The Criterion, St. Andrews

A small and tight GBG listed pub, you're always in someone's way. Some booths at the front, chairs lined-up against the wall and bar otherwise. Very well looked after, with the wood panels gleaming and a bit of fauna to add colour to go with nice black and white prints of old St Andrews. Six sticks with three cask on the go (a house beer, Fyne Jarl NBSS 3.5 and Haze Halo NBSS 4). Friendly and warm service, though frankly allowing a dog to sit directly on the bar was a bit much. Timing is everything with this one – I felt incredibly claustrophobic and didn’t really enjoy my visit as I suspect I would have done at a quieter time. 7.5

Official site of The Criterion - www.criterionstandrews.co.uk

Official site of The Criterion - www.criterionstandrews.co.uk

This was probably the best of the pubs we visited in St Andrews, despite having to sit outside, as we had our son in tow. Luckily, the pavement seating is undercover with heating. I did venture to the bar to order and found an impressive interior with lots of dark woodwork and a high ceiling. The ale choice was also decent - Loch Lomond Silkie Stout, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Stewart Ka Pai & Criterion 80/-. A 5th handpull had Thistly Cross Cloudy Cider. I was torn between the stout and the cider and eventually opted for the former, which was easily the best beer I tried in Scotland on this visit.