ONE PUB ONLY? Zerodegrees CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND? Cornubia, ask for the Bank and then join me in the Sugar Loaves if you fancy sharing a taxi to the ground SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT? Three Tuns                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             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 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 Three Sugar Loaves 1, Christmas Steps, Bristol, Somerset, BS1 5BS Tel 0117 929 2242 G Jason Arnell 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 differnt layers and flag stone 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 pree election shouldn't really be held against him, neither should he be criticised over bringing the White Lion opening traditions with him. TRhe 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 2010Otter Bitter, Hook Norton Old Hooky, Ringwood Forty - Niner Bass Draught Wellington (update) 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 BRISTOL CAMRA MEMORIAL STADIUM      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  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 See also Bristol City