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Beer of the Week (w/e 15th June 2025) with Tris39 on the Pub Forum

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Submitted on Saturday, 3^rd February 2024
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Bridge Inn, Exeter

Bridge Hill
Topsham
Postal town: Exeter
EX3 0QQ

Phone: 01392873862

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Topsham

Reviews of Bridge Inn (Average Rating: 9 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Strongers . left this review about Bridge Inn

The Bridge Inn was the reason for my visit to Topsham, so after spending the afternoon in town I was glad to finally have a look around just after the 17:30 opening on a recent Wednesday. The pink painted exterior is cottage like with chimneys and sloped roofs at different heights and angles. To be honest I think the exterior is a good reflection of the interior, barring the pink hue, because the rooms are all different sizes and hidden away. I actually felt like I was intruding at times because it feels like people actually live in it, which I suppose they do. There are lots of pictures available of the interior online so I’m not going to write pages of dross trying to describe every detail, mainly in part that I think I could have stayed all day and not seen it all. What I did find was a front room by the side entrance where some people had gathered and a corridor to a rear bar area where there’s a hatch for service. An A4 sheet on the counter listed six cask options of Branscombe Vale’s Norman’s Old Ruby Ale, Branoc and Flat Calm Cider, Teignworthy Brewery’s Mad Hatter, Bristol Beer Factory’s Independence and Bays Brewery’s Evergreen. I waited for a minute, but there was no sign of service so I made my way outside two find a side hatch to the cellar where a couple of polite members of staff were serving from. I decided to go for the Branoc, which I enjoyed sat on one of the picnic tables alongside the river. I needed the toilet before I left so I had a nose in the room at the rear opposite it to find a church like space with rows of seating and a piano near the rear wall. Topsham Music Festival was advertised all over town for the upcoming weekend so I assumed this was one of the venues. This is one of those one-of-a-kind pubs and I’m happy that I visited.

On 2^nd May 2025 - rating: 9
[User has posted 6133 recommendations about 6099 pubs]

Real Ale Ray left this review about Bridge Inn

We called in on a Saturday lunchtime and there was only a couple of people around the place. Within half an hour the place was busy, especially outside at the picnic benches were we were sat. The majority of the drinkers were ordering pasties and sandwiches and one table ordered a large pitcher full of beer.
We had a wander around the interior which looked steeped in history and has never been altered. The Landlady and staff were all lovely, along with the beer and pasties.
Beer wise, we went for the Utopian Brewery Mystic Sun & Branscombe Vale Summa 'That. Prices were £4.70 for a 3.4% and £4.80 for a 5%. The other three ales were Dartmoor Jail Ale, Exmoor Beast & Branscombe Vale Branoc. One cider, Branscombe Vale Flat Calm. The quality of the ales was excellent. A superb pub.

On 9^th October 2024 - rating: 10
[User has posted 3684 recommendations about 3684 pubs]

Bucking Fastard left this review about Bridge Inn

A 3* CAMRA Heritage Pub with two extensive reviews below ,it's an unspoiled classic.The interior is wonderful,the first lounge has the feels of gran's front room,while the rear snug with its own small servery is a very fine example of it's type,comfy,atmospheric with the bunting seemingly aged and dating back to the past Queen's rare visit inside a pub,unlike her mother.The rifles above the fireplace complete the rustic charm.There are other rooms further back along the corridor but the preserve of the family who have being custodians of this pub since 1897
The benches off the carpark along the river bank and below the weir of the Clyst will always be popular in good weather and so beer can be purchased from a doorway into the cellar where the stillage racks are situated.There is a daily real ale menu with on my trip Branscombe Brannoc,Otter Bright ( £4.80,NBSS 4.5,served in a dimple glass),Moonraker Raker,,Palmer's 200 and Exmoor Beast with a real cider in Branscombe Flat Calm Cider.Prices very reasonable but the menu does warn that prices may vary depending on customer attitude !.In other words treat this family pub with some respect.
With a good selection of well kept Locale,and the desire to offer some higher ABV's this is a must visit pub for that alone but with the heritage as well you really must visit the Bridge Inn before you die.I will be back.

On 19^th August 2024 - rating: 9
[User has posted 2971 recommendations about 2971 pubs]

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