The Hop Pole, Lower Weston, Bath

My third of three in a quick tour of Bath after getting off the train and before it became totally dark. Beer quality was good, as all three are in the Good Beer Guide, but my half of Abbey Bell Ringer was a clear winner (NBSS 4). I wasn't quite so enamoured of the background music, with Pink Floyd followed by Chuck Berry and Bill Haley. Nevertheless, this one is well worth the short walk out from the city centre, and buses seem to be frequent.

The layout is as described by others, below. They’ve recently had some electrical issues in the kitchen so were closed for a few weeks, now opening times are unreliable. The young barman didn’t seem to know what he was doing, and there was no real ale available. Two pumps on the bar clipped Gem and Tribute, but both were off. Cubit was offered as an alternative. There were no other customers, no atmosphere and nothing approaching intelligent conversation from the staff so we fuggled off, unlikely to return.

A very pleasing exterior ,yet the inside has had a modern refurb which has taken way a lot of pub character despite the liberal use of Farrow & Ball paint.The bar is to the right,with fitted bench seating below the high front window and high tables at the other end.To the left is a section more focussed on diners and the cooking smells were wafting around the interior.It's in the GBG but owned by Bath Ales so dont expect anything spectacular from the 6 handpumps which were drawing on my trip St Austell Hop Pole Best (3.5% rebadged),Bath SPA,Gem and Prophecy (decent) plus a real cider. The muzak was just too loud,and despite a friendly welcome it wasn't offering enough to warrant a revisit although the food may have been decent,I was only here for the beer.