The Brewers Pride, Ossett

This pub cannot cater for a Beer Festival yet every year the surly staff seem surprised that they cannot cope with the influx of people who cram the bars and tables expecting that alien thing called �service.�
I particularly enjoyed the "hog roast" where the chap serving punched the till and started swearing when I asked to change my order. As I was complaining to the manager (well I think he was the manager):
"are you the manager"
"why who's asking"
"me, you've got a Brewers Pride T-shirt on and I want to make a complaint"
The till chap continued to complain to the queue that he should have been "�u(&!ng finished at 5pm" as the manager looked on witnessing this he said "I'm sorry about that, I'll have a word" which left me thinking �hmmm is this his son or relation?�
Going back to my perch having been given the wrong order after all that, I looked forward to my pint but found I had the wrong drink as my spouse had had an equally bad experience after shunting to the front only to have the barmaid slam the pints down without saying which was which after being asked a few times, answering with snorting nostrils and rolling eyes.
We left pretty early as a group. When we chatted to some other people we met and they confirmed they "never go in there anymore. It's stuck-up."
This is a real shame for this pub. I used to live on the same road and had many a good night enjoying the quiz nights, food and atmosphere but the Beer Festival seems to bring out the worse in it.
If the Brewers Pride is to have a successful beer festival, it needs to get more amiable staff who can cope for that day. Extra seating and canopies need to be provided for the overspill and above all it needs be better managed. Otherwise it will continue to be a scrum at a house party.

1 Sep 2010 08:49

The West Riding Refreshment Rooms, Dewsbury

Deceiving pub, looks like the tardis from the Station side & would be easily missed but is quite a big pub from the front (often missed as it is set back from the station entrance which is a shame as it is stunning). If you enjoy old-worldy then this is for you with its dingy interior, wooden floors & train memorabilia. There seemed to be a good atmosphere & lots of people in.
We didn't eat but enjoyed some beers, of which there was an excellent choice and all tasted good (especially the stout).

7 Mar 2009 13:18

The Twelve Bells, Cirencester

This is a quirky little place to be sure, but it's a little gem. The beer is very good with some interesting options to keep things varied. The food is out of this world. I didn't have particularly high expectations because it just feels like a good old boozer that concentrates on beer, but every meal I've had at the Bells has been really special. The veg especially are terrific, fresh, full of flavour, just great every time. The landlord is a real character too, like everything else here don't be put off, he's a real charmer, a lot of fun and a nice chap. I've only stopped short of 10/10 because they don't serve food on Sundays.

7 Mar 2009 12:16

The Bear of Rodborough Hotel, Rodborough Common

The Bear is a fair size of hotel but I'm reviewing it as a pub. They have a small selection of real ales on hand pump (about 3?) but they are mostly local and in exceptional condition. Every sip was a delight, honestly! this is how beer is supposed to taste. The bar as a good atmosphere with log fires in winter, and the design makes good use of the style of the period building. It is quite out of the way though, and you can tell a lot of the drinkers are hotel guests. Ideally located for walkers and surrounded by stunning scenery, the staff seem to be friendly towards outdoor types as well as the rather smarter dressed folk who I guess are there for the fancy restraunt. Probably good for cyclists too but haven't investigated.

7 Mar 2009 12:10

The Crown Inn, Minchinhampton

Shabby pub, should have a sign outside saying "strictly locals only". We went here after a walk for lunch only to be told by the rude barman "we don't serve walk-ins you have to book in advance." Even though the menu on the front of the building said otherwise. The restaurant was half full so they had space. I questioned diners who said they had never had to ring first & 2 locals who said they'd never heard of that before.
In the meantime the barman was bullying a waitress
If you don't already go there every night, don't bother because you're not welcome. You're not missing much, anyway.

7 Mar 2009 11:59