Blue and White Shed, Halstead

Agree with the difficulty in locating this and the very strange opening hours. When they do open a very rewarding experience. Local micro breweries occasionally available together with the house beer - Blue & White Shed Strong Dark Ale. Look out for the branded glasses unless Halstead Town are at home when plastic is the only option LOL. Friendly family run establishment and very welcoming. The last visit was a while ago and I hope nothing has changed.

30 Jun 2009 23:47

The Odd One Out, Colchester

Harsh anonymous 27/07/2007

What would be wrong with that anyway?
I'd like to see a wireless get in there or a ringing mobile..Or worse get answered. Nothing wrong with some rules.

This is a proper pub for real drinkers.

At least you can still rely on this pub to provide a constant dark ale....unlike the overweight moggy (F/C) where twice none have been available on my visits.

Good to see John the landlord back on fine form tonight.

This was Colchester's first major real ale pub and it�s definitely still in the premier league.

6 Oct 2007 01:06

The Hospital Arms, Colchester

What has happened to this once great pub?
I regularly go to all the real ale pubs in Colchester. This has definitely gone down hill, both in terms of beer quality and the whole pub experience. These days if you are served by the land lord or land lady or their bar staff it�s an altogether cold experience. I don�t think I saw any conversation the whole night with any customers.
How things have changed since the old landlord and his experienced bar staff have gone.

3 Oct 2007 02:23

The Lexden Crown, Colchester

I have now used this pub twice in the last 6 months. Both times I have found the beer quality to be good. The pub is still in the new 2008 GBG so I dont think things were as bad as some of the previous posts. Knowing the criteria and the beer surveys required to remain in the GBG it has to be good. I know they have reduced certain unprofitable hours as I was caught out on the old GBG when I had walked to this pub only to find it shut. On both visits there was certainly not as many as 8 pumps on so perhaps they have worked out now how many pumps they can support.

3 Oct 2007 02:00

The Bell Inn, Thorpe Le Soken

Good ales and very good food. We came across it by accident as we had checked out the pub across the road and were not at all impressed. We thought we would try this before heading back to Colchester.
The group of us were very happy with the menu and the quality of the food.

3 Oct 2007 01:31

The Fat Cat, Colchester

I was rather annoyed to see no dark beer on Saturday for an hour or so. I was however pleasantly surprised to see lovely Pitfields '1850 London Porter' there when I returned from Layer Road.
I understand some of the previous comments about the beer on the board not always being available. Thinking about it though usually this is on a home match day and all the bar staff are busy serving.
There is a small outside not covered area to the left rear of the pub if you need a fag.

2 Oct 2007 17:49

The Fox and Fiddler, Colchester

I have just had an excellent pint of Mighty Oak 'Oscar Wilde Mild' in this pub. I hope this remains as one of the permanent 'Mighty Oak' choices of which there are 4.
The landlord has recently added a fifth pub where the ale always changes.
Lovely 15th Century free house pub of which few now remain in the town.
There is a rear seating area if you fancy a drink outside or a fag. There is a door to the left of the bar which allows you out to this area.
Good jukebox with a wide selection to suit most tastes and ages.
This pub seems to have a surprisingly rather low BITE rating for a good pub.

2 Oct 2007 17:18

The British Grenadier, Colchester

Lovely Victorian pub just a short walk from Colchester Town Station. It�s a tied Adnams pub with usually Best, Broadside and two genuine guest ales. Currently Mauldons 'Micawbers Mild' and Timothy Taylors 'Landlord'. The ale quality in this pub is always excellent as most of the pub is drinking ale. The Blackboard at the front outside displays the current ales and usually those that will be appearing soon. A pole to the right of the bar usually has the pump clips of those beers appearing soon too.
The juke box has a good selection to suit most tastes and ages. Usually this is pitched at the right volume to not impede good conversation.
Pool and darts are available and the pub hosts teams for both.
There is an outside patio area if you are a smoker or fancy a breath of fresh air.

2 Oct 2007 16:48