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The Brunswick Inn, Derby
Derby
DE1 2RU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Brunswick Inn
16 cask ales? Excellent. Needless to say if you're in Derby its a must. And right by the station too.
On 6th August 2015
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Brunswick Inn
Called in loads of times since my last review, the last time being Friday evening. A couple more excellent pints in a great atmosphere as usual.
This pub isn't in the GBG2015 which is total madness from the local CAMRA branch.
13/07/2010
I have to agree with Roger, this is probably my favourite pub in Derby, but it's close. Paid two visits over last weekend. One early Friday night and again late on Saturday. Be aware that last orders here are at 11 even at weekends. Over the two visits I had Brunswicks own Back O The Net, Rhymney Hobby Horse, Oakhamn Inferno, RCH Steam Special, Leatherbritches Dr Johnson & Goldings. All were excellent. The landlord and landlady were sat down having a chat with the regulars and some of us visitors as we were sat next to them. The usual bollix being talked, exactly as it should be :-)) It's a fine pub is this one. If you come here for a quick one whilst waiting for your train, you'll miss it!
On 14th July 2015
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Brunswick Inn
The Brunswick Inn was originally a Kimberley tied house that closed down in the early 70s,it lay derilict for several years,it finally reopened in 1987 after the pub and railway cottages next door to it were done up.
Once inside there is a small room to the right in the apex of the building,this room is for families,i have taken my son into this room on many occasions,the main bar room is to the rear left,there are a couple of smaller rooms which face the serving bar.
There is always a good choice of real ales on the bar,i always have a Brunswick brewed beer,on my most recent visit i had a drink of Triple Hop which went down well as it always does,i also drink the Usual in this pub quite often.
On my latest vist i did'nt note all beers,the ones i did note were Brunswick Triple Hop /The Usual /Railway Porter,Everards Tiger /Beacon and White Feather Rocket.
If i have time i always drink in this pub after getting off the train at Derby.
This is a pub i have visited too many times to mention and will continue to visit it.
Pub first visited 10/10/1987
Recent visit 12/7/2014
On 25th August 2014
- rating: 9
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Brunswick Inn
I've been here a few times in the past and was concerned that it is no longer GBG (2014) listed. The Everard's ownership is no problem as I'm fairly sure that they had taken it over last time I came here.
It all looked and felt exactly as I remembered it but on an early Saturday evening was not all that busy.
I was feeling quite tired by the time I got here so only noted the beers tried. These were Brunswick Railway Porter (£2.85) and Everard's Original (£3.20) both in perfect condition. Everard's is one of the regional brewers that I still have faith in although I've never rated their Tiger Bitter. They deserve a lot of credit for keeping this place going as a brewpub.
On 21st July 2014
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Brunswick Inn
Built originally back in the 1840's as part of a railway village for those working on the North Midland Railway and in the adjacent station, this attractive Grade II listed building now houses arguably the city's most iconic pub. The place has an unusual relationship with three breweries, seemingly being owned by Everards, managed by Brampton and housing the Brunswick Brewing Company, so it's no surprise to learn that this is a top destination pub for real ale fans. My visit on a Saturday evening happened to coincide with the National Winter Ales Festival in the nearby Roundhouse, so the pub was packed to bursting with ale fans, making it virtually impossible to figure out exactly what was on the bar and almost as difficult to fully explore this interesting building. There are apparently sixteen hand pumps to choose from, but I considered myself lucky to be able to see eight of them, which were dispensing Brampton Golden Bud, Best and Bock Daniels, Moles Gold, Taylor Landlord, Burton Bridge Festival Ale and Raw Grey Ghost IPA, with one turned clip. I assume there were some Brunswick Brewery beers somewhere along the lengthy bar counter and it's worth noting that eight ciders were listed on a board as well. I gave the Grey Ghost IPA a try and thought it was a cracking pint.
The pub is laid out around a long central corridor that forms the spine of the building. The bar area is in the mid section, with flagstone flooring and a decorative patterned wall below dado level. A seating area opens out to the left of the servery - one of many available throughout the pub and seemingly the most popular on this particular evening. There is another one opposite the bar in a separate room, also with a flagstone floor and with mostly standard table and chair arrangements. Décor includes a fair few old black and white photos and a rather incongruous dartboard. Another room is located near the front door, where the building tapers to a wedge shape. The room is signed as the 'Family Parloure' and offers banquette, low stool and button backed chair seating options. This room plays on the pub's ties to the railway, displaying various items of rail memorabilia as well as a modern pub mirror. Just outside this room is a staircase, which may lead to additional rooms but I didn't have the time to explore. The walls here are lined with brewerania including some nice brewery posters and mirrors. At the opposite end of the pub, there is one final room - a small carpeted lounge with banquette seating arranged into a semi partitioned formation. At the far end of the corridor, which displays some nice framed items detailing local history, the in house brewery can be glimpsed through a final doorway.
This is clearly a destination pub for ale fans as well as those who appreciate interesting, historic pub interiors. I feel I timed my long anticipated visit rather poorly, having struggled to get a good look around the place, but its popularity is clearly down to a lot more than it's convenient location and I will be sure to call again the next time I'm in Derby.
On 3rd March 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about The Brunswick Inn
Update – November 2013
Another very impressive visit in mid November 2013. Various traditionally furnished rooms contain brewery memorabilia ( posters etc ) , black and white framed photos of old Derby ( with particular emphasis on the nearby railway station and old trams ) and the surrounding area. Worth looking out for – on the wall opposite the bar – is a fascinating framed narrative account of the pub in days long gone entitled “ Memories of The Brunswick Inn 1910”
Additional seating is available in an upstairs room, which I don’t recollect being in use at the time of my previous visit, the review of which is below.
The home brewing plant is still at the end of the corridor. A notice on the glass fronted door refers to “award winning ales from Derby’s oldest brewery” of which 4 were on when I visited – The Usual, White Feather, Triple Hop and Father Mike. Also on were 3 beers from Brampton Brewery ( who, according to the website, have now taken over the day to day running of the pub ), 2 from Everards, T T Landlord, plus one beer from Milestone. Quality of beers sampled was first rate.
A Comedy Club evening was advertised for 20 November and a Whisky Evening for 28 November, so it’s clear that the pub is trying to position itself wider than just the real ale market
For some reason, the pub is not in the 2014 CAMRA Good Beer Guide, although it has been regularly in previous years. Based on my recent visit, this fact is certainly not going to stop me making a beeline here when next in Derby – nor should it you
ORIGINAL REVIEW - APRIL 2009
Splendid free house at the end of a red-brick terrace close to the station.
The guide books - and a very informative pub website - tells us that this terrace was built in 1842 as part of the community village for workers of the North Midland Railway. The Brunswick Inn lays claim to being the first ever railwaymans pub.
It was saved from demolition in the 1980's, reopening in 1988 after a spell of closure.
Nowadays it's a fine traditional multi-roomed pub, with wood-panelling and flagstoned floors and restored in keeping with the character of the original building.
It's much larger inside than it looks from outside and with its own self-contained brewery.
The pub sign outside refers to "A True Ale House and Brewery" which strikes me as a very good summing up of this not to be missed gem.
It's owned by Everards, but sells beers brewed on site and a number of guests. The Brunswick White Feather Ale was a nice light session ale and, at only £ 1.70p, noticeably cheap.
Being behind schedule, and with a train to catch, I was unable to stay as long as I wished, but I shall return.
In conclusion, it's one of the best known real ale pubs in the country and should be on everyone's itinerary for a visit at some stage
On 18th December 2013
- rating: 9
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about The Brunswick Inn
Still a fantastic beer drinkers pub, close to the station and the perfect start or finish point for any pub crawl in Derby. Huge array of ever changing beer on the bar and very quiet on a recent Saturday lunch. this was not my first visit to the Brunswick and it certainly will not be my last.
On 19th April 2013
- rating: 9
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Brunswick Inn
Superb pub for real ale drinkers that is in the 2012 Good Beer Guide and deserves it's place. Multiroomed and has a brewery too. It is one of the Everards Project William pubs that helps smaller breweries, and they have around 5 of their own Brunswick beers on but have to keep an Everards beer on one of the handpulls. They also have guest beers, and both the Oakham Scarlet Macaw and Brunswick Belpaire Weisse were in good condition. Reasonably priced food available.
On 17th February 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Brunswick Inn
A good traditional pub, which is only a couple of mins walk from the station. One of Derby's oldest breweries, if you go to the end of the pub you can look in through a large glass section at all their brewing activities. Twelve ales on handpump on my visit, I went for the Brunswick Triple Hop, Steam Forever, White Feather, 2nd Brew, Everards Southgate, Beacon, 3 Tuns Pale Ale and Milestone Brewery Hogpenny. Pork pies very good, they also do a huntsmans pie. Good service and friendly staff. Will return.
On 20th November 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roy Collins left this review about The Brunswick Inn
One of the best real ale pubs in the country in my opinion.Well renovated and decorated. Excellant range of their own brewery and other's beer.
On 31st July 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 124 recommendations about 121 pubs]