Britain’s only grade 2-listed pub was run by the countries longest serving landlady Flossie Lane until her death at the age of 94 in June 2009. The Sun Inn is one of the last surviving ‘parlour pubs’ and it has attracted national interest over the years as a result of its historic value. There is no bar or serving hatch in the pub, beer was brought from stillage in the kitchen by Flossie herself and regulars enjoyed their drink with a chat in what was in affect Flossie’s sitting room. The pub is listed on CAMRA’s national inventory of historic pub interiors and it is considered by many to be the best example of an unspoiled UK pub.

The Sun Inn never pretended to offer its visitors any frills, its charm was always its simplicity and timelessness, something its regulars are keen to preserve. The pub was so loved by the locals who frequented it that following Flossie’s death a Save the Sun Inn campaign was launched and the pub continued to open each evening thanks to the dedicated volunteers. The campaign was backed by CAMRA and ourselves and when rumours began to circulate that the pub may be purchased for development Nick Davis, head brewer at Hobsons and Gary Seymour, Sun Inn regular and Leintwardine business man decided to buy the pub in a bid to secure its history and Flossie’s legacy. Read the rest of this entry »

Set directly opposite St Mary’s Church (famous for its twisted spire) in the centre of Cleobury Mortimer – gateway to the Shropshire Hills the Kings Arms or KA as it is known is a welcoming 15th century inn. Part owned by Nick Davis, head brewer at Hobsons, the KA is run as a Hobsons pub and so stocks all of our cask and bottle beers. Fully refurbished only a couple of years ago the KA is a cozy and welcoming pub with an open fire, comfortable seating, great beers and delicious food.

When it comes to the KA’s food they work on a philosophy of ‘Fresh where possible, local if we can and good old fashioned home made’ so you can be sure that what you are served is not only delicious but grown or reared just down the road. The veg is from Fred’s Veg Shop, the sausages are from Hems the Butcher and the bread is from Ashley’s Bakery all located in Cleobury Mortimer. The quality of food which is served from 10am – 3pm daily has created a real following in and around the town and the pub is often packed out with people enjoying a relaxing lunch in the rustic bar.

If you want to experience what Hobsons is about then theres no better place to go than the KA. Our beer is served with care and skill to ensure a fantastic pint every time and our philosophies regarding sustainability are embraced 100%.

There’s often events on like live acoustic music and PINK, a yearly event which is a whole month of activities to raise money for breast cancer. 2009′s PINK event raised a fantastic £8700. You can find out more about the KA and PINK by visiting the KA website  www.kingsarms-cleobury.co.uk. Alternatively keep popping back her for news and events.

The stunning Georgian exterior of The White Lion Hotel, Upton-Upon-Severn hides it’s true age. However, enter the brasserie and the old timber beams are still exposed hinting to the hotels real age of 500 years. The hotel has enjoyed a rich history with dandy highway men, romps in the bedroom with Tom Jones (the fictional hero not the singer) and sheep driven straight through the building on their way to market, not to mention the part it played in ending the Civil War. According to the history books royalist troops under the command of  Prince Rupert “partook in drinking strong waters at the inn known as The Lion” allowing Cromwell’s men to cross the river. Days later the war ended and the rest as they say is history.

To mark the occasion Jon and Chris Lear, owners of The White Lion asked us to create an exclusive brew for the half a millennia anniversary. The outcome is Owd Lion & Pepperpot a rich auburn ale of 5.2%, not to dissimilar to the beer Cromwell’s men would have enjoyed all those years ago. Why not pay them a visit and soak up the history in their cozy bar whilst enjoying a pint or two. Alternatively you can buy a bottle of Owd Lion & Pepperpot with 50p going to the Midlands Air Ambulance until the end of February.

The White Lion Hotel can be found on Upton upon Severn Hight Street, Worcester, WR8 oHJ. You can find out more about the hotel, its special brew and planned celebrations to mark the 500 year anniversary by visiting their website www.whitelionhotel.biz.