Ya-Bard, Stratford Central, Stratford-Upon-Avon

Can't really add to the description by BF or the comments by ETA below. This is a craft only place with prices to match. 5 interesting beers on and the one I tried was excellent. I felt a certain "snobbery" from the landlord and the couple of customers - all trying to show off their knowledge of Craft ale. I mentioned the "Alehouse" round the corner and was told it's OK if you like "brown" beer. Get a life lads, there is room for both places without running the other down! Actually I like brown beer (in my extensive experience most beer is some shade of brown!). Glad I popped in but if I only had time for one pint in Stratford it wouldn't be in here. I'd be round the corner with my "brown" beer and a couple of extra quid in my pocket!!

As described by BF, below. There was no real ale on, and the craft beers were ridiculously overpriced. The landlord made a point of saying several times that they were a craft ale house, and that if we wanted to drink ‘cheap’ cask beer we should go elsewhere, so we did. We didn’t find the company particularly enjoyable either, and it felt rather up itself. As a micro it just isn’t in the same league as the nearby Alehouse.

Official site of Ya-Bard - www.ya-bard.com

Official site of Ya-Bard - www.ya-bard.com

Official site of Ya-Bard - facebook.com

Official site of Ya-Bard - facebook.com

A newly opened (Oct 2020)craft beer micropub in a small former office,if the sign on the door says Open you enter into a small front room with a table and drinking shelf.Next up is a middle section with a side table,then the unisex loo and finally in the back room is a small servery to the right,drinking shelves and stools ,an off sales beer rack and a number of fridges.A good soundtrack was playing at a sensible volume and the welcome by the owners was genuine and friendly.The decor is modern and chic. There is a screen showing 4 draught options which on my trip was Pentrich Perfect Sounds (IPA),Verdant Five AM (IPA),Three Hills Trium Faba (Imperial Stout) and Vault City Strawberry Woo Woo (Fruit flavoured Sour).Given the high ABV ,prices are for thirds,halves and schooners.It's not cheap but justified by the quality ,and everything I tried was outstanding from an all keg range.The bottle selection was from the same brewers that were featuring (or had featured) on tap,grouped together by beer style. The owner is a craft beer aficianado so you will fine a very fine and eclectic selection ,with many beers pushing the envelope in terms of taste combinations and strength. It's popular with a young,knowledgeable crowd and I was double the average age profile but was made to feel very welcome. This tasting room is very different from the nearby Stratford Ale House micro,and it wouldn't seem out of place in Hackney Wick but if you are feeling adventurous on the beer front,this is a must visit when in Stratford. Generally only open 11am - 8pm,closed Monday,shorter hours Sunday so be careful with your timing but indulge those tastebuds !