The Armoury, Shrewsbury

More expensive than the normal but you do get decent decor, nice looking food and in a rare twist - table service if you are sitting outside in the sunshine. Nice touch. I enjoyed my Shropshire Lad. Some photos at my blog - http://mappiman.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/270615-shrewsbury-pub-crawl.html

Walloping great riverside building that’s as big inside as the outside suggests. As the name implies, it is a former armoury (and also bakery!) and opened as a pub/restaurant ten years ago by Brunning and Price. A barn of a place, décor is obviously quite ‘contrived’ but well-done nonetheless - traditional-style library sections at either end, bare board flooring with rugs and exposed brick walls. As mentioned elsewhere, the large arched windows running across the length of the pubs frontage are attractive and allow for plenty of natural light. A selection of paintings and old photos are to be found as well as a collection of fuses(!). Outside (though not quayside) seating with views of the line of Weeping Willows looks like a good bet for the summer months. The set-up is mainly for dining though it isn’t an issue just drinking. Perhaps unusually given the food and family ethos, the pub appeared to be dog friendly. Blackboards located above bar listing the ales beer including beer miles. Eight pumps, seven ales (mainly local) plus Westons (that all?) cider. My Longdon Golden Arrow was zombie-like and I suspect the dead hand of an over-used cask breather. My companions Woods Saturnalia was warm which overemphasised the sweetness (it being a honey beer). There’s also an impressive whisky collection. I wanted to like the place but the quality of both ales gives an indicator to me that there’s not enough care going on. I can see why it doesn’t make the GBG cut.