BITE user comments - Stimac
Comments by Stimac
A lovely little boozer that stocks some decnt ales. Little brewery in the back. Full of character and characters. Well worth a visit if you are near Derby train stationery at all
22 Aug 2013 10:35
I recently returned to the Abbey after hearing that it was under new management. I was hearing good things about it's new owners and the direction the pub was taking so wanted to witness this potential diamond in the rough come in to its own. How bitterly disapointment I was. First of all, prices have risen exponentially since my last visit and the quality of the beer served was average at best. It is a Sam Smith's pub so beer quality can be ignored if the prices are low, which they no longer are.
When I visited, the upstairs bar was closed and so I was served in the 'undercroft'. I found that the preference toward locals continues to be a tradition observed by the Abbey's new incumbants, as I was routinely ignored in favour of locals while I awaited service. This situation was not helped by the fact that the landlord was stood at the door ignoring a busy bar and chatting to his mates. When I finally got served I found the new land landy to be less than friendly. My presence seemed an iinconvenience for her somehow. Perhaps I caught her at a bad moment, but over the course of the next hour or so, I witnessed her snarling and barking orders at many patrons of the pub for what were minor indiscretions, having the effect of making me, and others like we were somehow intruding in a very grumpy woman's house.
All in all, this has put me off trying this place out again until it is owned by folk with rudimentary customer service skills. The Abbey seems to be cursed by surly owners!
6 Jul 2013 11:18
I recently returned to the Abbey after hearing that it was under new management. I was hearing good things about it's new owners and the direction the pub was taking so wanted to witness this potential diamond in the rough come in to its own. How bitterly disapointment I was. First of all, prices have risen exponentially since my last visit and the quality of the beer served was average at best. It is a Sam Smith's pub so beer quality can be ignored if the prices are low, which they no longer are.
When I visited, the upstairs bar was closed and so I was served in the 'undercroft'. I found that the preference toward locals continues to be a tradition observed by the Abbey's new incumbants, as I was routinely ignored in favour of locals while I awaited service. This situation was not helped by the fact that the landlord was stood at the door ignoring a busy bar and chatting to his mates. When I finally got served I found the new land landy to be less than friendly. My presence seemed an iinconvenience for her somehow. Perhaps I caught her at a bad moment, but over the course of the next hour or so, I witnessed her snarling and barking orders at many patrons of the pub for what were minor indiscretions, having the effect of making me, and others like we were somehow intruding in a very grumpy woman's house.
All in all, this has put me off trying this place out again until it is owned by folk with rudimentary customer service skills. The Abbey seems to be cursed by surly owners!
6 Jul 2013 11:18
The Seven Stars oozes potential tro be a real gem but sadly lacks the beer quality that could make this ancient pub stand out. That said, the Pedigree is usually spot on whenever Ive been in there however, as other reviewers have commented a more fitting name would be the "Seven Seats".
15 Jun 2012 15:50
This is Derby CAMRA Pub of the year 2012 for a reason. A superb range of ales, all looked after well by the current landlord and his manager. I have to disagree with the previous review which praises the "Five Lamps ale" as I think it is the worst beer they have on offer! This is no slant on DBC but I honestly beleive if it was branded differently (i.e not called Five Lamps) then it would struggle in most real ale settings.
Having seen some terrible incarnations of this pub over the years, the current owners have given it a cosy country pub feel. They have pulled it off very well considering the pub is located on a busy main road on the outskirts of the city centre!
The food in there is also superb and reasonably priced. Its all locally sourced fayre and the portions are hearty!
If you are coming into the city from the north along the A6 - this is the first good pub you will come across.
15 Jun 2012 15:46
This is a souless / flat pack Ember Inns pub, which might as well be the near by Markeaton. The quality of beer is hit and miss. They usually have a couple of guest ales on which is nice for the more cultured drinker - however I have had quite possibly the worst pint of Landlord I've ever been served in here.
Not really a go to destination - more of one to visit if you are coming south bound into Derby on the way to better pubs such as the Five Lamps, Flower Pot, Silk Mill or the new Furnace Inn.
15 Jun 2012 15:39
This pub is a bit of a contradiction as far as Im concerned. The setting is beautiful, the building has boat loads of charm and character and the prices are cheap (as you would expect from a Sam Smith's pub). The quality of beer is OK, nothing more - nothing stand out. But people dont go to the Abbey for the quality of the beer, its all about the unique character first of all, and then the cost!
I often feel alienated in here as priority of service seems to be given to the locals no matter how long you are stood there. Of course, a landlord must look after his regulars but I have often found his enforcement of this ideal bordering on the ignorant.
The inside of the pub doesn't have much light and has quite a dingy and dirty feel to it. The tables are often sticky and the chairs dusty - but then this adds a certain rustic charm in itself.
There is a lovely space at the front of the pub called Dean's field which, on a sunny day, quickly fills up with sun seekers, barbeques, frisbys and a sea of plastic pint glasses full of Sam Smith's beer. This is where the Abbey comes into it's own, a quirky English boozer that acts as the perfect bedfellow for the British summer time.
15 Jun 2012 15:32
Gone is the dingy karaoke bar with 1960s decor, the plethora of clutter, the sub-standard beer and out of date bar snacks. In comes a bright, open & welcoming pub with a great selection of real ales from various micro brewies. The landlord has 8 pumps featuring guest ales, from breweries such as Oakham, Nutbrook and Blue monkey to name a few (the ones I can remember). They offered a scrumpy cider from a barrell behind the bar too, but at 7.6% I steered well clear for the sake of hangover avoidence! Price wise it was around �2.80 for a pint of real ale, but a 20p discount is offered to CAMRA members. They have your standard lagers (Stella and Carling I think) too but didn't really give them enough attention due to the feast of guest ales I was presented with. This pub has built up a reputation over the years, and not a favourable one at that however the early indications are that the new owners are trying to run a proper drinkers pub to appeal to real ale drinkers. With Derby having a reputation for quality real ale, this could well stand the new Furnace Inn in very good favour. With the Five Lamps, Flower Pot and Silk Mill all within spitting distance, this could really make the North East corner of Derby a fundamental part of the city's Real Ale trail.
15 Jun 2012 15:21
The Abbey, Derby
Thanks for the veiled insults from the previous 2 posters, I am prompted to respond to the allegations made of both having been effected by the summer heat and holding a vendetta of some kind.
Firstly, in response to 'Admin1041'. Interestingly this is your first and only review on BITE to date. Fair enough but your suggestion that my experience was somehow down to heat exposure is very wide if the mark.
Steve. I assure you that I hold no vendetta or grudge against anywhere. As for posting twice, must be a technical error. If you look closer you will notice both reviews were posted on the same date at exactly the same time!
The character, charm and location of the Abbey are second to none however I felt very disappointed in the experience I had when I took time to visit. You are obviously a regular patron and your experience differs to mine, as a non-local. Again, fair enough.
My review was based on my experience from the perspective of a non-regular, I stand by every word just as you stand by yours. That is what BITE is all about after all.
Anyway, all the best to the Abbey and it's (relatively) new owners. I wish them every success in the future. Perhaps I will take some time to visit you again. If I do, I will leave an honest review, as I always do.
30 Aug 2013 20:42