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Brunswick Inn, Derby

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user reviews of the Brunswick Inn, Derby

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Continues to be a good ale pub and handy for the station - it's one downside seems to be the lack of staff serving at busy times.
Snarling_Mallard - 2 Mar 2019 22:16
Superb. Great for beer and atmosphere but the real star is the building itself - a striking corner building amid a wonderful conservation area of Victorian terraces. Beers are brewed on site with the Porter a highlight while offerings from the Bude brewery, Timothy Taylor and others were also on tap. A pork pie was gargantuan.
BoehmBawerk - 25 Aug 2018 22:17
Orwell had the Moon Under the Water and I think this would be mine.

Had the whole of the family parlour to myself. Other rooms available.

Brewery at the end - so plenty of their own ales, plus everards. I played safer with a good Timothy Taylor Landlord.

Suberb. Must visit if in the area.

Vist blogged at http://bit.ly/2w1lOlC
Mappiman - 20 Aug 2018 17:38
Had time to kill waiting for trains on two lunchtimes this week so the place was pretty quiet. Extensive range of beers and ciders, deserved local CAMRA branch pub of the year two years running. Tried their own Brunswick The Usual and Everards Tiger - both good.
ellisref - 10 Jun 2017 10:51
Great range of beers & service in a packed pub was very quick and friendly. Liked the different rooms and also an upstairs lounge that clearly doubles as a function room. Cheap as well. Great start to the evening, shame about the subsequent match result!
Wilson_MacDonald - 5 Apr 2017 11:59
I'd not been in here for a few years and it seems that nothing has changed. The beer's still good, there's still a wide selection and there'ss till plenty of little cornes to settle into and watch the world go by. Looking at past reviews it seems that the Brunswick had gone downhill a bit but judging by this visit those days are thankfully over.
djw - 25 Dec 2015 21:45
The Brunswick is a very convenient pub for the station and has an excellent range of ales and ciders. There were 16 ales and 13 ciders - Leatherbritches Not Festivale, Everards Original, Beacon & Tiger, Brunswick White Feather, Triple Hop, Rocket, The Usual, Railway Porter & Black Sabbath, Batemans XXXB & Gold, Black Country Pig on the Wall, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Great Heck Patrick and one other I don't recall. The ciders and perries were Thistly Cross Jaggy Thistle, Westons Country Perry, Old Rosie & Rosie's Pig, Gwynt y Ddraig Haymaker, Scrumpy Wasp Amnesia, Abrahalls Medium Still Cider, Cock Eyed Mad Jack & Copper Beech, Aspalls Cyderkyn, Barbourne Painted Lady & Hopped Cider & Millwhites Rum Cask. The ciders and perries are printed on a list. So I assume they rarely change. The pub itself has a number of different rooms. My only slight grumble would be with the bar staff. They weren't the most responsive and didn't seem to be enjoying their jobs. Other than that, there was little to choose between this and the Alexandra just around the corner. They were both excellent pubs.
blue_scrumpy - 14 Jun 2015 09:59
Just to say they've started doing their own Brunswick Discount Card, with similar reductions to those who have CAMRA cards.

Otherwise, no change - still one of my 10 favourite pubs in the country !
Martinsh - 17 May 2015 17:16
This is a proper real ale pub. A huge selection of beers, 16 handpulls in total, including Brunswick ales, Everards Beacon Bitter, Everards Tiger Best Bitter and Timothy Taylor Landlord. A nice pub inside and isn't too far from the train station. The staff seem to be quite knowledgeable about the beers. The prices are quite reasonable too. Great pub.
Palealer69 - 15 Mar 2015 17:36
I cannot agree with the previous remark, The Brunswick is a friendly place and serves great ales and food. A must if you come to Derby by train
allyboyy - 12 Aug 2014 20:36
I can only agree with the earlier comment about bar staff ‘attitude’.

We called in for a swift half about 10pm on Saturday night to find this multi-room pub almost empty. The four staff behind the bar were chatting to a few blokes propping it up. After a few moments, my partner ordered a drink from a young blond girl (Aussie/NZ accent?). She then returned to chatting with the customers she had been talking to, about exchanging email addresses and such lovely stuff.

After about 30 seconds of this entertainment, and with a train to catch at the nearby station, my partner asked ‘Are we going to get served’? The chit-chat stopped instantly, and the young girl turned to a male colleague and said we ‘were rude’. I pointed out that ignoring a customer is rude. Her male colleague then intervened and politely served us, as she had failed to do.

Whilst I can understand a member of staff ‘chewing the cud’ with someone she likes at the bar, this should never be whilst customers wait. Owners of The Brunswick please note: There are far too many wonderful pubs in Derby to ruin yours with an ill-mannered young fool.

Roy22 - 11 Aug 2014 18:34
Masses of choice when we went in last week, the one we tried was very nice (perhaps a bit thin? - but then it was one of the weaker ones). Nice character to the place, would definitely return.
dyyony - 3 Aug 2014 22:05
Big big disappointment here in that nearly all the beer had gone. They only had one of theirs on. In defence of the staff the place was heaving and I guess there just wasn't time to tap new casks.
Steamer1 - 6 Mar 2014 16:45
A lovely little boozer that stocks some decnt ales. Little brewery in the back. Full of character and characters. Well worth a visit if you are near Derby train stationery at all
Stimac - 22 Aug 2013 10:35
Still well worth our visit last Saturday. I can't say that I have ever found a real problem here over many visits since the place reopened, although it can be a little idiosyncratic at times. Until I do, I shall continue to call each time I am in Derby, especially as it is only a few minutes' walk to the train home.
Stamfordian - 24 Apr 2013 16:02
Just popped in for a quickee here on the way to the railway station from a tour of real ale houses in the town. We've been here many times before and didn't feel any difference in the ambience/service to before. We had their brewed on the premises Railway Porter and White Feather. There are so many handpulls here I forgot the number but I guess aaround 15 of which half were their own brewed beer.
Steamer1 - 19 Nov 2012 17:02
Went in on a Sunday for a pie and pint and was told, twice, they don't do food on a Sunday in a manner that indicated it was stupid of us to expect otherwise. Went round the corner to the far superior Alexandra where we seemed to be welcome customers. To the snotty get of a barman in The Brunny, this is my "goodbye" back to you, told you I'd call back, hope my rating lowers the average a tenth.
paul_ove_walldner - 12 Nov 2012 09:57
Proper ale drinkers pub, just 100 yds from the station - great choice of about 15 real ales including a number brewed on site. Tried 3 pints all in top nick (2 of their own and Batemans XXXB). Understand this in an Everards pub now but you wouldnt know it.

Remarkably quiet (read on) for a Saturday night with spare tables in the bar right up to closing.

The only downside on this occasion was a very loud rock band playing upstairs. Even the lights were virating in the bar downstairs.

Don't let the last sentance put you off tryng this excellent pub.
twineyboy - 3 Jul 2012 23:20
I first visited during the year it reopened and have called in regularly several times a year ever since. This is a proper pub which has never disappointed and did not change for the worse when taken over by Everards - the in-house brewery still produces the same beers with the same tastes and there is always a good choice of guest ales (Everards is so low key their own beers appear also to be "guests"). I cannot imagine visiting Derby without calling in here, especially as the station is so close.
Stamfordian - 3 May 2012 16:24
Called in on a quiet Thursday and tried the Triple Hop and one other which i can't remember from the Brunswick as well as a guest from Wensleydale. Beers were in top nick. Triple hop was fine, but the guest beer was better. lovely pub with lots of drinking areas, and plenty of character.
ahscum - 17 Apr 2012 18:56
Yes indeed - another "must visit" pub when in Derby and so handy for the station. Great range of home-brewed ales plus a good selection from other breweries. Very good value cobs as well and I like the layout with several rooms to chose from. Excellent boozer!!
mcroyal - 16 Feb 2012 13:02
Always a pleasure to drink their own brews here.
TiaMariaJim - 15 Dec 2011 20:46
Good selection of beers in this legendary Derby pub, one counter has the full range of beers which are brewed out the back (Black Sabbath and the rather odd Damson Stout - which wasn't very stoutlike - tasted on our visit). The other counter has Everard's and guests. Does tend to attract a retired railway staff clientele - not that that's any bad thing of course! Nice warm fire on a cold December day in one of the multiple rooms in this pub. Does food and it seemed good value although we didn't partake.
PhilR - 15 Dec 2011 18:37
Called in on recent trip to derby, great pub, great selection of beers, very friendly barstaff - the beer was in excellent condition (leeds - gathering storm).
boroboy23 - 8 Nov 2011 12:32
Cannot agree about the great service, as when we called in early on a Saturday afternoon, the barman gave no greeting or any other conversation. Apart from that, the pub is a gem with its fine interior and an wonderful range of ales in fine form.
covman45 - 7 Aug 2011 17:21
Best in Derby
CricketnBeer - 10 Jun 2011 16:44
great pub , great beer and great service - all the beer we had in here were top notch.

mattyd6672 - 5 Jun 2011 07:50
Excellent pub offering a wide range of cask ales, including their own brewed on the premises. Multi-room layout, so a big pub with a cosy atmosphere in each of the differently styled rooms. Serves food and handy for Derby Midland Station. A 'must visit' when in the area.
wobblybob - 21 May 2011 22:06
Fantastic pub and great beers if only their were more like this about 10/10
canoerapist - 11 Mar 2011 19:57
We always visit The Brunswick when we go to Derby for the football and it never fails to please. Good home-brewed beers; great atmosphere (fans mixing very happily); substantial rolls and a selection of rooms to enjoy your beer in. Prompt service and just a great pub to be in.
mcroyal - 2 Jan 2011 18:59
Went in before the game yesterday - home and away supporters mixed without a hint of trouble. The place was packed but everyone was very well mannered.

An excellent range of ales & a couple of porters. About half the range was their own, good value and good quality. Didn't have the food, but the menu looked decent.

This pub deserves the plaudits it has been getting.
Hotfoot - 21 Nov 2010 17:45
I've been going in this pub for years, the beer is always well kept and with a good selection of real ale you cant go wrong.

In the past its only downside was the lack of a food being served well i found out on Sunday they have started doing food once more with 2 and 3 course Sunday lunch, its pub grub for sure anything else would be out of place but home made oxtail soup and a lamb Sunday dinner went down very well with a few pints of White Feather i can tell you.
ssrat - 18 Oct 2010 23:52
personaly i love this pub, staff can be a bit frosty at times and i agree they could be more welcoming, but the beer and the range of it on the whole is brilliant, my first stop when i irrive in derby from oxford visiting.
jonthehat - 10 Sep 2010 15:33
What can I say about this place that other posters haven�t said ? I�ve been coming here for years (whenever I had time changing trains in Derby) and it hasn�t changed in all that time. I just love the laid back atmosphere, the old beer bottles, dark wooden panelling, plush red upholstered chairs and settles, and old railway prints on the walls. Plus the strange shape of some of the rooms.

In fact the worst thing about this place, is that it is so good, it�s very difficult to walk past, and it stops people from visiting all the other really great pubs in Derby !

One half of the bar showcases an amazing range of their own brewed beers, which are also available to take home (in plastic bottles ?). The other half of the bar has 7 or 8 guest beers, usually including one from Everards (who own the place). Food is available, but only at lunchtimes I think, and on Sundays only cold cobs are available.

A great place to call home from home. 8/10

Martinsh - 10 Aug 2010 23:12
Service brisk but perfunctory- staff could do with offering a few more smiles! Other than that, the pub is sympathetically restored, and had an incredibly large range of beers when I went in on a Tuesday. 16 or so sounds about right. Confronted by so much choice, I opted for the Timmy Taylor Landlord, which was the best pint of the stuff I've ever had. Reasonable at �2.60 as well. Will definitely come back here. Also why the over 25 signs when the average punter age seems to be about 50?
dynamiteninja - 2 Jun 2010 12:55
I love this place, a fine example of a period pub which has been sympathetically maintained in keeping with its character.

Seventh pub of the day on our most recent scooping foray to Derby, and we found the place to be as charming as always.

The beer selection was a bit thin, but I'd put that down to it being a Bank Holiday Monday - still managed to score a new Brunswick brew in the form of Midnight Express, a mild weighing in at 3.9% and served in excellent condition.

As with the Smithfield we found ourselves restricted by time and the need to catch the last train home so our stay was a fleeting one, but rest assured we'll allow ourselves more time here when next we return.

Annual (September) Beer Festival is always worth a visit...
All_Hail_The_Ale - 4 May 2010 14:31
Good choice of beer. Bit lifeless so would only go for the beer.
PerivaleElvis - 1 May 2010 21:30
Bad pint of White Feather in here recently. Tasted like the cask hadn't been rinsed properly before being refilled. Some of the staff in here could do with learning some manners and a smile wouldn't go amiss either. Apologies if they all suffer from facial paralysis. Interior of pub has been spoilt somewhat with mulitple posters stating you must be over 25 to drink in there (or look over 25); bizarre when you think the average age of clientele must be around 50. Starting to go off this place which is sad as I've been drinking there for years.
Slake - 7 Mar 2010 22:11
Revisited this pub yesterday lunchtime after a few years gap, fantastic not changed a bit just as good as ever. 14 ales on, including 6 from their own brewery, Railway Porter at �2.20 a pint was just the job on a cold Sunny Winters day, as was the real coal fire.
This must be one of the best and most consistantly good pubs in the country, long may it continue so. If it was my local I'd live in it!
Hodge1 - 6 Mar 2010 20:18
Did I see right? 16 handpulls!? What a pity I only had time for a fine drop of White Feather which set me back the princely sum of �1.80. Already the pro points are racking up. And being so close to the station it's just plain rude not to pop in here for (at least) one. I can't comment too much on the atmosphere as my visit was on a mid afternoon, between busy periods and so more like a reading room with one or two punters buried behind newspapers. Nothing wrong with the service which was brisk and civil, and I particularly appreciated the aroma of the Brunswick, a heady mixture of open fire, the sweat of manual labour, pipe tobacco impregnated walls and the contented spirit of a wet labrador. Beats Febreze any time.
ILooklikeme - 13 Feb 2010 22:30
Not as away fan friendly as the Alexandra but not a problem.
Vast selection of ales to try - the house beers were very good in particularly Rambo (7% )
Good value butties behind the bar.
bloomfieldjpm - 8 Jan 2010 05:52
On first (and last) visit, oaf at the bar (suspected local/regular) obviously thought I was invading 'his' space by attempting to look at the pump clips to see which beer I liked the look of. Attempted to block my way and 'invite' me to ask him to move - grow up. Will not be visiting again - Cold and uninviting, both the pub and the locals. Go to The Alexandra.
burtonboy60 - 7 Jan 2010 14:03
Popped in the Alexandra Hotel on way back to station and was very impressed,then found this place........well i was almost speechless when i saw the beer selection,absolutely amazing place,spoilt 4 choice! 9/10
fat_beer_badger - 4 Jan 2010 19:09
One of the best in Derby and always one to visit on a crawl round for real ale. Lovely assorted rooms and always a friendly atmosphere. Good staff and well kept beers. Enjoyed Burton Old Cottage Chestnut Ale and Breconshire TGV (The Green Valleys) when I called in on my way back to the station in November.
gillhalfpint - 11 Dec 2009 22:47
A spot on ale lovers pub, just wish I could get to Derby more often.
barryq - 24 Oct 2009 15:47
Very acceptable boozer close to Derby station. I went for one of the Headless beers which was very enjoyable and for a decent price. Loads of seating all around the pub, friendly staff - I was annoyed I only stopped off for a quick one as I could easily spend a whole day in this place. 8/10
Sharp - 9 Oct 2009 01:01
One of the best pubs i have been in the beer selection was amazing the prices cheap and the friendliness of the staff and locals were spot on i just wish i was there a week later as there annual beer festival is in a weeks time
superseagulls - 27 Sep 2009 18:39
A great boozer. Great service and friendly regulars. Note the regular who is the spitting image of the actor Pete Postlethwaite. Very nice guy and thoroughly knowledgeable on beers.
Seafarer1966 - 16 Sep 2009 13:39
Voted one of the best 25 pubs in UK in todays Sunday Telegraph.
hogshead - 6 Sep 2009 17:41
Brilliant Pub ,visit here on way back to station from Derby Beer Festival
good food ,good selection of beers ,by the way has anyone found my sons dart
FrankieMan - 31 Jul 2009 17:27
Great real pub with great staff serving top real ale. A joy
47458sf - 21 May 2009 16:07
A very busy pub on a Derby County match day. We arrived just before midday and were fortunate to find a table. Having settled down we had a couple of relaxing beers before having to join the the scrum at the bar. The staff were brilliantly efficient and we were served quickly each time. Nice filled rolls topped off a splendid pre-match session. We only drank the Brunswick ales which provided plenty of variety. I thought the list of guest ales was uninspiring but each to their own.
GazzaTheBeerMan - 20 Apr 2009 14:52
Splendid free house at the end of a red-brick terrace close to the station.

The guide books - and a very informative pub website - tells us that this terrace was built in 1842 as part of the community village for workers of the North Midland Railway. The Brunswick Inn lays claim to being the first ever railwaymans pub.

It was saved from demolition in the 1980's, reopening in 1988 after a spell of closure.

Nowadays it's a fine traditional multi-roomed pub, with wood-pannelling and flagstoned floors and restored in keeping with the character of the original building.

It's much larger inside than it looks from outside and with its own self-contained brewery.

The pub sign outside refers to "A True Ale House and Brewery" which strikes me as a very good summing up of this not to be missed gem.

It's owned by Everards, but sells beers brewed on site and a number of guests. The Brunswick White Feather Ale was a nice light session ale and, at only � 1.70p, noticeably cheap.

Being behind schedule, and with a train to catch, I was unable to stay as long as I wished, but I shall return.

In conclusion, it's one of the best known real ale pubs in the country and should be on everyone's itinerary for a visit at some stage
JohnBonser - 9 Apr 2009 10:46
Could not fault the beer or the service. Their own brewed beer was spot on at very reasonable prices. A highly recommended comfortable and traditional pub. Managed four visits during a two day stay and only had one beer twice, the choice was so extensive and impressive.
dagenhamdave - 29 Mar 2009 19:40
Best pub in Derby by far. Nice multi roomed pub with a flagstone floor. Most of the ales are brewed on the premises (you can have a glance at the brewery through a window) and are kept in perfect condition, as you would expect. If you come to Derby on the train for a pub crawl, make sure this is the first place you visit when you arrive, and the last place you visit before you leave.
jarofporter - 27 Mar 2009 19:37
Excellent beers, handy for the station and it's nice to see a pub refurb which creates more rooms instead of knocking the place into one big room. Good starting/finishing point for a tour of Derby's numerous decent alehouses.
anonymous - 9 Mar 2009 19:51
Great multi-roomed pub, great beer, great value, great atmosphere, great service... The many positive reviews are well-deserved. I just wish I had time and capacity to sample all of the beers!
Dylanwing - 7 Mar 2009 22:09
Fantastic - this is everything a town pub should be (and a bit more, i.e. the brewery). History, character, atmosphere, and excellent beer. I have never given a '10' rating to a pub on BITE, but I reckon that this may be the closest yet. Can't say much more without sounding like a publicist for them (which I am not!).
rpadam - 28 Feb 2009 18:12
I had the pleasure of visiting this fine establishment Feb o9/09.The price and selection of real ales is amazing.The pub is probably one of the best pubs i have ever visited.Everything about the place is first class.Many thanks Brunswick
twofellas - 10 Feb 2009 14:43
I hadn't been here for about 10 years (living down south as I do) but I'm pleased to record the place was every bit as good as I remember it. An amazingly cheap (<�2) pint can be had here, the place was busy but not too crowded, the scratchings were tip-top, and the ales were great.

I'll try not to leave it so long between visits in future.
Ordinary - 7 Feb 2009 22:30
Visited this pub on the way back to the station after a crawl round Derby. Lovely pub with interesting rooms, and a varied beer menu featuring their own beers plus a variety from other micro breweries.
gillhalfpint - 17 Jan 2009 23:07
A fantastic pub. Big choice of tasty fresh beers at low prices. Larger than it looks from outside, with the space split into several rooms/partitioned areas so you can always find somewhere to sit.
Moderate_Nige - 15 Jan 2009 21:37
Not sure why I haven't got round to reviewing this yet. Suffice to say that a couple of times a year I will devote considerable time and expense to visiting Derby, especially for its great pubs. The Brunswick is always the highlight of any such visit. Usually the first pub to visit after leaving the station, the challenge is to motivate oneself to leave. Excellent.
fromedrinker - 11 Jan 2009 16:33
Still doing a great range of beers. It's always nice to see a brewpub doing guest ales as well as their own. Very pleasant pub with a friendly set of regulars and needless to say, good beer. I always call in when in Derby.
ROBCamra - 9 Dec 2008 16:56
15 beers as usual. Two tried excellent.
Leicesterbeer - 16 Nov 2008 17:06
popped in after football prior to catching train , misssed train so ended staying another 2 hours, lucky it was an early game. beer was in very good condition, tried a few of each, the house beers were top notch . I dont get up this part of the world much but when I do , will def return. Hopefully by then , the gents will have been sorted
kiwiphil - 24 Oct 2008 15:50
Visited twice a few weeks ago. The beer was good on both occasions and the welcome was fair. The only adverse thing I could say is the gents were disastrous!! If the brewery hygiene is anyway similar it might somewhat put me off drinking the ale....... So buy a new washbasin and a can of paint and you will have an excellent pub,rather than a good one.
an_ecunemical_matter - 20 Oct 2008 12:57
Splendid looking pub with a number of different rooms to drink in. Fabulous range of 16 beers of which 7 on offer were brewed in-house. I had the pub brewed Triple Hop and an Oak Ale from Burton Cottage Brewery. Good prices with the 3.7% in-houser (which I did not try) priced at �1.70. Definitely worth a vist and I will return - not least because though the two beers I had were good, they were not quite perfect - I suspect this pub can do better, and I want to find out. Certainly from some of the previous comments one would expect this to be the case.
Tigerdrinker - 12 Oct 2008 18:42
Class place.
40145 - 27 Sep 2008 18:18
I love this pub & make it my first stop when in Derby, has a great selection of beers, some brewed by the pub, wish they had a better selection of food otherwise i could have stayed all day, that said their filled rolls are excellent especially the Stilton & red onion.
lovesong - 31 Aug 2008 12:22
easily a must visit pub in derby..friendly staff good beer and well run establishment..handy for the train
graybagsinburyonceagain - 26 Aug 2008 14:19
Brewpub with 6 house beers and eight guests including Shardlow, Burton Bridge, Clarks, Elgoods and Everards (who own the pub). Various rooms and a beer garden out the back. Busy as expected on a match day but service didn't take long.

Brunswick Railway Porter and Black Sabbath were very tasty.

Fantastic.
GuideDogSaint - 24 Aug 2008 20:18
Excellent range of beers and loads of room for everyone. Always worth a visit.
daveinbrum - 17 Aug 2008 15:01
Ale 9/10. Food 7/10. Atmosphere 8/10. Overall 8/10
glendavis - 16 Aug 2008 16:23
Fantastic pub. Must be the best in England that's en route to a football ground. Great range of beers, especially Landlord, Pedigree and the local Burton Bridge to complement the house's own brews. Decent food on match days. Shame they don't do hot food for varied kickoffs as this place is an oasis to a Derby fan with a 250-mile round trip. Good place to drown your sorrows before jumping on the train too (especially last season!).
ramsrob - 15 Aug 2008 13:03
to tell you the truth i went past this "pub" so many times and never actually realised it was a pub, just looked like an old building!
firewater - 22 Jul 2008 01:04
I visited this pub recently during a holiday in Derbyshire. An absoulutely brilliant pub with a great selection of beer. Bar staff were very good. Would recommend this pub to anyone who enjoys a decent pub and good beer. Keep up the great work!
Boyne - 30 Jun 2008 16:27
Pleasant, characterful pub with plenty of good, home-brewed (in the best sense) beers. The stout was particularly good.
JonW999 - 10 Jun 2008 22:31
great victorian pub ,you could just imagine Fred Dibnah propping up the bar. huge choice of beers at very good prices the food was good too.
jammyjames - 19 May 2008 20:09
A real ale mecca, with seven of their own and seven guests on during our visit. Starting from just �1.50 a pint through to �2.10 for their own adn only as far as �2.70 for the mostexpensive guest. Excellent (genuine) home-made food at decent prices. Superb building with many rooms and an open view of the brewery. Has to be in the top two or three across the whole city and a must for anyone stepping off the train.
Gristy - 13 May 2008 00:53
Excellent place. Top beer. Always have a trip when change trains. My wife thinks the trains are awful around Derby!!!!!
safehands - 8 May 2008 17:04
Fantastic range of ales and a good clear board on the wall with all their names & strengths.

Been there three times now and thoroughly enjoyed them all. Will definitely be going back at some point. Very close to Derby train station

well kept beer & a very roomy place. Think its Victorian ? Plenty of places to sit and decent prices

the only downside (otherwise it would have got a 9) is the mens toilet. They are truly disgusting. The smell is awful. It stinks
yam69 - 20 Apr 2008 17:50
I use the pub a lot - have done since it re-opened. All the comments are spot on, with a great range of well kept beer, friendly fellow-drinkers, good value food. Only one negative - toilets are long in need of refurbishment, or even a good clean.
kmr1809 - 30 Mar 2008 21:12
Marvellous pub, I'm a bit mystified by the low rating of 7.4. Food is even good. Varied customers. Terrific place to read the paper and work your way through the ales.
dry_riser_inlet - 5 Mar 2008 14:38
Possibly the best pub in Derby, the Brunswick has a fine selection of nice ales and a steady stream of Irish rebel songs on St. Patrick's Day! Can't beat it.
dionysus - 27 Feb 2008 16:12
So many good beers on, it was hard to know what to choose. My favourites are their own Brunswick beers. Graham has a good regular range such as triple Hop & The usual, but is always willing to try new ones. He had a very strong cherry tasting beer called Cherry B, which I liked. A great pub.
Secretary - 13 Feb 2008 13:48
This place came with a recommendation from a friend and is definitely a must visit for real ale enthusiasts, or indeed anyone interested in historic pubs. It was originally built in the 1840�s as part of a railway community and was known as the Brunswick Railway & Commercial Inn. In the mid 20th C it fell into disrepair but finally re-opened in 1987 after extensive renovation of the whole area by the local historical trust. It�s a real gem with lots of rooms to explore, the main bar, a snug, a smoke room and an attractive family parlour. A flagstone corridor runs through the pub leading to the on-site brewery which brews 6 Brunswick ales. Another 4-5 ales are also available and the food menu is quite popular. It�s only a few minutes walk from the train station and certainly worth a visit.

Millay - 16 Dec 2007 21:29
Fantastic place. A nice selection of their own brews. My fellow drinkers were a colourful and friendly mix.
surgecommodore - 18 Oct 2007 11:39
Popped in last Friday whilst awaiting connection at train station. One of my all time favourite pubs. Thankfully unspoilt by Everards. Still retains the feel of a freehouse. Their own brews are always the ones I go for. �1.90 for a pint of Triple Hop, and �1.70 for a pint of White Feather. The pub is split into 4 rooms downstairs with another one upstairs. There's also a yard for outdoor drinking. Wood panelling on the walls, and an open fire in winter. There's a glass door to the brewery so you can see the brewer hard at work making pure magic.
Slake - 11 Sep 2007 18:17
Called in at the end of a day going round the real ale pubs in Derby on my way back to the station. Enjoyed a couple of well served ales from the knowledgable staff. Picked up a leaflet for the forthcoming beer festival at this great brew pub.
gillhalfpint - 30 Aug 2007 00:36
good bar staff, good clientele, excellent range of beer (well kept) including guests; quality pub.
mps77 - 13 Aug 2007 13:32
Never been disappointed with this pub, everytime I go it produces quality ale's in superb condition. Brunswick ale's are brewed on the premissis and they also have guest ale's too. It's one of those pubs that I wish I could put in my pocket and take home with me.
ICTGringo - 29 Jul 2007 16:22
Called in after visiting Derby Beer Festival. Excellent choice of ales with own beers and guests on. Friendly atmosphere. Didn't spend much time there-had a train to catch. Hope to get back sometime.
Caraman - 9 Jan 2007 17:47
Second to none for choice of ales and quality. Can't think of a negative thing to say about it.
dhderby - 5 Jan 2007 12:29
Does anyone know if Graham and Pat are still running it or were there rumours of a new landlord? Used to be my local but sadly now 100 miles away...
OldRogue - 4 Jan 2007 14:09
Called in on my way back from Sheffield and enjoyed a half from the wide range on offer. A lot of interesting rooms to wander round and a good atmosphere. Close to the station so a good one to visit when there is time between trains.
gillhalfpint - 3 Dec 2006 23:37
Visited there on Saturday, 11th November 2006, with a bunch of CAMRA members from Liverpool. What a great pub! Wide selection of ales. Food looked great - the cumberland sausage curl was very inviting. Great atmosphere. Best pub we visited all day.
doj - 12 Nov 2006 20:56
The Brunswick continues to maintain its reputation as one of Derby's premier Real Ale houses. On Sunday there were 14 Real Ales on, a mix of their own and guests and we tried most of them (!) and all were in tip top condition. Very friendly bar staff. Great interior, and open all day Sunday which is a bonus. Highly recommended.
Greenlightsal - 30 Oct 2006 12:12
Excellent pub in a beautiful rambling building. Lots of different rooms to sit in. Usually have about a dozen real ales on tap, some of which are brewed on site. Plus they host amazing beer festivals.

If you're ever waiting at Derby Railway Station there is no excuse for not popping over the road for a few in this pub - well worth missing your train for.
Crow_Valley - 27 Oct 2006 12:08
I used to live 5 mins walk away from this pub and it was absolute heaven. The beer is well kept and the range is awesome. Friendly bar staff that know their beer. Try the great range of beers brewed on site. If you ever get stuck at derby station it will make the wait a pleasure / keep missing trains and lie to your partner!
BoozeBear - 7 Oct 2006 00:03
I think this might be my ideal pub: great selection of real ales including their micro-brewery beers, lots of seating including a no smoking area and close enough to the train station to make a pre or post journey pint pretty much unresistable.
rovingricey - 4 Oct 2006 19:22
Just been to their beer festival. They've got a new cherry beer out called Tickets Please, and it's just delicious! It's just bursting out all over with cherries - It's heaven sent - a gift from the gods!
Sandalf - 29 Sep 2006 19:40
Cracking corner pub which was originally built to cater for the railway workers. It fell into disrepair until some bright spark had the idea of renovating it with a view to opening again. You can find pictures of the state that it was in on the walls. Now it is a popular alehouse come brewery. I thoroughly recommend a visit although car parking is tricky.
doctorpint - 27 Aug 2006 19:58
Victorian pub at the iron end of a row of cottages - I think grade 2 listed. Wonderful range of ales brewed on the premises plus guests from other small independent breweries - I think at least 13 in total.There are two upstairs rooms that occasionally host live music. It's possibly lost some of its dingy magic since Everards took over , but it's still highly recommended
Sandalf - 9 Jul 2006 00:51
An unusual warren of a pub near Derby station. I think there were 16 ales on handpump; five from their own microbrewery and various others from an assortment of other brewers. The Brunswick's own beers were considerably cheaper than the guests, which are relatively pricey for the area. The Brunswick Porter was excellent.
Rich66 - 25 Apr 2006 22:54
Richard Branson drove me to this pub. Well not literally but when one of his trains was late I managed to squeeze a couple of pints in here. I urge you to contrive to miss your connection if Mr Branson or the National Express Group don't facilitate it for you and visit this wonderful multi-roomed pub. Beer brewed on the premises as well as a range of, generally Midlands/Northern, ales.
NorthernSoul68 - 22 Dec 2005 20:45
Quality pub, worth missing the train for! Thursday night jazz worth a visit, food excellent too. Was in there a while ago and they apologised for having too few ales on - well I guess 7 aren't that many when they usually have 12+. Half of them are brewed by Graham on site too - try the Old Accidental.
OldRogue - 22 Nov 2005 14:19
It grieves me to agree with everything said previously about this pub (not always true on BITE). I was very happy to get a 2hour wait for a train and try some flavoursome well-kept beer - also a good lunch. In particular, staff (both bar and kitchen) are patient and friendly with middle-aged, real ale loving customers. Look forward to next train trip via Derby!!
michaelb - 22 Nov 2005 14:03
Toss-up between this and the Alexandra a few doors awayfor best pub in Derby. A pleasure to get to the station and find there's a bit of a wait for your train. If in area of station, Station, Alexandra, Nightingale,Strutts, Crown and Cushion, George also worth a look (or a hell of a pub crawl!), avoid waterfall (pretentious) and the truly horrible station bar.
pablos13 - 8 Aug 2005 09:38
After visiting most of the CAMRA entries for Derby in the 2005 Guide, the Brunswick gets my top pub vote. Excellent range of house beers and guests available too. Good service. Was worth our four-hour round trip just to visit this pub alone.
salamander501 - 23 May 2005 21:26
Trevor's gone but the beer's still good, proper cider as well, lunch food is filling and cheap, no-smoking room available, absolutley rammed on matchdays but a cracking real ale pub that faces The Alexandra Hotel so you get two of Derby's best pubs next to each other.
haddonsman - 21 Jan 2005 15:15
A must when visiting Derby
Mr.Mond - 12 Dec 2004 16:02
Another traditional beer drinkers pub near the alex. Nicer interior, but always seemed full or nearly empty. Good range of beers
Rammy_Tupper - 8 Dec 2004 19:22
Superb Boozer - Beer top notch
Steve - 30 Aug 2004 21:37
One Year on, still one of the best in Derby & it is cheap if you're used to London Prices.
Taidg - 29 Jul 2004 18:38
I went in here one Sunday afternoon and was surprised how empty it was. It has a fantastic reputation and I hope there are more people in during the week.

I can't remember how many seperate rooms there were - 3 or 4 plus the bar area. A proper traditional drinkers' pub with a big fire in the bar area. Lots of beer. Although the guest beers are a bit pricey this is just encouragement to drink the own their own. I liked either double or triple hop - the one which the manager predicted I would like and never drink any other ever again.

Definitely worth going to if you're in Derby.
palmwinedrinkard - 18 May 2004 16:55
Superb place with 6 or 7 of their own beers on along with the same number of others! Most on handpull and some in the cellar. A stone's throw from the railway station so handy to get home after a session!!!
Andrew Carter - 24 Mar 2004 21:34
Brunswick is now owned by Everards but they seem to have tried to leave it as is. Beers are still in good nick but Trevor the ex-landlord is missed.
I reckon 8/10.
Tim - 29 Jul 2003 17:53
A national treasure, and `home from home` during the forthcoming CAMRA festival in Derby commencing 9th July.
Chris - 2 Jul 2003 22:33
Timothy Taylor's Landlord was excellent when I visited. Unfortunately won't be visiting again unless Derby County get their act together and return to the Premier League. Is that likely anytime soon? Methinks not I'm sorry to say.
johnkn7 - 20 May 2003 17:23
Free House with fantastic Selection of Real Ales, some of which brewed on premises. Lovely old "proper pub" atmosphere!
Tracy Hanson - 20 May 2003 15:41

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