BITE user comments - BillyD
Comments by BillyD
This place must surely vie as just about the best Wetherspoons in the country - and I have been to quite a few! The patio out the back must have had getting on for 20 casks racked up for the Wetherspoon's Autumn beer festival. Took advantage of their 3 different beers (each a third of a pint) for the same price as a pint - �1.65. One of them was Robinson's Old Tom at 8.5%!!
5 Nov 2007 09:36
The local Camra's pub of the year - and well-deserved. Had a couple of pints of excellent, reasonably priced ale. The food looked pretty good as well.
5 Nov 2007 09:32
New people have just taken over. They are a decent, friendly couple, and I hope they do well. Had a couple of pints of St Austell Tribute, and excellent they were too. Recommended - but beware if you don't like football as the several TVs were showing the inevitable Saturday afternoon fare!
5 Nov 2007 09:29
This place always seems to attract negative comments. Okay the decor is a bit odd and the customers are unusual to say the least, but the beer is good - and is a bargain at �1.75 for a pint of Crop Circle on a Saturday afternoon.
5 Nov 2007 09:25
Quaint little pub. Had been an Eldridge Pope house but the EP chain has been snapped up by Marstons. Therefore, whereas in the past the pub usually had a Studland Bay beer on the go, all the ales now come from the Marston's stable. Had a reasonable pint of Jennings but would have preferred a Dorset beer rather than something that's come in from the other end of the country.
5 Nov 2007 09:21
This is a decent Wetherspoon's pub. Had a bite to eat in there on Saturday - a decent steak & chips for �4.49 - plus of course the Wetherspoon's beer festival was on. So, not bad, not bad at all.
5 Nov 2007 09:17
Popped in on Saturday. Nice pub and have never said a bad word about it in the past. This time, however, there was no guest ale on, and the Boondoggle (which after all is Ringwood's summer ale) was not in the best of condition. However, still one of the top pubs in Weymouth.
5 Nov 2007 09:14
It seems that the planning application to build flats was thrown out. It has been reported that Eldridge Pope (owned of course by Marstons) now intend to renovate the place and reopen it a Brewers Fayre-type restaurant.
24 Oct 2007 09:20
The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers
Although a car is almost essential to get to this pub, there is an alternative. Get the 144 bus from Swanage; the trip takes just over 15 minutes. There are of course only a very small number of trips per day so it would have to be the 12.25 ex-Swanage, returning on the last bus at 14.18! But at least that would give you about an hour and a half to sample the ales and the pasties. Enjoy.
5 Oct 2007 08:40
What a shame! This used to be on my Weymouth pub crawl, being just opposite the station. Always served a decent pint of Dorset Brewing Co ale. No longer in the Good Beer Guide.
3 Oct 2007 14:04
The Coach and Horses, Salisbury
What a nice pub! Popped in just for a pint. Selection of ale was a bit disappointing with only GK IPA, Courage Best and another National, but the Greene King was not bad. Food looked good but a bit pricey - e.g. �9 for the Sunday roast.
1 Oct 2007 11:38
Popped in on Sunday and had a great pint of O'Hanlon's Dry Stout. TT Landlord on for those with a taste for that beer - but it's �2.95 a pint!!!
1 Oct 2007 11:34
The Inn on the Furlong, Ringwood
Now a Marston's pub, of course. They plan to lease out the pub, and it is listed on the Marston's website is available for lease. However, the website also says - and I quote - "Marston's are in the early stages of planning a refurbishment to create a new exciting feel to the Inn on the Furlong". So another alehouse will bite the dust, to be replaced no doubt by a trendy 'destination' business where it's all about form rather than substance!
1 Oct 2007 11:23
The Thomas Tripp, Christchurch
The latest Good Beer Guide perpetuates the myth that Thomas Tripp was a local smuggler. As the older reader of course knows, Thomas Tripp was the milkman in Camberwick Green.
28 Sep 2007 08:04
The influence of Marstons is about to make its mark. They have decided to lease out the pub, albeit with a tie to their beer. The current landlord, who is the manager rather than tenant/lessee, will probably move on. This could be a worrying development.
25 Sep 2007 08:09
Popped in for a couple of pints on Sunday lunchtime. The place was packed with people munching on the carvery, which I must admit looked pretty good. The only thing on the food side was that the plates looked a bit small, intended no doubt to limit what someone could get on to the plate. However, I was impressed with the ale; Adnams Bitter & Explorer, Greene King IPA, Woodfordes Wherry, and a beer which had the intriguing pump clip of 'Whitbread's Mild'!! Anyway, I stuck with the Wherry, which at �2.40 a pint in a pub which was more geared up for food I thought was very reasonable.
3 Sep 2007 09:11
Had a decent sandwich lunch in here. It's a Greene King pub so don't expect anything outstanding on the ale front. I had a pint of 'Ye Olde Trip', a beer that goes under the name of Hardys & Hansons, a business that GK took over and promptly closed the brewery. It wasn't a bad beer - and my collegue had a pint of GK IPA, which he said was excellent. But I am not a GK fan and normally steer clear of their pubs. I would have given the place a 6, but have not it back to a 5 because of the Greene King connection.
3 Sep 2007 08:49
Had a couple of pints in here on Saturday lunchtime. Adnams beers in very good condition. The landlady was most pleasant and helpful. Very nice traditional pub.
3 Sep 2007 08:39
Went there for a meal on Saturday night - not bad, not bad at all. There was a good selection of ales (several Adnams beers plus Woodfordes Wherry and London Pride) but I'm afraid neither the Wherry nor the Adnam's Explorer were in the best of condition. The latter for example was flat and going off but they still continued to sell it to more unsuspecting punters who you could see were not happy with what they got. Shame!
3 Sep 2007 08:34
The Rose and Crown, Huish Episcopi
The Halfway House is just along the road at Pitney, but I prefer this place. The actual bar, which you walk into rather than up to is a real laugh - first timers at the place always seem bemused. The range of beers is always good, and simple things to eat like beans on toast and a cheese and onion sandwich are great.
17 Aug 2007 16:35
I am a Camra type, and the ales in this establishment are truly superb. However, pubs like the Halfway become the victims of their own success. Serving up an eclectic range of beers is one thing, but once a pub gains credibility amongst the Porsche and Range Rover-owning class, then there is a problem. On my recent visit, I couldn't get anywhere near the car park thanks to the aforesaid vehicles, and when I managed to get into the pub, I couldn't get near to the bar thanks to the owners of those vehicles ordering food and trying to decide what wine would go best with the sausages. I will still pop in there when I'm in the area, but that's about it.
17 Aug 2007 16:30
Was there on Saturday afternoon after having had a couple of ales over in the South Western. Still on the list of pubs to go to for a decent pint - but the range of ales was no where near as unusual as it used to be. Has the landlord been 'got at' by the Pubco?
17 Aug 2007 15:53
The Sir Percy Florence Shelley, Boscombe
Sometimes I go in here for a laugh to observe various Boscombe residents enjoy their leisure time. Chavvy drug dealers, aged alcoholics and retired hookers seem to have made it their local. All in all, the perfect snapshot of Boscombe life. The beer usually (but not always) makes up for the less than salubrious surroundings.
23 Jul 2007 15:22
The Bermuda Triangle, Parkstone
Went in the other Saturday afternoon. Completely smoke-free, of course. The four real ales on included Abbott, which I can't be bothered with. However, the other three from Godards, Salopian and Dark Star were superb.
23 Jul 2007 15:11
No need for the air con now. Also, it's easy to get a seat inside as all the usual crowd are outside, puffing away. Ringwood Best continues to be superb.
23 Jul 2007 15:05
Went in there a little while back, early on a Saturday evening, principally for something to eat. Good ale selection in reasonable condition. The food was superb (I had the steak and ale pie). The quality was excellent - and as for the quantity! Being a greedy bugger, I ate - and enjoyed - the whole lot, but I could then only manage a couple more pints for the whole evening!
6 Jul 2007 08:06
The shutters are now up - but whether it reopens as a pub or whether the site is redeveloped, I don't know.
15 Jun 2007 10:22
Under new ownership. In the past, you were either in the landlady's clique or you were not - and if you were not then your attempts to get served would often go unheeded! Much better now, and the range of ales has improved - but still with old favourites such as Adnams Broadside and Ringwood Best.
15 Jun 2007 10:14
The Platform Tavern, Southampton
Went in there after the Southampton Beer Festival so was hoping for a decent selection of ales. Unfortunately, the choice was not all that inspiring but had a decent Itchen Valley beer. Barman seemed a bit indifferent but overall not a bad pub.
15 Jun 2007 10:07
Duke of Wellington, Southampton
Went in there after the Southampton Beer Festival - so was ready for some decent ales. Not all that keen on Wadworths beers, but they had a couple of unusual Theakstons' beers on. Staff pleasant and friendly.
15 Jun 2007 10:05
The Standing Order, Southampton
Went in there on Saturday for something to eat after the daytime session at the Southampton Beer Festival. Food was passable - but it was cheap. Not much in the way of real ales. Bar area smelled of sick!
15 Jun 2007 10:01
The Hand and Flower, Kensington
Only reason I went in here was due to its proximity to Olympia. I see that it's a Wolverhampton & Dudley (Marstons) pub so they have the usual W&D rather boring beers (but of course not at Midlands prices!). Okay but I wouldn't want to stay on for long.
12 Apr 2007 16:46
When I went there on Saturday afternoon, there was a sign saying that the pub was closed because their beer delivery had not turned up! Should I be worried about this?
11 Apr 2007 11:56
Fantastic range of ales - 7 on when I was there on Saturday. As Southampton were playing away, the pub was fairly quiet, but it can be quite the reverse when the Saints are at home.
11 Apr 2007 11:54
Went to their ale and blues festival on Saturday. Really good - but my God could the place do with a good clean!
11 Apr 2007 11:50
The Kings Arms Hotel, Dorchester
Correction to my review of 19 March - Dorset Gold is brewed by Palmers.
5 Apr 2007 09:46
Went in there recently for the first time for over 25 years. Still much the same as I remember it. Had a decent pint.
Incidentally, re a previous review, pubs are NOT for babies. I don't blame the landlord for being rude about some screaming brat, and so I have added an extra point for that.
30 Mar 2007 08:50
I called in last Saturday afternoon because I couldn't believe that anywhere could be as bad as the previous reviewers make out. Wrong - it's worse! The first thing I encountered was the cannabis aroma from a couple of chavs smoking a joint. Then there was a pissed woman trying to give some bloke a good hiding. And lastly, someone tried to throw a bottle of Bud at the TV - but missed. I left, smartish. A well deserved zero.
29 Mar 2007 16:41
Some times take up mum (86) in there for lunch. Bargain food. Ales include Ringwood Old Thumper (plus 49er and Best).
27 Mar 2007 13:47
OK community pub - but the ale is not much cop. I like the landlord as he does not suffer fools or troublemakers gladly. Incidentally, the other day I was standing at the bank machine just next to this pub when a wino staggered out of the pub and tried to scrounge some money of me for his bus fare. When I told him to bugger off, he went back into the pub!!
27 Mar 2007 13:44
Last time I was in here was shortly after it opened (2000?) when they brewed their own beer and there were free sandwiches at lunchtime. What a dump now however. Crap beer and ludicrous prices. Forget it! 0/10 from me.
27 Mar 2007 08:18
The Salisbury Arms, Christchurch
This could be so much better - but unfortunately the Scumerford crowd get in there but the inevitable aggro. Music's good though - although I wouldn't want to live nearby!
22 Mar 2007 14:52
Had my 50th in the upstairs function room so shouldn't be too critical, but I do miss the old Castle Tavern. I'm afraid I'm just an old f**t and don't like these new-fangled places with their new-fangled decor - and of course new-fangled prices.
22 Mar 2007 14:49
Considerably better than the usual Wetherspoons. I usually go in early evening - around 6.00 - and there are very few chavvy types. Ale selection excellent.
22 Mar 2007 09:47
OK place but the fag smoke in the small bar was as thick as a traditional London smog.
19 Mar 2007 16:37
The Kings Arms Hotel, Dorchester
Agree it is a hotel (part of the Best Western chain), and there is always the risk of the staff being the usual jobsworth-types that hotel chains seem to attract. However, the lad behind the bar was efficient and knew details about each of the four real ales on offer. There was 6X plus Ringwood Best, Dorset Brewing Co's Dorset Gold and, a real rarity down here, Highgate Irish Whiskey Ale. Had a pint of the last of those, and it was very acceptable.
19 Mar 2007 16:35
I seem to be in a bit of a minority for not liking this pub all that much. I generally go into a pub for a pint and therefore assess a place by (i) the quality of the beer (not bad), (ii) the price (expensive), and (iii) the efficiency of the staff (crap). The girls may look pretty but they are useless at identifying who is next. I still go in but only as a watering hole on the way to somewhere else.
8 Mar 2007 16:29
Oh how lucky are the residents of St Denys what with this gem on one side of the station and the Dolphin on the other. Great selection of beers - I could stay there all day and stumble onto the train home. They used to have a German beer festival in September/October, but I don't know if that still happens. Last time I went to the festival in, I think, 2004 or 2005, there was a Hell's Angels wedding in progress, which just added nicely to the ambience.
8 Mar 2007 16:18
So it only sells OBB on draught? Don't really care at �1.72 a pint. I think I prefer the Cittie of Yorke - but still in my top 5 London pubs.
8 Mar 2007 13:48
Went in on spec when visiting the big recently. Not a big fan of Fullers beers but had a pint of ESB which you never see on draught down my way. Superb - and a nice pub.
8 Mar 2007 13:43
THE classic urban freehouse. Superb ale and a true delight - particularly after experiencing the Kings Head (Wetherspoons).
8 Mar 2007 13:07
Made the mistake earlier of going into the Kings Head (Wetherspoons) and then made my way up here to regain some sanity. Good ale as usual - and in lined glasses.
8 Mar 2007 13:05
Worse than the usual Wetherspoons. Chavs everywhere allowing there kids to run riot. Won't bother going back.
8 Mar 2007 13:02
The Haunch of Venison, Salisbury
Historic old pub and must be visited. However, the beer is eye-wateringly expensive: �3.00 for a pint of Summer Lightning and �3.50 for a pint of Stella!
8 Mar 2007 12:58
Tom Browns, Dorchester
Always pop into Tom Browns when I am in Dorchester. I'm not wholly convinced as regards the refurbishment, although others in my group think it's fine. Usual Goldfinch ales plus a superb guest beer from the Sherborne Brewery.
5 Nov 2007 09:39