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The Shepherds Rest (Greene King)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Inveralmond - Lia FailGood1
Isle of Skye - Black CuillinGood1
Inveralmond - ThrappledouserGood1
Belhaven - Caledonian Deuchars IPAAcceptable2
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Best Bitter (use Marston's entry now please)Acceptable1
Black Sheep - Special Ale (previously Ale)Acceptable1
Marston's - PedigreePoor1
Greene King - AbbotPoor2
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)Poor1
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Directors (use Banks's entry now please)Not Tried0
Isle of Skye - Red CuillinNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Shepherds Rest, Westhill, Aberdeenshire

Visits Details

23 Apr 2011 (Ray)
Quiet. Tendered £20 got change for £10.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Inveralmond - Thrappledouser4.30GoodPleasantly surprised. Served a bit cold but a good malty taste and not too sweet.
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40Not Tried
Isle of Skye - Red Cuillin4.20Not Tried
24 Nov 2010 (McGargle)
As the snow came down we were forced to retreat in here. Warm, cosy atmosphere and friendly service was let down by spectacularly poor beer quality and the inability to supply a fork with which to eat supper. Only two pumps in use. Old Speckled Hen, Belhaven 80/- and St. Andrews 'available soon'.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Belhaven - Caledonian Deuchars IPA3.80AcceptableMuch better. Some citrussy hops and a smoother malt. Suspect previous pint was the first serve of the session and it hadn't been pulled through.
Greene King - Abbot5.00AcceptableNoticed that the manager used beer from the new cask to clean the line! Didn't seem to consider what would happen if the pump syphoned back. Young but clear, balance of hops and malt hadn't settled.
Belhaven - Caledonian Deuchars IPA3.80PoorNo hops. Absolutely lifeless.
Greene King - Abbot5.00UndrinkableVinegar. The manager explained that 'someone had connected up an old barrel'??!!
14 Jan 2010 (McGargle)
Quiet. No real attempt to clear icy footpaths made the visit potentially dangerous for the less nimble.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Inveralmond - Lia Fail4.70GoodMalty, brown beer served in excellent condition.
Inveralmond - Thrappledouser4.30Not Tried
26 Sep 2009 (McGargle)
Disappointing how the ale selection has gone downhill. When opened beers were sourced from The Beer Seller and the bar offered, perhaps, the most imaginative selection in Aberdeen. Cost control saw ales coming from S&N's Cellarman's Choice range supplemented by a Skye guest instead. Now there are no ales from Skye and a beer list dominated by national blands. What a shame.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40PoorBoring, brown beer.
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Best Bitter (use Marston's entry now please)4.00Not Tried
Black Sheep - Special Ale (previously Ale)4.40Not Tried"Coming soon" you could look forward to Pedigree, Old Speckled Hen and other undemanding national blands.
26 Aug 2009 (McGargle)
Bar dominated by national blands with more 'available soon'. Busy with diners - slightly slow service.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Best Bitter (use Marston's entry now please)4.00AcceptableAnother dull brown beer. Seemed very sweet.
Black Sheep - Special Ale (previously Ale)4.40AcceptableNot quite at its 'best before' but nearly. Totally unbalanced.
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Directors (use Banks's entry now please)4.80Not Tried
27 Jun 2009 (McGargle)
Surprisingly quiet for Friday evening. The staff, as always, were both friendly and efficient.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Isle of Skye - Black Cuillin4.50GoodStout like with plenty of roasty flavours from the malt and a little smoke from peat in the water. Served in fine condition but I've yet to taste the honey.
Marston's - Pedigree4.50PoorAlthough served in good condition there was nothing to commend here. This with no clear tastes or aroma. Years ago this used to be one of my favourite ales. Either I've changed or the beer has!

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About The Shepherds Rest

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent3
Good28
Acceptable21
Poor5

Website.

The pub is found in Westhill, Aberdeenshire, AB32 6HF.

Near the Arnhall Business Park and adjacent to a Premier Inn, The Shepherds Rest was opened in 2001 but skilfully aged to look 200 years older. Although it's a big place it has been carefully divided to provide plenty of cosy areas. Food led, beer choice now only a shadow of what it once was. Now owned by Greene King (Belhaven).

We have visited this pub 46 times, seen 59 different beers and tried 38 of them.

Map location

Postcode: AB32 6HF