The Bear Inn, Market Drayton

At first I wasn't sure that the Bear was open, as there seemed to be no sign of activity and the street-side doors were closed. However, looking at what must be at times a fairly busy road junction, albeit in a fairly sleepy village when I was here on a Wednesday afternoon, I decided that having a look around the back might be a good idea. What must at one time have been a stable yard is now a Mediterranean beer garden, with weather to match. I was greeted by a hotel receptionist as I walked through the glass doors and confirmed that I was just here for a beer. The bar is in a corner of the building with a view of the street, and there are three or four more or less open plan rooms around it, with some tables laid for diners but most not. There are three hand pumps (see photo) and I went for Salopian Shropshire Gold. This seemed to be an ok refreshing drink at first, but I was soon aware of a sweetish/sourish taste on the swallow, reminiscent of Theakstons Best Bitter, and when drinking the same beer in a different pub later the same day I was confirmed in my view that this one was on the turn. A shame, as other than that this was a fairly pleasant stop on my cycling tour of this part of north Shropshire. The hotel staff were friendly and welcoming, and this was as pub-like a hotel bar as I have ever had a drink in - some very nice wood panelling and some tastefully selected pictures sparingly hung on the plain white walls - and only £4 per pint, too.

Official site of The Bear Inn - www.thebearinnhodnet.com

Official site of The Bear Inn - www.thebearinnhodnet.com

Enjoyed our visit to this friendly village local yesterday, and chose New Brew Boscobel Bitter which was fine. Hancocks HB and Salopian Shropshire Gold also available. The bear and glass floor looking down into the bear pit still there.

Ancient old Inn dating back to at least the 1500s , the cellars beneath the pub are a warren of old passages leading to various places in the village like the Church and the local Hall , the original Bear Pit is beneath the carpark , there is a more modern 1970s replica bearpit in the pub , upstairs is a 16th century timbered hall used as a function room . The main entrance leads to the small bar area and is guarded by a huge stuuffed Bear , a large room to the side is for dining , usual keg taps and 4 handpulls with mainly local beers including a sublime Salopian Kashmir . Well worth a visit if passing , i only had a swift half but this is the sort of pub you could spend several hours just poking around .