The Minster Tavern, Ely

Almost in the shadow of the cathedral, it’s a good looking pub on the outside. Although some work has been done on the interior it could be worse. Banquette seating and some old wood fittings have been retained as well as a carved counter partially obscured by Engerland flags. It is one big L shaped room, probably extended at the back. The counter is dotted with T-bars but there are five hand pumps, London Pride on some whizzy modern thing plus Hobgoblin Gold and three Milestone beers on more traditional pulls. My Milestone Dark Mild was much better than I feared and at a nice temperature for a hot June day. The musack was at a reasonable level and no one was plying any of the machines, most screens are thin advertising ones but there was sport on one in the back extension where the very awkward gents is. It does Camra discount which was offered, obviously I fit the stereotype of old bloke with beer gut, however I do not possess a pair of sandals or a beret. The pub did have too many old men in shorts for my liking.

The Minster Tavern is quite an old and traditional pub near to the Cathedral in the centre of Ely. However, even before entering, you could see that it has been over-commercialised. Digital food advertisements could be found in the entranceway, whilst menus outside indicate the direction this pub is going in. Further digital advertising can be found inside and modern technology continues with some gaming machines. Music was playing a little too loud and amongst the various literature on tables and shelves were menus (including children's ones) and cocktail promotions. A quiz night was also promoted. Some tables were reserved. Despite the apparent leaning towards food, I could only spot drinkers. Wainwright Amber & 61 Deep from the Marston's range were on, alongside Wychwood Hobgoblin Gold. Fuller's London Pride & Adnams Ghost Ship were coming soon. A couple of Lilley's ciders - Mango Cider and Apples & Pears could be found in the fridges, whilst craft beers were Brew Board Ripchord & Beavertown Neck Oil. With lots of wooden beams and a mixture of carpet and bare boards, the pub does look traditional. There were just too many modern touches spoiling it. A shelf above the bar has a board detailing the history of the pub with some spooky items and a couple of rugby balls. TVs were showing live cricket. Not a bad pub to have on any crawl of Ely, but there are better pubs in this small city.

Trad mid-range place opposite the west tower of the impressive Ely Cathedral, doing a fair amount of Sunday dinners which was stretching/stressing the bar staff. Interior sports an attractive carved wood lower servery alongside a clashing milieu of old, faux old and couldn't-be-bothered-to-make-it-old fixtures and fittings. Four cask over five pumps; Doom Bar, Timothy Taylor Boltmaker, Milestone Rich Ruby and Theakston Old Peculiar, the latter of which was in good shape (NBSS 3.5) as befits its GBG23 listing and caused the barmaid to warn me of its potency ("I've seen people go funny after one of these" - I assured her of my professionalism in that respect). Selection of newspapers which is a rarity these days, so I partook of a quality Sunday. Fairly enjoyable 30 minutes though with a bit of internal re-ordering it could be even better. 7.5