REAL ALE PUB GUIDE. Produced by the Colchester and North East Essex branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

Transcription

1 C O L C H E S T E R REAL ALE PUB GUIDE Produced by the Colchester and North East Essex branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

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3 C O L C H E S T E R REAL ALE PUB GUIDE This is an updated version of the Colchester & N.E. Essex branch of CAMRA s guide to the public houses that serve real ale in Colchester, and to assist visitors to the town to enjoy them. There are a few additional pubs in this guide, and revised details where applicable. Most of the pubs are within a walking distance of the town centre, with a few reachable by bus. There is a map to help guide you in the right direction. This booklet also accompanies our guide to the real ale pubs in the rest of our branch area. The information in the guide was correct at the time the pubs were surveyed, but this can change over time. Visitors who wish to visit particular pubs can always ring them beforehand to check that the details are still relevant. Colchester & N.E. Essex branch of CAMRA has regular meetings held in a pub in the branch area. We also have a very good social aspect which includes brewery visits, trips to various pubs, cycling trips, walking trips and trips to pubs in other towns and cities. There is also a young members group. We hold two beer festivals a year, one in January and one in June. Full details of the trips and beer festivals can be found on our website along with more information about the branch. The website is Published by the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 4LW Campaign for Real Ale 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without the prior permission of the Campaign for Real Ale Limited. DISCLAIMER: Every effort has been made to ensure the contents of this guide are correct at time of printing. Nevertheless, the Publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions, or for changes in any details given, or for the consequences of any reliance on the information provided by the same. This does not affect your statutory rights. It is inevitable that some pubs and breweries will change their character during the currency of this guide.

4 ABBEY ARMS 1 St. Johns Green, Colchester CO2 7HA Mon-Fri 12-11, Sat 12-12, Sun Sharps Doombar Timbered single bar pub with comfortable seating areas. Pool table and darts in separate area. Patio with tables and chairs outside at front. Food: Mon-Sat 12-6, Sun 12-3 ALBERT 2 Cowdray Avenue, Colchester CO1 1UT Mon-Sat 11-11, Sun Adnams Bitter, Guest Ale Large corner plot Beefeater chain pub with various rooms and seating areas. Large garden and car park. Extensive good value menu. Food: Sun-Thu 12-10, Fri-Sat 12-11, Also breakfast Mon-Fri 6:30-10:30, Sat-Sun 7-11 ALE HOUSE 3 82 Butt Road, Colchester CO3 3DA Mon-Thu 3-11, Fri 12noon-12, Sat 12-11, Sun Ale House Bitter, up to 9 Guest Ales from local breweries Pleasant pub with relaxing decor and comfortable seating. Spacious outdoor and garden area. Dart board and darts team as well as quiz night every third wednesday of the month. A rare outlet for bar billiards. Food: Check for food as details not available yet.

5 ARTILLERYMAN Artillery Street, Colchester CO1 2JQ Mon-Thu 12-11, Fri-Sat 12-12, Sun Greene King IPA, Abbot, Occasional Guest Corner pub with two bars. Separate quiet area where Sunday roasts are also served. Pool table and darts. Occasional live music and regular quiz night. Pleasant outside area. Food: Rolls in week, Sunday Roast 12-4 BEEHIVE Bromley Road, Colchester CO4 3JG Mon Closed, Tue-Wed 5:30-11, Thu 12-2:30 & 5:30-11, Fri 12-2:30 & 5:30-12 Sat 12-2:30 & 5:30-11, Sun 12-5 Adnams Bitter, Fullers London Pride, Occasional Guest Ales Traditional pub with pleasant atmosphere. L shaped bar serving separate areas with settee seating and tables and chairs. Very pleasant large garden. Varied menu of good quality home cooked food. Roasts only on Sunday. Food: Thu-Sun 12-1:45 & Tue-Sat 5:30-9, Sun 12-4 BERECHURCH ARMS Shrub End Road, Colchester CO3 4RG Mon-Thu , Fri-Sat 9-1am, Sun Greene King IPA, Sharp s Doom Bar Previously the Huntsman, now reverted to its original name under new ownership. Recently refurbished, large single bar pub with various seating areas. Separate area for pool and darts. Large car park at the rear. Occasional music on the weekend. Food: Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun

6 FURTHER READING Colchester has a long history of pubs and brewing that must date back to Roman times and beyond. For a greater insight into the history of all the pubs listed in this guide, and many many more in the Colchester district, we recommend tracking down a copy of Jess Jephcott s fantastic book compiling years of work delving through the record books, finding licensee s details, dates, maps and interesting facts about each drinking establishment. Colchester has a diverse range of licensed premises, including historic old coaching inns, used as welcome stop off points on the route from London to the ports of Ipswich and Harwich. Major factory works towards the Hythe area of Colchester, and the building of military barracks, encouraged many new alehouses to open, there being, at one time, around 24 between St Botolph s Corner and the docks on the River Colne. As new landlords take their place behind the bars of Colchester, so they too, become a new updated entry towards the next edition of this fascinating living document. The INNS, TAVERNS and PUBS of COLCHESTER by Jess A Jephcott These books are printed in short runs and are periodically updated. Thus they are not always available to purchase but you can view a 2007 digital version online at: Otherwise try Red Lion Books in Colchester s High Street.

7 BRICKLAYERS 7 27 Bergholt Road, Colchester CO4 5AA Mon-Thu 11-3, 5:30-11, Fri 11-12, Sat 11-11, Sun 12-7 Adnams Bitter, Broadside and seasonal ales, Guest Ales Two bar pub close to station with various seating areas on different levels. Sun lounge and outdoor area. Large car park. Excellent menu of good quality home cooked food, Sunday roast superb. Food: Mon-Fri 12-2, Sun 12-3 BRITANNIA 8 42 Meyrick Crescent, Colchester CO2 7QY Mon-Fri 3:30-11, Sat 12:30-12, Sun 12:30-11 Colchester Metropolis, Colchester No.1, Guest Ale Large pub with bar serving drinking area with pool table and darts. Separate room serving Gurkha restaurant with good value menu. Occasional live music. Large car park. Food: Monday-Sunday except Tuesday 6-9 BRITISH GRENADIER 9 67 Military Road, Colchester CO1 2AP Mon 12-2:30, 5-11:30, Tue-Thu 5-11:30, Fri 12-12, Sat 11-12, Sun 12-3, 7-11:30 Ever changing beer range Pleasant friendly corner local now a freehouse. One main bar with separate bar serving small room with pool table. Real fire in winter. Quiz night every Sunday evening. No food available.

8 BULL Crouch Street, Colchester CO3 3ES Tue 7-11, Wed 7-12, Thu-Sat 7-2am Beer Range Varies Large pub which focuses a lot on live music. Various seating areas and outside area. May open on Saturday afternoons for international televised rugby. No food available. CASTLE High Street, Colchester CO1 1TH Mon-Sat 11-2:30am, Sun 12-12:30am Adnams Bitter, Deuchars IPA, Guest Ale Large pub in High Street next to Castle Park with various comfortable seating and eating areas. Large outside area. Good quality varied and reasonable menu. Food: Mon-Sat 11-9, Sun 12-9 DOG AND PHEASANT Nayland Road, Colchester CO4 5EG Mon-Fri 11-11, Sat-Sun Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Guest from Greene King range Large pub in Hungry Horse chain with L shaped bar and various drinking and eating areas. Tables and chairs, stools and sofa seating. Large garden. Extensive and good value menu. Food: Mon-Fri 11-9, Sat-Sun 10-9

9 DUCHESS High Street, Colchester CO1 1PG gkpubs.co.uk/pubs-in-colchester/ duchess-pub Mon-Thu 10-11, Fri-Sat 11-1, Sun Greene King IPA, Beers from GK Range Large pub with long single bar. A number of comfortable seating areas, with cafe style pavement seating. Small smoking area. Live music on Thursday evenings and DJ from 10pm. DJ also on Friday & Saturday. Extensive and reasonably priced menu. Food: Mon-Sat 12-11, Sun 11-9 FAT CAT Butt Road, Colchester CO3 3BZ Sun-Thu 12-11, Fri-Sat Woodfordes Wherry, Crouch Vale Brewers Gold, Fat Cat Honey, plus 6-12 Guest Ales Cosy 1 bar pub with welcoming atmosphere and separate smoking area. Various breweriana adorns the walls, and a fireplace near the door is lit on those cold nights. Extensive range of ales and Belgian beers. Monthly curry night. Food: Mon-Fri 12-2, Sat 12-7, Sun Roast 1-3 FORESTERS ARMS Castle Road, Colchester CO1 1UW Mon-Thu 12-11, Fri-Sat 12-12, Sun 12-10:30 Woodfordes Wherry, St. Austell Tribute, Guest Ales Friendly local by Castle Park with a single bar serving two separate areas. Outside area at front. Thursday night open mike, Friday live music, every other Sunday Folk Jam. Varied menu of good value home cooked meals. Food: Mon 12-3, Tue-Thu 12-3, 6-8, Fri 12-6, Sat 12-3, 6-8, Sun 12-5

10 FOUNDRY ARMS Artillery Street, Colchester CO1 2JQ Mon-Thu 11-11, Fri-Sat 12-12, Sun Greene King IPA, Guest Ale Pub with single bar serving two seperate seating areas. Pool and table football. Quiz night. Large pleasant garden. Loyalty card scheme. FOX AND FIDDLER 17 1 St.Johns Street, Colchester CO2 7AA Mon-Wed 11-11, Thu 11-12, Fri-Sat 11-1, Sun Up to 5 Guest Ales including at least one from Mighty Oak Traditional one bar Pub with large separate bar and dining area, outdoor smoking area and good quality homemade food. Food: 12-2 FRIAR St. Christopher Road, Colchester CO4 0NE Mon-Sun Adnams Bitter, Guest Ale Pub with L shaped bar serving various seating areas. Pool table and darts. Quiz on first Wednesday of month. Smoking area at back and garden at front. No food available.

11 GEORGE HOTEL High Street, Colchester CO1 1TD Mon-Sun to Non residents Adnams Bitter Hotel in High Street now owned by Bespoke Hotels, with small bar open to non-residents. Various comfortable seating areas and large separate dining area. Pleasant courtyard, also table and chairs on High Street. Food: Monday-Saturday 11-2, 6-9 Sunday Carvery GOAT AND BOOT East Hill, Colchester CO1 2QW Mon-Sat 12-12, Sun Greene King IPA, Guests Ales Heavily timbered pub with circular bar serving various eating and drinking areas. Locally sourced food and some ales. Folk music evenings. Pub being refubished at time of going to print, so please check for further details. Food: Please check HOLE IN THE WALL 21 2 Balkerne Hill, Colchester CO3 3LA Mon Closed, Tue-Thu 11-11, Fri-Sat 11-12, Sun 12-9 St.Austells Tribute, Wychwood Hobgoblin, up to 4 Guest Ales including one locale Traditional pub situated on historic town walls with central bar, wooden flooring, two outside drinking areas and a welcoming atmosphere. Live music every Friday and Saturday. Food: Locally sourced food available Mon-Fri 12-3, Sat 11-4, Sun 12-4

12 Bergholt Road Abbey Arms 02 Albert 03 Ale House 04 Artilleryman 05 Beehive 06 Berechurch Arms 07 Bricklayers 08 Brittania Colchester Station 31 2 North Station Road North Hill C Lexden Road High Street Butt Road Mersea Road 26 Colchest 32 Milita 36 8

13 09 British Grenadier 10 Bull 11 Castle 12 Dog and Pheasant 13 Duchess 14 Fat Cat 15 Foresters Arms 16 Foundry Arms 17 Fox and Fiddler 18 Friar 19 George Hotel 20 Goat and Boot 21 Hole in the Wall 22 Hospital Arms 23 Kings Arms 24 Leather Bottle 25 Lexden Crown 26 Little Crown 27 Live and Let Live 28 Marquis 29 New Inn 30 New Town Tavern 31 Norfolk 32 Odd One Out 33 Playhouse 34 Prettygate 35 Purple Dog 36 Queens 37 Rose and Crown Hotel 38 Rovers Tye 39 Spinnaker 40 Stockwell 41 Trotters Bar and Kitchen 42 Victoria Inn Cowdray Avenue Ipswich Road 5 olchester Castle East Hill 37 Tourist Information er Bus Station Colchester Town Station Hythe Hill 39 ry Road 9 N

14 HOSPITAL ARMS /125 Crouch Street, Colchester CO3 3HA Sun-Thu 12-11, Fri-Sat Adnams Beers, Guest Ales Adnams pub with 3 bars. Large outdoor seating area with interesting mural. Classic pub atmosphere with no music to detract from the ambience. Food: Mon-Sat 12-2, Sun 12-3 KINGS ARMS Crouch Street, Colchester CO3 3EY gkpubs.co.uk/pubs-in-colchester/kingsarms-pub Sun-Wed 11-11, Thu-Sat Greene King IPA Beers from GK Range Modernised Greene King pub with pleasant atmosphere. A number of seating areas and large outdoor area. Quiz night every Sunday. Extensive wine range. Food: 12-9 Daily LEATHER BOTTLE 24 Shrub End Road, Colchester CO3 4RH Mon-Wed 11-11, Thu-Sat 11-1am, Sun 12-1am Leather Bottle Ale, Guest Ale Two bar pub with separate area for dining. Comfortable seating. Darts, Pool Table, and Sky sports available. Music every Friday. Large car park. Food: 12-9 Daily, Sunday Roast 12-6

15 LEXDEN CROWN Lexden Road, Colchester CO3 4DA Mon-Sun 10-3, 5-11 Greene King IPA, Guest Ales Locally sourced, home cooked food in a relaxing environment with friendly service. Has a beautiful beer garden, off street parking. Food: Mon-Sun & LITTLE CROWN Short Wyre Street, Colchester CO1 1LN Mon-Fri 11-11, Sat 11-12, Sun Sharps Doombar, Guest Ale Comfortable town centre pub with two separate seating ares. Interesting decor of musical memorabilia. Varied and good value menu. Food: Mon-Sun 12-3 LIVE AND LET LIVE Millers Lane, Colchester CO3 OPS Sun-Thu 12-11, Fri-Sat Isla Rose Bitter, up to 4 Guest Ales Pub with bar serving two separate drinking areas. Comfortable seating areas. Good value and varied menu. Pool and darts. Occasional quiz night and live music. Large car park. Food: Mon-Sun 12-3 also 6-9 Fri-Sat

16 COLCHESTER & NE ESSEX CAMRA Real Ale-Runabouts Every month, usually on the 2nd Thursday. An evening chauffeur driven pub crawl around 3-4 of our area s rural pubs. Booking essential. Minibuses pick up from Head Street Colchester. See our website for details and contacts. Last Fridays Walking pub crawls around Colchester, take place on the last Friday evening of the month. See our website for starting pub and route. CycAle Day rides at a slow to medium pace around Essex, Suffolk and occasionally further afield. With a few pub stops or a beer festival visit along the way. Lycra is strictly optional! Beer Festivals Join us for the highlights of our calendar - our Winter and Summer Festivals at Colchester Arts Centre. Branch Meetings A chance to catch up with a bit of branch business and a chance for a noggin and natter. Dates and venues vary. See our website for details. These are just the regular events the branch organise, there s many more social trips and events to take part in too, see our website calendar for full details and other local events. colchestercamra.org.uk

17 MARQUIS North Hill, Colchester CO1 1EG Mon-Sat 11-1am, Sun Beer Range Varies Heavily timbered pub inside and out with various rooms and seating areas. One room with wood carvings and fireplace. Outside are. Karaoke and live music. Good value menu of home cooked food. Food: 12-8 daily NEW INN Chapel Street South, Colchester CO2 7AX Mon-Thu 12-11, Fri-Sat Sun Eagle IPA up to up to 8 Guest Ales from local breweries Friendly corner pub with 2 bars with pool and darts. Weekly poker night and live music most fridays. 60 inch screen in free to hire function room in the back. Food: 12-9 daily NEW TOWN TAVERN 30 Kendall Road, Colchester CO1 2BN Mon-Thu 4-11, Fri-Sat 12-12, Sun Adnams Bitter, Woodfordes Wherry, Ever changing Guests Very pleasant single bar pub with large area inside and tables and chairs. Nice size outside area. Table football, pool table and darts. Quiz night on Sunday. Food: Bar snacks available most times

18 NORFOLK North Station Road, Colchester CO1 1UZ Mon-Wed 12-12, Thu-Sat 12-12:30, Sun 12-11:30 Greene King IPA, Guest Ales Single bar pub with separate rooms and different styles of seating. Pleasant outdoor area. Pool table and darts in separate room. Very good and varied menu. Food: Mon-Fri 12-9, Sat-Sun 12-6 ODD ONE OUT Mersea Road, Colchester CO2 7ET Mon-Thu 4:30-11, Fri & Sat 12-11, Sun 12-10:30 7 guest ales and 5 real ciders Traditional, cosy pub with welcoming atmosphere. Open fire in the winter, beer garden, wide range of whiskies available. Dog friendly. Barbecues throughout the year. Food: Rolls and snacks available PLAYHOUSE 33 4 St.Johns Street, Colchester CO2 7AA Sun-Thu 9-11, Fri-Sat 9-1am Greene King Ruddles Best, Abbot Ale, Guest Ales Large Wetherspoons pub located in an old theatre with plenty of atmosphere. Large central circular bar and various seating areas, open and secluded. Food: 9am-10pm Daily

19 PRETTYGATE The Commons, Colchester CO3 4NW Mon-Sat 11-11, Sun Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Theakston Best, Guest Ale Large pub with L shaped bar and various comfortable seating areas. Darts and pool table. Occasional quiz night and live music. Varied good value menu and specials board. Large car park. Food: Mon-Sat 11-2, No food Sun PURPLE DOG Eld Lane, Colchester CO1 1LS Mon-Wed 11-11, Thu 11-1, Fri 10-1, Sat 10-2, Sun 11:30-10:30 Woodforde s Wherry, Crouch Vale Brewer s Gold, Guest Ales Corner pub in town centre with one large bar consisting of a number of seating areas. Terraced beer garden. Monthly pub quiz. Quarterly real ale festivals. Extensive and reasonably priced menu. Food: Mon-Thu 11-6, Fri 10-6, Sat 10-7, Sun 11:30-6 QUEENS Berechurch Road, Colchester CO2 7QB Mon-Thu 12-12, Fri-Sat 12-1, Sun Adnams Bitter, Greene King IPA, Occasional Guest Single bar pub with tables and chairs and friendly atmosphere. Pleasant outside area. Pool and darts with occasional quiz night. No food available.

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21 ROSE AND CROWN HOTEL 37 Eastgates, Colchester CO1 2TZ Mon-Fri 10-2:30, 5-11, Sat-Sun Adnams Broadside, Rose and Crown Bitter Hotel with bar open to non-residents with heavily timbered rooms serving various seating areas containing sofas and tables and chairs. Good value menu. Food: 12-2:30, 6:30-9:30 daily ROVERS TYE 38 Highwoods Approach Colchester CO4 9BA Mon-Sat 11-11, Sun 12-10:30 Adnams Bitter, Greene King, Guest Ale Large heavily timbered pub now part of Flaming Grill Pubs, with L shaped bar and various seating areas. Large outdoor area and car park. Occasional live music, darts, poker nights and weekly quiz. Very extensive and good value menu. Food: Mon-Sat 12-10, Sun 12-9 SPINNAKER Hythe Quay, Colchester CO2 8JB Mon-Sat 12-12, Sun 12-10:30 Greene King IPA, Beers from Greene King Range, Guest Ale Comfortable single bar pub with tables and chairs and bench seating. Separate area with pool table. Darts and pool teams play regularly. Occasional live music. Small outdoor area. Varied and very reasonable menu with some specials. Food: Mon-Fri 12-7, Sat-Sun 12-4

22 STOCKWELL West Stockwell Street, Colchester CO1 1HN Mon-Sat 11-10:45, Sun 11-4 Sharps Doombar, Colchester Medieval Ale, Guest Ale Recently refurbished Medieval house dating from 1350 with many features on show. Bar with drinking area. Separate large area for dining with British cuisine. Function room with personalised parties. Food: Mon-Sat :45, Sun 12-4 TROTTERS BAR AND KITCHEN Middleborough, Colchester CO1 1QX Mon-Sat (8am for breakfast) 10:30-11, Closed Sunday Adnams Bitter Long pub with single bar serving various seating areas. Wooden floors throughout. Outside area. Open early for breakfast with extensive and good value menu. Food: Mon-Sat 8-2:30 VICTORIA INN North Station Road, Colchester CO1 1RB Mon-Thu 12-11, Fri-Sat 12-12, Sun 2-11 Ever changing beer range Welcoming pub with two bars in centre. Various seating areas inside with courtyard and undercover seating outside. Good range of real ciders. Monthly cheese appreciation night. Excellent live music on Sunday evenings. No food available.

23 COLCHESTER BREWERY Colchester Brewery Viaduct Brewhouse Wakes Hall Business Centre Wakes Colne CO6 2DY T: E: W: MERSEA ISLAND BREWERY Mersea Island Brewery Rewsalls Lane East Mersea Colchester CO5 8SX T: E: W: RED FOX BREWERY Red Fox Brewery Uphall Farm Salmons Lane Colchester CO6 1RY T: E: W:

24 Join CAMRA Today Send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd with your completed form, visit or call All forms should be addressed to Membership Department, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW. Your Details Title... Surname... Forename(s)... Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)... Address Postcode Tel No(s)... Partner s Details (if Joint Membership) Title... Surname... Forename(s)... Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)... Direct Debit Non DD Single Membership Under 26 or over Joint Membership (Partner at the same address) Under 26 or over For Young Member and concessionary rates please visit or call I wish to join the Campaign for Real Ale, and agree to abide by the Memorandum and Articles of Association I enclose a cheque for... Signed... Date... Applications will be processed within 21 days