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Disappointment of the week with Real Ale Ray
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off
Submitted on Monday, 17th September 2018
With picture contributions to 9808 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Rusty Barrel, Rugeley
Rugeley
WS15 2PY
Served areas
Reviews of The Rusty Barrel (Average Rating: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Steve C left this review about The Rusty Barrel
The Rusty Barrel is a micropub in a square single room commercial unit in a parade of local shops. There’s no way anyone from out of town is going to just stumble across this place, and I was amazed it was open during my Sunday evening crawl of the area. Like most of these micros there are tables up the left and right walls to the bar counter along the rear wall. Craft keg is supported alongside four hand pumps that were drawing 4T’s Brewery’s English Stout and Little Brewing Company’s TAJ alongside Parkway Brewing’s Norwegian Blue and Where’s Polly, the latter being excellent. The ceiling is plastered with old pump clips, so this place has been around for some time. The governor and the three locals stood at the bar were very friendly, I was actually sad to leave. The local residents are very lucky to have this place on their doorstep.
On 30th August 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5228 recommendations about 5196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Rusty Barrel
You are very unlikely to find this micro by accident,it's well out of town in a shopping parade featuring a bewildering choice of takeaway food options.It's a shop conversion of a large square space,exposed grey brickwork,with two sets of seating booths in unplaned wood on either side and the bar towards the rear.The ceiling has a metal frame which both supports lighting as well as a wide array of pump clips.The loo to the rear right has a pelican crossing indicator which shows if the coast is clear for usuage.There was a very friendly welcome from the guv'nor who was interested how two obvious strangers had happened across his gaff.The 2022 GBG entry was the answer.
Four real ales and three craft keg options with on my trip Slaters Premium Best Bitter (NBSS 3.5) ,Haka (NBSS 4) ,Blythe Hamstall Green Hop (NBSS 3.5) and Palmers Poison (NBSS 4).Four Staffordshire locales but by quality brewers,and that might be the typical offering.
The locals gather vertically around the bar and banter flows easily.More bench seating in this area would allow more folk to join in,the two seating booths near the bar seem superflous and might be a Covid hangover.We got some great local real ale and curry information from the friendly regulars and for me this is route 1 when next in Rugeley.
On 7th November 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Rusty Barrel
Decent micro-pub in a rather unpromising and hidden suburban shopping parade, although the majority of units seem to be operational so on closer inspection not as grim as one might expect. The bar itself is located towards a corner, has dark paintwork and grills on the windows so it's not immediately clear whether the place is open or not. However, once inside, the sparsely furnished and plainly decorated interior is actually more appealing than it sounds, with a good buzz of conversation around most tables and at the counter. Four real ales on handpump: Amberella and Hawaiian Shirt (£2.80) from Ashover, Reedley Hallows Filly Close Blonde and Titanic Chocolate & Vanilla Stout.
On 9th September 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
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- Official site of The Rusty Barrel - www.therustybarrel.co.uk
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Rusty Barrel - whatpub.com
Rugeley Trent Valley, 1.49 miles, 28 min walk (show)
Hednesford, 5.21 miles, 1 hr 40 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 03 April 2018 by ROB Camra
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 03 April 2018 by ROB Camra
- Beer Garden : No last updated 03 April 2018 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 03 April 2018 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : Yes last updated 03 April 2018 by ROB Camra
- Child Friendly : Yes - Until 7 p.m. - last updated 03 April 2018 by ROB Camra
- Dog Friendly : Yes - On leads. - last updated 10 November 2021 by Tris C
- Live Music : No last updated 03 April 2018 by ROB Camra
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 03 April 2018 by ROB Camra
- Micropub : Yes last updated 03 April 2018 by Aqualung .
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 03 April 2018 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 03 April 2018 by ROB Camra
- Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 03 April 2018 by ROB Camra
