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The Griffin Inn (Free House)

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Griffin - One Of My FavouritesExcellent1
Otter - HeadExcellent1
Dark Star - Carafa JadeExcellent1
Sarah Hughes - Dark RubyExcellent2
Griffin - YetiExcellent1
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - KiplingExcellent1
RCH - PitchforkExcellent2
Otter - BrightGood1
Heritage (formerly William Worthington Brewery) - Spring ShieldGood1
Griffin - Yule LogGood1
Slater's - GoldenGood1
Wye Valley - Dorothy Goodbody's Golden AleGood1
Tunnel - India Pale AleGood1
Castle Rock - Elsie MoGood1
Sarah Hughes - Surprise Bitter (aka Sedgley Surprise)Good1
Greene King - AbbotGood1
Clark's (sometimes shown as Westgate Brewery) - Classic BlondeAcceptable1
Golden Duck - Wristy FitzyAcceptable1
Wye Valley - Hoppy HopAcceptable1
Picture 1. The Griffin Inn, Shustoke, Warwickshire

Visits Details

05 May 2013 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Beautiful spring evening, very popular and lots of people sitting in the gardens enjoying the sunshine.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Castle Rock - Elsie Mo4.70GoodNot what I expected, seemed a little confused and out of balance. OK but I expected a lot more.
Sarah Hughes - Surprise Bitter (aka Sedgley Surprise)5.00GoodI seemed to have had a lot of black country bitters in the last fortnight or so. This was my least favourite - typical of its type, flavours weren't as pronounced as with other beers of this genre.
Heritage (formerly William Worthington Brewery) - Spring Shield4.20GoodLight on flavour apart from a little malt and very smooth. Not sure why but I quite liked it.
Slater's - Golden3.80GoodDeep golden in colour and lots of flavour but out of balance and rough around the edges.
28 Apr 2013 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Another Sunday evening at this ever popular pub.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Dark Star - Carafa Jade5.00ExcellentUsually disappointed with red ales, not so this one. A lush, creamy, light brown head and a decent aroma. Well balanced, good body and a hoppy, dry bitterness.
Greene King - Abbot5.00GoodNothing wrong with the beer apart from being average. Trouble is I keep comparing with the Abbot Ale of thirty years ago I can't believe that this is the same beer we would travel miles to sample. Disappointed.
Wye Valley - Dorothy Goodbody's Golden Ale4.20GoodAn OK, middle of the road beer. Nothing to write home about.
Clark's (sometimes shown as Westgate Brewery) - Classic Blonde3.90AcceptableUninspiring, dull and not particularly blonde.
21 Apr 2013 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Two nights running, I am lucky.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Otter - Head5.80ExcellentAn overwhelming flavour of black treacle without being sickly or heavy. Very nice.
Griffin - Yeti4.70ExcellentWouldn't have been surprised if this had been a lot stronger. Good feel in the mouth and pleasant flavours. Nice IPA.
Golden Duck - Wristy Fitzy4.60AcceptableJudging by the pump clip, must have some cricketing connection? OK but seemed a bit confused.
Wye Valley - Hoppy Hop4.10AcceptableUninteresting and light on flavours.
20 Apr 2013 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
As popular as ever, 10 real ales and two ciders on tap.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Sarah Hughes - Dark Ruby6.00ExcellentOne of the best beers of its type.
RCH - Pitchfork4.30ExcellentGot lots of berry aromas and flavours on this occasion.
Otter - Bright4.30GoodA pale ale that was a little light on flavour for me.
01 Jan 2012 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
People still in the Christmas / New Year spirit, open fires, good beer, great.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Kipling5.20ExcellentNo nonsence strong bitter. Wonderful fragrant, citrus hop flavour. Very smooth and very drinkable - be careful this doesn't drink at 5.2%.
Sarah Hughes - Dark Ruby6.00GoodNot quite as I remember it. A bit thin on body and the dark tastes weren't as full as I expected, then again I think this is a dark mild so perhaps they shouldn't be too full on. Didn't punch its 6.0% weight.
30 Dec 2011 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Absolutely packed. Just as I remember it.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Griffin - Yule Log3.50GoodReasonable body. Biscuit malt followed with a very dry bitter aftertaste. Good stuff.
Tunnel - India Pale Ale5.70GoodLots going on in the glass. Initial malt followed by citrus and passion fruit! Then an extremely bitter aftertaste. Certainly an experience - a good one I think.
10 Oct 2011 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Once a regular haunt, I haven't been in this pub for 22 years. Still as good as I remember. Numerous cask ales on handpump - what a treat.
BeerABVScoreNotes
RCH - Pitchfork4.30ExcellentUncomplicated, good bitter ale with a crisp, dry hoppiness. Good balance and body.
Griffin - One Of My Favourites4.20ExcellentSuperb golden ale - lots of fruit leading to a dry, hoppy bitterness. Well balanced and plenty of body.

About The Griffin Inn

The pub sign. The Griffin Inn, Shustoke, Warwickshire

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent8
Good10
Acceptable3
Poor-

The pub is found in Shustoke, Warwickshire, B46 2LB.

A well known CAMRA listed pub that has been in the same family for three generations. The main building was extended a few years ago and a conservatory was also added. Inside there is a warm welcome and just about everything one would expect from a traditional English country pub, beamed ceilings, open fires, lots of history, annual conker championships, etc.! The Griffin also has its own brewery. Very popular all year round - there is a large car park to the side of the pub.

We have visited this pub 7 times, seen 19 different beers and tried them all.

Map location

Postcode: B46 2LB