Albion Bar, Shrewsbury

Inside the Albion is a U-shaped bar on the right-hand wall where Carling is available alongside premium and mainstream craft keg. Six of the eight hand pumps were unused which left Proper Job, with a homemade scribbled clip, and Sharps’ Coaster as the cask options. In the left side of the bar is minimal furniture, a pool table and a jukebox that was switched off while a television aired Carabao Cup final highlights with sound from a couple of weeks before. There’s more seating in the rear where another television was airing Sky Sports News. The woman behind the bar was polite, but the atmosphere was that of a soup kitchen rather than a pub or bar. I only went in because I had ten minutes to kill before the Tap & Can opened, in hindsight sitting in the railway station over the road would have been more interesting. I was glad to leave.

truly awful bar opposite the station, a stripped out and ruthlessly modernised room with extremely loud music. Not sure the exact nature of the connection to the St Annes brewery but the five ales were all from other various mainstream breweries, I took a half of Robinsons Citra which was fine and very cheap. All signage now labels it as the Tumbledown but this may just apply to the hotel side of the operation. Incidentally the accommodator is cheap and quite serviceable but with no soundproofing from the appalling noise downstairs.

You wouldn't really know it, but this scruffy pub located directly across from the station is also the tap for St Anne's Brewery. Square, very sparsely furnished interior with a low stage in one corner, and a separate darts alcove off the far end. What decoration there is also has a music theme, and the tunes being played pending somebody using the jukebox were at more-than-background level. With none of their own beers available from the bank of eight handpumps (although a reversed clip was noted), the choice of three was Doom Bar plus a pair from Hobson's: Town Crier plus the seasonal Spring Break (just £2.70 during 'happy hours, and very good too).

This place is currently undergoing renovation with scaffolding outside and still pretty run down inside. I was surprised to read the past of this place with ownership by Wrexham Lager Brewery, Ansells, Burtonwood and Banks's (Marston). Burtonwood sold all their pubs to the latter in 2004/2005 so they must take the blame for the run down state of the place. The new owners are St Annes brewery who are carrying out the renovations. Inside it's a split level room with poor decor but the furnishings seemed reasonable. There were three hand pumps which had St Annes Lea Cross Dark & Tumbledown Dick and a Woods beer. I went for the Tumbledown Dick which was in good nick but an unexceptional beer. This may be worth a look when the refurbishment is complete but currently is still a bit of a dive.

Undergoing some sort of refurbishment, it appears to serve the care in the community segment of the population. It has five pulls serving beers from the St Anne’s brewery and not as expected as vinegar, should have read Alan's review first. On two floor levels with stairs and ramp between them, lower area is mainly bench seating, the higher level has the counter. Handy for the station and hopefully psychiatric help.

Under the new ownership of St Anne's Brewery this place has had a (slight) upturn in fortunes. On my Saturday evening visit between trains, there were flashing lights and loud music seen and heard from across the road. Once inside, I could see this place was full with the more bargain basement end of the young Saturday evening revelers with plenty shouting across the room at each other. The good points! Three hand pulled St Anne's beers, which mine was excellent in spite of me not seeing them used again in my half hour visit! Also, a portable ramp was produced to help a wheelchair user gain access to the bar area up the two internal steps. My beer, at £2.40 was very cheap for the area, obviously to compete for trade with the now more upmarket Station Hotel two doors away. I may return at a quieter time if only for the St Anne's beer, but not too often!