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Red Lion Inn, Market Drayton
Market Drayton
TF9 1JP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about Red Lion Inn
I have been known to join in the criticism of Joules for their fake reconstruction of some of their pubs, replacing mundane features with something outstanding that has either been taken from another pub or simply created in the style of what they wish had once been there. This, a big old squarish hotel with stables behind, has to just about take the biscuit - but I quite liked it. The front part doesn't seem to have a functioning entrance, and I'm not sure if, after walking in through a side door and turning right, I ended up in the front part anyway. Possibly not: there's a maze of rooms and I didn't have a ball of wool to unwind behind me.
As expected of a brewery tap, there were numerous hand pumps and the beer was possibly a little fresher than optimal - a little time to allow the flavours to develop is what's often missing in places like this, I reckon. Anyway, most people were enjoying themselves, so I let a little of my curmudgeonliness erode and had a pleasant visit.
Date of visit: 18th September 2022
On 22nd May 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3746 recommendations about 3483 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Red Lion Inn
A fine old pub and the Joule's brewery tap, given the usual very traditional treatment inside. Various seating / dining areas in the original building and new bar area in the rear extension, including a lounge corner with light wood-panelling and a cosy snug. Also has quite a few patio tables out in the yard, a popular spot on a warm, sunny day. The eight handpumps covered all the regular brews (such as the Pure Blonde, £3.60) plus Lakota and Batch #1006.
On 10th July 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Red Lion Inn
Joule's Brewery tap as described by others, below. On entry we encountered some strange folk: an obnoxious fat dog owner who got stroppy when we sat at 'his' table, a dim barmaid who turned out to be very helpful and some very elderly ladies who didn't understand the concept of waiting to be served. Oh, and the privilege of overhearing the entire briefing that the Commanding Officer of the local TA battalion gave his leadership team – I have the feeling we shouldn't have heard that, though. Three real ales and a 'craft' beer were on draft. I had Joule's IPA, Slumbering Monk and Blond, all in excellent condition, which was to be expected. Food was also good - excellent main courses, though puddings were a disappointment, while dog treats were on the table (in clean bowls) when we arrived. They run regular theme nights and have created a very good facility, well worth expending the energy walking into town to find.
On 18th December 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3251 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Red Lion Inn
Situated right next door to Joules Brewery. This is a lovely pub kitted out in the usual Joules way with plenty of wood. Multi-roomed and with 2 bars. The main bar is centrally located within the pub with a smaller servery to the left. 2 banks of 3 handpumps are on each side of the main bar with a bank of 2 in the middle. There are 4 handpumps on the smaller bar. Sadly, for what is a brewery tap, the beer range was poor. Joules Slumbering Monk, Pale and Blonde being your usuals plus a seasonal ale called Joules Beer Tonic. Its a nice pub let down by a rather rubbish beer choice. Entrance is to the side.
On 25th July 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Red Lion Inn
This place seems to have mixed reviews below. I have no idea what the original pub was like but I thought the current main entrance and bar area was rather like a converted stable block.
I arrived here mid Wednesday afternoon when any food sales were finished so it didn't strike me as a particularly food orientated sort of place.
The bar has two sets of four hand pumps which both had the three regular Joule's offerings and their seasonal Shropshire Hop (£3.10) which was in good nick. I'm not completely dismissive of Joule's beers but just find them a bit dull which in reality applies to the majority of brewers. There are only a few that are outstanding.
I thought this one was OK but not as good as some of their other outlets. It felt more like a brewery tap than a pub.
On 31st July 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about Red Lion Inn
The reviews below give plenty of detail which I'll aim not to repeat.
I can't help feeling that despite a large investment and plenty of thought and planning that Joules have fallen a little short with both the Red Lion and the brewery from what could have been fantastic.
The Red Lion is effectively a beautiful old building which has been added to and restored almost out of recognition to create an identikit gastropub.
You walk into the small bar area, which is the only part of the building not set up for eating although you are more than welcome to sit anywhere just for a beer. The Mouse Room is a large and cavernous space with a mish mash of wooden furniture none of which, on a cursory inspection, bore the iconic mouse of the legendary Robert Thompson of Kilburn. It reminded me of a school dining hall but without the people.
The rest of the pub bears the skeleton of the original building in that the small rooms have been essentially maintained but with few other original features in evidence.
Despite being aimed at food as well as beer and each table having cutlery and numbers, I couldn't find a menu anywhere so can't comment on what sort of food is offered.
Beer on was all from Joules limited, low strength and rather sweet stable: Double Hop, Blonde, Pale Ale and Slumbering Monk. The Pale Ale was in decent nick and is fine for one but I struggle after that.
For me, the Red Lion complete with its' range of Joules beers is an opportunity missed and I'll be trying to avoid a return.
On 17th October 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Red Lion Inn
The Joules brewery tap with the large modern brewing plant in a stone faced building to the rear of the site,the original 1623 pub has been swamped by new extensions to the side and rear,and you have to walk down the brewery courtyard to gain access to an entrance built incongruously in modern brick with little sympathy shown for the old pub building.The bar is new and shiny with four handpumps for the Joules ales.To the left of the entrance a corridor leads to The Mouse Room,a square high ceiling restaurant overflow area with functional wooden furniture and no sign of the Robert Thompson carved mice as promised by the 2014 GBG.To the right of the bar ,the wood paneled area has a small snug to one side and a double aspect wood burner,and it is here that Joules explain their claim that their beers were first brewed by monks.People who worked on constructing the brewery were self appointed as "monks" by Joules with some attempt at humours stories about their drinking antics falling flat.It all felt like someone was trying just a little too hard to construct a legend ,possibly trying to deflect criticism that the Market Drayton brewed Joules Pale Ale is indeed a pale shadow of the original JPA when it was brewed in Stone.
The old pub is now given over to gastro eating despite retaining original features and food was the dominant theme on my evening visit,the attractive waitresses scurrying around delivering plates of food to a good sized crowd.Every table in the interior has a pewter tankard with a table number so diners can pitch down everywhere.
Joules have been responsible for many excellent pub restorations ,but this is not one of them.I am surprised the local planning authority gave permission for this development.I find their ale range dominated by low ABV brews non descript which coloured my view,but if you like gastro makeovers you may feel comfortable in here.
On 13th October 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about Red Lion Inn
The Red Lion is a three storey pub that is home to Joules brewery.
The front door to this pub is not in use so you have to go to the left side and enter through the new extension,this area is quite new with the bar facing,the floor was bare pine type and there was a mix of seating types.
The old part of the pub is down one step to the right,this area is split into two areas and is more traditional with comfy leather bench seats and stools,there is no bar in this area.
There were four Joules beers on the bar,i had a drink of Joules Blonde which went down very well,the other beers were Joules Pale ale,Calcutter 1757 and Slumbering Monk.
The pub was fairly busy with mainly younger upmarket types.
This is a pleasant enough pub to have a drink in and you get the choice of drinking in a modern enviroment or a proper pub.
Well worth a visit for the beers alone.
Pub visited 15/6/2013
On 15th June 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Red Lion Inn
Quite a splendid modernisation of an old pub by Joules Brewery, which is located at the rear. The old Red Lion retains its historic frontage and comfortable rooms, while a new extension house the main entrance and an efficient bar. At the rear, a large room with the feel of a modern German beer hall overlooks the brewery. Food not sampled but sounded good. All topped off with some very nice Joules beers. Recommended - just needs to weather in a bit to gain some more character.
On 6th June 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]