Monday 15th of November 2010 10:51:17 AM

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Stayed here over the weekend, and had a beer in the pub.

An Irish inn (more hotel than B&B though) in a quaint setting invoking the old country. The pub was clean and brightly lit, carpeted dining area, with dark stone tile around the bar. All manner of knicky-knacky stuff, from clipper ship models, lighted Guinness signs (at least 3), "stained glass", Guinness toucan pitchers, tin signs for Irish ales, and many more oddities to draw the eye. Green walls and tan pressed tin ceilings. The dark wood bar was worn in, and the stools were comfortable. A little snug off to the side with a cozy pot belly stove.

Tap selection was good, with plenty of quality Irish representation that you don't often see in other "irish-bar-in-a-box" type places. County Clare makes the effort to serve quality imports like O'Hara's, Murphys, Hofbrau x2, Lakefront Oktoberfest, Goose IPA, Fullers ESB, Grimbergen, and others. All taps though, no bottles. Some top shelf single malts also, if that's your thing.

The bartender was authentically Irish and friendly, even tolerating the busybody hillbilly lady giving everyone the stink eye while sipping ginger ale at 3 in the afternoon. The hotel staff were somewhat aloof, but that's for a different review I guess. Not sure i'd stay here again, rates were typically high for the area, though the rooms were nice and clean. As a beer bar, I guess it's worth a stop if you're looking for a proper place for a pint.