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The Bailey Head (Free House)

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Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Pig & Porter - Red Spider RyeExcellent1
Oakham - Blue Skies IPAExcellent1
Castle Rock - Sherwood ReserveExcellent1
Salopian - Darwin's OriginExcellent1
Community Brewing (Cwrw lâl) - Limestone CowboyExcellent1
Purple Moose - Snowdonia Ale (Cwrw Eryri)Excellent1
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Wild Swan (was 3.5%)Excellent1
Vibrant Forest - OutlanderExcellent1
Oakham - Green Devil IPAExcellent1
Oakham - CitraExcellent1
Nottingham - Robin Hood AleExcellent1
Castle Rock - Henry Normal Nottinghamian Celebration AleGood1
Long Man - Mild ManGood1
Mad Dog - It's all PropagandaGood1
Cornish Crown - Chocolate Orange StoutGood1
Hobsons - Twisted SpireGood1
Three Tuns - XXXGood1
Mad Dog - Bohemian HipsterGood2
Inveralmond - Lia FailGood1
Cwrw lâl (also see Community Brewing) - Gwenith's HandbagGood1
Cwrw lâl (also see Community Brewing) - Pocket RocketGood1
Chapel - Silver ChaliceGood1
Mad Dog - Shacknasty JimGood1
Wild Weather - Sub LimeGood1
Chapel - Bailey Head BlackGood1
Brew Foundation (brewed at Wincle) - C-BombGood1
Three Tuns - 1642 BitterGood1
Black Iris - Snake EyesGood1
Three Tuns - SolsticeGood1
Picture 1. The Bailey Head, Oswestry, Shropshire

Visits Details

24 Jun 2017 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Seems to be firmly established as the real ale and gin centre of Oswestry. Very popular.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Hobsons - Twisted Spire3.50GoodGreat condition and presentation. Quality beer.
Cwrw lâl (also see Community Brewing) - Gwenith's Handbag4.30GoodA very pale wheat beer. Usual cloudiness and some good wheat beer flavours.
Mad Dog - Shacknasty Jim5.20GoodA decent red ale (described as amber), good caramel and fruits. Excellent condition and presentation.
Brew Foundation (brewed at Wincle) - C-Bomb4.20GoodCertainly a citrus type beer but a little light in the body.
04 Jun 2017 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Becoming a bit of a ritual. A few pints in the afternoon followed by a decent Chinese meal from the establishment next door. Nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Salopian - Darwin's Origin4.30ExcellentFor me, one of the best from the Salopian portfolio. Traditional bitter with a dusting of citrus. On top form and in excellent condition.
Purple Moose - Snowdonia Ale (Cwrw Eryri)3.60ExcellentSuperb flavours at 3.6%. Usual first class condition and presentation.
Oakham - Green Devil IPA6.00ExcellentI have tried this beer before and not thought too much of it, this was superb. The landlord described it as "Citra on steroids" and that just about sums it up. Excellent presentation and condition.
02 Jun 2017 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Bustling and busy.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Oakham - Blue Skies IPA6.00ExcellentBishops's Farewell with punch.
Black Iris - Snake Eyes3.80GoodLight tasting, session ale.
27 May 2017 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Busy and hot.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Three Tuns - Solstice3.90GoodLight and refreshing, typical Three Tuns flavours, which is no bad thing.
Mad Dog - Bohemian Hipster4.90GoodI commented on this same beer yesterday, I think I must have been out of sorts. This was bordering on excellent, refreshing and hoppy, some fruit and a peppery finish. Almost there.
Long Man - Mild Man3.50GoodLighter in colour than accepted mild ales. Plenty of flavour, quite refreshing and a good example of this traditional beer style.
26 May 2017 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Busy outside with people enjoying our summer, a bit quieter inside.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Mad Dog - Bohemian Hipster4.90GoodI found this a bit confusing. There were bits and pieces but nothing of any consequence. Condition and presentation were excellent as always. I will try again given the chance.
Cwrw lâl (also see Community Brewing) - Pocket Rocket4.00GoodLight on flavour (in my opinion). Disappointing.
Wild Weather - Sub Lime3.80GoodAn overpowering flavour of Turkish delight. More of a novelty beer but worth a try.
24 May 2017 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Sat outside and enjoyed a couple of pints in the glorious sunshine. Make the most of the good weather!
BeerABVScoreNotes
Pig & Porter - Red Spider Rye4.80ExcellentOne of my favourite red ales. A little pepper, some spice and a good hop presence, all in balance. Complex and satisfying.
Mad Dog - It's all Propaganda5.00GoodOne of the better Black IPA's, in my opinion. Perhaps a few more hops wouldn't go amiss.
15 May 2017 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Quiet Monday afternoon following a boisterous weekend.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Inveralmond - Lia Fail4.70GoodDark amber, some caramel, good earthiness and a fair bitter finish. Decent amber ale.
Chapel - Silver Chalice4.70GoodTastes stronger than it is. A resinous, hoppy bitter. Very enjoyable.
Chapel - Bailey Head Black5.00GoodBrewed to celebrate the winning of 'Shrewsbury and West Shropshire CAMRA market town pub of the year'. Some remnants of porter flavours still there but not enough to detract from the overall taste, in fact they probably form a complimentary background. Jolly good black IPA.
07 May 2017 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Sat outside in the warm, afternoon sun.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Three Tuns - 1642 Bitter3.80GoodAlways a favourite and didn't disappoint on this occasion.
Castle Rock - Henry Normal Nottinghamian Celebration Ale4.20GoodNot a style I am familiar with, I would have said a good old fashioned English bitter. Nevertheless a decent drink. Usual excellent presentation and condition.
Cornish Crown - Chocolate Orange Stout5.20GoodDidn't quite get the orange, but it was smooth and tasted of chocolate.
06 May 2017 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Lots of like minded people, all out to enjoy a good pint.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Community Brewing (Cwrw lâl) - Limestone Cowboy4.50ExcellentThoroughly enjoyable, some toffee and a fairly hoppy, fresh finish.
Vibrant Forest - Outlander4.00ExcellentGood rye malts along with spicy and citrusy hops leading to a semi dry, refreshing and satisfying finish.
Three Tuns - XXX4.30GoodA fairly standard bitter, excellent condition and presentation.
22 Apr 2017 (Bear & Ragged Staff)
Lots of ex colleagues and good friends in attendance along with some excellent beers. Pleasant couple of hours.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Wild Swan (was 3.5%)3.40ExcellentA little thin on body but some wonderfully delicate spice and herb flavours coming through other than the perfectly balanced malt and hops. Superb condition. A masterpiece.
Oakham - Citra4.20ExcellentOne of the best examples of this beer I have tried.
Nottingham - Robin Hood Ale3.90ExcellentA fine English style bitter. Good body, good balance, perfect condition. Bordering on outstanding.
Castle Rock - Sherwood Reserve4.50ExcellentIf only all stouts tasted like this. Smooth and without any of the harsh acidity I normally associate with this beer type. Dark flavours, fruit and vanilla in abundance and balance. Excellent.

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About The Bailey Head

The pub sign. The Bailey Head, Oswestry, Shropshire

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent23
Good38
Acceptable-
Poor-

Website.

The pub is found in Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1PZ.

A once run down Marston's town pub in a road of the same name, which has received a new lease of life. A large single ground floor room, serving five real ales from local sources and nationally (Oakademy approved) and also a splendid range of craft keg / KeyKeg and keg beers and a noted selection of gins. Popular with locals and visitors to the area. Previously called Castle Tavern and then Eagles. Next pub of the year (2017)?

We have visited this pub 22 times, seen 57 different beers and tried them all.

Map location

Postcode: SY11 1PZ