Brown Bear

On the positive side. Very nice ambiance, and portrays what one would expect from a Pub. Could easily be use as a setting for a TV series. As one other poster commented, the place has recently been renovated, so it is very clean and in good order. The selection of beer is nice and I personally enjoyed making my way in trying out the line of Sam Smiths brews. The price of the beer is also «extremely» inexpensive… so a little money goes a long way here.
On the down side and due to the prices, this place can get busy and there is a good number of the people who’ve clearly had a pint or two too many. From the few times I visited here, it seems there was a group of seniors which were getting themselves pickled and if they were to die that very night they probably would not need embalming. I also didn’t find the staff to be very friendly. They were not mean, but not overly sociable either.
In the end, if you are with a group of people and in the neighborhood, then this is the place to come for a round or two, and then move onto your your next location.

Beautiful pub, great locals, awesome place to have a few pints before heading back to the Moor, or doing some more shopping.
Say Hi to George and Ellsie! George is a great guy, looks after my nan as well (not in a kinky kind of way, as a good neighbor kinda way).
Prices are really reasonable. You will not be short on conversation, and aesthetically, it’s a stunner. Beautiful little pub tucked away on Norfolk St.

Cheapest pub in town

A proper pub, with proper beer in a proper setting. As has been mentioned it only serves Sam Smiths, which makes a refreshing change from the usual same-​old line up of beers in most pubs. Split into two rooms, the pub has no airs and graces which again is a plus as it has its own character. Much better than the Old Monk next door!

The Brown Bear is a gem. A recent refurbishment of the whole 18^th Century building (inside and out) was sympathetic and didn’t change the internal configuration at all. The two rooms are cosy and quite tasteful but the beer is a revelation all are from Sam Smiths. Two or three good Continental-​style lagers, the well-​thought of Sovereign real ale and (I’m told) a good stout. There are also the fabulous Sam Smiths’ bottled beers (including Old Brewery Brown Ale). What’s more, they’re all very cheap.
Quality at this price is rare. In fact beer at this price is rare and because of that the early evening crowd are often regulars who dominate the bar area and you might feel a bit excluded.

Sam Smiths pubs are great because they sell only Sam Smiths beer which is made organically and clean of chemicals, it’s very cheap and it’s high quality beer. The downside is that due to the beer being cheap the pubs tend to attract all kinds that can’t handle their booze and they can get very rowdy. The Brown Bear is a fine example of this and although it doesn’t put me off personally it does my friends. I personally think it’s a nice little pub that’s been refurbished for the better recently. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere most of the time is okay. If you’ve never had a Sam Smiths brewery beer or lager before get down to the Brown Bear and sample it.