The British Grenadier, Colchester

A fair trundle from the town centre, this a basic alehouse with a frayed linoleum tiled floor and very much felt like the sort of pub you tend to encounter north of Hadrian’s wall, if populated by the Essex Sci-Fi ComiCon branch (see the life-sized cardboard stormtrooper in the main bar). No longer an Adnams pub (to much wailing and gnashing of teeth a few years ago) and is now run as a hobbyist freehouse for the locals. Three cask; Elland Pale, something oak something and a sub-par Dartmoor Jail (NBSS 2.5). Cat sat on the bar. Maybe I hit it at the wrong time just after opening but it feels like a GBG makeweight.

Smaller lay-out than my beer-misted memory had me believe, but none the worse for that. I didn't record the ales available but do need to mention the late afternoon entertainment yesterday - the licensees' daughters were on vocals, accompanied by guitar, and were really rather good, well done them. Good local buzz about the place. 9 March 2008 Penultimate stop on Saturday's crawl so things are a bit hazy by now. I can just make out that 4 handpumps offered Adnams Bitter, Broadside, Oyster Stout, & Mauldons Cuckoo. There was a dartboard with its own space, ie not crowded by tables, & I think we endangered the local populace by having a couple of games of ‘tactics', sorry folks. Quiet, so we got a chance to briefly discuss the sad news of the Adnams disposal with the friendly landlord/lady, I wish them and the British Grenadier all good fortune for the future.

Excellent unspoilt back street drinker . Real Ale gem , tried a pale from the York Brewery . Well looked after beers , well worth a stroll from Colchester Town BR

An exceptional pub, this. I learned reecently that Adnams are tragically planning to sell this absolute gem. Why, I do not know. A proper drinkers' pub, with effort towards exciting beers always in mint condition. Not many old-fashioned pubs exist that do not prioritise eaters over drinkers, but this place is a perfect example. I did see that the local CamRA website for Colchester had a petition which I was told quite a few people are signing to support the Grennie against sale. It would be an incredible loss and callous greed on Adnams part if it is gotten rid of.