The Rising Sun, Bury St. Edmunds

An old looking pub from the outside, more old bits inside. Obviously opened out and massively extended over the years just enough has been retained for some ambience. The front of the pub is split into three areas which would originally have been separate rooms. On the right is a seating area with what looks like an original set of ceiling beams, Britannia tables and chairs form the furnishings. Between this and the middle section are some old uprights which could original, the middle is up a slight step. Part of the counter is in this part with its reused ‘Tudor’ beams, the rest of the counter is in the leftmost part. A couple casks as tables and high tables with uncomfortable stools give a little seating in the middle part. The left area is quite small and separated from the rest by a fireplace, cosy bench seating in there. At the back is an extension seating area, large function room and access to a rear patio, the rear area is bigger than the front. Decor is mainly brewery mirrors and posters. Beer range is extensive with eight pulls in two groups of four, a good range of styles and origin from local to Yorkshire (Roosters and Saltaire); ten keg taps on a side wall serve the craft keg while a low T-bar between the pulls has national favourites, eight ciders are available.  Rightly included in the 2027 GBG, my beer was excellent, a top class pub.

The Rising Sun has open plan seating up the right-hand side that was all taken during a recent midweek evening visit that coincided with a meet the brewer evening with the local Nethergate Brewery. The bar area to the left was equally busy, but I was served in a timely manner, although I did manage to trip up the oddly placed step found midway along the counter where it splits in two. Opposite the forward-facing counter is a large chimney breast and fireplace that houses a log burner that was roaring away. Down the left side is a snug and on the right side is some seating. Each side of the counter supports four hand pumps with Nethergate’s Stour Valley, Eon’s Milk Stout, Suffolk County and Firework being available alongside Adnam’s Ghost Ship, Shakespear Brewing’s Tempest, Oakham’s Citra and Nene Valley’s Egyptian Cream. There’s also a craft keg selection on the side bar wall and I spotted at least one Nethergate keg option on the counter. I enjoyed my visit, although I’m not sure if this was the pub or the mingling with the movers and shakers of the East Anglia pub scene… nah, it was definitely the pub!

CAMRA website page - camra.org.uk

CAMRA website page - camra.org.uk