Shrewsbury Arms by Black Country Ales.

[tek-monkey]

Very nice I think I've found my new local

Not enough ciders for me but a welcome addition to the trail, another pub I'm happy to visit. Just a shame half the time we get our (One) Saturday drink we have an 11 year old in tow so it won't be too regular a visit from me, with the greyhound or the floodgate getting the other weeks.

 

[Floss]

Not enough ciders for me but a welcome addition to the trail, another pub I'm happy to visit. Just a shame half the time we get our (One) Saturday drink we have an 11 year old in tow so it won't be too regular a visit from me, with the greyhound or the floodgate getting the other weeks.

haven't yet got to the floodgate and couldn't begin to tell you last time I was in the greyhound. What is lovely though is that there is a sense that the great British pub is making a come back. Having spent my twenties very much involved with the pub trade, it was a vocation I very nearly went down, they were times when I met some of the best people I could ever wish to know - we just need the dartboard next.

 

[andy w]

I've said before it is the Bean Counters that have too much influence and have ruined so many pubs. Home cooking replaced by microwaved pre prepared food portions. Placemats set at all tables giving the message that they only want diners to sit there. Separate rooms being knocked all into one sterile space.
I went in the Shrew on Friday and it took be back to the 80's with it being busy at the bar and people coming and going through the door. Saying that the Rose and Crown is still my most favourite pub up town but the Shrew is a great addition and with Black Country Ales behind it, who have a proven track record of running decent pubs, it should be a long term success.

 

[1JKz]

Disappointed.

 

[tek-monkey]

Disappointed.

Really? Any particular reason?

 

[1JKz]

Really? Any particular reason?

I really wanted to like this place tek-m, i really did, i've been championing the place the last few weeks!

It felt like i'd gone back in time but only as far as the late 90's, like there was no real effort to have made it, well, traditional yes but with a modern feel, that's a very difficult thing to get right i understand that but it wasn't floating my boat.

I've been in a few places that have had a refurb (Joules know how to do it proper') and been blown away by them, got the vibe straight out the gate and couldn't wait to go back before i'd even left, but this one just wasn't doing it for me.

Erm, just a few gripes and only my opinion (heck, that really is all some of us have), let me say disappointed rather than gripes, the chairs and the choice of material and pattern on them felt old fashioned circa1996 new pub type chairs, same goes for the flooring, carpet almost everywhere, the type of carpet you'd see in a cheap carvery type place, cosey nooks and cranies was lacking, the choice of lighting gave off the big-lights-on effect, a real chance to create a fantastic place was wasted i now feel.

I really was expecting to walk into a huge place that gave off a sweet smelling mix of R&C and MV, instead a thought i was in a TobyCarvery throughout my whole stay, all's that was missing were children running around screaming for their free icecream.

Without knowing when the refurb had taken place, and you asked me to guess when their latest refurb had taken place, i'd crunch my face a little and say maybe 10 years ago(?).

I got out of there after 30minutes and went off to have a pint in MarketVaults.

I'm not even sure i'll give it another try, oh boy.

Yes yes, i know i know - each to their own etc etc

 

[tek-monkey]

Fair enough!

I've only visited twice, but rather liked it. First time we were right out of the way at the far end on the right, there is quite a secluded part there. Agree on the lighting, a bit dimmer would have been nice TBH (like no. 7). Maybe its my age but I only started drinking in the early 90s so to me this is a bar that reminds me of the olden days quite a bit.

 

[1JKz]

Fair enough!

I've only visited twice, but rather liked it. First time we were right out of the way at the far end on the right, there is quite a secluded part there. Agree on the lighting, a bit dimmer would have been nice TBH (like no. 7). Maybe its my age but I only started drinking in the early 90s so to me this is a bar that reminds me of the olden days quite a bit.

Perhaps i should force another visit, but that shouldn't be the case if a place grabs ya (me), from the get go.

Don't get me wrong, i'm the same (agewise) as you by the sounds, i'm starting to like the oldmans pub vibe (minus the flat caps and whippets) but with a nice feel and character original or not, all the touches of a R&C, MV and No.7 (i really should stop referring to the greats), is what i'm after and thought i was going to get it at the SAs.

...mine's an ale if ya buying!

 

[Londinium]

You can't please everyone, but I for one think it's a great addition to Stafford, I went in yesterday late afternoon for a few. Friendly staff, nice clientèle and most of all excellent beer. With regards to the decor, I don't know what else you would want to see? Compared to the old Shrew this is a vast improvement and hopefully will be supported by the increasing amount of real ale drinkers it is attracting out of their arm chairs.

 

[basil]

Visited twice, the beer and the patronage are excellent.....

 

[arthur]

I like the way i can step out of my office and step into the pub. Get addition to Eastgate Street. With the Shrew and the Rose in stepping distance its going to be early doors most eve.

 

[1JKz]

I like the way i can step out of my office and step into the pub. Get addition to Eastgate Street. With the Shrew and the Rose in stepping distance its going to be early doors most eve.

During the festive season, or all year round?

 

[Gramaisc]

 

[Chick]

We had Lily the pink cider at the SCHC beer festival this year, it was lovely

 

[arthur]

During the festive season, or all year round?

well the festive season to start with then i'll just have to see how the year goes - we usually do early door twice a week at rose or vine shrew much easier to fall into and out of.

 

[tek-monkey]

Black rat perry on today, nearly gone though!

 

[gilbert grape]

2 visits and then today, getting there just after 3pm and being told that the bar would be shut at 4 but we could still be served until then, only to go and get a round in to see us through the next hour only to be told that they needed to re-stock and had no change in the till - To say our group weren't happy was an understatement. We just went elsewhere!
On Thursday there was a group of 9 of us and they rang the bell at 22.40 for last orders and everything slowed down, then everything just stopped at 23.00! This sort of thing is not going to encourage custom so the management of the place needs looking at.

 

[markpa12003]

I've been to the Shrewsbury Arms a couple of times now. Very nice refurbishment and a very good selection of real ales, however I have been disappointed by the service. The staff are perfectly pleasant, however not particularly warm or knowledgeable about the beer. I'd rather go to no.7 or floodgate where your guaranteed a very warm welcome and knowledgeable chat with the staff about the drinks on offer.

 

[1JKz]

I'm going to say the same sort of thing, i went in for a second time and the service was a little poor.

OK it was busy but that didn't stop a barman chatting to a table for what i thought an unnecessary length of time considering there was a bar full of punters, and for him to muck about with one of the barmaids banter/playgroundy stylee, all's while he was letting everyone know he was off to have a cig, all whilst people needed serving, alls the while when i needed serving.

This makes me sound grumpy, what me, no never, i just want a beer?!

I'm just saying, hashtag.

 

[kilmaccumsey]

we agree staff are not sociable unless talking to themselves ((