The Dove Street Inn, Ipswich

Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Dove Street Inn

Latest Visit 19/10/24:

Just over 3 years after my first visit to the Dove Street Inn, I returned on Saturday and this time with no Covid restrictions, I could take a seat inside. Whilst I'd seen the extensive outdoor area last time, I was pleased to see that inside is a fairly typical and basic town boozer with the bar itself at the front and a couple of smaller rooms to the rear, one being a conservatory. On our Saturday lunchtime visit, it was fairly busy and there was a good atmosphere. The barmaids were friendly and serving people quickly.

Regular cask ales here now are Fuller's London Pride & Greene King Abbot. Guests were Goff's Black Knight, Adnams Southwold Bitter & Ghost Ship, Greene King The Invisible Pint, Dove Street Gold, Ampersand First Promise, Hopback Summer Lightning, Castle Rock Harvest Pale, Woodforde's Wherry & Nene Valley Loop Daddy. I didn't notice the cider list initially (they are fetched from the cellar, but listed on a beam above the bar). The selection was Newton Court Gasping Goose, Farmer Jim's Rootin' Tootin', Kentish Pip Forager & Skylark, Pulp Cherry & Pineapple Cider & Weston's Old Rosie. Keg beers included Woodforde's Black Bear Stout & Moon Bear Misty IPA (seemingly brand new beers from them), Greene King Level Head, Beavertown Gamma Ray, Adnams Mosaic & Big Drop Paradiso.

I suspect Quinno was very unlucky on his visit. For me, this is still the best real ale pub in Ipswich and in fact my chance to head indoors improved my liking of this place. So, I am increasing my score to 9 accordingly.

Previous Visit 30/4/21:

I'd originally planned to visit Ipswich the previous week, but luckily I delayed my trip to this week, as the Dove Street Inn only re-opened this Thursday.

I'm not sure of the reason for the extended closure, but the pub benefits from a large outdoor area, with many of the available tables undercover. This was just as well, as the rain started during my visit and I at least managed to stay dry for this one.

Blackboards display the available real ales and ciders. Greene King Abbot & Adnams Broadside appear to make regular appearances. In addition, there was Adnams Southwold Bitter, Oakham Inferno, Shorts Farm Blonde, Hopback Summer Lightning, Rudgate Ruby Mild & Dancing Duck Dark Drake. Ciders were Taunton Cider Company Dry & Medium, Celtic Marches Clementine Perry, Lilley's Chocolate Apple Cider & Seacider Cherry Bakewell.

Food was being served from an outdoor grill, with burgers and other barbecued food available.

With pleasant service and a nice, quiet drinking environment, this was my favourite pub in Ipswich and I was glad to finally get here after seeing it advertised for many years in the London Drinker magazine.

On 22^nd October 2024 - rating: 9
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