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The Holy Inadequate, Stoke-On-Trent

67 Etruria Old Road
Etruria
Postal town: Stoke-On-Trent
ST1 5PE

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Steve C left this review about The Holy Inadequate

The Holy Inadequate is a small L-shaped pub that I was surprised to find had twelve hand pumps that were drawing their own Inadequate Brewery’s Tickety Boo, Etruscan Mild, Roundhoue Stout and Citra alongside Red Willow’s Wreckless, Marble Brewing’s Lagonda, Mallinson’s US Premium, Weal Ales Cana Jest, Joule’s Pale and three ciders. I went for the Joule’s which was on good form being served by the friendly governor. Craft keg and cans are also available alongside a long list of Belgian brews, this being a proper drinkers pub. There was some low background music playing, but the atmosphere came from the handful of locals. This place was a nice surprise and I’ll certainly return next time I’m staying in Hanley.

On 7th September 2023 - rating: 9
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Aqualung . left this review about The Holy Inadequate

This pub stands in splendid isolation a short distance South of the A53 dual carriageway between Hanley and Newcastle Under Lyme. Coming from Hanley it's on the left just before the railway lines North of Stoke Station and the Queensway Roundabout which identifies the bus stops nearby. These stops are served by various 4 services between Hanley and Newcastle.
It's been well described below but is basically a wide L shaped bar with a fireplace at the far end and a small snug tucked away at the rear right. I knew it was going to be good as I immediately noticed both that there were no TVs and that Pink Floyd's Welcome To The Machine was playing in the background.
The ten hand pumps had the regular 3 ciders and Joules Pale plus Inadequate Cascade Mosaic, Acorn Malthouse, North Brewing El Dorado Pale, Phoenix Porter, Salopian Lemon Dream and one I failed to note. I had a couple of the pub brew and a Phoenix Porter all at £3.30 and all first class.
This would appear to be Stoke's hidden gem and if their other Inadequate beers are as good as the Cascade Mosaic it's not just a great pub but a class brewery as well. It's highly recommended and gets a strong 9.

On 30th January 2019 - rating: 9
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]


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Al Bundy left this review about The Holy Inadequate

One of those pubs whose name alone makes it a pub to seek out if you're in the area. The reviews below indicated that it was not going to be some sort of generic gastropub/flea pit/keg only type boozers so I was expecting something decent. I wasn't disappointed. Hard to find and in a rather bleak area this place is well worth the seeking. The decor is described elsewhere and is the same. Also the 10 or so handpulls are still here, as is the excellent choice of beers. I would've liked to have spent more time here but sadly a short hourish visit was all.

On 17th January 2019 - rating: 9
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]


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Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Holy Inadequate

Excellent pub in a very unpromising location on the outskirts of Etruria, with the corner entrance leading into an opened-out 'L'-shaped main bar with a curved counter in front of you. There is also another smaller bar at the back, but that was unoccupied when we visited. Simply furnished throughout, with decor including some interesting breweriana, pictures of steam engines and (justifiably, if this brief visit is anything to go by) local Camra awards. Features an impressive array of handpumps, with the regular Joule's Pale Ale and three in-house beers - Citra Pale Ale, Roundhouse Genuine Stout and Hairy Sue's Dark Ruby Mild - supplemented by BBF Nova, Thornbridge Kipling and three ciders. Well worth the bus ride to visit.

On 1st July 2018 - rating: 8
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


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Pub SignMan left this review about The Holy Inadequate

Stuck out of the way in one of Stoke's more bleak, post-industrial suburbs, this is an enterprising free house that has become one of the city's top ale houses in recent years. A corner entrance leads you into the main bar with an L-shaped servery positioned directly in front of you. The bar has a curved tongue and groove counter and a bar back lined with the sort of pump clip collection you would expect from such a wet-led establishment. There are exposed floorboards throughout, with some mighty fixed bench seating down one side and simpler benches and low stools along the other side of the bar. A large mural has been painted on the front wall and elsewhere there are some big Stone's, Bass and Joules mirrors to admire. In fact, the whole pub has some great breweriana on display, as well as many more pump clips, train themed paintings including a huge 'Evening Star' pub sign and lots of music themed bits. The Evening Star sign is the centrepiece of a rather cosy area to the rear right with a small stove on the end wall and some nice comfy furniture options. A corridor runs behind the bar, connecting you with a smaller servery area which had a big stack of pork pies on the counter alongside jars of pickled eggs. Back here you'll find a jukebox and a small rear room with bare boards and part panelled walls, where standard tables are served by decent pub seating, although the room did feel cut-off from the beating heart of the pub and was accordingly empty on an early Saturday evening. Blues music was playing quietly in the background during my visit and I noticed a sign pointing to a rear beer garden, although it was too dark to take a proper look.
On the bar, the row of handpulls runs around the curve of the counter and offered Joules's Pale Ale, Salopian Kashmir, Mallinsons G1000, Springfield Outlawed, Bradfield Farmer's Belgian Blue, Fixed Wheel Milk Race Stout and three real ciders. The cheery landlord gave a warm welcome and poured a great pint of the Mallinsons which partly made up for me missing out on the Pubs Galore Huddersfield crawl the previous day. The pub has won countless local CAMRA awards in recent years including Staffordshire Pub of the Year in 2013 and 2014.
This is a great little place which will have great appeal to the pub traditionalist, offering a warm welcome in comfortable surrounds and one of the top ale selections in the city. Their commitment to providing great quality beer has allowed the pub to flourish in what might otherwise be considered a rather sub-optimal location and I would certainly make the effort to visit this place again the next time I'm in the area.

On 28th December 2016 - rating: 9
[User has posted 3102 recommendations about 3102 pubs]


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Real Ale Ray left this review about The Holy Inadequate

Thanks to our two reviewers below, we too managed to get to the Holy Inadequate. There were 6 ales and 4 ciders to choose from, and seeing as the weather was good, I went for the Snails Bank Cider Tumbledown. Mrs A went for the Bristol Beer Factory Independence. Staff were friendly and helpful and the enclosed courtyard was excellent on a warm day.

On 25th May 2014 - rating: 9
[User has posted 3380 recommendations about 3380 pubs]


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Thuck Phat left this review about The Holy Inadequate

Tucked away between the main road through Stoke, the railway and the canal, The Holy Inadequate in an unassuming street corner local.
Inside it feels local and on our Friday lunchtime they were a few local workers and students enjoying the run in to the weekend. This is all helped by the chirpy governor who not only knows his beer but has a hot line in ropey jokes. It makes for an atmospheric place for a pint.
The artwork is eclectic ranging from historical canal pictures to one of The Evening Star steam engine to Jim Morrison.
Seven hanpumps are dedicated to ale while 3 are taken up with cider. Beers on when we visited were: Mallinsons SPA, Beartown Polar Eclipse, O'Hanlons Red Ale, Joules Pale Ale, Newby Wyke Slipway, Wadworth's Swordfish and Sadlers Hop Bomb which ran out just as we got there. I tried a Red Ale and an Oakham Aple, both of which were excellent.
Food was limited to very good quality pork pies which went down well and seemed good value at £1.20.
A great boozer and I'd be very pleased were it my local.

On 17th September 2013 - rating: 9
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]


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Bucking Fastard left this review about The Holy Inadequate

ORIGINAL REVIEW Feb 2010 (As The New Rendezvous )
Traditional local,with a corner entrance and a dart board to the left of the bar and a small lounge area to the right.Interior is slightly dominated by Sky Sports but the regulars do like their sport . Bombadier and Adnams Broadside on handpumps and OK but the pub is quiet and I dont think they shift real ale in any quantity. The attractive etched glass windows still carry the prevoius name,The Shelton Bar ,named after the Shelton Bar steelworks which stood closeby until closure in the 80's and now completely obliterated from the face of the Potteries.A revival of the old name would be a fitting testament to the old works and those that grafted there.Pub is close to the Trent and Mersey canal but does fall into the category of "use it or loose it",which would be a great shame.

UPDATE
What an amazing change brought on by the new owners.Essentially the interior is unchanged ,except that the dominant flatscreen has disappeared but there are now ten handpumps in this shrine to real ale.On my Tuesday evening visit there was a choice from Salopian Boomerang 6.9%,Marble Pint,Burton Bridge Top Dog Stout,Cheshire Brewhouse Engine Vein,Welbeck Abbey Anouk and Ossett Pale Gold.Only the strong Salopian was over £3,we went throught all the rest across a range of styles and they were in superb nick as befits a 2013 GBG listed pub.£2.70 for Marble Pint was unbelievable value and the fact that Marble supply here is testament in itself.
There were three real ciders and even the keg selection was classy ie La Chouffe and Freedom Four with no sign of mega brands Guiness,Stella,Carling thankfully.
The interior has been tidied but still retains the original fireplaces.There is an impressive collection of pump clips snaking around the picture rail.A back lounge is now accessable,and the beer garden is partially covered and decorated with logs .I liked the large picture above the fireplace of The Evening Star at Etruria Station with the glowing steel works in the back ground,both now gone forever.The recorded music was an eclectic mix of rock and added to the positive atmosphere,not being played too loud.The bar service was knowledgeable and friendly.The pub hasn't lost it's street corner local vibe,but with ale of such quality this is now a must visit in SoT,an amazing example of what a dedicated owner can do with a once failing pub.Get there ,you won't regret the decision.

On 10th August 2013 - rating: 10
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


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Craig Wilton left this review about The Holy Inadequate

The Holy Inadequate is a great classical pub featuring a wide selection of real ales and some tasty spirits. They are not afraid to put on a function for the regulars and indeed the staff take it in their stride to help in anyway they can. There is regular music on in the pub but one of its great features is that it is a place of converstation. Indeed the monthly skeptics in the pub meeting, found in the function room, is a testiment to the pub's friendly and convivial nature.

On 24th January 2012 - rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Paul Cope left this review about The Holy Inadequate

Great Trad Ale watering hole offering a warm welcome, Joules Pale Ale, and four guest Ales one of which is always a Stout or Porter. Super Pork Pies a nice beer garden for the smokers, No tele or football just good music and conversation.

On 20th December 2011 - rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]

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