Best pub visited in 2016

[sheffield hatter]

As an antidote to the similarly named worst pub thread. I list below the handful of pubs that managed to squeak a 9 in my reviews this year.

Chequers Micropub (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/80998/), Beverley
Wigan Central (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/82614/)
Manor Arms Hotel (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/6008/), Broughton in Furness
McConnell's Gin & Ale House (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/83980/), Jarrow
White Cross (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/59277/), Lancaster

Unfortunately the White Cross, although reviewed this year, was visited at the end of November 2015, so has to be disqualified. To compensate, I have to say that my more recent visits to Merchants 1688 (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/19280/) in the same city would have merited more than the 7 I awarded in 2015, and if my train had been delayed any longer it might well have hit the 9 mark. The Jarrow pub is well worth another visit, but unfortunately we had a less impressive experience in the Beverley micropub second time around, so that leaves a toss up between Wigan Central and the Manor Arms, which the latter has to win, as my review was based on multiple visits over twenty years.

[ROBCamra]

I was wondering who was going to start this thread. :p

[Mobyduck]

Well I was going to do this as part of the Moby awards (http://forums.pubsgalore.co.uk/showthread.php?22488-2015-mobys&highlight=mobys) ,but beaten to the punch, so as it stands I can't see past the Southampton Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23788/).Its the business'

[sheffield hatter]

Well I was going to do this as part of the Moby awards (http://forums.pubsgalore.co.uk/showthread.php?22488-2015-mobys&highlight=mobys) ,but beaten to the punch, so as it stands I can't see past the Southampton Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23788/).Its the business'

Hmm. I used to go there when visiting my mother, but since she died last year my visits have dried up. I would agree with your assessment if it wasn't so goddam' busy! Getting to the bar, reading the pump clips, finding a seat - all required more use of elbows than I am accustomed to.

Ian Mapp's review nails it for me: "All a bit much for me - too busy, too small - lots of choice of beer but nothing in the English Bitter category - all seemed to be pale ales and porters.

An experience, but one I would only repeat at a quieter time."

Perhaps you've been lucky enough to find some of those quieter times, Mick?

[Mobyduck]

Hmm. I used to go there when visiting my mother, but since she died last year my visits have dried up. I would agree with your assessment if it wasn't so goddam' busy! Getting to the bar, reading the pump clips, finding a seat - all required more use of elbows than I am accustomed to.

Ian Mapp's review nails it for me: "All a bit much for me - too busy, too small - lots of choice of beer but nothing in the English Bitter category - all seemed to be pale ales and porters.

An experience, but one I would only repeat at a quieter time."

Perhaps you've been lucky enough to find some of those quieter times, Mick?

Yes I have found it at quieter times as well as busier, I actually quite enjoy the busier times as it increases the general ambiance, imo, as regards to the lack of English bitters ,I have never noted this but then I favour the pale and citric along with the dark side and tend find the middle(brown) ground average in general, but we are of course all different in our tastes.
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your mother Will.

[Mobyduck]

Well I was going to do this as part of the Moby awards (http://forums.pubsgalore.co.uk/showthread.php?22488-2015-mobys&highlight=mobys) ,but beaten to the punch, so as it stands I can't see past the Southampton Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23788/).Its the business'

I won't list my regular favorites as they will be the same as last year,I do have a few honorable mentions to add to the above that were new to me in 2016,
Platform Tavern (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/13844/)
The Guide Dog (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/59830/)
The Two Brewers (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/1969/)
The Lyric (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/22307/)
The Lion & Key (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/60298/)
Hole in the Wall (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/54396/)

[oldboots]

As I said on the companion thread I've not strayed much beyond GBG pubs this year but these are some favourites new and old

The Half Moon (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/29240/)
The Crown Hotel (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/58502/)
Rutland Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/43353/)
The Grayston Unity (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/84203/) Halifax is an under rated but worth while beer destination
Cow & Cask (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/82572/)
Weavers at Park Lane (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/81654/)

and probably the best pub this year, I am rather fond of micro pubs,
The Beer Emporium and Cider House (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/84384/)

[Bucking Fastard]

Boating down the Kennet & Avon always used to be a challenge on the real ale front apart from the pay off at both ends (Bristol/Bath and Reading) ,so it was with some trepidation that I undertook this route in the summer for the first time in 20 years.
I couldn't believe the improvement,and Wadworth's vice like grip on the central section has been loosened .It was decent ale everynight :drinkup: with The John O'Gaunt (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/61532/) in Hungerford the best pub visited in 2016.

Great range of real ale styles,friendly locals,efficient bar staff and a very enthusiastic owner ,it ticked all the boxes and led to a memorable evenings drinking.

[Maldenman]

Not sure I can pick an outright winner, worthy of note were:

The Broken Drum (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/82729/)
The Cock Tavern (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25052/)
The Rifle Volunteers (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/16369/)
Ship & Mitre (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/26878/)
The Guide Dog (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/59830/)
The Globe (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/1127/)
The Cellar (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/61271/)


Plenty of others worthy of an honourable mention but to my recall the standouts of the year.
Good fortune and happy drinking in 2017.

Cheers

Steve

[ETA]

A clear winner for me this year: The Brace of Pheasants (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/60574/)

[Spinko]

The Grocers micropub, Cadishead in Salford. The best kept beer I've ever had ( sometimes a problem in other bandwagon micropubs)

A mention too for the Hawkshead Brewery Tap in Staveley, and Smithfield Blackjack Brewery Tap in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

[sheffield hatter]

A clear winner for me this year: The Brace of Pheasants (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/60574/)

You're probably too shy to mention your food pun: "I was tempted by a venison burger, but decided it was too deer." Your final comment "Absolutely wonderful", makes me sad that this pub is probably too remote for me to ever visit.

Reviews like this are what Pubs Galore is all about. "Worst pub of the year" is just a bit of fun - after all, we know there are some dreadful pubs, and some people "running" them [into the ground] who shouldn't really be in this business - but the site's ethos should be all about celebrating what's great about British pub culture. Keep them coming.

[Wittenden]

Reviews like this are what Pubs Galore is all about. "Worst pub of the year" is just a bit of fun - after all, we know there are some dreadful pubs, and some people "running" them [into the ground] who shouldn't really be in this business - but the site's ethos should be all about celebrating what's great about British pub culture. Keep them coming.

Yes, that's why I'm on the whole loathe to comment in the worst pubs and bloody awful beer of the week threads.

[Wittenden]

Before doing my pub and beer accounts for the year,I'd suggest that these pubs are in the running, though it probably speaks much about my misanthropy:The Thomas Tallis Alehouse (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/83985/) and Dog Hangs Well (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/84170/)

[rpadam]

Looking back at those that have scored a '9' this year:

Britannia Inn (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38294/), Upper Gornal
The Four Candles Alehouse (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/79092/) and Yard of Ale (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/82119/), St Peters
The Great Western (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/39188/), Wolverhampton
The Laurieston Bar (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/74748/), Glasgow
The Malt Shovel Tavern (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/30114/), Northampton
One Inn the Wood (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/81932/), Petts Wood
Roscoe Head (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/26837/), Liverpool
The Sportsman (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40740/), Huddersfield
The Wellington (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/37946/), Birmingham
Wrong Turn (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/82374/), Barfreston

So three East Kent micro-pubs, punching well above their weight against their better-known, big city rivals, but I think its probably a dead heat between the Britannia Inn (which looked good enough to jump off a bus for, and was) and the Laurieston Bar (that doesn't, but which was such a pleasant surprise).

[Lady Grey]

One of the best pubs we have visited in 2016 is The Marlborough Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/12524/)

It is a pub that caters to a wide selection of customers, and they have a good selection of ales and ciders.

[Aqualung]

I'm assuming this is the best new one as otherwise it would just be the Great Western in Wolverhampton every time.
I was very taken by the Huddersfield Rat & Ratchet (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40704/), possibly assisted by the sheer awfulness of the previous Lloyds No 1 Lord Wilson. If I go to Huddersfield again there's a serious danger that I'll just stay there until it's time to go for a train. Best of many other contenders is probably the Coopewrs Tavern (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/34227/) in Burton.

[Komakino]

One of the first visits of 2016 (5th of Jan to be precise) held out everything that came thereafter to win this year's accolade.

A must-visit and thoroughly deserved, my POTY is Aldworth, Berkshire's The Bell (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/61608/). Quinno's review on its page says it all...

[london calling]

I did like the Owl and Pussycat w5 on my two recent visits.It made me realise its nice to slow down and chat to people and made me realise how much I miss going to local pubs and meeting my drinking mates before the Aspergers kicked in.Was going to go there last night but London was calling.