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The Crooked Billet (Nicholson's (Mitchells & Butlers))

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Adnams - Topaz GoldExcellent1
Ha'Penny - London StoneExcellent1
Rooster's - Stars and StripesExcellent1
Harbour - American RyeExcellent1
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale AleExcellent1
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Al Murray, The Pub Landlord's Beautiful British BeerExcellent1
Great Heck - Hecks AngelExcellent1
Harviestoun - Old Engine OilGood1
Stroud - Gaia Organic Pale AleGood1
Robinsons - Double Hop India Pale AleGood1
Leeds - HellfireGood1
Stewart - Cross the LineAcceptable1
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - JaipurAcceptable1
Hook Norton - Lion (aka Cotswold Lion)Acceptable1
Adnams - Southwold BitterAcceptable1
Rudgate - Ruby MildNot Tried0
Caledonian - Flying Scotsman (superseded by 3.5% version)Not Tried0
St Austell - TributeNot Tried0
Swannay (formerly Highland) - Scapa SpecialNot Tried0
Inveralmond - MBU (Made By Us)Not Tried0
Pennine (Batley) - see now entry for Pennine (Bedale) after move - Real BlondeNot Tried0
Brains - Bread of HeavenNot Tried0
Greene King - Morland Old Speckled HenNot Tried0
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version)Not Tried0
Brains - The Rev James OriginalNot Tried0
Adnams - BroadsideNot Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London PrideNot Tried0
Sharp's - Doom BarNot Tried0
Fierce - Go Easier Zesty Pale AleNot Tried0
Wooden Hand - Black PearlNot Tried0
Sunny Republic - Huna RedNot Tried0
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 5Not Tried0
Picture 1. The Crooked Billet, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
Picture 2. The Crooked Billet, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
Picture 3. The Crooked Billet, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Visits Details

21 Sep 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
Another very ancient pub in Leigh-on-Sea's old-town is this 16th-century establishment with two small bars with beamed ceilings. It won the contest for taking the longest to be served in but at least I did not have to queue from outside as was the case for others when I left. My first visit ever, and early evening, as on previous visits to Leigh-on-Sea the queue forming outside never attracted me in. Luck was with me and just 5 or so minutes to be served on entering the inside. It shares a large front outside seating/dining area with a seafood merchant.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Stroud - Gaia Organic Pale Ale4.20GoodBeer did look good but first challenge was to sit down inside without being fed by the staff as they bring you a menu quicker than it took to get the beer in the first place. It had a good head and lacing, and the beer I refer to, as I was not ready to eat there. Though billed as an organic pale, it was totally clear with strong citrus fruit flavours.
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
Fierce - Go Easier Zesty Pale Ale3.40Not Tried
23 Jul 2017 (Stephen Harris)
I stayed off the jellies today and squeezed onto a table in the right hand bar.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Rooster's - Stars and Stripes4.30ExcellentGolden and light and US-hop fruity. Just the kind of thing I like.
Adnams - Broadside4.70Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
17 Jan 2016 (Stephen Harris)
Early on Sunday lunchtime on a beautiful day. This was a post-hike over the marshes, pre-fish and chips pint.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harviestoun - Old Engine Oil4.50GoodHaven’t drunk this for ages – thought it was rather good.
Greene King - Morland Old Speckled Hen4.50Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Brains - The Rev James Original4.50Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
06 Jan 2016 (ChrisE)
We were offered a menu as soon as we arrived. The Hop Circle App gave us 25p off each pint.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hook Norton - Lion (aka Cotswold Lion)4.00Acceptable
Greene King - Morland Old Speckled Hen4.50Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version)4.20Not Tried
19 Nov 2015 (HSB)
13:00 Fairly quiet. A couple having lunch and three other chaps on a pub crawl who entered just in front of us. Left hand bar empty. Hop Circle app use for the discount. 25p per pint.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Stewart - Cross the Line4.60AcceptableBest choice out a rather uninspiring selection. I am not a great fan of Stewart beers. This was rather sweet and didn't alter my opinion.
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Brains - Bread of Heaven4.00Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
26 Jun 2015 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening. Quick return visit at the end of a High Street crawl.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Al Murray, The Pub Landlord's Beautiful British Beer4.00ExcellentBest beer in Leigh tonight
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
Harbour - American Rye4.90Not Tried
26 Jun 2015 (Philip Pirrip)
Evening. Passing when I heard my name called from the seating across the road; an old work colleague whom I had had a premonition might be down by the riverside. With only 6 handpumps disappointing to see only 3 in use (later 4) with the other 2 out of dock as "beers have not settled".
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harbour - American Rye4.90ExcellentSour bitterness a la USA
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not TriedAfter much line cleaning this came back on
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - Al Murray, The Pub Landlord's Beautiful British Beer4.00Not Tried
07 Oct 2012 (Stephen Harris)
Near perfect Essex seaside day. Charity pub beer festival, live music on the quayside, fabulous weather, 2,500 Brent Geese overhead on the rising tide – and I think I set a new personal record for jellied eel consumption.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Great Heck - Hecks Angel3.90ExcellentYellow/gold colour. Excellent US pale ale with bitter and fruity hop character from Chinook and Cascade hops.
Adnams - Topaz Gold4.00ExcellentGold in colour, well-balanced malt and sharp hops.
Robinsons - Double Hop India Pale Ale4.80GoodMalty and fruity brown bitter.
Leeds - Hellfire5.20GoodPale gold in colour, crisp and sharp.
Ramsgate Brewery (Gadds') - No. 54.40Not Tried
Rudgate - Ruby Mild4.40Not Tried
Caledonian - Flying Scotsman (superseded by 3.5% version)4.00Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
St Austell - Tribute4.20Not Tried
Swannay (formerly Highland) - Scapa Special4.20Not Tried
Wooden Hand - Black Pearl4.50Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
Ha'Penny - London Stone4.50Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
Inveralmond - MBU (Made By Us)4.50Not Tried
Pennine (Batley) - see now entry for Pennine (Bedale) after move - Real Blonde4.00Not Tried
18 Sep 2012 (Philip Pirrip)
Last visit in my evening High Street crawl and the best house for welcome, beer range / quality and pricing value. Nicholson's is getting very good indeed all over.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Ha'Penny - London Stone4.50Excellent
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00ExcellentVery full flavoured so had a second
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried£2.75 pp
Wooden Hand - Black Pearl4.50Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not TriedAmazingly £2.65 pp
Sunny Republic - Huna Red4.20Not Tried
04 Aug 2011 (ChrisE)
A wet Thursday afternoon, and not too many people about, the right hand bar was fairly busy so we sat in the other room and had a couple of beers and a sandwich each.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur5.90Acceptable
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Acceptable

About The Crooked Billet

The pub sign. The Crooked Billet, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent7
Good4
Acceptable4
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2EP.

Two bar pub overlooking the riverside. Large outside front terrace drinking area across the High Street from the pub. 6 handpumps. On CAMRA's Pub Heritage website as a pub of Regional Interest.

We have visited this pub 10 times, seen 32 different beers and tried 15 of them.

Map location

Postcode: SS9 2EP