Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 26 and Version 25 of Bear, SE5 0RP

Version 26 Version 25
== Line 4 == == Line 4 ==
On [[AndrewB]]'s August 2007 visit, he learned that they plan to rotate both the food menu and the beer range, and to support independent brewers and offer unusual and hard-to-find ales, a policy which has certainly been maintained over the years, and is borne out by the beer festival they were holding during August and September 2008.
On [[AndrewB]]'s August 2007 visit, he learned that they plan to rotate both the food menu and the beer range, and to support independent brewers and offer unusual and hard-to-find ales, a policy which is borne out by the beer festival they were holding during August and September 2008.
== Line 8 == == Line 8 ==
[[Kake]] visited on a Friday evening in August 2008. The place was almost empty when I arrived at 6pm, and it remained so when I left half an hour later. Service was very friendly, and the young chap behind the bar was eager to make sure I knew about their beer festival offer - £5 for a half each of the three festival beers, which at the time were Skinners Cornish Knockers, Cotleigh Golden Seahawk, and Rudgate Ruby Mild (the beer festival continues until 20 September 2008). I only had time for a swift half, so I restricted myself to the Ruby Mild (£1.65/half), which was just fine. [[Ewan]] has observed the staff gladly offering tasting glasses of all the ales to those interested.
[[Kake]] visited on a Friday evening in August 2008. The place was almost empty when I arrived at 6pm, and it remained so when I left half an hour later. Service was very friendly, and the young chap behind the bar was eager to make sure I knew about their beer festival offer - £5 for a half each of the three festival beers, which at the time were Skinners Cornish Knockers, Cotleigh Golden Seahawk, and Rudgate Ruby Mild (the beer festival continues until 20 September 2008). I only had time for a swift half, so I restricted myself to the Ruby Mild (£1.65/half), which was just fine.
== Line 10 == == Line 10 ==
It wasn't too empty on [[Ewan]]'s visit around 9pm on a Thursday in September 2008, as there were only two or three free tables, but it was far from unpleasantly crowded. When [[Kake]] and others visited again on a Saturday afternoon/evening in September 2008, only a few of the tables were taken, and the ambience was fairly peaceful until a fairly chatty group arrived a bit later in the evening; this showed up the problem with the rather echoey decor, with the hard surfaces amplifying their (perfectly reasonably pitched) conversation to the point where the bar staff first turned the music right down and then came around to apologise for the noise.
It wasn't too empty on [[Ewan]]'s visit around 9pm on a Thursday in September 2008, as there were only two or three free tables, but it was far from unpleasantly crowded.
== Line 12 ==
[[Kake]] and others visited again on a Saturday afternoon/evening in September 2008. Only a few of the tables were taken, and the ambience was fairly peaceful until a fairly chatty group arrived a bit later in the evening; this showed up the problem with the rather echoey decor, with the hard surfaces amplifying their (perfectly reasonably pitched) conversation to the point where the bar staff first turned the music right down and then came around to apologise for the noise.

== Line 14 == == Line 16 ==
As of January 2009, food is served 6pm-10pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am-3pm and 6pm-10pm Saturday, and noon-4pm Sunday. (They're closed on Mondays.) [[Ewan]] tried in September 2008 the Jerusalem artichoke, potato, spinach and cheese 'pie', served in a substantial sized Le Creuset dish, with a layer of shortcrust pastry on top <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00/2875124213/ photo]</small>. It was served extremely hot, straight from the oven, and was also extremely tasty, and though a fairly pricy &pound;10, was worth it. Sides are sold separately for &pound;3 each (French beans, mixed salad, new potato, carrots and the like). Although only I was eating a main, they brought an extra plate and some spoons in case I wanted to share it with my companion. On a visit in April 2009, a Jerusalem artichoke gratin (&pound;10) was also tasty, though some of the potatoes were rather undercooked. For dessert, the chocolate fondant and ice cream dessert (&pound;4.50) was also quite tasty. Service is always very pleasant.
As of January 2009, food is served 6pm-10pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am-3pm and 6pm-10pm Saturday, and noon-4pm Sunday. (They're closed on Mondays.)
== Line 16 == == Line 18 ==
Quiz night is Tuesday; the quiz is scheduled to start at 8pm (sometimes delayed by around half an hour), entry is &pound;2 and the winner takes the cash collected. The question master keeps good control of the quiz and it finishes around 10pm usually.
In September 2008, [[Ewan]] had a Jerusalem artichoke, potato, spinach and cheese 'pie', served in a substantial sized Le Creuset dish, with a layer of shortcrust pastry on top <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00/2875124213/ photo]</small>. It was served extremely hot, straight from the oven, and was also extremely tasty, and though a fairly pricy &pound;10, was worth it. Sides are sold separately for &pound;3 each (French beans, mixed salad, new potato, carrots and the like). Although only I was eating a main, they brought an extra plate and some spoons in case I wanted to share it with Jo. The chocolate fondant and ice cream dessert (&pound;4.50) was also quite tasty. Service was very friendly.
== Line 20 ==
As of September 2008, quiz night is Tuesday; the quiz starts at 8pm, entry is &pound;2 and the winner takes the cash collected.

== Line 30 == == Line 34 ==
<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[Ewan]], [[Laura]] and friends, 7 April 2009. Food times and opening hours taken from the Bear website, January 2009. Quiz night and food details taken from sign in pub, September 2008.</div>
<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[secretlondon]], October 2008. Food times and opening hours taken from the Bear website, January 2009. Quiz night and food details taken from sign in pub, September 2008.</div>
== Line 37 == == Line 41 ==
host='86.170.75.228'
host='80.229.70.113'

Gastropub in Camberwell, on Camberwell New Road.

It's quite large inside, with two separate rooms. Decor is dark wood, polished floorboards, wooden chairs and tables, long banquette along one wall and four rather distinctive modern chrome handpumps. Windows are unfrosted and of reasonable size, so it's quite light towards the front. There's a small beer garden out the back.

On AndrewB's August 2007 visit, he learned that they plan to rotate both the food menu and the beer range, and to support independent brewers and offer unusual and hard-to-find ales, a policy which is borne out by the beer festival they were holding during August and September 2008.

The ales do change regularly, but are all well-kept. Draught lagers on offer during Ewan's September 2008 visit were Budvar, Leffe, Red Stripe, Peroni and a couple of others, and there was also Stowford Press cider. There's quite a lengthy wine list, and from the evidence of the house red, good quality as well.

Kake visited on a Friday evening in August 2008. The place was almost empty when I arrived at 6pm, and it remained so when I left half an hour later. Service was very friendly, and the young chap behind the bar was eager to make sure I knew about their beer festival offer - £5 for a half each of the three festival beers, which at the time were Skinners Cornish Knockers, Cotleigh Golden Seahawk, and Rudgate Ruby Mild (the beer festival continues until 20 September 2008). I only had time for a swift half, so I restricted myself to the Ruby Mild (£1.65/half), which was just fine.

It wasn't too empty on Ewan's visit around 9pm on a Thursday in September 2008, as there were only two or three free tables, but it was far from unpleasantly crowded.

Kake and others visited again on a Saturday afternoon/evening in September 2008. Only a few of the tables were taken, and the ambience was fairly peaceful until a fairly chatty group arrived a bit later in the evening; this showed up the problem with the rather echoey decor, with the hard surfaces amplifying their (perfectly reasonably pitched) conversation to the point where the bar staff first turned the music right down and then came around to apologise for the noise.

When secretlondon visited on a Tuesday night in October 2008, all the tables were taken, so I couldn't get any food. Instead, I had a bottle of T.E.A. (£4.80) photo and a pint of Great Crested Newt (£3.30) photo.

As of January 2009, food is served 6pm-10pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am-3pm and 6pm-10pm Saturday, and noon-4pm Sunday. (They're closed on Mondays.)

In September 2008, Ewan had a Jerusalem artichoke, potato, spinach and cheese 'pie', served in a substantial sized Le Creuset dish, with a layer of shortcrust pastry on top photo. It was served extremely hot, straight from the oven, and was also extremely tasty, and though a fairly pricy £10, was worth it. Sides are sold separately for £3 each (French beans, mixed salad, new potato, carrots and the like). Although only I was eating a main, they brought an extra plate and some spoons in case I wanted to share it with Jo. The chocolate fondant and ice cream dessert (£4.50) was also quite tasty. Service was very friendly.

As of September 2008, quiz night is Tuesday; the quiz starts at 8pm, entry is £2 and the winner takes the cash collected.

Accessibility: A step up at the entrance, but level access to the bar, seating areas, and toilets once you're in, also to at least part of the beer garden.

See also:

Last visited by secretlondon, October 2008. Food times and opening hours taken from the Bear website, January 2009. Quiz night and food details taken from sign in pub, September 2008.

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