The Rose & Crown, Bury St. Edmunds

A traditional looking street corner pub just along the road from the Greene King brewery, this is very much a no frills boozer and there was a crowd of old boys propping up the bar on our recent Wednesday evening visit. Décor wise it’s fairly unremarkable with sanded wooden boards on a slightly drab appearance with dark brown curtains at the windows, brown vinyl bench seating and dark wood panelling on the lower part of the walls with cream paintwork above. A few branded mirrors were on the walls including Bells Whiskey and Colman’s Mustard and a collection of china pigs were on a shelf opposite the bar. Food is served at lunchtimes only. Beers on tap were Greene King IPA, Betty Stogs and Oakham Inferno, whilst the solitary cider was Thatcher’s Gold which makes a very pleasant change from the usual dross around these parts (the landlord told me they used to stock Aspall’s Suffolk, but he got fed up with the supplier increasing the price virtually every time he ordered it).

A great unspoiled traditional pub, this, at least in my book. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay. Entering from Whiting Street, I found a passage leading to a small counter sporting 3 pumps, nominally reserved for off-sales (just like in the old days). There's a back room, which I didn't explore, and a door through to the front room, where a proper bar is found. Furnishings are as simple as they come: tables & chairs, some notices and a darts board. The standard Greene King draft selection is available, along with 3 Greene King ales and 3 guests, including Landlord and one from Otter (I'm guessing the Timothy Taylor would be a regular). Those Greene Kings included a splendid mild, at just £3 a pint; apparently the only pub in town with the sense to stock this terrific ale. The Greene King IPA was in top condition, too; landlord and other customer claimed it to be the best in town and I saw no reason to doubt them (it really is a very good beer when looked after, you know). Apparently, the head brewer is a regular visitor, which must keep standards high. Were I planning a return visit to Bury St. Edmunds, I'd be coming back here, that's for sure, although I'd avoid the Saturday afternoon period, as it's closed then.