Ship & Castle, Aberystwyth

The Ship and Castle stands out as a beacon in a sea of mediocrity. This is the best real ale traditional pub in Aber but frankly from what I experienced that could quite possibly not be a ringing endorsement as it doesn't have a lot to beat. However in saying that this is a very decent pub and would stand up to a lot stiffer competition was any to be offered. I can well understand its somewhat awkward long and thin internal set up gets rammed at weekends but it was pleasantly quiet for my Monday afternoon visit. Five pumps operational and the house Wye Valley Butty Bach and HPA were complemented by Oakham Inferno, Salopian Matrix and Otley O2 Croeso and the couple we tried were in excellent condition.

When I first came here it was called Flannery's and had a microbrewery installed on the premises. It was also a fake Irish pub, something I always found a bit odd for a place like Aberystwyth. Today it is clearly the premier real ale venue in Aber. It's a long narrow room with the bar on the right as you enter, a pool table on the right and a quieter area down a few steps away from the bar. There were a few tables and chairs alongside benches around the wall. There were some strange beer mats on the tables with Holden's on one side and Carling on the other. I made sure all the ones within reach were Holden's side up. Six handpumps were on the bar with one unused on my October Thursday afternoon visit. The choice was Scarborough Stout, Wye Valley Butty Bach, Dark Star Hylder Blonde, Peerless Crystal Maze and Tiny Rebel FUBAR. Both beers tried were £3.10, so as they are all roughly the same ABV I assume that price applies to all of them. The FUBAR and Scarborough Stout were both great beers in outstanding condition.

A very well kept clean pub which is now open plan but with diferent drinking areas including a pool table to the right of the main entrance. There were 5 ales on during our visit and the two we tried were in very good order. The ales on offer were mainly from smaller breweries.

Ship and Castle review at Quinnos Aberystwyth Pubs Guide - aberpubs.blogspot.com

Ship and Castle review at Quinnos Aberystwyth Pubs Guide - aberpubs.blogspot.com