The Old Cannon, Bury St. Edmunds

Situated in BSE’s backstreets, this brewpub built a reputation a few years back as being the only real oasis of ale sanity in a town choc-full of Greene King pubs and beers. I’ve been a number of times now and sadly I’ve lost a little enthusiasm over time after initially raving about it. The home-brewed beers (Gunners Daughter, Best Bitter and Blonde Bombshell) are very nice (the Gunners Daughter especially), and these are available along with a couple of guest ales. Some continental fayre is also available, along with Aspalls cider. However I’ve had the odd duff pint that’s had to be taken back recently – I would expect a higher standard in here. The interior, whilst still retaining the interesting brewery element, has become a lot more plain and clinical and some of the charm has gone; many of the tables are set for dining, which is rather disconcerting if you just want a drink. The courtyard beer garden is sun trap so I usually take myself out here to sit under the trellis when possible. That said, I really would recommend a visit for the novelty factor and a pint of the Gunners Daughter. But I don’t think it’s as an essential experience as it once was.

A small micro-brewery pub situated down the back streets of Bury St Edmunds, but easily reached by foot from the town centre or train station. Three ales were on from their own range - Best Bitter, Blonde Bombshell and Brass Monkey - plus two guests, one of which was Brew Dog Trashy Blonde. The Brass Monkey wasn't to my taste, but the Blonde Bombshell was lovely. The pub has various bits of brewing paraphernalia dotted around the place, but is otherwise a bit of a bland, gastro-pub format. There is a decent looking menu and a partitioning wall screens the bar from an area presumably preferred by diners. No food on Sunday's though, so don't get caught out as we did. Bury is unsurprisingly dominated by Greene King pubs, so this is a refreshing and compelling alternative. Even on a Sunday night, this was the busiest pubs I saw in town, which must say something for it. Well worth investigating.