The Volunteer Tavern, St. Judes, Bristol

Tucked away from the city centre melee,this is an utterly charming ale house which should not be missed.The building is old,early Georgian ?,and the low entrance opens into the tap room with the bar,covered in old bank notes, to the left and a useful chalk board ahead listing both real ale (6) and craft keg (3) options.The welcome was chatty and very friendly .This room cover the length of the frontage but isn't huge so it wouldn't take many punters to fill up,but there is a large and charming beer garden partially covered by an awning.It's an oasis and many birds were tweeting in the trees above.There are space heaters if it's cold,there is a raised area to the rear and a rustic bar for use when events are on dispensing keg beers. At the bar there was a glass dome with home made sausage rolls,substantial ,tasty and very good value.The ale options on my trip were Cheddar Bedstraw,Twisted Oak Fallen Tree (very good),Boss Brewing Brave,Plain Ales Inspiration,Steam Box Half Sovereign and Piddle 69er.A very varied and interesting selection of local microbrewery output ,and had I not been on a real ale crawl I would have stayed a lot longer.Full deserved its 2016 GBG listing. A genuine boozer,lots of fun and one not to miss when in Bristol.

Dimly lit bare boarded pub, chunky oak tables & chairs & bench seating along outer wall. Bar at one end near entrance there are flowers and candles on the tables. part Distressed wood panelled walls and pastle purple walls. A bit arty but it gets away with it. One room and foody. There is fabric bunting around part, background reggae music. 4 real ales plus some craft, probably just beats nearby Barley Mow for a place to drink.