The Raven, Bath

Proper pubby feel is this GBG 2022 entry. 3 chalk board with Cask, keg and ciders detailed. Handy, as getting a full view of the bar is a slightly tricky. I went for a cask 3D brewery, because you are worth it and it was in fine condition. Ikea style "pubby furniture" in a crowded downstairs bar. I seem to remember being upstairs on a previous visit. Pick of the most central pubs for me.

As described below, this 18th Century town boozer is a GBG regular and is one of the better places in Bath to get a decent pint. There was a good mixed crowd in when we visited, and that made for a convivial atmosphere. Ales on were Twisted Oak’s Sheriff Fatman, Java Joe from 3D Beer, Glastonbury’s Voodoo, Eternal Spring from Quantock and two house beers, Raven Ale and Raven Gold. Ciders were Equinox from Weston, Sheppey’s, Stan’s and West Country Gold. Food was good quality pub grub and Pieminister pies. It seems to have improved since earlier reviews, and I’ll certainly be coming back.

A good tradition corner boozer, Six beers on Blindmans Raven and Raven Gold,Two Cocks Cavalier,GT Thirst Of Many,Fine Tuned Red Rhapsody and Burton Ale. I tend to agree with Bucking Fastards earlier summary, nice pub but B list beer.

This Georgian building has a pleasing traditional feel to the ground floor bar ,well described by Blackthorn.I ventured upstairs where there is a charming restaurant with a double aspect from windows on two walls and it's own bar,serving a subset of whats available downstairs.It was proving very popular on my Saturday evening visit. I came here on the strength of its GBG listing and the ale offering on my trip was Raven's Gold & Bitter (low strength,both brewed by Blindmans),Yeovil Summerset,Hook Norton Right Hook and Keystone VPA,a very boring heavy brown beer.There was a lot of cider on ,but for an ale drinker it felt like an unexciting range,so we sloped off after a pint,having enjoyed the interior rather more than the beer.

There were seven ales on in here, including a couple of house beers (Raven (£3.80) and Raven Gold (£3.70)), which I think are brewed by Blindman Brewery. A list of bottled beers from around the world was above the bar counter. Oversize lined glasses are used, so a full pint is guaranteed, and the Guv’nor made the point that he preferred to err on the side of generosity, which is a very rare (but welcome) attitude to say the least. The speciality of the house as far as food is concerned seems to be the selection of pies, at £9.20 a throw, which looked pretty good although not sampled by yours truly. Other food is also available of course. There are no tall tables/tall stools here, with just traditional metal-framed Britannia tables, upholstered settles and small stools as the furnishings. On the walls are some unusual yet attractive cartoons drawn or painted on wood panels, and at the back is a Bath stone fireplace – now disused with a settle in front of it. I saw another room upstairs advertised, but didn’t investigate it. But the best thing (perhaps after the superb ale selection) for me about this pub is that it was quiet – no music was being played and I didn’t see a TV (if there was one somewhere it wasn’t on). There were the sounds of people talking though, which I think is what pubs should be about.This is an excellent pub and well worth a visit if in Bath. It’s a GBG regular, and I’m not surprised that it’s been the local CAMRA branch’s pub of the year. Highly recommended.