PubsandBeer
The Sun (Wetherspoon)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Dorking - Red India Ale |  | 1 |
| Celt Experience (now brands are owned by Evans Evans) - Divine Yule Saison (collaboration with Waen Brewery) | | 1 |
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) |  | 1 |
| Dorset Brewing Company - Jurassic | | 1 |
| Westerham - Uppin Smoke | | 1 |
| Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Grandstand Bitter | | 1 |
| King Beer (formerly W.J. King) - Kings Festive | | 1 |
| Hanlons (formerly O'Hanlon's) - Firefly | | 1 |
| Rooster's - Scoundrel Yorkshire Stout | | 1 |
| Oakham - JHB | | 1 |
| Westerham - God's Wallop (see now 4% entry) |  | 1 |
| Dorking - DB Number One | Not Tried | 0 |
| Holbeck Brewhouse (sub-brand of Welbeck Abbey) - Cavendish | Not Tried | 0 |
| Everards (see entries against Joule's & Robinsons whilst its new brewery was being built) - Sleighbell | Not Tried | 0 |
| Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Red Sky | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hogs Back - Advent Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Onyx | Not Tried | 0 |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special) | Not Tried | 0 |
| East London (ELB) - Bedrock | Not Tried | 0 |
| Greene King - Abbot Reserve | Not Tried | 0 |
| Windsor & Eton - Guardsman | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Below Zero | Not Tried | 0 |
| By The Horns - Stiff Upper Lip (downgraded from 3.8% in 2023) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Portobello - Market Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Tillingbourne - The Source | Not Tried | 0 |
| Greene King - Abbot | Not Tried | 0 |
| Titanic - Plum Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Rudgate - Evil Elf | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Icon Cask Aged | Not Tried | 0 |
| Oakham - Sunset | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hadrian and Border - Secret Kingdom | Not Tried | 0 |
| Bowman - Swift One | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
31 Oct 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Fourth visit of the outing: One of the quieter Wetherspoon's for my Saturday early evening arrival with a fellow real ale enthusiast from the Red Hill Beer festival that ran out of beer by around 2pm on its last of three days’ running. Attentive friendly service and a choice of seating and here opting for the lower seating rather than climbing up onto stools positioned around high tables.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanlons (formerly O'Hanlon's) - Firefly | 3.70 | | 2nd beer of this visit: Good head and lasting lacing on this Hanlons Brewery bitter and where brewing commenced in 1995 with its boiling coppers underneath an old railway arch in Vauxhall, London, before packing up their traps in 2000 to pitch up on a working farm in Whimple, Devon, before in 2013 new gaffers carted the whole kit and caboodle to Hill Farm in Half Moon Village, though regional road signs frequently shorten it to just Half Moon, and near Newton St Cyres in the rolling Devon hills. A dry fruity first hit on this amber-hued session ale. A gentle maltiness rising. A dry floral bitterness joining in from choice greens tossed into the copper kettle, namely American Cascade behind a punch of orchard fruitiness, continental Saaz exuding a crisp, peppery citrus spark, and Phoenix aiding a bittering crunch. The flavouring for me of sweet orchard apples and zesty peel prevailing. A lingering herbal bitterness rolling down my neck-pipe with a dry snap of cleansing citrus to aid my curry further into my innards. Served in good nick. |
| Rooster's - Scoundrel Yorkshire Stout | 4.20 | | 1st beer of this visit: Presented with very good head and lasting lacing and approved by my tasting of it on this Yorkshire stout from Rooster’s Brewing founded in 1993, and first boiling the copper over in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, before handing over to the Fozard family in 2011, and who have steered the ship, having moved the whole shebang to a shiny setup at Hornbeam Park, a commercial park on the south side of Harrogate. The barmaid seemed to think it was nearly at its end as she had to pull the handpump many times but I accepted it. As a goodwill gesture from her, she also offered me a free half of any other real ale. I accepted that as would be rude not to and its details follow as the second beer of this visit. A very malty first hit on this quintessential English stout which poured as dark as a coal miner's boots with a creamy topper that looks a regular treat. A dry bitterness rising with a gentle fruitiness climbing up from traditional British Admiral hops lending a sharp, resinous herbal bite and a refreshing slap of bitterness. A cunning marry-up of Brown malt, Chocolate malt, and heavy roasted Barley to accompany my curry with this stout. The Brown malt delivering a biscuit toastiness; the Chocolate malt throwing down a heavy dollop of rich, bittersweet cocoa; and its roasted Barley providing a smoky coffee roastiness. Espresso notes shaking hands with velvet cocoa, creating for me a roasty flavouring that kept its balance without feeling like over-boiled chimney soot. Nothing in the least wrong with it but perhaps very much at the end given the barmaid’s repeated pulling to get it to yield its dark liquid into my pint glass. |
| Greene King - Abbot | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Windsor & Eton - Guardsman | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Below Zero | 4.10 | Not Tried |
25 Jan 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Time to soak up some of those beers earlier with a Spoons' curry. This is now my 4th visit here having done 2 in November and last Saturday on my way back from Dorking. Noticeably busier for our mid-evening visit for our trio of real ale tourists than on my previous visit. Managed to locate a table and speedy service as always here.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Grandstand Bitter | 3.80 | | Good head and lacing on this amber bitter from the oldest independent brewery in London set up in 2004. A bitter first hit. A lightly sweet and malty mouthfeel and a dryness persisting in the aftertaste. |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Red Sky | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Twickenham (also uses sub-brand Old Hands) - Onyx | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| East London (ELB) - Bedrock | 5.50 | Not Tried |
18 Jan 2025 (Hogan Sampling)
Change of train from Dorking to London at Redhill afforded a visit to this good example of a well-managed Spoons. Busy on arrival mid-evening but the few tables not taken were clear of glasses and plates. Usual prompt service here and the staff even seemed to have the time to ask me how the curry was going down.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorset Brewing Company - Jurassic | 4.20 | | Very good head and lacing on this Dorset bitter from Crossways, south-east of Dorchester. A bitter first hit followed by a fruity mouthfeel and a dryness lingering. It was very moreish. |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Hadrian and Border - Secret Kingdom | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Bowman - Swift One | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Holbeck Brewhouse (sub-brand of Welbeck Abbey) - Cavendish | 5.00 | Not Tried |
30 Nov 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
Curry time for a hungry belly and to soak up some of that beer earlier. Sat at the same high table near the bar as 3 weeks earlier. Prompt service from this Redhill Spoons and as before. Food arrived within all of 10 minutes.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | | Good head and lacing. A bitter first hit with a slightly sweet mouthfeel. Did its job of helping to wash the curry down. |
| Greene King - Abbot | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Titanic - Plum Porter | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| Rudgate - Evil Elf | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Icon Cask Aged | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Oakham - Sunset | 5.30 | Not Tried |
09 Nov 2024 (Hogan Sampling)
7th visit of the day. Busy but not overly for a Spoons and here for a curry stop on my way back and a table near the bar to be had.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - JHB | 3.80 | | Good head and lacing on this bitter. It worked a treat on the accompanying curry with its bitterness shining through. |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| By The Horns - Stiff Upper Lip (downgraded from 3.8% in 2023) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Portobello - Market Porter | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Tillingbourne - The Source | 3.30 | Not Tried |
14 Dec 2013 (Stephen Harris)
Big and busy. Standard Wetherspoon experience for a quick stop.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celt Experience (now brands are owned by Evans Evans) - Divine Yule Saison (collaboration with Waen Brewery) | 5.30 | | If 2012 was the year of the Milk Stout, then 2013 has been the year of the Saison. This is a golden, highly competent version. Plenty of sourness and some lemony hops. |
| Everards (see entries against Joule's & Robinsons whilst its new brewery was being built) - Sleighbell | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Ruddles Best (was 3.7%) | 3.40 | Not Tried | |
| Hogs Back - Advent Ale | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special) | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Greene King - Abbot Reserve | 6.50 | Not Tried |
29 Nov 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
Not too busy early on a Thursday evening.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| King Beer (formerly W.J. King) - Kings Festive | 4.70 | | Ruby winter style ale with lightly toasted malt giving the bitterness with moderate hoppiness. Rather dry finish. My score 15/20. |
12 Jul 2012 (Martin the Mildman)
Not too busy on a Thursday evening.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westerham - Uppin Smoke | 4.00 | | Golden ale with a bittersweet character with good malt and hop flavours. No evidence of any smokiness. My score 15/20. |
15 Dec 2011 (Martin the Mildman)
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westerham - God's Wallop (see now 4% entry) | 4.30 | | This seems to have had a recipe and strength change. It's now 4.0% and amber coloured, tasting just like any other standard session bitter with English hops. A search on the brewery's website wil show a drop from 4.5% to 4.0% and a recipe change. My score 14/20. |
09 Jun 2011 (Martin the Mildman)
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorking - Red India Ale | 5.00 | | Reddish in colour with a smooth and well rounded character. Good balance of hop and malt flavours leading to a slightly vineous finish with hints of dried fruit and toast. My score 16/20. |
| Dorking - DB Number One | 4.20 | Not Tried |
About The Sun
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
| 3 |
| 9 |
| 2 |
 | - |
The pub is found in Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1LY.
Large open plan earlier style Wetherspoon's in London Road. One of the better outlets in the chain, opened in 1996.
We have visited this pub 13 times, seen 39 different beers and tried 14 of them.
Postcode: RH1 1LY