Cask & Barrel, Edinburgh

A good sized, street corner pub with a curved frontage, it’s far enough away from the prime tourist hot spots that’s it’s not absolutely rammed, and as it’s name suggests there is something of an emphasis on beer here. Décor wise it’s quite traditional with sanded wooden boards on the floor, dark wood panelling on the lower part of the walls, pale lemon painted wallpaper on the upper part of the walls and burnt orange paper on the ceiling. Some padded bench seating was fitted around the perimeter, as well as large barrel that had been converted in to a table for vertical drinking. Old brewery mirrors covered much of the walls, and I noticed Ind Coope, Tetley and Guinness amongst them. In addition to this, there were a few old whisky and cigarette adverts, and some old black and white photographs. Several large TV’s were showing a mix of sports and terrestrial channels, but at least the volume was off so this was not as intrusive as it might otherwise have been. A large U-shaped wooden bar counter filled the central area of the pub, and there was some ornate carved woodwork behind it. Beers on tap were Bass, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Stewart’s Jack Back and Face of Winter, Orkney Best, Greene King IPA, Old Golden Hen, Jaw Drop and Tryst Raj. A further pump for Deuchars IPA appeared to have run out. After that lot, the cider choice was extremely disappointing with only Strongbow being available.

The first pub I ever visited in Edinburgh as it's just round the corner from where a mate of mine used to live. I called in here many times in the late 90's when I was working in Edinburgh as well. There used to be a small side room as well as the main area, but that has now gone. It's now a large open plan room with a horseshoe bar. Plenty of leather seats around the walls along with some dining tables and chairs and a couple of barrels to stand at for vertical drinking. The walls are covered with breweriana including several mirrors. Lots of handpumps with 8 ales available on our recent visit. The pint I had was in good nick and Ms CAMRA's Fyne Jarl was also in top condition. Good to see it's still going strong.

Horseshoe shaped bar with brewery memorabilia on the walls. Up to 10 real ales and a good selection of continental bottled beers. Plenty of tv's for watching sport. The pub makes a good double header with the nearby barony bar.