The Barley Mow, Bristol

This was my first ever visit to a Bristol pub, and I reckon it was a great one to start with. It's definitely worth the effort of worming your way through the backstreets behind Temple Meads Station, but luckily I was with someone who knew where he was going. As BF says, it's a small, and a bit minimalist pub, but there were a few odds and ends about the place, like butterflies on display in glass cases, a bagatelle board, and some prints on the walls. Eight handpumps on the go is a good thing to welcome one into a pub, and all were dispensing less usually seen ales. The Sunny Republic Shark Head was in excellent shape, and at £3.40 a pint as I recall. I'm not likely to get to this neck of the woods any time soon, but if I lived anywhere near I would certainly want to visit again.

Not the sort of place that you are likely to find by chance, but this pub is certainly worth seeking out. Sympathetically refurbished by the Bristol Beer Factory, it looks quite modern whilst retaining a traditional feel. Good atmosphere too. Eight real ales on handpump, with a range of styles including the unfined Moor Revival (£3.40). Also offers a good selection of craft keg beers, with the 12% Siren Tickle Monster Triple IPA causing much discussion (although nobody was seen trying it at £4.00 for a 1/3rd...).

A decent traditional pub in a quiet residential part of Bristol, attracting both drinkers and lunch time visitors. This a respectable pub and their range of beers catered for a broad range of tastes. We went for the Moor Revival, the Otley Amarillo was unfortunately flat and after a few swirls around my glass, this didn't help. The barmaid did exchange it for the Sunny Republic Shark Head.

Not much to add after BF's review below ,but will reiterate this is an unspoilt traditional pub with the bonus of a very good beer range. Certainly a pub worth returning to.

Not far from Temple Meads,and worth the stroll to see what's on offer from the 8 handpumps and 10 keg beer selection.The interior is quite small,minimalist with a wooden floor and canteen type furniture,yet modern and inviting.The array of keg tap in the bar back is similar to the arrangement in many of the London craft beer outlets,and the amount of bottled beer in the fridges was impressive and listed on a board by the bar.Food is also served ,yet only one table was set for dining and most folk were just drinking on my crawl visit.A weekly pub quiz is advertised.There is a small courtyard out the back,partly covered. The real ale choice on my visit was Wiper & True Milk Shake,BBF Seven,Sunny Republic Shark Head,Wild Beer Fresh,Moor Revival ,XT6 and Otley Amarillo (£3.40,not that crisp) while a handpump was devoted to a real cider.Given the ale range and the commitment to stocking interesting beers in all their forms ,this GBG listed pub is well worth including on any ale tour of the city.