Reviews

Evening Post June 11th 2011

After a long, hot train journey back to Bristol, the prospect of a cool, quiet pint in the courtyard garden had me hotfooting it over Meads Reach bridge and into The Dings.

I have long had a fascination with the narrow streets and railway arches of The Dings and St Philips. Although parts of the area have been redeveloped beyond recognition in recent years, there are still plenty of reminders of how it must have looked 100 years ago. Among these cobbled streets and derelict railway lines stands The Barley Mow, a splendid 19th century pub that survived demolition when architecht George Ferguson and the Bristol Beer Factory bought and reopened it in 2008.

A white brick building close to Midland Road, it has been restored to its former glory as a traditional one-bar pub with original tiled fireplaces and well-worn wood floors. The bottle-green tongue and groove panels and functional furniture are complemented by a frilly standard lamp, shelves of books and church candles.

Although a limited menu is served- and there are bbqs on Sundays - this is essentially a temple for real ale drinkers. When I visited last week, three ales from Bristol Beer Factory were on offer- No 7, Mild and Acer. I plumped for the rarely seen Dark Star American Pale Ale, an incredibly hoppy golden ale from one of my favourite breweries in Sussex. At just 2.90 a pint, it was also a serious bargain. And the small rear courtyard with its straw bale seating and old sinks full of plants makes for an intimate and electic setting.

CAMRA Review for the Bristol Beer Festival 2011

From the Temple Quay, Temple Meads station area, cross the metal bridge and carry on straight ahead, crossing two roads into a modern residential development. Carry straight on until the road peters out where you turn left. After a few yards on the right is the wonderful Barley Mow.

It seemed certain that this lovely old pub closed in 2007, it would go the way of so many others and end up as flats. Around this time Bristol CAMRA Pubs Group was formed and highlighted the pub's closure. Along came local brewer, the Bristol Beer Factory and viola! After a sympathetic refurbishment the pub reopened in 2008. The pub sells BBF beers in great condition and often also features guest beers. Its a great place for a pint and a chat. As well as the lovely bar, there is also an enclosed courtyard at the rear.

Evening Post Feb 25th 2010

As I approached The Barley Mow, I was hit by a wave of conversation and laughter. It may be hidden away in The Dings, but this Bristol Beer Factory-owned pub was packed with locals and post-work office workers on their way to and from Temple Meads, five minutes' walk away.

A pub that was empty for a while and under threat of demolition, was reopened by Bristol Beer Factory and owner George Ferguson in May 2008. Like its floating sister pub Grain Barge in Hotwells, it is very much a showcase for the brewery's beers and No.7, Red and Stout were all available on draught. I know these beers so well that I went for the guest ale - Five Valleys ale from the excellent Stroud Brewery - and very good it was, too. For cider drinkers, draught Ashton Press Cider and cans of Natch are also available.

The pub is very traditional in style and has been sympathetically restored with old black and white local pictures on the walls, original brick fireplaces and dark green tongue and groove. It has a timeless feel about it and even though it has only been open under the new owners for less than two years, it looks like one of those brilliant old boozers you see in black and white Ealing films.

Since it opened, the food offering has been expanded and there is a full menu that takes in dishes such as gammon, egg and chips, Old Bristol bangers, mash and onion gravy, chorizo, Cheddar and red onion baguette and Pieminister pies with mash and gravy. On Sunday, there is a choice of three roasts - loin of pork, topside of beef or a veggie option - all with seasonal vegetables and homemade Yorkshire puddings. Tuesday is steak night.

A pub that tries its hardest to be a pub for the local community, it even doubles up as a local corner shop, selling bread, milk, eggs, bacon and cheese. As I left the warmth of this buzzy little place, I walked around the corner and spotted a sign directing passers-by to 'The Barley Mow - a proper pub'. I couldn't put it better myself. It's a gem and well worth seeking out.

Pints West no.80 Winter 2008/2009 issue

WHEN Wadworth brewery closed the Barley Mow in the Dings some time ago, an awful lot of people thought "that's it for another pub - more chuffing flats!" Well, they were wrong.

The recently formed Bristol Pubs Group (part of Bristol & District CAMRA) heard about the closure. They publicised the closure and along came a white knight in the form of local brewery, the Bristol Beer Factory.

On May 22nd, the Barley Mow reopened its doors after Bristol Beer Factory took on the freehold and carried out an extensive refurbishment. Originally the pub was known as the Duke of York when built in 1914 - it was then owned by Georges Brewery of Bristol. It changed to "The Barley Mow" about 30 years ago when it was taken on by Wadworth. It is now one of the few surviving pubs in the Dings - it is believed that there were once as many as eight.

Interestingly, although the pub was built in 1914, rumour has it that there was a pub on the site from the 1820's. This great little pub is now building up an increasing level of trade. It is very much a traditional locals' pub situated in a very central area that was once very densely populated, but slightly off the beaten track.However, the Dings area has gone through many changes over the years with Temple Quay 1 & 2 developments, new hotels and residential apartments going up recently. The Barley Mow is once again serving the local community. With its reputation growing, people are also visiting from further afield to sample the warm welcome and great beers.

Landlord Andy Bridges and his hardworking team of Andy 2, Antony, Nicky and Liz are proud as punch of this little, cosy, gem of a pub. And now, with Christmas around the corner, the atmosphere at the "Mow" is becoming even cosier by the minute, now that the open fire has been flashed up and the mulled cider has been warming. The full range of the Bristol Beer Factory ales on tap are soon to be joined by the Christmas special "Brisltoe", and with Pieminister pies and homemade savoury tarts being the flagships of the menu there is plenty
on offer to keep the winter chills at bay.

The next few months will see the introduction of a more extensive events program. On Tuesday evenings Bristol-based arts collective "Squeaky Hill" will be bringing you the silliest craft competitions and musical bingo. Wednesday is pie & pint. Thursday brings you the ever so popular pub quiz and board games competition on alternate weeks. Friday is Tech-Mow night incorporating Vinyl Vibes, Pod Idol, Xbox RockBand party and YouTube nights. To top it all off there is live music at the weekends, curry and a pint on Saturdays and an open mic night every third Sunday night of the month. There's a lot of fun to be had in this little corner of Bristol.

Pete Bridle writing for www.camrabristol.org.uk