The Raven, Bath

A selection of 8 real ales in good condition, well worth a visit.

Official site of the Raven, contains menus, beer details and upcoming events - www.theravenofbath.co.uk

A small terraced Enterprise Inn, in half brick, half render. The interior was open plan, with a pool table at one end and the bar area, with nice wood bar and green seats, at the other. The decor was mainly red, wallpaper and plain wall, with some wood panel. Decoration was supplied by a few mirrors, framed certificates and prints. Service was friendly enough, with no other sole in the place, other than myself and Mr Hackwood. Beer; tap stuff, with an untried Deuchars IPA and a reasonable Hobgoblin on handpull. A third pull, that generally held Bass, was not on. A solid kind of place without being spectacular, happy to visit it, but a place you tend to stay for one.

Cosy little city-centre Free House (and I do mean little). Apparently, there's an upstairs bar, but I didn't explore sufficiently to find that - I sat downstairs in a small bare-boarded room. 2 house beers are supplied by Blindmans (Raven & Raven Gold), as well as another 3/4 pumps - the Raven Gold is a fine pint. Full marks to The Raven for publicity - you can find a leaflet in the Tourist Information Centre's racks. Free WiFi is also available.

Official site of the Raven, contains menus, beer details and upcoming events - www.theravenofbath.co.uk