shortly.Very friendly bar staff.
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Attended the Beer Festival at "The Riser" at the weekend. Some terrific beers (13 ish) and ciders (8 ish) in excellent condition. I believe there are similar events quite regularly, so it's well worth keeping an eye out for the next one.
Although this is BEER in the Evening, I can also confirm that the Ploughman's is indeed something to behold!
It's refreshing to see a small pub like this going to a lot of effort for it's customers. Subsequently, of course, the place was busy all day and into the evening, which makes good business sense as well. Go figure.
I just wish it was my local...
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This is a proper pub. It sells a variety of good beers and ciders (and no doubt other tasty stuff that I did not try). It isn't part of a chain and thank God for that.
Inside it has a slightly worn, comfortable style, with good character, which would be cozy in the autumn or winter. The staff are cordial and the publican friendly and clearly well-suited for the job. It is also in a rather lovely spot, right next to a lock on the Grand Union Canal, and also has a nice little beer garden so a good place to come for an outdoor drink in the summer.
It is true, what one of the other reviewers said, that it has more appeal than The Boat, further up the canal towards Berkhamsted town. However, whereas the Rising Sun does not generally offer food, The Boat does, which is unexceptional quality but may be a commercial advantage.
Having said that, as it happened, on the day of our visit, The Riser (as it is known locally I understsand) was serving the most perfect ploughman's lunch, as part of a beer festival it had on. The ploughman's had the virtue of being the only thing on the menu, which appealed to me for its simplicity. It comprised a massive hunk of freshly-baked bread, several generous helpings of English cheese (Oxfordshire Blue, Cornish Brie and some local Cheddar), some locally-produced organic ham, cooked in a marmalade crust on the premises, home-made chutney, half an apple and half a large pickled onion. Brilliant. If I hadn't felt a bit dozy afterwards from the beer and sunshine, I am sure I could have ploughed several hectares fueled by that.
When it was served up, the landlord ran through the items included with obvious relish and when I complimented him afterwards he said he liked to think it was 'a proper ploughman's'. Indeed it was. Apparently it had gone down very well with other punters too and may become a regular fixture. As someone who lives nearby, I do hope so. I will certainly be returning in hope of eating another and drinking some more good beer by the canal.
All in all, it is well worth a visit and the extra few minutes walk from the town.
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Great beer- some locally sourced from The Tring Brewery - all well kept.
All the ale I have tried in my 3 visits so far has been excellent.
Friendly landlord and eclectic clientele. Much more character than the nearby Boat.
Second the comment about the Jukey.
Give it a try!
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Small but very pleasant proper pub, good beers and cheerful real people who know how to serve it. No food, but an essential stop for liquid refreshments if you are walking the towpath.
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Having not been here for some time I decided to drop in whilst visiting friends in the area over Christmas. What a pleasant surprise. The staff were great and the pub had a whole new feel. I notice the bar has been extended to a snug area. The beer was great, no food yet but I was told it will be soon. Nice garden which I think will get a lot of use in summer. Fantastic location to relax. The privately owned pubs are still the best. This is just how I remember pubs to be.
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A traditional lockside pub where the locals are more colourful than the hanging baskets. Although not a foodie pub there are almost always nibbles on the bar early evenings. Great characters, plenty of craic.
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A great honest pub in a beautiful location by the canal.
Worth a the extra 100 yard walk past the pretentious "bistro" near the bridge.
Has a great little bear garden & is a great spot to take visitor as it has a canal lock right out the front with plenty of boat action on weekends.
anonymous - 22 Sep 2005 10:48 |
Small canal lock-side old school boozer, top jukebox, crappy decor but really nice atmosphere, especially in the summer.
Leon - 16 Sep 2003 10:20 |
