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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Black Horse, Preston
Preston
PR1 2EJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Old Boots left this review about The Black Horse
Surprised I haven’t already reviewed this outstanding pub in spite of many, many visits, there’s little to add to the many reviews already posted. I chose the small front right hand snug to enjoy an excellent Unicorn, other beers available were from Ashover, Alter Ego, Titanic (Plum Porter) and there were three ciders, Apart from the Unicorn the only other Robinson’s beer was Dizzy Blonde, disappointingly no Old Tom although a sign says it’s on every day.
On 13th October 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3599 recommendations about 3279 pubs]
Rob Hunter left this review about The Black Horse
8 hand pulls for real ale plus several for real cider. Only a couple of Robinsons ales and the rest were guests at the time of my visit a week or so back. The barman was friendly and knowledgeable and was happy to offer a sample.
This is an old fashioned multi room pub, very nicely done out.
There were a couple of ales by Titanic, and with the benefit of hindsight I probably should have gone for one of those, but I fell into the trap of trying something new, Jester by Nailmaker Brewing Company, which was nice enough without being anything special. I would be very open to the idea of paying a return visit at some point.
On 9th August 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 830 recommendations about 657 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Black Horse Hotel
Decided to gift myself an hour between trains so I could do this one again. Busy, with the cask turning over nicely. Grabbed a stool at the end of the bar which made for a good place to watch the comings and goings. Pints of Old Tom (NBSS 3, a little fag-end) and Plum Porter Grand Reserve (4). It’s one of Britain’s best. 9.5
May 2022
Multi-roomed high Victoriana heritage gem (it’s on the CAMRA National Inventory list as one of ‘national importance’), described at length below. So much to see inside - elaborate tiling, dark wood, mosaic flooring, mirrors and stained glasswork over a number of separate rooms and long ‘hall of mirrors’ snug with a central island bar that acts as the focal point; everything leads off it one way or another. A Robinson pub, three of theirs were on at the wonderful curved ceramic servery along with four guests. The devil appeared twice in the form of Old Tom (NBSS 3) and Titanic Plum Porter Reserve (NBSS 4) served-up by a friendly laddish barman who was good for a bit of chatty banter and also knew his product. I could have stayed in here all day and next time I’m in Preston I might well do so. ‘A work of art’ says Mr BF below and I think he’s spot-on. Inevitably, it’s GBG ’22 listed. Rated 9.5
On 19th February 2024
- rating: 10
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Black Horse Hotel
Sure its all said below - but a stunning pub. This was my first visit and I am sure I will notice more on future visits. There will be future visits.
Architecturally stunning inside, with beautiful floor, ceiling and bar - all tiled.
Great selection of beers. I homed in on the Old Tom - on cask - in pints - £6 - 8.5% but I did miss out on the Baby Faced Assassin - a beer that has been on my "to drink" list to try for some time.
Little side rooms, alcoves, nooks and crannies. A place for tourists and regulars.
One of the best.
On 9th May 2023
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1543 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Black Horse Hotel
The only pub on the PuG crawl of Preston that I'd been in before and that was in the 90's, not that it appears to have changed much in the intervening years. As stated in the many reviews below it's gorgeous pub and also sells a very good pint. It's a cracker.
On 16th May 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Black Horse Hotel
Well It's all been said before me, an absoloutly beautiful pub and certainly the best looker in Preston I'm aware of. The Titanic Plum Porter Grand Reserve was top notch and I could easily had stayed for more. A must visit in the country let alone Preston.
On 15th May 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2151 recommendations about 2118 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Black Horse Hotel
First-class heritage interior retaining much of the original decor: woodwork, tiling, mosaic flooring, glazing, etc. Layout remains more-or-less unaltered too, with various side rooms off the corridor leading to main bar area. As a Robinsons house, I found three of its core range available on this revisit, along with the 'White Label' Citra Pale Ale (£1.85, half) and four guests from the various handpumps on the curved central servery. Overall, this one really should be on anybody's 'must visit' list for Preston.
On 4th May 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about Black Horse Hotel
The Black Horse is a cosy pub with a front bar area that includes a curved serving counter supporting ten handpumps and Guinness. The bar wraps around to the left rear where is also serves the left hand corridor and rear area where some premium keg fonts are located alongside Carling. On the back of the bar is a fridge with many types of porkpie that are very tasty. In the left side of the pub are a couple of snugs and at the rear is a U-shaped banquette seating area with two copper topped tables. Leaded stained glass windows run around this area that sits in between the ladies and gents toilets. Against the wall is an old style jukebox. Some stairs lead up to an advertised smoking terrace and function room.
The barkeep certainly knows his stuff and was relishing the chance to chat beer with members of the Pubs Galore Preston Crawl. I think the general consensus was that this is the best pub in Preston, and I wouldn’t argue with that.
On 2nd May 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5965 recommendations about 5931 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Black Horse Hotel
Cannot really add anything additional to the reviews below except to concur that this is a terrific pub. Loved the interior which would be worth a visit on its own, but then factor in the excellent real ale range available and the knowledgeable barkeep serving them and you have something special. Probably my pub of the trip to Preston, just shading the Moorbrook.
On 30th April 2022
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2236 recommendations about 2098 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Black Horse Hotel
A description of this pub is best appreciated on CAMRA’s website, as the Black Horse has a fabulous interior of National Importance and a very comfy rear snug, cosily cossetting our weary members.
I opted for a half of Titanic Plum Porter Grand Reserve, price forgotten, which was excellent, but I actually prefer the ordinary version, finding the increase in alcohol kills some of the complexity, but this was still Beer of the Week in what was Pub of the Crawl.
This is a must-visit pub at a national – let alone Preston – level.
On 25th April 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2208 recommendations about 2165 pubs]