BRISTOL CITY ONE PUB ONLY? Three Tuns CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND? Barley Mow, Cornubia, Seven Stars, Orchard . Stay there as you don't really want to go to Ashton Gate do you?  OR Zerodegrees, Three Tuns and the Merchants Arms SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT? The Orchard will be something different, especially if you fancy real cider                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 BRISTOL ROVERS ONE PUB ONLY? Annexe CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND? Cornubia, Seven Stars and then join me in the Sugar Loaves if you fancy sharing a taxi to the ground SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT? Three Tuns CHANGES FROM GUIDE Plume of Feathers - Closed Robins Hood Retreat, Inn on the Green, - Home Fans Only Shakespeare Tavern - Distance from ground                                           Annexe Seymour Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 9EQ  Tel: 0117 949 3931 Website: www.the-annexe.co.uk Licensee Phil Webb Food: main menu plus specials very reasonable (saddle of lamb £4.50), children’s meals Food times: 12-2.30, 5.30-7 Mon to Thu, 12-8 Fri and Sat, 12-4 Sun incl roasts; 2 kitchens; stone baked pizzas anytime from 4pm Parking: street – it’s off the main A38 TV: Sky – 2 big screens in building plus one in courtyard Music: recorded cds only Pub games: quiz Mons, dominoes and chess; Sportsman next door (same co – 2 real ales) specializes in games Disabled: gate, plus children’s room Open: 11.30-3, 5-11 Mon to Thu, 11.30- ‘close’ Fri and Sat, 12-11 Sun           This is worth the slight detour if you are destined for the Memorial Stadium, as the Annexe lies between the Robin Hood and the Wellington. The Annexe has provided a service to locals in the north Bristol suburbs of Bishopston and Horfield and live sports enthusiasts. This is important as the enterprise also includes the larger Sportsman, catering for a youthful pool loving clientele (13 tables) taking their round out in a settee bedecked lounge. In fact the real ale haven which is the Annexe is more comfortable, in terms of relaxing while you watch the current Sky event, or anticipate or reflect upon your chosen fixture up the road. The Memorial Stadium is a mile distant – just follow the blue quartered crocodile on the A38. Licensee Phil is fiercely independent of the neighbour over the yard and provides excellently for a substantial following, home and away (except Millwall, as well as Swansea, Leeds and West Ham on whose visits discretion is exercised regarding admission) alongside a discretionary approach to choice of beers – always an admirable selection. Availability of food is without equal in the sense of something nourishing always being available, including the unusual provision of pizzas when the main kitchen is closed. The fare is very reasonable, and ample. One of the highlights, which I actually enjoyed before a cricket game (Glos CCC is based a mere two minutes away) is the courtyard, now well served by tables accommodating around eight bodies, who can easily share their woe about the weather, as I did that day when the game was called off due to precipitation. By way of compensation the Sky screen can be enjoyed while you wash away your grief under the huge canopies which match the seating spaces admirably.          This pub can get crowded, especially on matchdays – basically all are welcome including large groups if they can find somewhere to park their vehicles. Normally its character is suited to the more mature real ale fraternity. All the better for that. Meanwhile other pubs on the main drag have closed, either completely or on footy days. BWV 13.11.07: Greene King Abbot, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Sharp’s Doom Bar Bitter, Bass, Courage Best Bitter, Wye Valley Hereford Pale Ale, Hop Back Summer Lightning (always), Bath Ales Gem Bitter (guest) Bus: from Bristol Temple Meads 75, the service from Knowle West in the south to Parkway in the north, and may other services on the Gloucester Road (A38). The pub is 5 mins down right turn Nevil Road round the back of the Sportsman. Taxi: Abba 0117 904 0404 Mick Escott Barley Mow 39 Barton Road, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 0LF Tel  BM SP  Food Simple food served at lunchtimes           The Barley Mow is in an area of Bristol that is undergoing some renovation as the waterside near Bristol Temple Meads is gentrified. The "Dings" area lies beind the spanking new office blocks and apartments immediately to the west of the station. Cross the new footbridge and venture behind the new residences and you will find an area that is long forgotten by the native Bristolians. There is now a perfectly good reason to investigate because the Bristol Beer Factory has taken the pub and set it up as a classic local with the full range of their quality ales. The pub is a single bar, traditionally furnished with wooden floors and a neat outside smoking courtyard. It may not been on the well beaten track to the city centre but does make for a starting point for a pub crawl in this part of Bristol which has several similar local real ale outlets. BWV May 2010 Bristol Beer Factory Red, No 7, Bristol Stout, Stedders Cornubia 142 Temple Street, Bristol BS1 6EN  Tel: 0117 925 4415 W www.thecornubia.com    Guv’nor: Ross Nicol Food description: snacks Food time: 12-8 Mon to Fri; 5.30-8 Sat Parking: small car park; street TV: no Music: BM; alternate Tues – Irish folk Pub games: Poker, chess, backgammon; no leagues Disabled – single entrance with steps Opening times: 11.30-11pm Mon to Fri, 5.30-11 Sat, closed Sun           This is a jewel of a pub, an oasis initially hard to find among tax office, fire station and defunct brewery buildings (George’s going on Courage) and a short cut to the inner ring road. The building itself escaped the World War II bombing assault which destroyed much of Bristol’s old centre, built in 1775 and formerly comprising 2 shops. It was rescued from oblivion in 1996 when purchased by Hidden Brewery of Wylye, Wiltshire, who installed Ross (Bournemouth supporter) and Karen, who live above this shop. They do everything, including my excellent broccoli cheese bake. The Cornubia became established as the local CAMRA tryst spot, in the function room upstairs and kick off point for trips to other breweries. It is a much loved haven. This should be the case for football travelers on the way back to Temple Meads after an evening game as the Cornubia (Latin for Cornwall) offers a pint and a pie for £3.50 in the evenings. There is an impressive trade later on, given that the surrounding streets are largely uninhabited, except by a number of pubs which all deserve a visit. This is crawl territory. Several premises in the Temple/Victoria Street area between city centre and station have a pubwatch agreement in case of trouble. That’s comforting. It’s an easy place to settle down for a session and I expect some who dropped in for a lunch break have ended up using up some time off in lieu. The patrons are real ale connoisseurs, said Ross, who are able to see their wishes come true on recommending their favourite brews as guest ales. If theirs is chosen they receive a pint of it. There are events to tempt you in: Cider Sunday in July for one. This is a small single bar, with tables outside, a pleasant experience. You may espy some action in the fire station opposite. BWV 14.6.07: Hidden Pint, Quest, Depths, Potential, Dark Star Hophead, Espresso, Archers Golden Mick Escott                                                   Merchants Arms Merchants Rd. Hotwells BS8 9PZ  T 0117 9040037 W www.bathales.com G John Lansdall Food: toasted  sandwiches, pork pies, homemade rolls Open: 12 to 2.30, 5 to 11.30pm Mon to Sat, 12 to 10.30pm Sun          The Merch is situated on the Cumberland Basin in Hotwells with views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge round the corner. It’s easy to find by the A4 but in a residential area, and being painted a comely mustard and sporting a wild hare, logo of Bath Ales, on the front wall. It is a treasure and has adjudged as such in winning the Leon English Heritage Award and the Best Pub Design Award -  it was converted from an Elvis theme local at the turn of the century. I remember it well! The style links it with other pubs in the area with a traditional resonance (try the Wellington when rivals Rovers return to north Bristol). A single room with cleverly divided spaces, a quieter snug area beyond the bar, it’s just the right kind of place for quiz aficionados on Thursday, being so intimate. It’s always welcoming whether patronized by two or three, at the beginning of the evening session, or packed, on a match day or any day. It feels open despite its size, with substantial windows amid the dark décor. Everything is reasonably priced - alongside a pork pie (West Midlands origins) it’s worth attempting one of Big John’s pickled eggs. They are regular, but you can also time a visit for a vintage port and local cheese evening – monthly on the first and third Wednesdays. Tuesday is English Folk Session evening and also on Weds possibly catch Agnostic Singer Song Writer. The pub’s location makes it very accessible to Ashton Gate – just follow the crowds along the disused railway line. It is popular after games. It attracts a mature and informed clientele. The quiz was tough when I tried it. Try also other pubs in the vicinity and it’s near the ferry terminus, therefore in booze cruise country. BWV 15.5.07 (ME): Bath Ales Spa, Gem, Barnstormer, Wild Hare BWV 26.11.05 (RS): Bath Ales Barnstormer, Festivity, Gem, Spa BWV 26.11.05 (RS):  Bath Ales Barnstormer, Festivity, Gem, Spa Mick Escott The Orchard Inn Hanover Place,   BS1 6XT  Telephone 0117 9262678 G NEW LANDLORD F Good value traditional pub food 12 to 2 Mon - Fri   SP   BM   D O 12 to 3, 5 to 11 Mon - Thu, 12 to 3, 7 to 10.30 Sun            The Orchard Inn represents all that is really good in a typical Bristol town boozer. It is small, instantly welcoming and has managed to adapt as all around it has changed in the last twenty years. This is due in part to the landlord having a history of not only being here for seventeen years but also his father being the boss before him.           Spike Island, the area between the river and Feeder canal has been transformed from the heart of the Bristol docklands to a rather trendy and certainly gentrified enclave that has a great mix of long - established locals and youngish professionals living the planners’ dream. The pub is small, having a street corner location that allows light to enter on both sides. It has an outside drinking space which was very popular on my brief summer afternoon visit. The interior is very much in the living room style. It is subdivided by a clever, raised and railed off, area but essentially it is small enough for conversation to be pub - wide. Do not expect to find hoards of football fans, it is too remote and off the obvious routes to the ground. Do expect to come across regulars, both City and Rovers supporters, who mix happily, enjoying a healthy rivalry not always found city - wide. The Orchard is one of the few remaining freehouses in the city and long may it stay exactly as it is , a proper pub that is the centre of a city - wide real ale drinking community. BWV 1.6.06:  Bath Ales Gem,  Butcombe Bitter, Sharp’s Doom bar, Moles Black Rat Cider, Thatcher’s Cheddar Valley, Traditional Somerset Cider CAMRA CIDER PUB OF THE YEAR 2009 Ratepayers Arms Filton Leisure Centre, Filton BS34 7PS T 01454 866697  W www.filton-town-council.co.uk TV: Sky Music: Sundays – Irish, jazz, folk Games: skittle alley next door Open: Sunday 12-11.30           If you know that Bristol has masses of choice but plenty of associated transport hassles then the Ratepayers offers an interesting alternative. This is a suburban leisure centre bar owned by the local council. In a rare act of enlightened thinking John has been given license to create a real ale bar with a great range of good quality ales. In a typical café / bar style you find a lounge bar that is a really good locals dropping off point. Of course it is frequented by athletic and not so athletic types, the former having played squash, badminton etc, and the latter, like me dreaming of past energies and revelling in the real ale. The selection of ales specialises in regional microbrews yet has national well-known brands for the less adventurous. Unique as an entry in these guides, it might encourage a local person to take up physical activity, well perhaps not, cribbage or darts while enjoying good ale is enough for me. UPDATE:  The bar now has big screens for watching big games and has regular music on a Sunday night. BWV 6.12.04:  Butcombe Bitter,  Burton Ale,  Otter Claus,  Stonehenge Great Bustard,  Wells Bombardier BWV 1.6.06:  Brains Rev James,  Butcombe Bitter,  Greene King Ruddles County,  Marston’s Merrie Monk,  Theakston’s Old Peculier UPDATE BWV 22.11.07: Wells Bombardier, Greene King Abbot, Butcombe Traditional Bitter, Morland Old Speckled Hen, Wadworth 6X. Technically all guest as the pub is independent, but manager John generally keeps to these – not really any interest in other brews Mick Escott Seven Stars Thomas Lane RedcliffeBS1 6JG Tel: 0117 9272845 W www.7stars.co.uk   BM SP PG No food                     Around the corner from the Cornubia, this is fast becoming one of my favouirite stopping off points on the walk into town. It always has a range of local microbrews and deserves some support for encouraging people back to this historical district. It has some interesting historical connections to the slave trade that are being fully exploited. BWV 13.3.10 Blindman's Tumbler and Tipsy,  Bristol Milk Stout, Goff's White Knight, Saltaire Raspberry Blonde, Stannay Stanway, Summer Wine Tiberius. Three Sugar Loaves 1, Christmas Steps, Bristol, Somerset, BS1 5BS Tel 0117 929335 G Jason Arnall O Daily 12:00-late          Ronnie should have written this but as he has yet to do so  I will guess what he would write.  Jason has moved from the White Lion on the nearby city centre to this historic and quirky off street corner pub. It is at the foot of Christmas Steps, a site that most tourists put on their "must do" list when visiting the city. The oddness lies in the layout, two downstairs areas are near the bar and on different layers with flagstone floors. For more privacy and less atmosphere you might ramble to the higher level where wooden floors are found in the "upper shop" area.         Jason has worked hard to get this pub going again. His political leaning may be a bit suspect, Hosting Mr C pre election shouldn't really be held against him, neither should he be criticised  for bringing the White Lion opening traditions with him. The pub serves good quality ales and his company is always relaxed and friendly. Beers vary over a period of time but usually include two of those below. The Bass is real, if not on hand pump BWV June 2010 Otter Bitter, Hook Norton Old Hooky, Ringwood Forty - Niner Bass Draught BWV 14.8.10 Otter Bitter, Ringwood Forty - Niner, Skinners Betty Stoggs,  Bass Draught Three Tuns 78 St George's Rd BS1 5UR Tel 0117 929 7699 www.threetunsbristol.co.uk  G Mark Farrell BM SP No Food O 5-11 Mon - Thu, 12 -11 Fri - Sun           On the road from the Cathedral towards the Grain Barge is the Three Tuns. Mark Farell is the new boss here. He used to run the Plume of Feathers and the beers he servers up are excellent and in the true style of the new beer hunting types. Our lunchtime visit found a regular of Timmy Taylor Landlord and on this occasion three from Arbor ales.           The Three Tuns has become a regular  favourite of mine both pre match and early evening. The pub has been rejuvenated as a quality real ale and comfortable music pub. Located just off the city centre,  yards from the Cathedral this pub has a perfect location for those wishing to link up the city centre and Hotwells pub crawls. It is a single bar, wooden floors throughout with an interesting outside smoking platform suspended high above the ground. The beers feature an excellent choice of Arbor Ales and high prestige guests from what are not so micro breweries. The music is of the diddly diddly and folk variety, certainly not the type often found in the noisy city centre neighbours. Do not expect to be in the company of the young and trendy, however local students have found out that real ale can be a decent alternative to fizzy pop. BWV 27.3.10 Arbor Beeche Blonde, Brigstowe Bitter, Motueka, Butcombe Bitter, Cotswold Springs Codrington Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord          BWV 24.7.10 Arbor Brigstowe, Oyster Stout, Cotswold Spring Codrington Codger, Hopback Summer DazeT imothy Taylor's Landlord Wellington Gloucester Rd Horfield  BS7 8UR  T  0117 9513022  W  www.wellington@bathales.co.uk    G Alex Broxton and Lloyd Williams F Good value traditional pub menu 12 to 2, 6 to 9 Mon - Sat, 12 to 4 Sun for Sun lunch   SP   TV   BM O 12 to 11 Sun - Thu, 12 to 12 Fri – Sat          The Welly continues its status as a landmark as a fine hostelry and social presence on the Gloucester Road a couple of hundred yards from the Memorial Ground. The pub is a spacious, red brick building on a corner of Horfield Common (adorned with a disused rusty Victorian urinal – have a look) and set back at an angle from the A38 northbound out of Bristol. Carry on and you hit the M5, while southwards plentiful buses get you straight to the city centre. The bus station is a mere step from the bottom where the A38 joins the inner ring road. Inside the pub, the style and space are no surprise, and all the better for being obvious – this is a proper pub, dark, lofty and embracing. It comprises a tall main room surrounding the bar, with a few nooks off to the left. The capable and friendly young staff will sell you the splendid range of Bath Ales, and guest beers, chosen by reciprocal trade, in supporting micro breweries, not just locally based. There is a fine selection of nourishing nosh, served efficiently. Sometimes this is adventurous, as when I enjoyed rabbit pie in Wild Hare ale, at 6pm before an evening game. Programmes for the game are also on sale. The surprise comes when you venture through the building outside, where there are two extensive spaces, the first one covered, the second open, sometimes with the popular addition of a barbecue. Smoking is accommodated very well here. This area can be approached from behind, appropriate as the Welly is well peopled by the Bristol Rugby fraternity, packing out the back yards, to an even greater degree than on Rovers’ home days. You can also take out ale in various sizes of vessel (polypins, micros, gift packs) for enjoyment elsewhere. Customers are of all ages, mainly Bath Ales enthusiasts, but  palatable Ashton Press cider (4.5%) is sold. There is live music on Sundays and Mondays – a wide range of disciplines, booked in months ahead. These include new and original bands; also an annual beer festival in late May, with 72 different beers, and. Visit this pub, but not in the colours of the visiting team. The beer garden comes complete with a retractable roof.  BWV 11.9.08 Bath Barnstormer, Wild Hare, Gem, Spa BWV 28.5.07: Bath Ales Spa, Gem, Barnstormer, Wild Hare (always), Hopback Summer Lightning (guest) BWV 1.6.06:  Bath Ales Gem, Spa, Barnstormer,  Cotleigh Barn OwlBWV 12.4.05:  Bath Ales Gem, Spa, Barnstormer, 3 Rivers Disreputable Mick Escott Pub has been extended, retractable roof is gone, large lounge with a mix of sofas and canteen tables in its place. Away fans directive is very much more relaxed. Zerodegrees 53 Colston Street,   BS1 5BA  Telephone 0117 9252706  W  www.zerodegrees.co.uk G Stephen Holman F Pizzas, mussels, pasta, salads and gourmet sausages (Sunday roast) 12 to 12   MP   TV   BM   D O 12 to 12          Have you been to an American-style micro-brew pub, or perhaps, a new German Tavern? Maybe you might have found an architect-designed London warehouse serving good ale? The new Zerodegrees has arrived in Bristol and has made an immediate impression on the real ale scene. The sparkling nature of the brewery and its industrial interior make an instant impact. The beer is the ultimate of instant access, direct from the fementers to the glass. Add in plasma screens for both big rugby and footie matches and you get a wider appeal than merely a trendy bar. The pub has a minimalist look, yet still makes me feel like I am welcome as an occasional visitor. After a chat with Martin, the head brewer of German descent, I retired to the balcony in perfect contentment and set off going through the beer list. Be sure to ask what the special is. It will often surprise, much as the black lager excites. UPDATE: The pub now has massive large screens for the big match occasion BWV 12.4.05:  Zerodegrees Black Lager, Pale Ale, Pilsner, Wheat Ale, Special BWV 1.6.06:  Zerodegrees Black Lager, Pale Ale, Pilsner, Wheat Ale, Special53 Colston Street,   BS1 5BA  Telephone 0117 9252706  Zero Degrees (update) BWV 2.12.07: Zero Degrees Black Lager, Pale Ale, Pilsner, Wheat Beer (always), Cranberry Lager (seasonal) Mick Escott                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           ASHTON GATE    MEMORIAL STADIUM    Supporters Club bar There is a bar at the ground that welcomes away fans. It does not however offer real ale. Shame on them! My  pre match crawl takes in the following:- Three Sugar Loaves art the bottom of Christmas SDteps, near Zerodegress The Bank St Johns St and the Welly for 2.15 LOCAL BREWERY c/o Tobacco Factory Raleigh Road Southville BristolBS3 1TF  Tel  0117 902 6317 www.bristolbeerfactory.co.uk/   LOCAL BREWERY Unit 10a Bridge Road Industrial Estate, Kingswood Bristol, BS15 4TA Phone:0117 9570899 www.arborales.co.uk WETHERSPOONS The Commercial Rooms 43-45 Corn Street  Bristol BS1 1HT Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am  V-Shed The Waterfront Canons Road Bristol BS1 5UH Opening Times: Mon-Thu 9am-2am; Fri/Sat 9am-3am; Sun 9am-12.30am  The Knights Templar 1 The Square Temple Quay Bristol BS1 6DG Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am  The Berkeley 15-19 Queens Road Clifton Bristol BS8 1QE Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am The Robert Fitzharding  24 Cannon Street Bedminster Bristol BS3 1BN Opening Times:Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am BRISTOL CAMRA