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Spooner's Bar (Free House)
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| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Moose - Dark Side of the Moose |  | 1 |
| Banks's - Mild |  | 1 |
| Purple Moose - Ysgawen | | 1 |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | | 11 |
| Marston's - Burton Bitter | | 2 |
| Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - Clogwyn Gold | | 1 |
| Heavy Industry - Electric Mountain | | 2 |
| St Austell - Tribute | | 1 |
| Salopian - Oracle | | 3 |
| Salopian - Shropshire Gold | | 1 |
| Black Country - BFG Bradley's Finest Golden |  | 1 |
| Wye Valley - HPA (Hereford Pale Ale) | | 2 |
| Ringwood - Shipyard Brewing Co Independence Pale Ale | | 2 |
| Ludlow - Gold | | 1 |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter | | 1 |
| Purple Moose - Snowdonia Ale (Cwrw Eryri) | | 4 |
| Cwrw Cader - Cader Aur | | 2 |
| Marston's - Single Hop: Hallertau Mittelfruh | | 1 |
| Bragdy Lleu - Lleu | | 1 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Chiswick | | 1 |
| Banks's - Bitter | | 1 |
| Cwrw lâl (also see Community Brewing) - The Volunteer |  | 1 |
| Rudgate - Brew No. 8 Cherry Pale | | 1 |
| Big Bog - Spring Bog | | 1 |
| Marston's - Single Hop: Cascade | | 1 |
| Thwaites - Original Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Jennings (since closure now brewed at Marston's) - Cumberland Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Olde Swan - Dark Mild (aka Pardoe's Dark Swan) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cannon Royall (located in White Rabbit) - King's Shilling | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wye Valley - Butty Bach | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - Pedigree | Not Tried | 0 |
| Ringwood - Boondoggle (now is 4.2% version) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Heritage (formerly William Worthington Brewery) - Red Shield | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - Mellow Yellow | Not Tried | 0 |
| Theakston - Double Cross IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - Worcester Sorcerer | Not Tried | 0 |
| Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - Autumn | Not Tried | 0 |
| Big Bog - WPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - Spooner's Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - Beachcomber Blonde | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mayfields - Priory Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Big Bog - Swampy | Not Tried | 0 |
| Monty's - Mojo | Not Tried | 0 |
| Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Big Bog - Bog Standard | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - Revisionist Juniper Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hanlons (formerly O'Hanlon's) - Gold Blade | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - EPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Purple Moose - Revelation | Not Tried | 0 |
| Banks's - Young's London Original (was Bitter) - previously brewed in Bedford and at Wychwood | Not Tried | 0 |
| Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%) | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
08 Oct 2015 (Ray)
Composite report from 8th October. First impressions are that the beer range is no more exciting and that the service has plunged downhill. Bar staff greeting is a standardised 'Who's next?'.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banks's - Mild | 3.50 | | |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | | Fresh cask, limited hopping. |
| Purple Moose - Snowdonia Ale (Cwrw Eryri) | 3.60 | | Continues to disappoint. I |
| Heavy Industry - Electric Mountain | 3.80 | | Another twiggy brownish beer. |
| Cwrw Cader - Cader Aur | 3.80 | | Competent golden ale. |
| Rudgate - Brew No. 8 Cherry Pale | 3.80 | | In the race to be different misjudged. |
19 Jun 2015 (Ray)
Composite record from 12th to 19th June. Beer range continues to disappoint with Salopian entirely missing during the week.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | | Is my taste astray for an old favourite? Seemed to be hop deficient. |
| Heavy Industry - Electric Mountain | 3.80 | | Good take on a standard bitter. |
| Ringwood - Shipyard Brewing Co Independence Pale Ale | 4.10 | | Nicely hoppy keg beer. Price held at £3.60 which seems almost a bargain compared to some of the drab cask offerings. |
| Cwrw Cader - Cader Aur | 3.80 | | Bit grainy, bit malty. Not too good. 2.1/2* really. |
| Bragdy Lleu - Lleu | 4.00 | | New brewery based in Penygroes, Gwynedd. Competent bitter. |
| Cwrw lâl (also see Community Brewing) - The Volunteer | 3.70 | | Thin. Brewed with lager hops. There is a bit of confusion about this brewery. It's full name is Cwrw Iâl Community Brewing Co. and it's associated with the Raven Inn (another community project) in Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Denbighshire. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/p82osqd . |
| Banks's - Mild | 3.50 | Not Tried | |
| Purple Moose - Dark Side of the Moose | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Purple Moose - Snowdonia Ale (Cwrw Eryri) | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | Complete with pump clip in Welsh. |
| Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - Beachcomber Blonde | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Big Bog - Swampy | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
| Big Bog - Bog Standard | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Revisionist Juniper Pale Ale | 4.40 | Not Tried | Provenance disguised. |
10 Oct 2013 (Ray)
Composite record from 10th to 13th October. Prices seemed to have moved quite sharply (up) since last visit. Disappointing to see so many Marston's beers which seem to sell so slowly compared to say Salopian or Sadlers.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Moose - Dark Side of the Moose | 4.60 | | Surprised myself. An excellent strong and fruity mild. Went well with hot chestnuts. |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | | Another day in the cask and the Citra hops shone through. |
| Marston's - Burton Bitter | 3.80 | | |
| Salopian - Shropshire Gold | 3.80 | | Dark gold, fruity hoppy. |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | | Served appley and green. |
| Purple Moose - Ysgawen | 4.00 | | Young pretender to early Trade Winds. |
| Ringwood - Shipyard Brewing Co Independence Pale Ale | 4.10 | | Actually OK but marked down for being £3.60 a pint on keg. Tried this in cask at around £2.40. Someone (Mr. Marston??) is exploiting the craft keg bandwagon. |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| St Austell - Tribute | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Banks's - Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Purple Moose - Snowdonia Ale (Cwrw Eryri) | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Spooner's Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - Clogwyn Gold | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - Autumn | 4.50 | Not Tried |
06 May 2013 (Ray)
Great bar on the Ffestiniog Railway platform in Porthmadog. Strong local following topped by enthusiastic visitors. This log notes beers seen between 3rd and 6th May.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | | Top quality modern pale ale. |
| Marston's - Burton Bitter | 3.80 | | True to type. Bitter, slightly sulphurous, moreish. |
| St Austell - Tribute | 4.20 | | Workmanlike bitter. |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | | Not quite ready but still sold out in a session. |
| Purple Moose - Snowdonia Ale (Cwrw Eryri) | 3.60 | | I've a feeling that the yeast changed a couple of years ago and don't get on so well with beers now though others disagree. This I found to be thin and slightly astringent - not much from the hops. |
| Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Pedigree | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Jennings (since closure now brewed at Marston's) - Cumberland Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Salopian - Shropshire Gold | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Wye Valley - Butty Bach | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Wye Valley - HPA (Hereford Pale Ale) | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Banks's - Mild | 3.50 | Not Tried | |
| Purple Moose - Dark Side of the Moose | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Heritage (formerly William Worthington Brewery) - Red Shield | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Spooner's Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Theakston - Double Cross IPA | 4.20 | Not Tried |
25 Jun 2012 (Stu)
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Moose - Snowdonia Ale (Cwrw Eryri) | 3.60 | | Golden in colour, light citrus fruit,light bitterness, thin body not a lot going on. |
| Thwaites - Original Bitter | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Burton Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Olde Swan - Dark Mild (aka Pardoe's Dark Swan) | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Purple Moose - Dark Side of the Moose | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | Not Tried |
26 May 2012 (Ray)
Week 21-27 May.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salopian - Oracle | 4.00 | | Good depth of fruit and solid sweet malt. |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | | Bit young - could do with a few more days conditioning but will have sold out by then! |
| Marston's - Burton Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Jennings (since closure now brewed at Marston's) - Cumberland Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Wye Valley - Butty Bach | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Wye Valley - HPA (Hereford Pale Ale) | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Banks's - Mild | 3.50 | Not Tried | |
| Banks's - Young's London Original (was Bitter) - previously brewed in Bedford and at Wychwood | 3.70 | Not Tried | |
| Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - Clogwyn Gold | 3.60 | Not Tried |
19 May 2012 (Ray)
Week 14-20 May.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salopian - Oracle | 4.00 | | |
| Black Country - BFG Bradley's Finest Golden | 4.20 | | Another innocuous golden ale. A little sweet, limited hopping. Every brewer seems to need one in his portfolio. |
| Wye Valley - HPA (Hereford Pale Ale) | 4.00 | | Thin but improving as the cask emptied. |
| Adnams - Southwold Bitter | 3.70 | | To be honest I was expecting more from this traditional mid-brown bitter. |
| Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale) | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Hanlons (formerly O'Hanlon's) - Gold Blade | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Purple Moose - Dark Side of the Moose | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Purple Moose - Snowdonia Ale (Cwrw Eryri) | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - EPA | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Big Bog - WPA | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - Clogwyn Gold | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Single Hop: Cascade | 4.00 | Not Tried | Only selling slowly. |
| Purple Moose - Revelation | 3.80 | Not Tried |
13 May 2012 (Ray)
Week 7-13 May. Quietening after the Bank Holiday rush. Early doors but Beer of the Week: Liverpool Organic Imperial Russian Stout (bottle).
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | | Back on form. Good grapefruit bite and solid malt support. Drying, bitter finish. |
| Salopian - Oracle | 4.00 | | |
| Marston's - Single Hop: Cascade | 4.00 | | One dimensional; dry. |
| Banks's - Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Purple Moose - Dark Side of the Moose | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Purple Moose - Snowdonia Ale (Cwrw Eryri) | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
| Monty's - Mojo | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Big Bog - Spring Bog | 4.00 | Not Tried |
06 May 2012 (Ray)
Week 30 April - 6 May. Beer of the Week: Dark Star Imperial (bottle).
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conwy (Bragdy Conwy) - Clogwyn Gold | 3.60 | | |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Chiswick | 3.50 | | OK but none of the yeasty freshness expected. |
| Wye Valley - HPA (Hereford Pale Ale) | 4.00 | | Thin. |
| Purple Moose - Snowdonia Ale (Cwrw Eryri) | 3.60 | | Maybe 2* really. |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | | Lacking any citrus bite. |
| Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | Why????? |
| Jennings (since closure now brewed at Marston's) - Cumberland Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Cannon Royall (located in White Rabbit) - King's Shilling | 3.80 | Not Tried | Not selling well. Discounted to clear. |
| Wye Valley - Butty Bach | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Ringwood - Boondoggle (now is 4.2% version) | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Banks's - Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Purple Moose - Dark Side of the Moose | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - Mellow Yellow | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - Worcester Sorcerer | 4.30 | Not Tried | Didn't have a chance to try it. Sold well within 24hrs. |
| Big Bog - WPA | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Marston's - Spooner's Ale | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Mayfields - Priory Pale Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
28 Apr 2012 (Ray)
Week 23-29 April. Not a good week so far for beer choice. Beer of the week: Bristol Beer Factory Southville Hop (bottle).
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | | A little young - will improve. |
| Sadler's (see also Windsor Castle entry) - JPA | 3.80 | | That grapefruit zing was missing. |
| Banks's - Bitter | 3.80 | | Uninspiring choice led me to this old faithful. |
| Ludlow - Gold | 4.20 | | Run of the mill golden ale with a slight metallic twang. |
| Marston's - Single Hop: Hallertau Mittelfruh | 4.00 | | In three days went from 3* to 3.5* and back to 3*. Nothing to get excited about. |
| Big Bog - Spring Bog | 4.00 | | Thin, unexciting beer. |
| Purple Moose - Snowdonia Ale (Cwrw Eryri) | 3.60 | Not Tried |
About the Spooner's Bar
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | 1 |
| 30 |
| 66 |
| 63 |
| 15 |
The pub is found in Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9NF.
Bar and cafe attached to the Ffestiniog narrow gauge railway station, this is the ideal place to watch steam trains whilst enjoying a pint or two. Always 6 ales including a dark beer with local and more distant micros featuring strongly. Regular outlet for Purple Moose. Friendly, knowledgeable staff and a 5% CAMRA discount make this a must visit pub.
We have visited this pub 45 times, seen 143 different beers and tried 85 of them.
Postcode: LL49 9NF