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The Black Bull in Paradise, Ripon

Pub added by elizabeth mcgraw
The Brewery
Masham
Postal town: Ripon
HG4 4YD
Phone: 01765680000

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Old Boots left this review about The Black Bull in Paradise

Theakston’s official brewery tap or visitor centre or cooperage display. As related below it’s an old stone building converted to the purpose, the front is the shop with beers and Theakston related emphemera for sale, behind is a pleasant tap room with six pulls, usual Theakston’s range of Best, XB, OP, Lightfoot, Summit and a splendid Co-lab with Wylam and Brook House Hops. Mr Simon ((Theakston) dropped in while I was there so keeping the staff on their toes (they are anyway, they’re very good people). Things to look for other than the cooperage are the paintings of former coopers and the rather splendid counter. There’s more seating upstairs if it’s busy. Six pulls plus the Theakston’s kegs on a triple; Mild, Pale Ale and Barista.

On 5th November 2022 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 3209 recommendations about 2920 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Roger Button left this review about The Black Bull in Paradise

Since the Black Bull in Paradise is essentially the bar area of the Theakston Brewery Visitor’s Centre, it is perhaps stretching things a little to treat the place as a pub in the true meaning of the word. The opening times are limited to when the Visitor Centre is open so don’t arrive expecting to partake in a lengthy evening’s session.

The awkward name is derived from the original Theakston Brewery tap, the Black Bull Inn, the name being retained when the Tap was relocated to its current position within the brewery premises that stands on a plot of land called Paradise Field.

The bar area is housed within an old stable block and has all character you would expect of such a building with thick stone walls, flagstone floors and a high vaulted roof. A large open fire is welcoming in the winter months and there is additional seating in an upstairs gallery. There are various Theakston family portraits as well as old photos of Masham and the brewery, beer mat displays and a backwards clock (Peculiar time – geddit!). The solitary TV probably doesn’t get much usage given the limited opening hours. At the rear is the Coopers workshop where you can often watch the now rare skill being undertaken.

As you would expect, there is a full range of Theakston’s ales including any seasonals across the 6 hand pumps and you would have to be desperately unlucky to find a bad pint here quality wise.

The place does have quite a bit of character (especially compared to the Black Sheep bar across town) and naturally it makes a fine finale to the Brewery Tour (which is thoroughly recommended and includes a couple of beers in the price) although it does feel a little contrived for the tourists, which in the end, I suppose is exactly what it is.

On 7th September 2010 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Old Boots left this review about The Black Bull in Paradise

Converted from an old store or similar outhouse, part bar, part shop located on the edge of the Theakstons Brewery and really reached only on foot from the Market Place up a series of narrow alleys by following the signs for the Visitor Centre. A stone built building with stone floors and a wood finished upper storey where the balustrade mimics barrel staves. From the front door you enter the souvenir shop, behind that is the bar with traditional furniture and a splendid carved bar counter. Six handpumps dispense the full range of Theakstons beers, all, as you may expect, in excellent condition. The staff are great but the opening hours are a little limited. Smaller and more intimate than the Black Sheep Visitors Centre, but still a visitors centre rather than a pub as the emphemera and portraits of various members of the Theakston family, the late head cooper and the Old Peculier himself show. Nonetheless it is a good place to start or finish your brewery tour or just drop in for a pint or two.

On 13th June 2010 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 3209 recommendations about 2920 pubs]