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Haunch of Venison
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Salisbury - English Ale |  | 2 |
| Hop Back - GFB (Or Gilbert's First Brew) (superseded by 3.5% version from about 2010) | | 2 |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | | 3 |
| Hop Back - GFB (sometimes GB) |  | 1 |
| Hop Back - GB (sometimes GFB) | | 1 |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Best Bitter (use Marston's entry now please) | | 1 |
| Exmoor (now brewed by Hogs Back) - Stag (superseded by 4.8% version) |  | 1 |
| Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Exmoor (now brewed by Hogs Back) - Fox | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hop Back - Ginger Stout | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
12 Nov 2025 (Archie14)
Visited Salisbury and frequented this wonderful pub whilst on holiday in The New Forest, was so I’m impressed that we decided to come back the next day by bus to have a proper session. Absolutely stunning example of an English pub that has over the years resisted or escaped unnecessary refurbishment, far to much history and things to describe here that could do it justice, with over 700 years of history it really is @ gem of a place, if you love unspoilt pubs with history, character then this place is for you.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 |  | Served in absolutely top notch condition, excellent head retention and lacing, superb mouth feel from this classic strong premium golden ale, one of the originals and still the best. |
| Hop Back - GFB (Or Gilbert's First Brew) (superseded by 3.5% version from about 2010) | 3.80 | | |
| Hop Back - Ginger Stout | 4.50 | Not Tried |
29 May 2021 (Dosser)
Evening and ended in the snug. Lots of people turned away. Not sure why. Barman wants to finish early. Happened the previous evening too. 4 beers on.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exmoor (now brewed by Hogs Back) - Stag (superseded by 4.8% version) | 5.20 | | A hefty £4.70 for a beer that was just acceptable. Highest price I paid in Salisbury. |
16 Mar 2019 (Andrew)
Tony and I started our tour of Salisbury here, came back in the middle of the tour and then back again right at the end. So basically we liked it a lot.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 | | Bit clinical but good |
| Hop Back - GFB (Or Gilbert's First Brew) (superseded by 3.5% version from about 2010) | 3.80 | | Best of the Hop Back beers |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Best Bitter (use Marston's entry now please) | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Exmoor (now brewed by Hogs Back) - Fox | 4.20 | Not Tried |
21 May 2016 (ChrisE)
Saturday afternoon, we sat in the snug bar and watched the rain come down. A good mixed crowd in the pub today.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hop Back - GB (sometimes GFB) | 3.50 | | A tasty session beer. Still badged as GFB in here. |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Best Bitter (use Marston's entry now please) | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Exmoor (now brewed by Hogs Back) - Stag (superseded by 4.8% version) | 5.20 | Not Tried |
12 Dec 2015 (ChrisE)
Afternoon visit after being dragged round the Christmas Market and Debenhams, a wonderful relief to come in here for a pint. We sat in the little snug bar to the right and soaked up the atmosphere.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hop Back - GFB (sometimes GB) | 3.50 | | A good tasty pint. Badged as GFB. |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Best Bitter (use Marston's entry now please) | 4.00 | Not Tried | Very popular in here. |
19 Sep 2013 (ChrisE)
We managed to get the small snug bar to ourselves which was a bit of a surprise so we sat in there and soaked up the atmosphere. A couple of chaps that I know from Dover walked in to the other bar whilst we were having our beer.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury - English Ale | 4.10 | | |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Best Bitter (use Marston's entry now please) | 4.00 | Not Tried |
13 Jun 2013 (HSB)
15:00 Only two others in. Very pleasant place to enjoy a pint.rn
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury - English Ale | 4.10 | | Good balanced Bitter |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Hop Back - GFB (Or Gilbert's First Brew) (superseded by 3.5% version from about 2010) | 3.80 | Not Tried |
17 Feb 2011 (Martin the Mildman)
Completely taken over by the Weekly Windup 30th Anniversary pub crawlers. Otherwise would have been very quiet on a Thursday afternoon.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Best Bitter (use Marston's entry now please) | 4.00 | | Pleasant, drinkable malty bitter in good condition. Mainly malt flavour but a little hop bitterness in the finish. My score 15/20. |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Hop Back - GFB (Or Gilbert's First Brew) (superseded by 3.5% version from about 2010) | 3.80 | Not Tried |
01 May 2010 (ChrisE)
The snug bar was full, and we were just about to go to one of the other bars when we were recognised by Joe from the Village Free House who was in there enjoying a pint, so we were invited to squeeze in.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 | | |
| Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Courage Best Bitter (use Marston's entry now please) | 4.00 | Not Tried |
About the Haunch of Venison
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 1 |
| 3 |
| 6 |
| 1 |
 | - |
The pub is found in Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1TB.
Grade II listed building in Minster Street, and in the CAMRA National Inventory of unspoilt interiors. This is an ancient pub with a wonderful and tiny snug bar, and various other rooms. A pewter counter top which slopes away from you. This pub is justifiably on the tourist trails.
We have visited this pub 9 times, seen 10 different beers and tried 7 of them.
Postcode: SP1 1TB