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The Swan Inn (Free House)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Colchester - Jack Spitty's Smuggler's Ale |  | 1 |
| Wibblers - Apprentice | | 1 |
| Bishop Nick - 1555 | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bishop Nick - Heresy (was once 4.1%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter (was 3.7%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Redwood Colorado American IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Adnams - Ghost Ship (was 4.5%) | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
12 Sep 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Fifth visit of the outing: A rambling old pub in The Street, Chappel, and currently run by Marjoram Pubs, an independent, family-run Essex hospitality business with the company taking over the venue in 2019, and carrying out a major refurbishment to the historic Grade-II listed site. It is spread across various seating areas and has a separate dining area. Ticking over late afternoon with punters mainly outside to soak up the sunshine and admire at the end of the pub’s extensive garden, the impressive Chappel railway viaduct, one of the largest brick structures in Britain with 32 massive brick arches. There were four cask ales on. Fast, friendly service delivered at the bar after my shunt back on the train from my earlier visit to the market town of Sudbury just up the line and just five minutes’ walk from Chappel beer festival being held at the East Anglian Railway Museum on this visit and which also incorporates the working mainline railway which crosses over the viaduct to Sudbury.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colchester - Jack Spitty's Smuggler's Ale | 4.00 | | Very good head and lacing and lasting on this blonde ale from local Colchester Brewery, formed in late 2011, with its very first commercial brew taking place on 1st February 2012 in the semi-rural village of Wakes Colne, Essex, within the borough of Colchester. A very citrusy first hit. A slightly tropical fruitiness rising from its Bullion and Brewers Gold hops which were both bred at Wye College in England from the same wild Canadian hop parentage and are traditionally used as bittering hops, but bring a distinctively fruited series of flavours here. Dark berries and jammy blackcurrant presented their flavours alongside a sharp herbal spice with notes of wood, resin and earthiness. A bitter grapefruit flavouring winning over for me and balanced by its malted barley and wheat. A dry hoppiness prevailing and a sharp zesty citrusy fruitiness of lemon and orange-peel shunting downwards. Served in good order. Slightly overly fruited for me and so a mere half sufficed before the thirds at the beer festival up the road to follow. |
| Adnams - Ghost Ship (was 4.5%) | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Bishop Nick - 1555 | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Bishop Nick - Heresy (was once 4.1%) | 4.00 | Not Tried |
26 Oct 2013 (ChrisE)
Mid day and a few people in with their dogs.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wibblers - Apprentice | 3.90 | | The last one out of the cask and in good condition. |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Mad Squirrel (formerly Red Squirrel) - Redwood Colorado American IPA | 5.40 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Ghost Ship (was 4.5%) | 4.10 | Not Tried |
About The Swan Inn
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
 | - |
| 2 |
 | - |
 | - |
The pub is found in Chappel, Essex, CO6 2DD.
Attractive pub in The Street with several rooms and outdoor drinking area with good views.
We have visited this pub twice, seen 7 different beers and tried 2 of them.
Postcode: CO6 2DD