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The Old Bell (Nicholson's (Mitchells & Butlers))

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - RunnerAcceptable1
Brains - Rye CatcherAcceptable1
Mordue - A'l Cherry PetAcceptable1
Stewart - ZymicAcceptable1
Acorn - Dead GoodNot Tried0
Adnams - Southwold BitterNot Tried0
Butcombe - Great Grey OwlNot Tried0
Caledonian - Autumn RedNot Tried0
Camerons - TontineNot Tried0
Exmoor - AleNot Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London PrideNot Tried0
Hop Back - Winter LightningNot Tried0
Moles - Mole CatcherNot Tried0
Purity - Mad GooseNot Tried0
Sharp's - Doom BarNot Tried0
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale AleNot Tried0
St Austell - Saint Nich's Festive AleNot Tried0
St Austell - TributeNot Tried0
Wolf - Granny Wouldn't Like It !!!Not Tried0
Picture 1. The Old Bell, City, Central London
Picture 2. The Old Bell, City, Central London
Picture 3. The Old Bell, City, Central London

Visits Details

03 Dec 2014 (Stephen Harris)
Busy at around 8pm. Cosy and warm.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Big Penny (formerly Truman's) as of late 2022 contract brewed - Runner4.00AcceptableBrown bitter – flavours a bit dulled by less than perfect condition.
St Austell - Tribute4.20Not Tried
Moles - Mole Catcher5.00Not Tried
Caledonian - Autumn Red4.40Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
St Austell - Saint Nich's Festive Ale4.50Not Tried
17 Apr 2014 (HSB)
11:40 Had the pub to ourselves. Very helpful bar man with info about the beers and the pub.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Brains - Rye Catcher5.00AcceptableDisappointing. A poor example of the genre.
Wolf - Granny Wouldn't Like It !!!4.80Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
St Austell - Tribute4.20Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
Camerons - Tontine4.10Not Tried
Acorn - Dead Good4.50Not Tried
13 Feb 2014 (HSB)
13:50 Packed. 3rd Heritage stop. The front snug used to be an off-licence. Nice Exterior tilework.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Stewart - Zymic3.80AcceptableCloudy
Hop Back - Winter Lightning5.50Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
St Austell - Tribute4.20Not Tried
Exmoor - Ale3.80Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
19 Jun 2013 (Stephen Harris)
Early evening visit and the pub is fairly quiet. It is a muggy day and hot inside.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Mordue - A'l Cherry Pet4.10AcceptableA cherry version of Mordue’s wheat beer. Opaque, prominent cherry flavours and a little sour.
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Adnams - Southwold Bitter3.70Not Tried
Purity - Mad Goose4.20Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
Butcombe - Great Grey Owl3.60Not Tried

About The Old Bell

The pub sign. The Old Bell, City, Central London

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent-
Good-
Acceptable4
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in City, Central London, EC4Y 1DH.

Tradition says that this pub was established in 1670, in part to house workers engaged in building the new St Paul’s Cathedral following the Great Fire. Initially it was called the Swan, becoming the Bell by 1794. The front of the pub faces on to St Bride’s churchyard, where there is some nice external tilework. More frequently seen is the rear of the pub, which faces on to Fleet Street. There is a small snug bar, plus comfortable seating around the main U-shaped bar. A couple of real fireplaces and much wood panelling.

We have visited this pub 4 times, seen 19 different beers and tried 4 of them.

Map location

Postcode: EC4Y 1DH