BITE user comments - boozyoldgit
Comments by boozyoldgit
I see there's been no new comment for over a year about the Foresters. But everyone should know this pub has changed out of all recognition. The new owners have refurbished the bar areas, added exceptionally good value (£3) curry nights, amazing Monday & Thursday special beer days at £2 a pint. When did anyone get a £2 pint of quality real ale in a friendly local in the last 5 years?
The Foresters now has a real buzz and I feel sure it will quickly be recognised as the best real ale pub in Bagshot...... and it's the only pub for miles around with a traditional skittle alley.
Max respect for the new owners and staff who are working hard to make this a worthy pub to travel some distance to visit and enjoy.
26 Apr 2013 18:34
The Crown and Trumpet Inn, Broadway
We went because a blues night was advertised for last Thursday. Warm welcome from very knowledgeable and friendly barman. A lovely couple of pints of Morris-a-Leaping, a good meal and an enjoyable blues session. Uproarious chat with a larger-than-life local who tried to teach us some local dialect - but failed hopelessly. He tried to tell us how we were taking a big risk by staying in nearby Blockley - where the natives are weird! He was winding us up in hilarious fashion. Great fun!
We left the pub laughing and happy. An excellent evening. We hope to return soon.
13 May 2012 20:25
Stopped here for the first time in about 45 years on the way home after an exhausting day working on the boat at Portsmouth. Desperately thirsty, my pint of Tribute was fabulous and I would have paid a fiver for the pleasure. (That may seem cheap in 3 years time)
Now planning a boys evening out to The Bull and look forward to seeing the same friendly staff and enjoying some fine beer.
17 Apr 2012 21:37
A group of 4 or us have been to the Pilot twice in the last 6 months after a morning's birding at the local RSPB haven. We received very friendly, jolly and really quick service. The real ale was first class, the food was more than we could manage and the choice was very good (excellent grilled bass for example).
The Pilot is an excellent venue for Dungeness visitors, like myself, and I feel that most will be more than satisfied with the food, drink and service. My wife and I will definitely return.
17 Apr 2012 21:27
The Cat and Custard Pot, Paddlesworth
A first visit and really delightful. Happy, bubbly atmosphere, fabulous Dragon's Blood and loads of WW2 memorabilia. Well worth the visit.
17 Apr 2012 21:13
The Shipwrights Arms, London Bridge
Last Friday - 27th August - I phoned The Shipwrights Arms to check their opening times on Bank Holiday Monday. I was organising a group pub tour from out of town and this was the second on the list. I was told that the pub would be open all day. Imagine our surprise and disappointment when we found on arrival that they were closed all day. You let the side down badly. The only consolation is that you were not the only pub to give wrong information. I give you zero for causing us to lose valuable drinking time. We caught up at The Hornimans at Hays and I recommend them for an excellent range of real ales and a fabulous view over the river - and only 2 minutes from The Shipwrights Arms.
2 Sep 2010 12:26
Last Friday - 27th August - I phoned the Royal Oak to check their opening times on Bank Holiday Monday. I was organising a group pub tour from out of town and this was the first on the list. I was told that the pub would be open all day. Imagine our surprise and disappointment when we found on arrival that they were closed all day. You let the Harvey's side down badly. The only consolation is that you were not the only pub to give wrong information. I give you zero for causing us to lose the first hour of the tour and a few good Harvey's pints.
2 Sep 2010 12:16
The Prince of Wales, Farnborough
Another visit, another 1st class lunchtime session, another chat with the lovely Vicky, another scrumptious lunch of black pudding & bacon and another taste of a superb ale never tried before - Ballards Golden Bine. It all makes life worthwhile!
16 Jun 2010 14:40
This pub is just too expensive, but we were encouraged to visit recently to see the final election debate broadcast on "the big screen". What a joke.
At 5 minutes to the start of the 8pm broadcast a couple of blokes propped up a mid size (24"?) tv on a couple of chairs perched on a table then tried for the next 25 minutes to get the damn thing to work - with no success. At 8:20pm we left in disgust - at the pathetic excuse for a big screen tv; at the failure of the pub to do its homework and test the system; and for the pub management not caring a damn. It really doesn't matter what range of fine beers they have, if they don't care, then neither do we. There are other better, cheaper, more caring pubs to visit in the area. Goodbye forever, Half Moon, Windlesham.
20 May 2010 22:03
On the strength of the Good Beer guide, I visited this week and was disappointed to find this is a "gastro pub" with minimum lunch price of �16 for two courses. I did not enquire the range of cask ales. As the place was completely empty (but I was told there were some customers in the garden) it was simply not my kind of pub. In fact I don't think it is a pub at all - more of a rather expensive, upmarket restaurant.
2 May 2010 17:56
A truly atmospheric pub, steeped in seafaring history, located by the harbour, with its own Old Laxey brewery, specialising in their one and only brew - Bosun Bitter. A worthwhile stop for any visitor to IOM.
26 Apr 2010 22:28
We stumbled on this pub by chance as it doesn't seem to advertise anywhere. It was a busy Monday lunchtime in April, catering to tourists who we discovered were mostly visitors on a Bushy's Brewery tour located behind the pub. The staff were friendly but stretched. The Bushy's Bitter was a superb pint and the chicken pie was huge and very satisfying. Overall, we enjoyed it and will return on the next IOM trip, but can't understand why the pub has no publicity and is likely to remain a secret for most visitors.
26 Apr 2010 21:39
The Prince of Wales, Farnborough
I'm a repeat visitor to this pub (not to be confused with the Prince of Wales, Aldershot) and I find the welcome, the ever-changing, marvellous range of beers, the staff, especially the very knowledgeable and friendly Vicky, the excellent and plentiful food, and the general ambience (no intrusive TV!) ranks this pub as the best in the region.
The session Downton Quadhop was superb and so was the weird and wonderful Bunce's Stonhenge "Taste of Spring" green beer.
No hesitation in recommending this pub to any real ale lover looking for a pub with character and a superbly maintained cellar.
27 Mar 2010 08:50
What a strange contradiction of a pub. Extremely average beer (not worth a 2nd pint) , big screen TVs competing with music system making it difficult to hold a conversation, luxurious furnishings and a forest of plants you need to negotiate to get to the main bar. A delightful bar lady who didn't know what Twiglets were.
Not worth a return visit.
26 Mar 2010 07:30
Nags Head, Sunningdale Village
What a shame I chose a night to visit when a loud mob were effing and blinding their way through a party, with big screen TVs blaring from both rooms and with a cow of a bar woman who's jolly welcome was "Yeah?" who ignored my reply "good evening".
I travelled quite a few miles for a couple or three pints of Harvey's Best and stayed for one pint only. The beer is the only reason I can give this pub a score. I will not return. Harvey's should do a blind QA visit to sort it out.
26 Mar 2010 07:17
Too bad BKB had a bad time in January. My wife and I visited for the first time today (recommended in the Good Pub Guide) and we were delighted with the ambience, attentive and pleasant staff, excellent light lunch of home-made soup, enormous beef sandwich and hamburger and fine ales. We enjoyed Ringwood Best, Youngs Best and Old Hookey. The pub was busy, but everything was working smoothly. The food was delivered quickly.
We then looked in at the butcher's shop between the bar and the restaurant. We were amazed at the good value of the stewing steak, the mutton (called "hoggart" because it's not quite mutton and not quite lamb) and the cassoulet. We bought a nice selection from a really friendly young butcher who really knows his stuff and obviously enjoys looking after his customers. (We learned that he and the three bar ladies are all siblings).
I rate this pub highly because we were looked after professionally and left feeling well fed and watered, happy and content. We are committed to return as soon as possible.
17 Feb 2009 17:26
The Happy Man, Englefield Green
Always a hearty welcome and a brilliant evening at The Happy Man. A great mix of students and old gits like me and my drinking buddies. Very fine, knowledgable staff happy to help you decide with samples of all real ales on offer, such as Snow Blind - a terrific beer. Excellent beer range, carefully cellared and expertly delivered to the glass. It's a great delight to visit this pub. It never fails to deliver a great evening out.
24 Jan 2008 22:59
The Prince of Wales, Farnborough
Always excellent beer and friendly atmosphere. Enjoyed a fine Itchen pint Valley this week. A pleasure to return as often as I can, but the car park entrance/exit is scary!
23 Jan 2008 14:22
The Traquair Arms Hotel, Innerleithen
The Deuchars was top notch, but the best kept secret is the Italian dining room. A fabulous pizza and a great plate of pasta with no other diners - they were all next door eating the expensive food!
The Italy touch is new and I hope it works. Excellent combination of well kept beers, good wine and super food.
6 Nov 2007 20:46
A real buzz in here the other Sunday evening. Busy, friendly and very good range of real ales. Had a great evening with good food and chatty neighbours - all of us just passing through.
Went round the back to the other bar to see the handpumps and beer choice and found an impromptu gig going on. All brilliant fun and memorable.
6 Nov 2007 20:40
The Four Horseshoes, Camberley
Would like to say my 3rd visit was as good as my first. Sad to say, it just didn't work. The beer was OK but the ambience was seriously flagging - with all the interest on the big screen in the other bar. To be fair, I must give it one more try on a weekend evening to find out if there's a buzz. I reserve judgement, but can't give more than 4.
21 Aug 2007 19:49
Broad Street Tavern, Wokingham
Since the smoking ban, it's a hell of a shame that the Tavern has allowed smoking throughout its huge garden. I could find nowhere at all to sit outside away from acrid cigarette smoke on a rare warm August lunchtime. (But that goes for most pub gardens since July). So the interior is now fully smoke free, whereas they previously had it nicely segregated.
Definitely a reduced rating and much less appealing for a non-smoker.
21 Aug 2007 19:33
A great choice of top notch beers. Friendly, enthusiastic landlord who knows his stuff and happy to discuss. Will definitely return.
21 Aug 2007 18:20
The Victoria and Albert, Netherhampton
The Good Beer Guide 2007 came up trumps again. A delightful ancient pub twixt Salisbury town and the Race Course. We enjoyed huge platefuls of really good food; delightful, chatty staff; lovely, lively ambience with a roaring fire on a miserable May day; and a great range of beers. Waddies Summersault and Moles Barleymole were excellent. A very uplifting visit for the wife and me. Anyone going to or near Salisbury should pay a visit. I give it high rating.
22 May 2007 21:33
Broad Street Tavern, Wokingham
I can't relate to beerPrincess' comments. Trendy wine bar??? Nothing of the sort. Don't know what trend you're following, beerPrincess....
I've been back a few times and always get a large, piping hot basket of chips with my sarnie. I hope you took them back for a replacement. The bar staff are really willing and efficient.
Summersault has been on for a while and is a good pint. Looking forward to the November festival. Still the best pub in Wokingham.
30 Sep 2006 22:13
The Kings Arms (Hungry Horse), Bagshot
Not for a real ale person. Chilled Abbots is the best they can do. For a refurb pub, it's grim, saved only by the pleasant young lady who served the sandwich. Can't rate better than 3.
30 Sep 2006 21:59
Must add my commendation to Chris' review. Wife and I booked for lunch after reading Chris' review and were there last Saturday (Bank holiday weekend). We had an excellent seafood salad and a splendid pint of Cotleigh Tawney. The staff are marvellous - courteous, knowledgeable, well trained and really helpful. After a 200 mile trip, we found The Bar to be a real haven, with a great view over the estuary from our upstairs table. Being a long weekend, it was very busy with loads of kids, but the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. The staff were patient and good humoured and very efficient.
I was keen to try other ales, but we still had another 50 miles to drive. So was offered a taster of Bideford's Grenville's Renown. A truly excellent beer. Sharp's Doombar was also on.
I heartily recommend The Bar. Will be keen to return when next visiting Bideford.
27 Aug 2006 10:47
Visited this week to find pub temporarily closed because of probate settlement problems with the estate of the previous owner. Disappointing to know that the excellent cellar is out of use.
If the new owners read this, please post a notice on this and other sites when you reopen. I wish you well.
29 Apr 2006 21:35
This pub has gone through bad times. Now Taken over and run by people who built up a nearby pub from nothing to a huge success. The range and quality of beer is excellent. At our session this week, we tried 3 ales from different brewers and they were all top class.
The pub now shows great promise and I would recommend to any real ale fan a visit to try out the cellar. You will not be disappointed. My visit this week was the first in over 5 years and I will definitely return. I give it 7 for the beer and comfort. Some refurbishing inside and out will put it in the 10/10 class.
26 Mar 2006 17:01
In anticipation, I tried The Crispin this month when I heard there had been a management change and I was looking for a good venue to take my friends for an evening in W'ham. Alas, on the day of my visit there was no special beer, everything looked worn out and shabby. A nice fire, but the seating was so scruffy, you didn't feel like parking your backside on it. Not a lot of interest from behind the bar. Really disappointing.... someone needs to spend some money to lick it into shape. We went to The Broad Street Tavern instead.
26 Mar 2006 16:48
Broad Street Tavern, Wokingham
Have returned to The Tavern a couple of times in the evening and it is just delightful. Pleasant people, relaxed atmosphere, good beer. Best in Wokingham - by far!
26 Mar 2006 16:39
How many times have I been to The Foresters and felt cheated? Must be 20 or 30, and I only return because it's the best beer within a walk of Bagshot. Would much prefer The Bee at Windlesham though. The landlord's a picture of misery, yet he puts on one of the best summer floral dispalys in the county. Why is he so miserable? The pub always seems to be closed when I'm passing! Food... what food? it has rarely been available when I visited. The bar area is very small and it can get very smoky. But there you are... the landlord enjoys his fags. What will they do when the new law arrives? If they ban smoking - Great, we might get a pleasant landlord! If they ban food - So what? I never got any anyway. The Foresters: a complete lost opportunity to make a "not bad" pub great.
16 Dec 2005 21:13
Broad Street Tavern, Wokingham
For a non-smoker, this is a super pub in the town centre. Good range of ales, plentiful plate of food, relaxing, comfortable no smoking rooms, newspapers always available. Smokers were also catered for at the main bar-room. Nice and friendly. I will definitely return.
24 Oct 2005 20:21
This has never happened to me before, but I was short changed THREE TIMES over the last 18 months. One of them was a fiver short! I enjoy a visit but always count the change. Has anyone else had this experience?
VERY expensive beer, but good selection and well kept. Best in the summer to enjoy the delightful, if busy, garden.
14 Oct 2005 20:40
My kind of session pub - a bit run down, but who cares? Really friendly staff. Always excellent beer selection and quality. Bar area usually pretty busy, but lots of room to avoid the smoke. Never a problem in taking beer lovers there for a few.
14 Oct 2005 20:35
The White Horse Inn, Priors Dean
A great atmospheric pub for a session or with the family. Excellent beers. Food very good. The small bar is full of charm but can get pretty smokey. There's loads of room in the no smoking restaurant area at the back. Unfortunately, the friendly young bar person is not yet good enough at the English language to hold a conversation, but she'll improve!
14 Oct 2005 20:29
A truly fabulous pub with massive old Hampshire village atmosphere, excellent beers and fine food. The staff are terrific. A Sunday family rendezvous in the summer was a rare treat. I must return soon!
14 Oct 2005 20:22
Usually very busy at lunchtime and quite smoky and uncomfortable - always seem to be jostling for a seat. The good beer isn't enough to attract me back after half a dozen visits.
14 Oct 2005 20:15
Can't park, pricy average beer, VERY smokey, nice enough staff, but won't return
14 Oct 2005 20:06
Pretty disappointing. Seems to have slid downhill at the bar and the food over the last 3 visits. Won't return.
14 Oct 2005 20:03
Wish the beer range was better. But I can always find an untouched Telegraph to read! Food is terrible and overpriced... don't order jacket potato - you'll get mush.
Plenty of screens, including one in the no smoking area, for catching up on the lunchtime cricket action.
14 Oct 2005 19:55
Cullins Yard, Dover
First visit last weekend. I was introduced by a local who knows my likes when it comes to beer and pubs. This is a splendid domain on the quay, full of objets de la mer and bric a brac. A lovely chewey pint of beer from the next door microbrewery and easy-going atmosphere. Will definitely return for food and drink on my next visit to Dover. I'm surprised at the low-ish rating because I give it a good 8/10
20 May 2013 13:28