The Barge, Grimsby

Yes, an actual barge, with the bar in the hold and a smaller lounge off the deck. There is also considerable tabled seating on the dockside, but it must be a bit of a struggle getting drinks there when busy. Disappointingly only two cask ales on - Castle Rock Harvest Pale and Bombardier - although condition seemed fair. Could be much better, but on the other hand it is already better than most of Grimsby.

If I wanted to be harsh I could just write “Poor man's Charters”. That said, Hocus Pocus was on full-blast, the barman loved that I knew it and my half of Harvest Pale was par - NBSS 3 - though Bombardier was the only alternative and the keg offering was very mainstream. The ship’s list in the bar is pronounced, more so than Charters, so have your sea legs at the ready; land lubbers like Strongers should give it a swerve. GBG listed though maybe that says something about Grimsby. Feels like a bit more could be done here given the fairly unique location - it’s unpretentious, I guess. 6.5

A quiet midweek afternoon when I boarded the Barge, the empty spaces below deck providing both an opportunity for some photos of the very well presented bar area and a chance to chat with the lass who was serving. She told me the present owner has had the Barge for over 30 years and that the similar barge bar on the River Trent at Newark is exactly the same as this one. The two hand pumps had Bombardier at £3 a pint and Castle Rock Harvest Pale at £3.95. I went for the Bombardier and it was probably in the best condition I have ever found this beer (NBSS 4), so I decided to have a Harvest Pale as well, on the basis that the other pubs in Grimsby didn't seem likely to have anything this good. (I was right.) The HP was a bit livelier and might have benfitted from a little longer before making it onto the bar, but I wasn't complaining and it was a pleasant drink anyway (NBSS 3.5). This pub would be a good reason to make another trip to Grimsby.