The Star Inn, Bishop's Stortford

The Star appears to be Bishop's Stortford's best real ale and cider pub. Initial impressions are never positive when there is a bouncer on the door and it was only shortly after 6pm on a Saturday evening. Nevertheless, my family and I were soon welcomed in. There's a good one-way system in place around the central bar. Patrons were making good use of the outdoor patio area at the rear and a number of structures that resembled beach huts. As I've said, the big draw here is the ale range. 6 ales were on - 3 Brewers IPA, Pheasantry Best Bitter, Newby Wyke Kingston Topaz, Fuller's London Pride, Tring Drop Bar & Bishop Nick Devout Limited Edition #33. A number of pumpclips also advertised a few ciders from Lilley's. Although, the only boxes I could see were Sunset, Cheeky Pig, Fire Dancer & Pineapple Cider. CAMRA 50p off per pint vouchers are accepted.

This is an old town centre pub. Inside the bar is immediately in front of you and the single room stretches down on the right to a patio. On the left there was a TV screen showing a load of horses running around. The single room has a fairly low ceiling with old beams and a wooden floor. The bar has just three hand pumps with two of the options from the Marston stable, These were Revisionist West Coast IPA, Wychwood Bountiful and Wolf Granny Wouldn't Like It. I went for the West Coast (£3.35) which was in good nick. I was offered a card for one of these drink n pints and get one free schemes but I would have appreciated it more if they had mentioned the 20% CAMRA discount posted on What Pub. Despite the limited beer selection I thought this pub was OK and would happily return if only to claim the CAMRA discount!

Official site of the Star Inn, contains menu - the-star.biz

Official site of the Star Inn, contains menu - the-star.biz

The Star is an attractive historical building which has been sympathetically and interestingly updated intside. Disco paraphinalia, lights and speakers, mix with traditional furniture in a wooden floored and beamed interior interspersed with some interesting 'statement' pieces. The whole works and the atmosphere on a weekday lunchtime is warm and inviting turning, I'd guess, into a noisy, throbbing fun palace on weekend evenings. It's a real disappointment given the expense and effort that's gone into the building, that the same isn't true of the beer. Only Brass Monkey Bitter was offered and the first taste hinted at vinegar which was duly and comprehensively confirmed by the third taste. Not one for real ale fans.