The Butchers Arms, Pudsey A Pint Of Ale Pub Review
A local Sam Smiths pub, the Butchers Arms is always full of people enjoying a decent pint of well-kept Sam Smiths.
The Butchers Arms is in Pudsey town centre, just set back from the road opposite the monstrous 1960’s concrete Post Office. There’s not much to look at if you’re sitting at one of the tables out on the pub’s terrace, but the pub itself is an attractive, simple building.
There is not much of a beer choice; this is a Sam Smiths pub so the choice is Old Brewery Bitter at about £1.20 a pint! Opinion varies on Old Brewery, it can sometimes leave a lot to be desired, but my pint here in the Butchers Arms was exquisite - it was the best pint of Old Brewery I’ve ever tasted!
The pub’s interior is roughly ‘U’ shaped around the central counter. There are many tables squeezed into the space and this gives a cramped, cosy feel. It was very busy on our visit. There’s a dart board in one room and this was in use. We were warned not to sit too close while one guy was playing because he was “crap”. He seemed to wipe the floor with the other two! Glass cabinets display various sporting trophies and framed pictures adorn the walls.
There was a real mix of people in the pub. It was mainly local Pudsey people relaxing after a hard week’s work. There were groups, couples and the odd individual here and there. One chap was asleep but perfectly balanced on his stool. There was a loud, buzzing atmosphere. The busy staff were fair, efficient and friendly.
The pub was very smoky, but I guess that will change as the smoking ban comes into force on 1 July.
A comment by Stockton
June 10th, 2007, 10.32am
im a big fan of the Old Brewery bitter - thought i could only get it in The Angel in Leeds for one, and its not let me down yet. thanks for the post! Its not too far from me either!Also good is the Old Sovereign bitter, too, if you ever get a chance to try it!
A comment by Steve
June 10th, 2007, 12.47pm
The Butchers is a decent pub, but can have a number of ’shady’ customers. I worked there 13/14 years ago and still go in occasionally.
The Old Brewery Bitter has always been quality, if a bit of an acquired taste.
A comment by Stonch
June 12th, 2007, 2.15pm
Do the northern Sam Smith’s pubs offer the full range of their bottled beers, like the better ones in London? They’re a far better better than boring old OBB.
A comment by Steve
June 14th, 2007, 10.07am
Most of them don’t have them all. They tend to have a selection of the best sellers such as the Nut Brown Ale.
A comment by Eric
July 17th, 2007, 4.13pm
Did the landlord show you his cellar this time?