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The New Bell Inn (Free House)

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Harwich Town - Phoenix APAExceptional1
Colchester - No. 88Good1
Green Jack - Trawlerboys Best BitterGood2
Mauldons - Bah HumbugGood1
Colchester - BarbarianAcceptable1
Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013)Acceptable1
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)Not Tried0
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde MildNot Tried0
Green Jack - Ole Cock Old Ale (superseded by 4.4% version)Not Tried0
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Old GrowlerNot Tried0
Woodforde's - Nelson's RevengeNot Tried0
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Hair of the DogNot Tried0
Picture 1. The New Bell Inn, Harwich, Essex
Picture 2. The New Bell Inn, Harwich, Essex

Visits Details

09 Jan 2014 (HSB)
12:30 First stop on a mini crawl. Very welcoming and friendly. Unusual collection of snow globes.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Colchester - No. 884.20GoodCopper Ale
Mighty Oak - Kings (was 3.9% before 2013)4.20Acceptable
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40Not Tried
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild3.70Not Tried
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Hair of the Dog4.10Not Tried
15 Dec 2013 (Stephen Harris)
Late Sunday lunchtime. Very pleasant atmosphere with some wonderfully laid-back live music from ‘Braziliance’.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Mauldons - Bah Humbug4.90GoodChestnut-coloured. Malty, caramel tastes, and an unexpected slight smokiness.
Colchester - Barbarian3.80AcceptableAmber-coloured, lightweight session bitter.
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40Not Tried
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild3.70Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Green Jack - Trawlerboys Best Bitter4.60GoodChestnut-coloured, full-bodied bitter. Malt-led but also with some quite aggressive hops.
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40Not Tried
Woodforde's - Nelson's Revenge4.50Not Tried
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild3.70Not Tried
28 May 2012 (Philip Pirrip)
Mid to late evening visit. Couple of locals in situ. Immediately embroiled in good conversation.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Green Jack - Trawlerboys Best Bitter4.60GoodClearly 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%)3.40Not Tried
Nethergate (was Nethergate Growler for a while then name reverted) - Old Growler5.00Not Tried
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild3.70Not Tried
03 Dec 2011 (Alenomore)
1315 visit. My fourth stop today. Another proper old back street local. A worthy gbg too.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Harwich Town - Phoenix APA5.00ExceptionalFrom the nearby brewery, about 200m away, and a top Pale type.
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40Not Tried
Mighty Oak - Oscar Wilde Mild3.70Not Tried
Green Jack - Ole Cock Old Ale (superseded by 4.4% version)5.00Not TriedA new ale to me but had to leave, post haste, for the hourly return train?

About The New Bell Inn

The pub sign. The New Bell Inn, Harwich, Essex

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional1
Excellent-
Good4
Acceptable2
Poor-

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.

Map location

Postcode: CO12 3EN