The Brandy Cask, Pershore

Ten out of ten. An exceptional score, for an exceptional brew pub. Having been a regular in this pub for more years than I can recall, and being a drinker of real ale for at least 30 years, it is my opinion that the Brandy Cask brewed John Baker original is the best readily available strong bitter that you can get. I cannot give a description of the beer, as it's never the same twice, yet it is instantly recognizable.

This is a gem of a pub and I can't believe I'm the first to review it. It is in the 2012 Good Beer Guide and has been a regular in the guide. It is situated on the main road through Pershore, and although the front is on the road, the back garden is the place to go. It is a very long garden down to the river, and there are covered seating areas near the pub and also seating on the long lawned area that goes down to a wooden mooring slatted platform for the narrowboats using the river. Up near the pub is the brewhouse for Brandy Cask beers. They are Whistling Joe, Brandy Snapper, and John Bakers Original and they also serve guests, Cottage and Goffs being the guest brewerys on at our visit. Inside there is a comfortable bar area with a well set out dining room on the side, and food can be chosen from a good menu or from specials at reasonable prices. The jacket potato with chilli and cheese was well set out and superb at £3.75. All beers we had were in fine fettle, and this is a must for any of you who can make it on land or water.