The Ship & Crown, St Peter Port Town, St. Peter Port

Owned by the Liberation Group along with its nearby sister pub, the Thomas de La Rue, the Ship and Crown is situated in the heart of St Peter Port, opposite the Victoria Pier and it’s front windows provide superb panoramic views of the marina and neighbouring islands. The ground floor is the more ‘pubby’ section, although you have to climb a few steps to enter it. Internally one room that wraps around the central serving bar making different seating areas at the front, side and back of the bar. There are four hand pumps on the bar and as it’s owned by the Liberation Group this means Liberation and Butcombe beers only and usually only two on at any time. For our visits theses were Butcombe Original and Liberation IPA. The other two pumps were badged with Liberation Ale and Gold but had the dreaded “coming soon” labels draped over them. We didn’t eat in this one, but it is renowned for its food which is primarily served in the Crows Nest room above the pub bar. But there is no hand-pumps, only bottles in this section. Have to say we preferred the Thomas de La Rue to this one.

This pub advertises itself as a "Pub & Dining" venue, and I noticed a dining room sign up some steps on the left just before you enter the pub. But I didn't explore it. Inside the pub area is a fairly large modernised room with the usual mix of furnishings - tall benches/tables/stools, some normal tables and chairs plus to or three alcoves by the windows with fixed bench seating looking out over a car park and harbour. Food menus were put on the tables just after midday - I didn't note everything available, but the "Ship & Crown Burger, with chips, etc, was £13.95. There were no sarnies. The beer choice looked good on approaching the counter, but it clearly flatters to deceive. As a Liberation Brewery pub it wasn't surprising to see three handpumps bearing Liberation beer clips, but the Herm Gold one had a little sign saying "finished"; and both the IPA and Ale ones little signs saying "not yet". Somewhat disappointing to say the least. This left just Butcombe Bitter (£2.80 a half), which wasn't in good condition but drinkable. Being generous, I hope that I was just unlucky.

Official site of The Ship & Crown - www.liberationgroup.com

Official site of The Ship & Crown - www.liberationgroup.com