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The Baum, Rochdale
Rochdale
OL12 0NU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Baum
Interesting and award-winning pub, but perhaps not quite all it might seem? Housed in part of the Rochdale Pioneers building, but the age of the pub itself is uncertain? It also appears more food led than I was expecting, although none is served on Mondays (which happened to be the day I visited). Anyway, there is a lot to like in the various small seating / dining areas around the traditional-looking L-shaped interior (with the restaurant upstairs). I found six interesting real ales - including the unfined Repeater from Full Circle (£3.50 with Camra discount) - and a draught cider on the eight handpumps.
On 22nd March 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Baum
My first visit to a place that made quite a name for itself a few years ago. Cut asunder from its former surrounds by the 1960s urban planners, it’s a lovely-looking pub, and inside is an old-fashioned feel but clean and tidy. Nicely done given that it didn’t actually become a pub until the 1980s; dark wood, exposed brick with distinct areas over a couple of levels. Conservatory out back. The piped music was a bit abrasive. Seven cask on over eight pumps with a good range. I plumped for Titanic First Class (NBSS 3.5) and Osset White Rat (NBSS 2 – didn’t fully clear) which was fag-end and indeed was the last one out as it ran dry for the next punter – I was mildly disappointed that for such a vaunted ale pub they didn’t pop over to check on mine. I enjoyed my stop here but it isn’t perhaps the Top 50 pub it was a few years back…? GBG’23 listed. 8.5
On 18th March 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Baum
Visited The Baum for the first time earlier this week. 8 hand pulls at the bar with 6 of those available, including Bass for those so inclined (a beer I have never been that fussed about and don't really understand its cult following). That aside, there were two ales by Pictish (Samhain Stout and Tweed Pale Ale), Vocation Heart & Soul, Thornbridge Jaipur and a Salt collaboration beer called Inndustry.
The Samhain Stout was £3 for a pint (£1.50 for a half) and that seemed to be the going rate for the other cask ales too, based on what other customers were ordering.
This is a comfortable traditional feeling pub with banquette seating, tables (copper topped) and stools, dark wood, stained glass and a nice central island bar. Music was playing at a sensible volume.
My ale was in tip-top condition and I really enjoyed my visit here. I shall definitely be back if I find myself in Rochdale again.
On 24th November 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Baum
I visited the much-lauded Baum on a recent Monday evening when there were a handful of other customers. To the left is a curved bar that supports eight hand pumps (6x cask ale and 2 x real cider) and a premium keg range. The multitude of pump clips on the walls inform those not in the know that this is a destination real ale pub. Seating is found in the right hand-side and in the left is a raised seating area at the front and a raised conservatory area at the rear. Through the conservatory access can be gained to a well-kept walled beer garden at the rear. A small speaker in the garden was playing background music that was also in the pub. The only television screen I saw was showing a list of the available beers. I hadn’t heard of any of them, which is normally a good sign. Pub grub is available, I had the Baum burger which was very tasty and reasonably priced at £10.95.
I found the service to be very friendly and I am pleased to say that this was my favourite of the fourteen pubs I visited during my crawl of Rochdale.
On 4th September 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Baum
This pub is definitely right back up there. We found the pub to have a good atmosphere, with lots of like minded people enjoying a proper pub night out. The beer quality was excellent, along with their good choices of hand pumped beers, six in all, along with two ciders. The Northern Monk Don't Mess with Yorkshire Ale was a big hit on this visit. Also a big thanks to Rob for meeting up with us and leading us here from the centre of town. Cheers Rob.
On 30th July 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Baum
Now taken over by the team that have the Flying Horse in the town centre. A long way to go, but it's definitely on its way back up again.
On 2nd March 2019
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Hurdle left this review about The Baum
I have been to Pubs of the Year before. My local was crowned 2011 POTY. So I knew what to expect! Decent beer, friendly staff. Probably a good score of 8.
As soon as I walked through the door and looked round my score went up to 9. When asked if I had a Camra card without me asking (or remembering!) it went up to 9.5.
When I tasted my pint of Slightly Foxed Flower Fox, my score went up to 10.5! The problem is - the beer vanishes too fast, so I cut it back to 10.
Landlord gone, so rating removed.
On 14th February 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 707 recommendations about 645 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Baum
I'm sorry to report that The Baum suffered a hostile takeover by Simon's ex wife on Monday.
Not only will I not be ordering beer anymore I don't have a local either.
RIP The Baum. It will never be the same again.
On 21st April 2018
- rating: 1
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Komakino . left this review about The Baum
A visit as part of my aim to visit all 16 Camra 2017 POTY nominees, it's a corker and described quite nicely by previous visitors below. Three ales of varying styles sampled - Roosters Scrambler, Seven Bro7hers Stout and Kirkstall Reverence - and all in superb shape. Friendly staff and locals, intimate decor and an unprompted request for my Camra card (the latter a first for me) means this ticks so many boxes. I don't give many 9s out, but this pub fully deserves it.
On 7th February 2018
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1075 recommendations about 1075 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Baum
The Baum has just won the Greater Manchester Pub Of The Year for 2016. This makes it three times in five years.
It will now compete against the other fifteen regional winners for a place in the last four.
07/06/2014
The Baum has been voted Greater Manchester POTY for 2013, but didn't make the final 4 this time.
14/02/2013
The Baum has won the CAMRA National Pub Of The Year 2012, not 2013 as stated below. Please don't try and visit on a Friday or Saturday. It's only a small pub and it's been rammed the last three weekends, you may not even be able to get through the door. If you've travelled some distance to get to the pub that would be a pain. If you're thinking of eating, please book a table well in advance or I'm afraid you won't get one otherwise.
28/11/2012
The Baum has now made the last 4 in CAMRA's National Pub Of The Year 2012. The winner will be announced in February.
23/09/2012
The Baum has now won CAMRA Greater Manchester Pub Of The Year 2012 and will go forwards into the national finals against the 15 other regional winners.
09/02/2012
Update - The Baum has now won the Rochdale, Oldham & Bury overall Pub Of The Year and will now go forwards into the area finals.
09/01/2012
The Baum has just won the Rochdale, Oldham & Bury CAMRA Rochdale Pub Of The Year award.
There are now 8 handpumps. 7 serving ever changing guest ales plus one with a changing real cider.
On 9th October 2016
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]