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The Hand & Shears (Trust Inns)

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Grandstand BitterExcellent1
Fyne - MaverickExcellent1
Black Sheep - Baa BaaExcellent1
York (now brewed by and at Black Sheep) - York GoldGood1
Timothy Taylor - LandlordGood2
St Austell - TributeGood1
Hop Back - Crop CircleGood1
Sharp's - Doom BarNot Tried0
Brains - The Rev James OriginalNot Tried0
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)Not Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Jack FrostNot Tried0
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells A Good StuffingNot Tried0
Brains - Bread of HeavenNot Tried0
Palmers - Copper AleNot Tried0
Belhaven - Grand SlamNot Tried0
Exmoor - GoldNot Tried0
Picture 1. The Hand & Shears, Smithfield, Central London

Visits Details

08 May 2019 (Stephen Harris)
A decent lunch was taken here in the early afternoon when the pub was quiet.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Black Sheep - Baa Baa4.00ExcellentA well-hopped Pale Ale in prime condition. Way above expectations.
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
18 Jan 2018 (Stephen Harris)
Mid-afternoon visit for my first pint in a few days after a whole family of frogs had taken up residence in my throat. Just one other customer at this time of day. Always an eye-opener coming in here as there are so few pubs like this one left.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Fyne - Maverick4.20ExcellentA very fine, dark Bitter with a bit of hop spice. In perfect condition here.
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Exmoor - Gold4.50Not Tried
24 Feb 2015 (Stephen Harris)
Early evening and unexpectedly busy, with the little front bar thronged with stand-up drinkers and all tables taken in the other three rooms.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30GoodI find this beer to be increasingly a bit middle-of –the –road. Enjoyed it though.
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Brains - Bread of Heaven4.00Not Tried
Palmers - Copper Ale3.70Not Tried
Belhaven - Grand Slam4.00Not Tried
17 Dec 2013 (HSB)
13:10 My first visit in many years. Pleasantly surprised by the fact that despite renovation it still maintains the multi-room layout. Our group had started to diverge.
BeerABVScoreNotes
York (now brewed by and at Black Sheep) - York Gold3.90Good
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40Not Tried
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - Jack Frost4.50Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells A Good Stuffing4.50Not Tried
26 Sep 2012 (Stephen Harris)
I had heard that the guest beer range in this pub was getting a little more adventurous, and I spent a pleasant hour here on the way home from work.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Grandstand Bitter3.80ExcellentAmber in colour. Strong hoppy aroma, backed by a great hoppy taste.
Hop Back - Crop Circle4.20GoodExceptionally pale. Dry, with a pungent hop character.
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
20 Jun 2012 (Stephen Harris)
I met a friend here to discuss the mobile ‘phone app we are planning to design. By this time next year we will both be millionaires. The pub is under new management and has had a spruce up, inside and out. But unexpectedly quiet.
BeerABVScoreNotes
St Austell - Tribute4.20Good
Timothy Taylor - Landlord4.30AcceptableNot a bad pint, but it can be so much tastier than this. This was a bit dreary.
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Brains - The Rev James Original4.50Not Tried

About The Hand & Shears

The pub sign. The Hand & Shears, Smithfield, Central London

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent3
Good4
Acceptable1
Poor-

The pub is found in Smithfield, Central London, EC1A 7JA.

In Middle Street, this is a very longstanding pub, which has been here at least since Tudor times. There are many stories relating to the pub in the early 19th century, when it played a role in the festivities of the Bartholomew Fair, which took place on nearby Smithfield – in particular the “cutting of the ribbon”. The present building dates from 1849 and is a rare survivor with an early room layout, retaining four separate, tiny, rooms, all served from a central bar.

We have visited this pub 6 times, seen 16 different beers and tried 7 of them.

Map location

Postcode: EC1A 7JA