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The Stratford Alehouse, Stratford Central, Stratford-Upon-Avon
Stratford-Upon-Avon
CV37 6LF
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Stratford Alehouse
I walked past the Stratford Alehouse when I was actually looking for it. I think I need to buy myself some bins because the pavement outside is strewn with old kegs used for seating, which should really have given the game away! The small rectangular open plan interior has a mix of high tables and barrels with high stools. A small stage is in the front window, it must get very cosy in here when there’s something on. There is no counter so it is table service, but the guy on duty was on the ball and I was served quick time even though it was half full during a recent midweek evening visit. Available were Rudgate Chocolate Stout and Valkyrie, Shakespeare Brewing’s Falstaff’s Folly and Hopback’s Crop Circle. Sitting in here with a pint of Chocolate Stout listening to Fleetwood Mac in the background was the highlight of my day and I would gladly return.
On 11th November 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5229 recommendations about 5197 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Stratford Alehouse
A superb archetypal micro, minimum fuss and a great welcome from the landlord. We found a convivial atmosphere, enough room to sit down and a good amount of interaction with locals. Ales on were North Cotswold’s Green Man, Woodforde’s Nelson, Thornbridge Jaipur and the one Bonnie Tyler holds out for, Nero, from Milton Brewery. There were also several ciders from Lillies. Definitely the highlight of any trip to Stratford.
On 15th December 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3281 recommendations about 3246 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about The Stratford Alehouse
Nice little micropub. 4 beers on and the Byatt's Big Cat was an excellent pint. Friendly barman and good service. They do not do a Camra discount any more but the prices are good for the area anyway at £3.50 a pint. Well worth a visit.
On 3rd November 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1656 recommendations about 1556 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about The Stratford Alehouse
Enjoyed my visit to this microopub which was pretty full, but full of friendly banter. Half a dozen high tables and a stage which was being set up for live music. Over a dozen casks appeared to be on the tiered stillage behind the counter, and 4 ales were available. 2 from North Cotswold, and 2 from Lincoln Green. Enjoyed the well served Lincoln Green St Clements.
On 15th July 2018
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Stratford Alehouse
Micro-pub handily placed between the railway station and town centre. Has a bit more space than many, with six small tables (albeit mostly of the annoying high variety, although there is one on a small stage using casks with padded tops as stools), and a fine display of pump clips as the main decorative feature. There is a small counter at the end, but all beers are dispensed by gravity from a three-level stillage behind. Beers available on my visit included Silhill Gold Star, Tollgate Hackney Blonde (£3.20), Brunswick Pick'n'Mix and Titanic Plum Porter. Well worth a visit.
On 17th September 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Stratford Alehouse
A relatively modern pub for Stratford, this is located just on the periphery of the town centre, it still looks very much like the shop unit that it was converted from with a large plate glass window at the front, although this has been etched with the pub’s name.
Internally, it’s one single, open plan room with much of the walls being liberally plastered with old beer mats and a few bunches of hops hanging from the ceiling, although other than that it was fairly basic with little of any note. A radio was playing in the background which I thought was contrary to one of the rules of a micro-pub, but even more surprisingly there was a TV on one wall showing the rugby. I assume perhaps this may have just been there temporarily for the Six Nations though. The colour scheme was a mixture of pale green and cream whilst the seating was mostly high tables and stools. A few old black and white photos on the walls as well as a number of local business cards.
Beers were all in barrels racked up behind the bar and on this occasion included Malty Pig Bitter and Dark Star Porter from the Stratford-upon-Avon brewery, North Cotswold’s Fosseway Flanker and Tunnel Brewery’s Ruby Red old English ale. Ciders meanwhile were all boxed up either in the ‘fridge or on the counter and included a medium and dry from Hogan’s, along with one of the Lilley’s offerings.
On 3rd March 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about Stratford Alehouse
Stratford's micropub housed in a former shop which has been open since 2014.
It's a fairly standard micropub but the stained glass frontage and now lived in and nicely cluttered interior are attractive features. The bar is at the back with several barrels racked up behind it.
It was manned by the manager, a chatty, friendly, knowledgeable Mancunian and one of the owners, an utterly useless and disinterested bearded specimen on our visit. The manager quickly revealed that his favourite pub, the Stratford Alehouse aside, is the Marble Arch in Manchester thereby confirming his excellent credentials in my view. By contrast the bearded one, when questioned about opening times, insisted that they were open until at least 10 o'clock and often 11 generally. Given that various contributors, as well as some of the local CAMRA branch supping on our visit, have been ejected at 8 o'clock we had a quick look at the official opening hours on the door. Closure is at 8 o'clock every day except Sunday when the pub doesn't open so beware if you're planning a visit in the evening. I'd imagine that the experience of this place would very much depend on who was behind the bar at the time.
Beers on were Goffs Jouster, North Cotswold Moreton Mild, Bass, Rocking Robin APA and Clouded Minds Elisir. The APA was fine but the Elisir was excellent and made the visit.
As Mr. F. notes, this has now been awarded the local CAMRA Pub of the Year and it is well deserved given the domination of nationally available ale throughout Stratford. The Stratford Alehouse stocks some more imaginative selections.
The first place I'd head for a pint in Stratford.
On 10th May 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Stratford Alehouse
ORIGINAL REVIEW June 2015
An oblong interior to this shop conversion,it may be necessary to generate your own atmosphere when visiting if it is quiet.The decor consists of two ranks of high tables in modern dark pine,casks on stillage to the rear left,a few ale signs and ephemera and a large collection of pump clips on the wall above a drinking shelf.There is no music ,yet there was a flatscreen which was off,while the liquid refreshments extends to more than real ale,cider and wine features large.
Three barrels were operating on my Tuesday evening visit although I was told up to five were available on the busier end of week to weekend sessions.North Cotswold Moreton Mild,Raw Edge and Uley's Pigs Ear (clear but lacking sharpness, reasonably priced at £3.20) were my available choice.Beware a likely 8pm closing time if quiet.
It's popular with local CAMRA members and earnest beer drinkers but lacks ambiance,however it's worth checking out to see whats on stillage.The lack of handpumps means that many northern brews which require a tight sparkler would not really fit well being served here,so expect southern style ales.
UPDATE
An upgrade from me.Greated by the other co owner ,a very friendly and ale knowledgeable Mancunian,his enthusiasm enlivened this micropub.His decision to stock Clouded Minds Elisir on top form was also appeciated as the other real ale choices were quite low strength.The decor is now more weathered in and there is a small raised stage at the front for use by live musicians from time to time. .We were in on the night that the local CAMRA branch awarded it their Pub of the Year,a deserved recognition.Some CAMRA members were uneasy about footie being shown on a flatscreen,which didn't seem to both the regulars.It got turned off.The sign of the door states that this micropub may close at 8pm,that may well depend who is serving behind the bar.
This place is now Route 1 for real ale in Stratford as far as I am concerned,we were also given an excellent curry house recommendation (virtually next door) but the same friendly co owner.
On 6th May 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Stratford Alehouse
This place is a welcome retreat from the tourist hordes on a Saturday afternoon.
It's a fairly standard micropub, a single room rectangular shop conversion with tall tables. It's about average size with some extra seating near the bar provided by placing what looked like the tops of some stools onto some empty casks. It also has the luxury (for a micropub) of having separate Ladies and Gents Toilets.
Four beers were available on my visit Crate Pale Ale, Kendrick's 1823 Mild, Clouded Minds Elisir IPA and a rebadged (probably) Stratford Gold in memory of one of the regular's dogs called Bonnie. I went for the Clouded Minds beer (£3.40) as I remember this brewery from when they were said to be brewing in a cupboard at a house in London's Hornsey but are now based nearby. The friendly landlord apologised for the price being dearer than normal but it is a strong beer with loads of New World hops and was in excellent condition.
I can't imagine anywhere in Stratford being better than this.
On 4th April 2016
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Craig Kay left this review about Stratford Alehouse
An absolutely brilliant little pub!
Great beer and wine. Friendly staff and a relaxed, cosy atmosphere.
Beers served straight from the barrel.
Don't miss it on your way in or out of the town!
On 25th November 2014
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]