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Beer of the Week (w/e 2nd June 2024) with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Sunday, 17th June 2018
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Detail Pages
The Holy Inadequate, Stoke-On-Trent
Etruria
Postal town: Stoke-On-Trent
ST1 5PE
Served areas
Reviews of The Holy Inadequate (Average Rating: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Holy Inadequate
ORIGINAL REVIEW Feb 2010 (As The New Rendezvous )
Traditional local,with a corner entrance and a dart board to the left of the bar and a small lounge area to the right.Interior is slightly dominated by Sky Sports but the regulars do like their sport . Bombadier and Adnams Broadside on handpumps and OK but the pub is quiet and I dont think they shift real ale in any quantity. The attractive etched glass windows still carry the prevoius name,The Shelton Bar ,named after the Shelton Bar steelworks which stood closeby until closure in the 80's and now completely obliterated from the face of the Potteries.A revival of the old name would be a fitting testament to the old works and those that grafted there.Pub is close to the Trent and Mersey canal but does fall into the category of "use it or loose it",which would be a great shame.
August 2013
What an amazing change brought on by the new owners.Essentially the interior is unchanged ,except that the dominant flatscreen has disappeared but there are now ten handpumps in this shrine to real ale.On my Tuesday evening visit there was a choice from Salopian Boomerang 6.9%,Marble Pint,Burton Bridge Top Dog Stout,Cheshire Brewhouse Engine Vein,Welbeck Abbey Anouk and Ossett Pale Gold.Only the strong Salopian was over £3,we went throught all the rest across a range of styles and they were in superb nick as befits a 2013 GBG listed pub.£2.70 for Marble Pint was unbelievable value and the fact that Marble supply here is testament in itself.
There were three real ciders and even the keg selection was classy ie La Chouffe and Freedom Four with no sign of mega brands Guiness,Stella,Carling thankfully.
The interior has been tidied but still retains the original fireplaces.There is an impressive collection of pump clips snaking around the picture rail.A back lounge is now accessable,and the beer garden is partially covered and decorated with logs .I liked the large picture above the fireplace of The Evening Star at Etruria Station with the glowing steel works in the back ground,both now gone forever.The recorded music was an eclectic mix of rock and added to the positive atmosphere,not being played too loud.The bar service was knowledgeable and friendly.The pub hasn't lost it's street corner local vibe,but with ale of such quality this is now a must visit in SoT,an amazing example of what a dedicated owner can do with a once failing pub.Get there ,you won't regret the decision.
UPDATE
Besides some good guest ales this pub is now home to the Inadequate Brewery and up to 5 of their ales maybe showcased here.On my visit that meant their Citra,Roundhouse Stout,Etruscan Dark Mild and Savannah .I tried their stong IPA Tickety Boo 5.5% which hit the spot and at £4 pp seemed very good value. I will try more of their range on my next visit.Still an excellent pub and no need to change the 10 rating.
On 30th May 2024
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2758 recommendations about 2758 pubs]
Steve C left this review about The Holy Inadequate
The Holy Inadequate is a small L-shaped pub that I was surprised to find had twelve hand pumps that were drawing their own Inadequate Brewery’s Tickety Boo, Etruscan Mild, Roundhoue Stout and Citra alongside Red Willow’s Wreckless, Marble Brewing’s Lagonda, Mallinson’s US Premium, Weal Ales Cana Jest, Joule’s Pale and three ciders. I went for the Joule’s which was on good form being served by the friendly governor. Craft keg and cans are also available alongside a long list of Belgian brews, this being a proper drinkers pub. There was some low background music playing, but the atmosphere came from the handful of locals. This place was a nice surprise and I’ll certainly return next time I’m staying in Hanley.
On 7th September 2023
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5306 recommendations about 5274 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Holy Inadequate
This pub stands in splendid isolation a short distance South of the A53 dual carriageway between Hanley and Newcastle Under Lyme. Coming from Hanley it's on the left just before the railway lines North of Stoke Station and the Queensway Roundabout which identifies the bus stops nearby. These stops are served by various 4 services between Hanley and Newcastle.
It's been well described below but is basically a wide L shaped bar with a fireplace at the far end and a small snug tucked away at the rear right. I knew it was going to be good as I immediately noticed both that there were no TVs and that Pink Floyd's Welcome To The Machine was playing in the background.
The ten hand pumps had the regular 3 ciders and Joules Pale plus Inadequate Cascade Mosaic, Acorn Malthouse, North Brewing El Dorado Pale, Phoenix Porter, Salopian Lemon Dream and one I failed to note. I had a couple of the pub brew and a Phoenix Porter all at £3.30 and all first class.
This would appear to be Stoke's hidden gem and if their other Inadequate beers are as good as the Cascade Mosaic it's not just a great pub but a class brewery as well. It's highly recommended and gets a strong 9.
On 30th January 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
View more reviews of The Holy Inadequate (11)
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Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Beer Festivals : Yes last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 27 January 2019 by Aqualung .
- Car Park : Yes last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Child Friendly : No last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Darts : No last updated 27 January 2019 by Aqualung .
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Function Room : Yes - From review - last updated 24 January 2012 by Dave McNally
- Hot Food : No last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Jukebox : Yes last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Karaoke : No last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Live Music : No last updated 27 January 2019 by Aqualung .
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 27 January 2019 by Aqualung .
- Micropub : No last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Pinball : No last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Pool Table : No last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 10 August 2013 by Bucking Fastard
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 10 August 2013 by Bucking Fastard
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 27 January 2019 by Aqualung .
- WiFi : Yes last updated 28 December 2016 by Pub SignMan
