Armoury, Shrewsbury

Accredited for beer quality 2022.

Smart riverside bar/restaurant, though the river view in Summer is somewhat obscured by the vigorous growth of willow trees. Owned by the same company responsible for the Old Harkers Arms (Chester) and the Combermere Arms (Burleydam) among others, it has a reputation for being expensive, but unlike many places the reason (ie the quality) is obvious, which softens the blow. Always has several Shropshire ales on offer, though the house beer, Brunning & Price Original, is from the Brightside brewery. Although quiet in the 'no music' sense, it can get fairly loud at peak times when the general hubbub of people's voices tends to bounce off the bare brick walls.

Despite the large bar and prominent presentation of real ale, it is not unusual to find most tables set for eating and wine. Opens with an Elevenses Menu at 10a.m. Eight handpumps, usually all in use though one is normally a Cider. A former Good Beer Guide regular (2001-02, 2004-07). One feature from the early days that now only remnants of survive is the transparent Lamson Tube that was used to convey food orders from the bar to the kitchen! Starting point for the iFootpath 4.5 mile Armoury Trail