please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
It was busy here last Friday lunchtime at the start of the Bank Holiday weekend and maybe people were trying to support the brewery following its announcement of intention to appoint administrators. I had to return my first pint of Respire as it was from the end of the barrel but that meant the replacement was as fresh as could be.
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Our 4th pub of the evening and a must-do in Masham. Largely empty though which meant there was little atmosphere. Still the cask beer (choice of 5) was in excellent condition (and cheap too) although the keg offering (Glug M'Glug) was pretty tasteless. Perhaps the brewery should stick to what it knows best.
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Obviously a bit tourist-tastic, in particular the attached gift shop, but an interesting and worthwhile tour none the less.
Sampled the Blacksheep ale, very nice. The Riggwelter, superb. Goldensheep, nice crisp and refreshing. Only minor dissapointment was the Ruddy Ram, a porter served way,way too cold. Needed half an hour to attain a temperature at which it's flavour could be appreciated.
Didn't try the food, but it looked good.
All in all a saturday afternoon well spent.
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A must for any lover of real ale visiting masham.
The beer in here is as you would expect spot on and the lady conducting the tour is first class.
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Has sadly become a lot more commercial since my last visit around 15 years ago, but good that this brewery goes from strength to strength. Riggwelter very nice (as always) and food in the bistro also recommended.
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Having done the brewery tour on two previous occasions, we just popped in to sample the ale and have a bite to eat. Tried both the Ale and the superb Riggwelter, both of which were in tip-top condition. Food is well woth a try. I had the Riggwelter casserole whiulst my wife had the Draymans lunch. both were well under �10 and there was plenty of it. Casserole was hot and the Wensleydale cheese was excellent. On this evidence, REVERENDBAZ, would have to say that Riggwelter rules!!
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Stopped here as I was driving north on the A1. Had a half of the Black Sheep Ale which was excellent, fancied a pint of Riggwelter but not sure Yorkshire Police would have been impressed! Nice bar in lovely surroundings. Tour worthwhile too.
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The beer is well kept as you would expect. It is one of the few places that you can get Yorkshire Square Ale which is fermented in traditional open top slate squares. This is easily my favourite black sheep ale and is also available in bottles from the onsite gift shop. The bar area feels light and modern and has bistro style seating. It gets very busy at weekends and shuts early.
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Went here for lunch as the bar at Theakstons doesn't do food. Very good lunch helped down with a couple of pints of Riggwelter. Needless to say the beers are very well kept. Still can't answer the great question that must puzzle the universe - is Riggwelter better than Old Peculier. I will just have to keep gathering evidence.
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Located within the main brewery building along with a shop selling all manner of Black Sheep stuff including the bottled beers, this is a bistro style restaurant. Most of the Black Sheep range is available and as you'd expect the beer is in top condition. Black Sheep Ale and Bitter usually on plus others from the range. The best bitter is dispensed through Black Sheep's whizzy new light-up hand pump and is labelled 'Cask' with 'Best Bitter' in small letters below. You can see the brewery through a large windowed wall at the back of the bistro before taking the tour. Food is pretty tasty and the service from the uniformed staff is always good, it has to be, the boss, Mr Theakston, sometimes drops in here for lunch .
anonymous - 4 Apr 2009 10:31 |
Came here for the tour but was a little disappointed. You only get a half at the end and not a pint! This is more of an end of visit cafe then a pub but the beer is OK. Black Sheep rules!
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Not really a pub, but it serves good value and well cooked meals in an interesting atmosphere:not tacky, despite being part of a major attraction.
I was pleased to see that they had Black Sheep Ale on hand pump, as well as the ubiquitous Best. BSA is , in my opinion, much preferable in that it has a longer depth of flavour-the intensity of the hop is countered by a mellower fruitiness. Unfortunately, I rarely see it when we are in the Dales.
Surprisingly, I didn't have a pie, as I indulged in a Joycean offal fest: others had a rather appealing chicken dish. Service was brisk and attentive. We'd like to do the tour, at least the son and heir would, but we usually come on the way back from our hols, so time is of the essence.
I doubt if dogs would be welcome, but they've been in far too many pubs already. I'm rather fond of this place. 7/10, as its not a proper pub.
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By 'eck they're right busy now-have to book for Sunday lunch; we didn't so went to the Kings Head in the Market Square-damn good- report to follow!
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Bistro rather than bar but the beer was good
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Oh yes! All hail Paul Theakston!
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A sheep drinker for many years so went and did the tour and can honestly say was served the worst pint of sheep ever
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Superb beer, good food but too 'designed' to be a really good 'pub' - OK as a place to drink and eat - but not a pub! Also found the food too 'restaurant' for my taste.
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1 of my my fave ales (the Blacksheep drinks)
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Very tasty food, excellently presented, at a decent price. And the beer..? Well, it's damn good. You'd expect it to be, seeing as you're at the brewery!
Andy - 23 Apr 2004 13:02 |
Trendy bistro/bar in the visitor centre where the beer and food are well served and the punters encouraged to enjoy themselves!
Cheffy - 5 Jun 2003 18:30 |
