BITE user comments - MrKiA
Comments by MrKiA
Used to be good, provided you avoided the dark beer. That was usually poor, presumably because the beer was not adequately cooled and the dark beer sold more slowly.
Last time I called there were only two beers on. The (pale) one I had was terrible. Only one other customer late evening.
It has gone rapidly downhill since 'Just Ales' in Frome opened. Probably the worst beer in Wells now and that's saying something, so don't bother!
16 Oct 2019 20:09
This pub used to be good for cask ale, but it has got worse and worse. A couple of weekends ago there was none on. Both the beers I tried this weekend were rubbish. Had to go onto the keg beer. It can still be an entertaining place, but so far as real ale is concerned - forget it.
26 Aug 2018 15:58
Now renamed the Dark Horse and been given a complete and tasteful refit. Staff vary from the polite to the completely incompetent, beer varies from excellent to mud.
16 Apr 2017 21:18
Beer more palatable on last (Saturday) visit - not the usual appley taste. The plastic glasses spoilt it though. What's worse, instead of a solid rim, the edge is just turned over, leaving a sort of gutter, allowing the beer to run out of the sides of your mouth.
2 Mar 2016 18:00
Bank holiday Monday 6th April 2015. This can be a very popular pub, it's in a great location. Not so good this time, barmaid had to be reminded twice to give me a full pint, and didn't bother telling me how much the round was, just took the money. The Butcombe tasted more like Doom Bar.
8 Apr 2015 23:04
Now called the 'New Moon', this pub has been refurbished and the atmosphere has completely changed for the better. However, the ale was at high city-centre prices and both bouncers completely blanked me when I said 'Good evening.'. One was too busy fiddling with his phone, I don't know what the other one's excuse was.
2 Oct 2014 22:02
Nova7 is consistent, if you point out that she seems to be slagging off a pub, she slags off your pub too.
29 Apr 2013 19:40
I'm sure LukeD is correct as Nova7 has only ever commented on these two pubs and Arbor is one of the best breweries in the country. Since the new landlord has taken over the beer in this pub has always been of exceptionally good quality. I decided against going in on Saturday because it was absolutely rammed, so is it "on its last legs"? Ridiculous!
10 Apr 2013 19:16
I'm sure LukeD is correct as Nova7 has only ever commented on these two pubs and my experience is that Arbor is one of the best breweries around.
10 Apr 2013 19:11
This weekend's beer festival has a choice of 26 beers. The beer list has tasting notes and even includes descriptions of the breweries. Landlord's beard still defies description.
1 Dec 2012 17:26
Not the same welcome since John left.
Ask the price before you buy a bottled beer, I was told (a while ago) that one of the Belgian beers was over �7 (it wasn't Deus).
Check your change. On Friday two people were shortchanged in half an hour - I was charged over �8 for two pints. That is staggering incompetence - or something else.
15 Aug 2012 18:43
The recent beer festival would have been better if the barman wasn't smoking behind the outside bar.
23 Jul 2012 18:47
I avoid this place after 12:30 on the weekend because I know that the bar will sell you a pint at one minute to one and the bouncers will hassle you to drink up at one minute past one. Last Saturday 21st the bouncers were asking people to finish their drinks at quarter to one - when the bar was still serving!
26 Apr 2012 19:45
Most of the difference in price between the Three Tuns and the Bag is because the 3 Tuns gives me a CAMRA discount - and the Bag doesn't!
17 Dec 2011 17:22
The "Bag" has been redecorated sympathetically, it retains the best of its old style while being a bit smarter, so should please the old regulars. It's been doing well since it opened and was very busy at the weekend. Some good beer on and respectable customers... Looks like it's going to be a success. My only criticism is that the prices are high compared for example with the excellent Three Tuns close by.
13 Dec 2011 16:42
Re-opened on Saturday 6th August by Keith/Lemmy from the Chelsea. Three real ales on. Should be worth a try.
7 Aug 2011 19:43
The Three Tuns has had a new manager since Saturday 23rd July 2011.
24 Jul 2011 21:00
The Bristol Fringe Cafe Bar, Bristol
Now taken over by Julia (ex Cornubia) so should become a friendly local. There were two beers on when I visited which were in good condition. A long narrow bar which is much bigger than you might expect from outside and a smaller sport bar at the back.
23 Jan 2011 17:07
With the new management this pub has changed dramatically for the better, the staff are pleasant and helpful and there is a good variety of guest beers so you haven't got to drink liquid toffee. The heavy rock can be a bit dominant though.
26 Dec 2010 14:21
If you go here on the weekend make sure you leave for somewhere else well before closing time. The door staff will harass you to drink up ten minutes before they stop serving!
29 Nov 2010 17:27
Entertaining to watch the weekend antics, but the beer is usually very warm and the floor in the urinals wet. Don't bother.
29 Nov 2010 17:18
Only about ten people in, not many in for a Saturday evening. Eleven o'clock and lights were going out, bar being cleaned and chairs put up. Nobody said as much, but the attitude was definitely sup up and s*d off. OK, I will!
17 Oct 2010 20:54
Price a bit more reasonable than my last visit at �2.90 for a pint of Fullers London Pride (I only had a half). I normally like it but this was disgusting. It was willingly replaced with something else which was drinkable but not brilliant. They had seven or eight real ales - too many perhaps? There were only six people in, the behaviour of one of them was a bit worrying so I necked the half and left. I hope it doesn't go back to being another dodgy Fishponds pub.
10 Sep 2010 18:21
Julia - who ran the Cornubia until Horrible Hidden took over, is now in charge, she's as eccentric as ever, so hopefully she will liven up this rather staid pub.
They had Banker's Draft and Wadsworths 6X on, I only tried the Banker's Draft which was fine.
9 Sep 2010 19:04
I've only been in here on Friday and Saturday nights, Good mixture of people and pleasant atmosphere, beer is usually OK although not always available. I have found on a couple of occasions that some bouncers are much more forceful than is necessary with the reasonable customers this place has. Last time I was there (Sat 24/7/2010) the instant the bar was closed we were immediately herded out like cattle by a very aggressive bouncer.
6 Aug 2010 18:59
Sunday night was the last night at the Bag o' Nails for Paul and Amanda, it is closed now, but should reopen before too long.
2 Aug 2010 23:16
Dropped in here the other day, to see whether it had changed for the better since the departure of the grumpy landlady. I ordered a half and was told that it would be �1.65 - that's �3.30 a pint! This is a tidy but ordinary pub in Fishponds and it's cheaper in real ale pubs down town, I said 'No thanks' and walked away.
17 Feb 2010 18:33
I like the new CAMRA member beer discount and the higher ratio of real ale to Hidden Quality "beer".
Otherwise the Hidden Quality Crew are now are now changing everything that works - there is now less lunchtime food, no more quality pork pies, silly opening hours, ridiculous belgian beer prices, tasteless posters (probably taste better than the new pork pies though) and not doing anything about the things that don't - the bottle fridge has been knackered for ages.
I don't know where they get their ideas from - but it didn't do their other two pubs a lot of good did it?
12 Feb 2010 18:46
I had a very enjoyable pint of Hidden Depths before Christmas but that was the first and last one - despite the new brewer. It therefore doesn't surprise me that Hidden brewery are now in liquidation! See forum/general talk/Hidden brewery. Hopefully they will have to get rid of the pub. Drops Luke in it though unfortunately.
17 Jan 2010 16:40
I visited again yesterday, this time on the bus (so more beer). There was a slightly older couple serving who looked like the landlord and landlady, so I think the very helpful person who served me last time can't have been the landlady. Sorry about the error!
Good beer, cider, food and company again. Very down-to-earth and much more to my taste than the two in Priddy itself.
25 Oct 2009 17:53
Beer was poor quality and expensive, hardly anyone in here (Saturday 7pm). Fake "horse-brassy" decor. Queen Victoria is better, Hunter's lodge far better.
25 Oct 2009 17:51
The Queen Victoria Inn, Priddy
Beer quality was ok, and it was quite busy but decor was "horse brassy" and emphasis was on food. Hunter's Lodge is far more to my taste.
25 Oct 2009 17:49
Poor Luke! Despite his best efforts and some good guest beers, he is out of the Good Beer Guide. Unfortunately the Hidden Brewery is just too unreliable - and some of their beer is mediocre even at its best. This pub has not done too well with small breweries recently - remember the last days of Smiles? Wouldn't it be just wonderful if it became a free house? He could be selective about breweries, and it would make the pub's future much more secure.
10 Oct 2009 19:23
Excellent Cheddar Potholder and faggot and peas. I was involved in a conversation the very moment I walked through the door. The customer I was talking to and the landlady could not have been more pleasant and helpful. Absolutely outstanding hospitality! I'll be back, and next time I'll come on the bus so I'll be able to stay a bit longer!
9 Oct 2009 17:55
This used to be the other pub to miss out on a crawl round the docks. Visited yesterday to see if it had changed and was pleasantly surprised. Customers mostly young and good-natured. Three ales on, ours wasn't drinkable, but was immediately replaced by a very helpful and cheerful barmaid.
12 Jul 2009 17:59
Friendly landlord, three ales - Otter Head, Bath Ales Gem and Cottage SS Great Britain, the best thing about this pub is the choice of 18 (Yes Eighteen!) ciders.
12 Jul 2009 17:41
beatles38 - you are right, I could have explained my point more clearly. I was trying to say that BS8drinker was criticising LukeD for making comments on pubs when he has a vested interest in pubs, and yet BS8drinker appears to be doing exactly the same thing! I also wanted to say that at least LukeD was using his own name, so people who know the pubs and landlords in the area would be aware of his interest. I also agree with you that LukeD has expressed an honest and unbiased (if sometimes harsh!) opinion.
11 Jul 2009 17:05
It is interesting that bs8drinker hides their identity, only registered on Wednesday 8th July, has only made six comments, and all six of these comments are having a go at LukeD. Is it possible that this person signed up to purely to have a go at Luke? Could they be closely associated with one of the five pubs LukeD commented on? Draw your own conclusions!
By the way I think it perfectly acceptable that a landlord should comment on other pubs, particularly when HE is NOT hiding his identity.
(Apologies for miscounting comments earlier!)
10 Jul 2009 17:44
It is interesting that bs8drinker hides their identity, only registered on Wednesday 8th July, has only made three comments, and all three of these comments are having a go at LukeD. Is it possible that this person signed up to purely to have a go at Luke? Could they be closely associated with one of the five pubs LukeD commented on? Draw your own conclusions!
By the way I think it perfectly acceptable that a landlord should comment on other pubs, particularly when HE is NOT hiding his identity.
10 Jul 2009 17:41
It is interesting that bs8drinker hides their identity, only registered on Wednesday 8th July, has only made three comments, and all three of these comments are having a go at LukeD. Is it possible that this person signed up to purely to have a go at Luke? Could they be closely associated with one of the three pubs LukeD commented on? Draw your own conclusions!
By the way I think it perfectly acceptable that a landlord should comment on other pubs, particularly when HE is NOT hiding his identity.
10 Jul 2009 17:40
It is interesting that bs8drinker hides their identity, only registered on Wednesday 8th July, has only made three comments, and all three of these comments are having a go at LukeD. Is it possible that this person signed up to purely to have a go at Luke? Could they be closely associated with one of the three pubs LukeD commented on? Draw your own conclusions!
By the way I think it perfectly acceptable that a landlord should comment on other pubs, particularly when HE is NOT hiding his identity.
10 Jul 2009 17:38
It is interesting that bs8drinker hides their identity, only registered on Wednesday 8th July, has only made three comments, and all three of these comments are having a go at LukeD. Is it possible that this person signed up to purely to have a go at Luke? Could they be closely associated with one of the three pubs LukeD commented on? Draw your own conclusions!
By the way I think it perfectly acceptable that a landlord should comment on other pubs, particularly when HE is NOT hiding his identity
10 Jul 2009 17:35
This used to be the one pub to miss out on a crawl round the docks due to its overpriced dodgy beer. I was dragged in there against my will recently to discover that the prices are now normal and the beer was fine. I've now found out that it has been taken over by Butcombe - that would explain it then!
29 Jun 2009 00:56
If you have an interest in how beer is served, please ignore the earlier comment about "extra yeast added to the cask" - ask someone who knows instead!
29 Jun 2009 00:45
Good new year's eve, massive buffet, plus gorgeous Thornbridge Hall Russian Stout 7.7% at �2 a pint - as were all the real ales that night!
6 Jan 2009 00:19
Agree with the previous poster - this is for the BOG in Denmark Street not King Street.
23 Nov 2008 23:51
Great that Luke has taken over - pity about Hidden brewery's beer, it is very variable - from awful to mediocre, I have tried very hard to like it but failed, so now I only go in there if they have got guest ale. It is noticeable that most of the regular CAMRA members have deserted it for pubs like the nearby Seven Stars that always have a good range of varied beer in excellent condition (and at least 10% cheaper).
14 Nov 2008 00:09
The Rose and Crown, Wells
Visited on Carnival night, absolutely packed. Effective but polite door staff. I was served almost immediately with a completely full glass of good quality beer by pleasant bar staff, and charged a reasonable price for it. Customers in an excitable mood but still very friendly. By far the best pub in Wells.
18 Nov 2019 17:44