September 2, 2007
On the way from the train station to York’s actual centre, this pub, one of the most authentic in the city serves a nice range of 7 casks and 2 good ciders including stuff from the excellent York brewery. They had a stout and a mild on there as well. A definite must stop if you come by train, but overall, one of many good pubs in the city and if not my favourite, easily top 5.

July 10, 2007
Click on the web link above. The location and the ambiance are not to be believed. Lots of stuff to look at inside. Always lots of interesting real ales. Pretty darn good food as well. Usually lots of pamplets and sheets laying out what is going on in the area ale wise. Good spot to lay out your assault on the York pubs.

January 28, 2007
Great pub and perhaps the only one you really have to get to if you’re not in York for the beer on its own. Very small, darkly lit, wooden doors on the roof, random signs hanging from every crevice. Food served 12-2 M-F and 12-4 on the weekends. Basic pub food although the cheesy and chili chips are amazing. Noisy on weekend nights, but one of the guys behind the bar actually told a group of 10 or so to stop singing happy birthday to a 60 year old man - so they mean business, and it certainly won’t get out of hand here. Weekday afternoons are the sweet spot: enough people to fill up some tables but not congested. 7 or so rotating casks with maybe another 10 taps serving a couple of lagers, Leffe blonde, etc. 4 or so traditional ciders usually on as well. Bottle selection is paltry, Rodenbach Grand Cru and JW Lees vintage (2004) barley wine are standouts. Casks are the highlight: only mainstay is Black Sheep Bitter, although York’s Guzzler has been on for a while. They always carry something from Roosters, usually an Outlaw, but it changes rapidly. Spend two days away and you’ll come back to nearly a completely different guest ale offering, usually 3 session bitters/milds and 1 or 2 stouts. A serious drinkers pub but without pretension. Minimal drunken idiots. Staff could be a little more knowledgeable but maybe I wasn’t asking the right questions.

September 19, 2006 [ Updated November 10, 2006 ]
Great pub: live music on Monday and Tuesday. There was Irish music playing while I was there. Low lighting, a bit stuffy and crowded, but they always at least have 7 casks running, and many more for big events. I love this place. The best pub in York, with some rare Yorkshire beers coming in Like Roosters Outlaw series. Definately my favorite pub in England so far. At the pub the also have a good bottle selection, well I only say good because they have vintage J.W. Lees barley wine.

February 27, 2006
Very convenient location if arriving in York by train. Old fashioned and functional pub with wooden floors. Beer range is good and the quality too.

August 2, 2005
One of the best pubs in the North of England. Bare floors, ceiling made of old doors, very busy at times. 8 or so beautifully kept real ales at any one time, changing constantly, they go though a hell of a volume for a wee pub. Draught belgian and German beers and a good selection of bottles. Cask cider. Food is basic home made pub grub. Can get smokey.

March 17, 2005
Good place to sample a few draft beers in one shot. Good selection of York Brewery beers. Fairly small inside.

November 7, 2004
Great selection of guest ales and foreign beers. Freindly staff and crowd.