Our Disappearing Pubs - Bristol & District CAMRA

PINTS WESTThe Good Pub Guide for Dogs!Sonic the Brewdog’s guide to pubs offering good real ale and a welcome for our canine friendsAs I have advised before it isobvious that all pubs have noreal problem allowing dogsin – it’s just their pesky human ownersthat are the problem! Now that Ihave clarified that, and in response toa recent reader’s query, I would like toshare with you my experiences so farin the world of real ale. But bear inmind that, as I am only two years oldand my owners don’t take me to thepub anywhere nearly often enough,there must be many more pubs for meto find yet!For some time my owners nevertook me down into central Bristol onthe pathetic excuse that “they did notthink that dog’s would be allowedin many central pubs”. Well I havecertainly proved them wrong on thatas the following list shows.I have been made very welcome in all of the following excellentpubs – all offering great real ale of which I am mysteriously rationed toa few measly licks from the human’s fingers. Given the chance I wouldof course drink them under the table!The Seven Stars, Thomas Lane, with eight or nine changing realales (except when Paul the landlord breaks one of the pumps which isbecoming an unfortunate habit!) and always a great welcome from thestaff and many of the regulars for me.The Cornubia, Temple Street, just around the corner from theSeven Stars, with six or seven changing beers and real cider, and anotherfriendly welcome for me from Phil and Jackie.The Three Tuns, Hotwells (Arbor Ales plus four or five guest beersand real ciders) – this one confused me as I was used to meeting Nedand Natz up at the Portcullis in Clifton but now they seem to be here?Food including Sunday roasts is on offer.The Bank, John Street, just off Broad Street, with four changingbeers and several ciders. I have been welcomed here as “much betterthan kids” which goes without saying of course! Food served in theafternoons only, including superb Sunday roasts.The Shakespeare, Prince Street, with the full Greene King rangeplus two guest beers which change infrequently. Good food includingSunday roasts here too. Nice friendly pub.The Robin Hood, St Michael’s Hill, with five constantly changingreal ales, interesting foreign and UK draught beers, and food includingSunday roasts.I have also appeared briefly in both the Gryphon, Colston Street(four real ales and good rock music) and the nearby Colston Yard (Butcombepub plus guests and good food) but we were not clear on whatthe actual dog policy at either was, so please check before going in.A little further out, in the Clifton area, I am always welcome inthe Portcullis in Wellington Terrace which has about eight changingreal ales and cider and good food too. I am also aware that its sisterDawkins pubs the Victoria in Southleigh Road and the Miners Arms inSt Werburghs (both around six or seven real ales) would also be pleasedto see me. Message to the humans – pull your finger out and get methere soon!We have found that very few pubs further out into the countrysidehave any problem allowing dogs and their owners in, and here are theones that those lazy humans have taken me to so far.Plough, Congresbury – this is where I first discovered pubs and realale whilst still a puppy. I took to the beer instantly in this lovely old pubserving five or six changing beers.New Inn, Cross, Somerset (on A38 near Axbridge) – we werewelcome to eat and drink in the lower bar area and had a choice of fourchanging real ales plus cider.Hunters Lodge, near Priddy Somerset – lovely old isolatedtraditional inn on the Mendips with around four changing local aleson gravity, cracking high value simple food, real fires and a big beergarden.Queen Victoria, Priddy – lovely, friendly Butcombe pub with goodfood and real fires.The nearby New Inn also allows dogs in one bar and offers severalreal ales and many ciders.Castle of Comfort, isolated pub near East Harptree high on theMendips – we were allowed in the lower bar and all outside areas at thislovely old pub with four beers on offer and good food.Old Inn, Hutton, near Weston-super-Mare – we were welcomed inthe bar area and enjoyed Sunday roast washed down with a choice offour or five beers always including RCH.Star, Pucklechurch – big on cider with several real ales and foodtoo.Which brings me to ... (drum roll please) ...Sonic’s Pub of the Year.We have made quite a few visits to the Cross House in Doynton(two miles from the A420 at Wick) which offers four or five real alesincluding Timothy Taylor Landlord and really great food. Free dogbiscuits at the bar too!Last summer I was allowed to play in the beer garden at the CrossHouse and had my favourite toy with me – a scruffy little woollen dogcalled “Shag” ... don’t ask as this is a family publication! When we leftpoor old Shag got left in the garden. I knew this was happening andkept trying to alert the humans. Sadly none of them have yet learnt tospeak Pomeranian, despite it consisting of a handful of different barks –are they thick or what? Anyway a month went by and they kept searchingfor him to no avail. Finally they took me back to the Cross Houseand on arrival asked if Shag had been left there. Amazingly the staffimmediately produced him from under the counter and we were reunitedat last. My pub of the year was decided on the spot!Good drinking to you all,Sonic the Brewdog Murray.Sonic gets his toy back from Adrian at the Cross House(photo Marilyn Murray)A note from my owner.Please remember that not all pubs or other customers welcomedogs – it is always best and polite to check with the pub first. There isa world of difference between a small ball of fluff like Sonic (Oi! watchwhat you’re saying – Sonic) and a couple of large unruly dogs runningamok. Please check with staff where dogs can and cannot go and keepthem under good control at all times. Just because we were allowed indoes not make a guarantee that all dogs will be.Vince MurrayPage 33