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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
The Beehive, Swindon
Swindon
SN1 3JS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Beehive
An unusual wedge-shaped pub in the residential back streets away from the main drag, it’s not somewhere you’re going to stumble across by accident if you’re a visitor to the town, but is certainly worth making the small detour to check it out.
Internally it consists of three interconnected rooms, all on slightly different levels with three or four steps between each. The central room houses the bar counter and looked to be the cosiest of the three with sanded wooden boards on the floor, and a small fire blazing away at one end which was a nice touch on a cold December afternoon. Some of the décor was a little uninspiring with just a plain whitewashed ceiling for example, but the overall feel was very pleasant. Seating was mostly fitted wooden benches around the perimeter, whilst above the fireplace was a brick chimney breast and some interesting pictures either side which looked to be painted directly on to the wall. A mannequin complete with long platinum blond hair and fishnet stockings was sat in one corner, and I had to do a double take to check she wasn’t real. The lower room was broadly similar in terms of décor with the addition of some wallpaper on much of the walls, and there were multiple Good Beer Guides on the wall suggesting they feature regularly.
Beers on tap were Olde Trip, Two Bees, Rocking Rudolph, Hop Monster Child of the Jago, Kettlesmith Satan Claws and Cotleigh Kiwi. Ciders meanwhile were Pheasant Plucker and Ashton Press. All in all, a lovely little pub with a friendly barmaid and a cosy ambience. I could quite happily have settled in for a few if we’d had more time.
On 23rd December 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2060 recommendations about 1962 pubs]
Quinno _ left this review about The Beehive
A bit better luck in here this time - my Olde Trip was par. But I suspect they carry too many cask.
April 2023
Backstreet wedge-shaped pub. Rainbow assortment flags in the windows, is this a gay pub or merely stating credentials? Inside are three separate areas over a couple of levels, with artwork and other faff on the walls. Live music advertised and there was a pleasing 90’s Indie soundtrack on the go. GBG’23 listed, this is actually a Greene King pub with mainly their beers on the go with a couple of guests; too many I thought and so it proved, my Kettlesmith Plot Line was just on the cusp of turning and was also freezing cold (NBSS 1.5) served in a glass that should have been skipped a while ago. It's not a bad pub but the beer and presentation really let the side down. Rated 6
On 3rd October 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Beehive
Lovely back street boozer that again, I would have missed if it wasnt for the GBG.
Its a Greene King house but saw no evidence of their beers.
Instead, a good selection of cask and a barman who had expert knowledge of the type/hops used to help you make a decision. I enjoyed my Bristol Beer Factory Resurface.
Shape of the building provides for an interesting, multi level interior.
Friendly punters and staff.
Good pub.
On 11th January 2023
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1543 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Beehive
A good looking wedge-shaped Greene King pub set on a steep hill intersected by a road either side.Inside I found a long multi-roomed ,split on several levels interior with a welcoming open fire at the top and widest end on what was a very cold January day. The servery runs along the rear wall as you enter, the bar top was mounted with six handles all in use and not being a Greene King beer fan was pleased to note half were guest ales. I went with a pint of Hop Kettle Duet #5 the others on offer were, Old Specled Hen, London Glory and House beer Two Bees from the GK stable, the other two guests being White Horse Porter and Goffs White Knight.I was plesantly suprised by the warmth and proper pub feel about the place and would be happy to include it on any pub crawl of the town.
On 8th January 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2151 recommendations about 2118 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Beehive
Lovely split level back street local in lanes near town cntre. Wedge shaped end & bar running the route down.
On 8th May 2016
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1542 recommendations about 1519 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Jonathan Wilde left this review about The Beehive
Description of premises as per Alan's review below. Since then it must've been through some changes as there are now 6 hand pumps complete with tasting notes around the fireplace and no mainstream lager present.
As mentioned steps are everywhere in here and there are also some quirky narrow tables just to the left on entry from Prospect Hill in the top area with benches along all of this wall in the bar area.
The pub comes complete with a black cat that appears to Lord it over the top bar area.
Overall a very pleasant pub just away from the town centre. And as a Camra 2016 entrant is probably popular with real ale fans.
On 10th January 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 367 recommendations about 349 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Beehive
The Beehive is a decent looking pub that is at the apex of two streets and also on an hill.
This pub is very narrow at the bottom end as its on a corner,once inside here there is a narrowish room at the front which has steps down to other drinking areas as the pub is on a steepish hill.
The pub is fairly smart inside and it is a Greene King tied house i had a drink of GK IPA which was ok there was also Abbot on.
This is a decent smallish pub to have a few drinks in.
On 15th November 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]