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Three Tuns Inn, Bishops Castle
Bishops Castle
SY9 5BW
Pub Type
Star Pubs & Bars (Heineken)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about Three Tuns Inn
On previous visits to this iconic pub I am sure I have entered from a street door at the side of the building, but this was closed when I was here last autumn - is this for safety reasons, I wonder. I saw a small family group try the door and move on to a more obviously open pub, but I remembered there's a door towards the rear where the brewery's van is usually parked (not sure if this constitutes a car park - possibly not), so went around that way and up the stairs to the bar. This is a rambling building of many rooms, with a large bar counter sporting four hand pumps. These were offering three Three Tuns beers brewed on the premises: Best, Cleric's Cure and XXX Pale, with one more pump clip turned around (this was a Wednesday afternoon). My half of the Best bitter was very good (NBSS 3.5). I noticed quite a few other Three Tuns beers on display in bottles (£2.90 to take out but £3.80 to consume in the pub). I was only passing through on this occasion, but I've been meaning to come here for a longer visit. Maybe this year.
Date of visit: 21st September 2022
On 22nd May 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3740 recommendations about 3477 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Three Tuns Inn
The Three Tuns is home to the brewery by the same name. You enter through a courtyard/car park and up some steps into a modern part of the building which adjoins the brewery. I continued through to the front bar, which is much more traditional. I think there were other rooms which I missed. Bar staff were busy kitting out the rooms with Halloween items.
I was hoping to try the brewery's stout. But it had not been brewed for a while. 3 handpulls in the front bar had XXX, Cleric's Cure & Solstice. Their Best Bitter was also listed (but then again, so was the Stout). I was offered this instead of the stout, as the darkest beer they had. So, I assume it was being poured from a handpull in another bar.
A nice pub with plenty of character and a brewery with plenty of history. I would have preferred a dark beer or a cider to have been on though.
On 2nd November 2020
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Three Tuns Inn
Got to be a must visit place for any beer lover. Brewery to the side and obvious home of their products, although curiously, most of the marketing was buy 6 pints of fosters and get one free.
Why would you do that?
Excellent food.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2ySHZxX
On 12th November 2017
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Three Tuns Inn
I've been here three times before, the first time around forty years ago and the last time over thirty years ago. I hardly recognise the place today as it's no longer a quirky old pub with a brewery attached but a major attraction for beer tourists and diners.
I went in the small front area rather than the large dining area behind. This is old and largely unspoilt with beams and a fireplace. I only noticed four beers, XXX, Rantipole, Stout and Cleric's Cure. I went for the Stout (£3.25) and Cleric's Cure both of which were good.
I have to say I preferred the Six Bells to here but it is very marginal as I preferred the Three Tuns beer. It's not as good today as I remember it from decades ago.
On 31st July 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Three Tuns Inn
Legendary as the UK's oldest licenced brew-pub dating from 1642, this heritage landmark still has the later Victorian tower brewery in the side yard (albeit with modernised equipment now installed and under separate ownership). Inside the pub, you find two bars - the smaller one very traditional and the larger one furnished as a still-rustic dining area - supplemented by two further rooms to the rear. Five of their own beers on offer: XXX (pale), Rantipole, Mild, Stout (£3.20) and Cleric's Cure.
On 21st November 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Three Tuns Inn & Brewery
We made a twofold pilgrimage - one for the walking and one for a visit to the brewery.
Shame the shop isnt open on a Saturday, otherwise I would have spent the Child's Benefit.
The pub is fantastic - you'd expect the beer to be good but the Cleric's Cure (I am with the review below) was exceptional.
Food was also excellent. We will be back.
Walk is blogged at http://mappiman.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/070315-oldest-brewery-in-uk.html
On 10th March 2015
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nigel Rowe left this review about Three Tuns Inn & Brewery
Very good beer on tap from the adjoining brewery. Cleric's Cure was a particularly good ale on my visit.
On 17th October 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 65 recommendations about 57 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Three Tuns Inn & Brewery
If you take a look round the Brewery next door and see how the beer is produced, you most definitely will be popping in here for a taster. I sampled the Clerics Cure and the 1642 which where both brill, hence not very far to travel. The rear of the pub has a large restaurant which was very busy. Might get a bite to eat next visit.
On 15th March 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Three Tuns Inn & Brewery
The Three Tuns was established as a pub in 1625 and a brewery added in 1642 which makes it one of the oldest continuous breweries in the country.
The interior is divided into 4 interconnecting rooms around a central bar. One half of the pub contains a pair of old world rooms with superb inglenook fireplaces, bare squeaky floorboards, settles and low beamed ceilings. There are several old pictures of the pub and some more unusual displays including a share certificate for the quaintly named Bishops Castle Gas Light & Coke Company and an 1896 Valuation Certificate showing the value of the Pub, Brewery and Store Room as £30, £13 and £4 respectively. The other side of the pub incorporates a restaurant/dining area and a conservatory and whilst it appears to be a later structure, it doesn’t detract fronm the feel of the pub. Oddments found here include an old work clocking in machine.
The pub attracts a varied selection of community groups that range from film clubs to line dancing as well as occasional live music. Some of the customers may appear to be a bit oddball (I think the local witch was wandering around when were there) but it all seemed quite friendly and relaxed. I didn’t note any TVs or background music but there was a selection of traditional board games if that takes your fancy.
It’s a steep hill from the town centre to the pub so good beers are essential and the 4 home brewed ales on my visit (XXX, Clerics Cure, Old Scrooge and 1642) didn’t disappoint. Prices were very reasonable, especially within happy hour (5-7pm Mon to Fri) which luckily coincided with my visit. 4 pint jugs are also available for groups or individuals with an exceptional thirst.
For a small and relatively obscure town, there is a good selection of interesting pubs in Bishops Castle but for my money the Three Tuns was the pick of them and is highly recommended.
On 25th August 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Horton left this review about Three Tuns Inn & Brewery
If you are in the area this place is a must visit. Excellent real ale, good food & convivial surroundings. Car parking poor. The village has two breweries, this one is (near the top of the town), for my money, the best, it is also the oldest.
On 11th July 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 148 recommendations about 148 pubs]