Butler's Bell - Gaolgate, Stafford.

[tek-monkey]

maybe they're just prejudiced against cider drinkers?

I'm starting to think so! They've scrapped all the bottled ones now (apart from the fruit-based-drink-for-the-ladies style flavoured ones), but usually still have 2 boxed ones on plus the draught. I noticed on my way out around 20 minutes later that the box was still in the fridge, despite there not being enough for a full pint and me having a half, so anyone else could make the same 'mistake'. Also no signs on the pumps, so they only had one actual cider on (meaning something that hasn't had fruit cordial added to hide its hideous taste) and it was unfortunately one I really don't like.

I know I'm fussy about my drinks, but why pay for something you don't like?

 

[My Name is URL]

As with DB, i've only had good experiences in there so definitely can't complain, shame that's not the case for you Tek

 

[tek-monkey]

I'm guessing they don't like me! Shame really, as we are rapidly running out of pubs other than the greyhound I actually want to drink in. Just not liking Strongbow and Bulmers rules me out of half of the places in town! The Yard has a few bottles in worth drinking, but places like the Sun and now spoons have gone back to selling alcopop ciders rather than real ones. Don't get me wrong, I'll put up with strongbow if its a special occasion or something but I'll never purposely visit a pub that only sells it myself.

I do most of my drinking at home nowadays, and a I do drink a bit too much. Thats a fair amount of money local pubs aren't getting, so when they go bust I have trouble feeling for them. Oddly the Pie and Ale did sell ciders I liked, and they went bust twice. Perhaps I'm the only cider drinker in the town!

 

[Gramaisc]

Perhaps I'm the only cider drinker in the town!

I happen to know that Mr B'Stard is from Somerset..

..so, possibly not..

 

[Glam]

You can understand what The Wurzels say..................................................

 

[monkey bidness]

db said
"maybe they're just prejudiced against cider drinkers? "

Isn't everybody ?

 

[andy w]

I'm guessing they don't like me! Shame really, as we are rapidly running out of pubs other than the greyhound I actually want to drink in. Just not liking Strongbow and Bulmers rules me out of half of the places in town! The Yard has a few bottles in worth drinking, but places like the Sun and now spoons have gone back to selling alcopop ciders rather than real ones. Don't get me wrong, I'll put up with strongbow if its a special occasion or something but I'll never purposely visit a pub that only sells it myself.

I do most of my drinking at home nowadays, and a I do drink a bit too much. Thats a fair amount of money local pubs aren't getting, so when they go bust I have trouble feeling for them. Oddly the Pie and Ale did sell ciders I liked, and they went bust twice. Perhaps I'm the only cider drinker in the town!

I share your pain. The Rose and Crown do a decent cider but with the Blonde being such a good drink I tend to drink that.
Heads up on this weekends beer festival at The Sun, some pretty strong ciders on offer which are popular and you would have thought Titanic would take the hint that a decent cider can be a good seller.

 

[tek-monkey]

What bugs me is that I don't even want draught, bottles are fine and they last for years. Seeing four rows of a single flavour of an alcopop available yet no real cider is depressing.

Don't get me wrong, we don't spend a fortune in pubs, but I'd easily say what I spend each month is nearing £100. 2 rounds at about a tenner each (2 adults 2 kids) each Friday soon adds up.

 

[tek-monkey]

Another visit, again not too impressed! Had a breakfast, asked for mustard and they said they don't have any. Fair enough, these things happen. I then asked about the pear cider, just wanted to know if it was dry or sweet. Nobody knew and I wasn't allowed a trial of it. I don't like sweet pear cider so wasn't worth risking ordering one.

Really don't understand why you can sample the ales but not the cider? It comes in a 20l box, which is not divisible fully by pints, so they must always have spare at the end they can't sell? Am I being too fussy? It just seems the butlers bell go out of their way to knock back customers, the picture house let you sample the ciders and it's the same company?

 

[monkey bidness]

Another visit, again not too impressed! Had a breakfast, asked for mustard and they said they don't have any. Fair enough, these things happen. I then asked about the pear cider, just wanted to know if it was dry or sweet. Nobody knew and I wasn't allowed a trial of it. I don't like sweet pear cider so wasn't worth risking ordering one.

Really don't understand why you can sample the ales but not the cider? It comes in a 20l box, which is not divisible fully by pints, so they must always have spare at the end they can't sell? Am I being too fussy? It just seems the butlers bell go out of their way to knock back customers, the picture house let you sample the ciders and it's the same company?

Maybe they have had bad experiences with the 'average' cider drinker, i.e. young, almost underage, underdeveloped palate, and a tendency to go over the top after a couple of pints?

Just as matter of interest, what breakfast item were you going to destroy with Mustard?

 

[tek-monkey]

Destroy? Mustard is the condiment of the gods! It was the sausage that was part of my breakfast, I didn't find it particularly tasty as it was and had already eaten my beans.

As for the average cider drinkers, I'm afraid gone are the days I was mistaken for young Saying that though their bottled range is certainly aimed at the kids, who else wants a toffee apple flavoured cider? Maybe that's the issue, they think I'm past it and should be drinking in the picture house with the other old farts/alcoholics!

 

[tek-monkey]

Should add I went to the greyhound this afternoon and had 2 rather nice bottles of old rascal, much more preferable. Decided next time we want a breakfast it will be the place at the back of the guildhall, as they have black pudding!

 

[My Name is URL]

I agree with you Tek, not allowing you to try a little bit of the cider if they can't tell you what sort it is, does seem like a poor show.

 

[db]

I agree with you Tek, not allowing you to try a little bit of the cider if they can't tell you what sort it is, does seem like a poor show.

innit, i can't possibly understand the rationale behind this.. i've often "tried before i buyed [sic]" in the butler's bell end (on the ale), so god alone knows why they won't do the same with cider

 

[tek-monkey]

I went to the other spoons on Wednesday after work, and they also had a pear cider on I didn't recognise. I asked what type it was, and he didn't know so he got me a sample (without asking I might add). I mentioned that the Butlers Bellend wouldn't do this, and he said they weren't supposed to but how else could I know what they were selling if the barstaff themselves didn't know?

As it was I didn't really rate it so stuck to bottles, but it was nice to know! Oh yeah, any other cider drinkers I should mention that the Picture House does a few Westons ciders in bottles. The BB only do fruit based drinks for the ladies.

 

[Gramaisc]

There is a comment on Facebook saying that The Butler's Bell has a sign up saying Closed Until Further Notice.

Has anybody noticed this, or any other relevant activity?

 

[proactive]

 

[Gareth]

Hmmm are pastiche, my belles and butlers bell passing around the same typed up sign.

Hoping it is just a temporary issue

 

[industryarch]

May be Slaters could take over

 

[proactive]

May be Slaters could take over

It would certainly be a big improvement.