The Hunters Rest (freehouse)

The Hunters Rest is an old favourite for a bite to eat and a couple of beers.

On the outskirts of Bristol and only a short drive, never too busy (at least during the week), it is a traditional English pub. The pub is not very close to any houses, set amongst rolling green fields, on Clutton Hill with views across Chew Valley to the Mendips Hills.

Appropriately the interior has the country pub feel with low hanging wood beams, open log fire, plenty of old farm machinery hanging on the walls amongst the numerous sets of antlers. It was originally an old hunting lodge for the Earl of Warwick and built in 1750. That should explain the name.

The pub has a great beer garden, although the sun was out, we wimped out and stayed in doors and enjoyed the slow pace of a county pub.

There is a good array of beers on tap including 4 different ciders (Pheasant Plucker, Thatchers, Blackthorn and Broadoak – not that I was paying much attention) and some good real ales (Butcombe, Otter) as well as Guinness, John Smiths, Kronenbourg, Becks and Fosters (still popular over here).

I went for the Otter Ale with my ploughman’s lunch. A typical British real ale – smooth, malty, no fizz, not super cold (warm for some), not too strong at 4.5% and cost £3.20 a pint. The Otter brewery is a local, located in the south west in Devon(Honiton). This beer is recommended, particularly if having one or two.