What a diverse area I thought, as I caught the bus from Upper Parliament street outside the ‘private triple x’ shop, and progressed my way from the city centre into Radford, destination, The Plough Inn – home of the Nottingham Brewery.
It looks like a normal carpark, because it is. Behind this though is the brewery.
The Plough is a bit of an odd one to get to from the city centre, it requires a 10 minute or so bus ride and then a short walk that you really need to look into on google maps before setting off, with that said it is easy enough to find once you have a general idea of where you’re going* you would be forgiven for being a bit touristy in trying to find it, especially as other than the group I was with I didn’t hear anyone else talking English.
*we took the number 28 bus on the pink line and got off when we saw the white horse cafe (which looks like a pub) then walked up St Peters’ Street
The Plough, untouched by time.
After a stroll through modern Britain it was nice to see the Plough is an old fashioned honest boozer, much like their rivals Castle Rock the Nottingham Brewerys Plough is very much of a traditional decor, or as some would pen them ‘spit and sawdust’ the interior is what it is and after seeing the picture of one of the lounges below, you will know if it’s for you or not.
One of the lounges.
I set out to the Plough for one reason if I’m honest, to try one of my favourite all time beers again Nottingham – Supreme, I hadn’t seen it in what seemed like forever, so where else better to go and get some? Well, as it turns out they canned brewing Supreme 2 years ago, this news knocked me back like a pint glass to the face (not that I have exprienced that, but it was unpleasant news) this was not the start I was hoping for.
Add 4p due to todays budget.
The Nottingham Brewery do some great beer, we’re both huge fans of Rock Bitter and E.P.A, so despite the Supreme dissapointment I made my way through their card. I always get my hopes up when going to a brewtap expecting the beer to be the literal best example I have ever had, however it simply wasn’t the case; now don’t get me wrong they where good pints so perhaps I got my hopes up too high, another thing to keep in mind is I have had Nottingham beer in countless pubs round Nottingham, consuming a huge number of pints, versus the 5 on this one evening!
Which really brings me to this, despite being a very nice pub it’s hard to recommend this colourful trip out when Nottingham beers are so freely available in the city centre.
Glad to see I’ am not the only one missing Supreme. I last saw it was on in the Plough last May bank holiday, (so ‘it was canned two years ago’ is a bit wide of the mark), although it had stopped being a permanent fixture a couple of months before that.
I was told at the time that its removal was down to the area manager wanting the pump to put a higher abv guest on instead. What you have to understand about the Plough is it’s not really a Brewery Tap. Well it is, but isn’t. It is owned by the Brewery, but they lease it out to a Pubco, who choose what beers to stock. As a consolation for its removal another pump was installed to take Supreme / Bullion / Dreadnaught on a rotating basis. But I think once Supreme stopped being ordered on a regular basis, it gave the brewery an excuse to stop brewing it all together, as they needed the capacity for other brews.
Sadly I haven’t see Bullion or Dreadnaught on either for a long time, it looks like they have also been dropped in favour of another guest.
Radfordlad, I was only relaying what the barlady said to me, she was quite blunt in explaining it had been dropped 🙁
Thanks for your interesting insight and facts though, I didn’t know most of that!
Further to my last post, of course next time I popped into The Plough, not only was Bullion on, but Dreadnaught as well! And they were both on cracking form!
I made another visit a few days ago and Bullion was still going strong. I also understand that there is a new brew coming out shortly, which might appeal to ‘Supreme’ fans.
If you are inclined to visit again, I would recommend towards the weekend, there tends to be more beers on. Also if you come in after work, the brewers are in residence most days, and are always up for a chat.
I may give it another roll of the dice late summer to see if I just hit it on a bad day.
I’ll keep my eyes peeled for that new brew, sounds a good one! 🙂
The new brew is called ‘Summer Daze’ it is 5.5 abv, and is described as a “premium blond ale”. As it being brewed exclusively for the Pub People it will only be available in their pubs.
It was officially launched at The Lion in Basford today, but should be available in The Plough soon.
http://www.thelionatbasford.co.uk/s_newsdetail.asp?item=117
On the Ploughs facebook page they asking people to vote for their favorite Nottingham Brewery beer. I have just added ‘Supreme’to the list.
Would appreciate some support, you never know they may brew it again one day (before I get to like Ape ale too much).
http://www.facebook.com/NottinghamBreweryTap/posts/264581343568474#!/NottinghamBreweryTap
Oooh, right ok great spot! I have voted and as soon as the Sheffield article has sat front page for the weekend I will put this front page, supreme needs to return!
You’ll be glad to know that Supreme is once again being brewed by Niven the head brewer as well as all plus more of the usual brews. The Plough is now being run as a brewery tap with five regular brews plus other ales not brewed so often on the bar. These include Bullion and Dreadnought.