The Annexe, Bishopston, Bristol

As it’s name suggests, this in fact an annexe to the adjacent Sportsman pub, but run in many ways as a separate entity in it’s own right with a much greater focus on real ale. It’s built in red brick and perhaps at one time may have been a skittle alley or something similar. A small patio area is shared between the two establishments. Internally it’s fairly basic and in some ways feels more like a private members club than your traditional pub. It’s a fairly long and narrow room with some red tiling on the floor and a sloping roof along the back with a rough plaster finish on much of the walls. Although one open plan room, there is quite a bit of wooden balustrade to separate it out in to different areas and at the rear was a conservatory which is presumably a more recent addition. TV screens were at either end showing a rugby match, and the clientele appeared to be almost entirely men who were watching this. Service at the bar was a bit abrupt, with the barmaid giving no indication as to how much the round cost, she simply took my proffered note. Similarly my change was returned without a word. Initially the beer choice looked to be non-existent with no real ale pumps on the bar, although closer inspection revealed a bank of eight at the back of the bar. On this occasion they were Exile Urban Fox, Quantock QB, Wye Valley HPA, Doom Bar, Butcombe Original, Sharp’s Atlantic, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Otter Amber. Ciders meanwhile were Thatcher’s Gold. Thatcher’s Dry and Blackthorn.

The Annexe is a smaller pub that is situated behind the much larger Sportsman. Once inside there is a single oblong shaped room which runs to the rear,the room is carpeted and the bar is situated to the rear,the seating is comfy bench type which is in bays which are divided be lattice type partitions. I went up to the bar and could not see any handpumps or barrels behind the bar,i did note Guiness Extra Cold and Carlsburg Extra cold. The pub was packed with lots of people having meals,so it was standing room only,i decided to leave this one without having a drink. If there are any local PUG members in Bristol who could let me know where the handpumps are in this pub i would give it a proper go. Pub visited 2/4/2016