12:30 First stop on a mini crawl. Very welcoming and friendly. Unusual collection of snow globes.
Beer
ABV
Score
Notes
Colchester - No. 88
4.20
Copper Ale
Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013)
4.20
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)
3.40
Not Tried
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild
3.70
Not Tried
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Hair of the Dog
4.10
Not Tried
15 Dec 2013 (Stephen Harris)
Late Sunday lunchtime. Very pleasant atmosphere with some wonderfully laid-back live music from ‘Braziliance’.
Beer
ABV
Score
Notes
Mauldons - Bah Humbug
4.90
Chestnut-coloured. Malty, caramel tastes, and an unexpected slight smokiness.
Colchester - Barbarian
3.80
Amber-coloured, lightweight session bitter.
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)
3.40
Not Tried
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild
3.70
Not Tried
15 Sep 2013 (Stephen Harris)
Early Sunday afternoon visit. Just a few regulars around the bar and some lively banter. Much discussion of shipping routes, as there should be in a town like Harwich.
Beer
ABV
Score
Notes
Green Jack - Trawlerboys Best Bitter
4.60
Chestnut-coloured, full-bodied bitter. Malt-led but also with some quite aggressive hops.
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)
3.40
Not Tried
Woodforde's - Nelson's Revenge
4.50
Not Tried
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild
3.70
Not Tried
28 May 2012 (Philip Pirrip)
Mid to late evening visit. Couple of locals in situ. Immediately embroiled in good conversation.
Beer
ABV
Score
Notes
Green Jack - Trawlerboys Best Bitter
4.60
Clearly tonight's fastest mover here. I never know quite what to make of the taste mix with this beer. Definitely very sharp hoppy - sometimes the sharpness can be mistaken for beer being on the turn. Still don't know but enjoyed several pints
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)
3.40
Not Tried
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Old Growler
5.00
Not Tried
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild
3.70
Not Tried
03 Dec 2011 (Alenomore)
1315 visit. My fourth stop today. Another proper old back street local. A worthy gbg too.
Beer
ABV
Score
Notes
Harwich Town - Phoenix APA
5.00
From the nearby brewery, about 200m away, and a top Pale type.
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)
3.40
Not Tried
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild
3.70
Not Tried
Green Jack - Ole Cock Old Ale (superseded by 4.4% version)
5.00
Not Tried
A new ale to me but had to leave, post haste, for the hourly return train?
About The New Bell Inn
Summary of Beer Scores
Total
1
-
4
2
-
The pub is found in Harwich, Essex, CO12 3EN.
Many times an entry in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide, this outstanding local sits just behind the old Naval Dockyard, a short walk from the quay front but well worth seeking out. Inside, the pub has three drinking areas, and if there is background music from the eclectic CD collection it is often drowned out by the buzz of conversation. A modest walled garden provides outside space in the summer. The excellent, varied beer selection always features a Mild, and the lunchtime food is uncomplicated but delicious and great value.
We have visited this pub 5 times, seen 12 different beers and tried 6 of them.