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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Pulpit, Swindon
Swindon
SN1 4BJ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Little Hop
A relatively small, single room pub in the heart of Swindon’s Old Town, it was fairly quiet on our recent mid-week afternoon visit compared to many of the other nearby establishments, but I think they had only just opened for the day so perhaps that accounts for it.
The décor is fairly rustic I suppose, with rough wooden boards on the floor and a plain whitewashed ceiling. In contrast, the walls were quite vibrant shades of green and orange, although with much glazing at the front and other areas of exposed stonework, this wasn’t quite such an assault on the senses as it sounds. A curved and wood panelled bar counter was at the rea, with a plethora of beer mats affixed to the ceiling above hinting at an ever-changing selection, whilst the seating was a mixture of padded chairs and old metal stools in various colours. Some unusual artwork was dotted around the walls, all of it for sale, and a wood burning stove was off to one side. Despite that, it could definitely have done with being a few degrees warner in there, but perhaps if they had only just opened, it had only been recently lit.
Beers on tap were 360° Brewing’s Mustang Mountain IPA, Timothy Taylor’s Golden Best, Arbor Blue Sky Drinking and Brew York’s Fairytale of Brew York. Ciders meanwhile were Pheasant Plucker and Hungerford Park on tap, along with Broadoak Sweet, Broadoak Premium Perry, Saxby’s Original and Hogan’s Panking Pole from boxes.
On 27th December 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2060 recommendations about 1962 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Little Hop
Now gone Little as Large has moved up the road. Smaller than I recall and the interior on dank day smelt of super-heated damp, someone needs to get the coursing sorted. I went for the Castle Rock Preservation which, like so many beers up the hill on that Saturday afternoon was under-par (NBSS 2.5). I was starting to lose patience at this stage, wondering where all the GBG quality beer was supposed to be up this way. Apparently hosts life drawing classes on the second Monday of each month, maybe next time they could try putting some life into the beer whilst they're at it.
July 2015 (as Hop Inn)
The new kid on the block and given the state of the competition elsewhere, a welcome arrival. Hipster-style place converted from a shop with stripped board flooring, steel top bar and distressed furnishings. Five ales on the go: Irving Dog Watch Porter, OSB Textbook, Ramsbury Hop, Kingston Farm Ram Raddle and Rotivator IPA from the same brewery. I went for the latter and got a good beer in good nick for my troubles. Swindon’s only real destination pub for ale choice aligned with quality. Rated 8
On 24th April 2023
- 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 Little Hop
Pay attention if you are Good Beer Guide Ticking. The Hop Inn is the other side of BetFred. A couple of pints in and its easy to get confused.
This is a sister pub to the Hop Inn, from the same owners, so I am sure its just as good. Shows the mindset of CAMRA if one gets in and the other doesnt.
A near full compliment of Castle Rock Brews but as they had the ceremonial chalice, I went for a budvar.
A bigger (and better) than average micro pub.
On 11th January 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1543 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Little Hop
A great little micro , vibrantly colourd in a modern art style inside mirroring the great diversity of beer availble. On handpump were Bluestone Bedrock Blonde, Fixed Wheel Concussion Mild, Goffs Blackcurrant Porter, Alsopps Pale Ale and Thornbridge Sequoia, some decent but not noted by me craft keg options along with a couple of Ciders from Lilleys.The First three cask beers mentioned were my choices whilst here and all in tip top condition.
A must in Swindon.
On 8th January 2022
- rating: 9
[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 Hop Inn
Micro pub with pine tables & shop frontage. Nice small bar with good beer
On 8th May 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1542 recommendations about 1519 pubs]