Cock and Bull Pub
I would not suggest walking in the Cock and Bull and asking for a Budweiser. i’mjussayin.
If the front door is closed, be prepared for an awkward entry. A counterweight on a pulley attached to the opening side of the door facilitates the closing of the large, wooden door, making it hard to open. Once you’re in, though, it is all smooth, relaxed sailing.
The first thing that you can not avoid seeing, straight ahead as you walk in the door, behind the long, faux-stone bar top is 7 coolers with 7 shelves each, completely stocked with beer. Sweet mother of god. Beer. And lots of it. While they do carry a few of the standard American beer fare, I would suggest perusing the more than 500 beers in the cooler. And, if the selection scares you, keep reading this review. The staff can easily suggest a good selection.
Follow the aforementioned bar to the right, past the “green man” adorned, 10 foot tall tree and you will find at least 14 taps AND another freakin’ cooler. More beer. That is pretty much all I have to say about the beer selection. Tons of good beer.
If beer is not your forte, the Cock and Bull offers a wide selection of hard cider and wine.
Continue on in this dimly lit, high ceilinged, cozy tavern, past the few large tables and pool table and you will come to doors leading out to the back porch. The porch, with another bar used for large crowd nights, overlooks a very large backyard. It must be the size of a large home lot and has picnic tables and, even better, a fire pit which is often lit, shedding a lovely hue on the area.
I was going to discuss the beer expertise of the staff, but while I sit here and write this, a customer explains to his friends who are first time visitors to the Cock and Bull, “if you have questions about beer like ‘what country is it from’, or ‘what does it taste like’, ask this guy”.
“This Guy” is Tony and the customer is right. Tony and all who tend bar at the Cock and Bull are fine beer connoisseurs. You tell them what you are in the mood for or what type of beer you like, and they will set you up with something stellar.
The only thing that I can say about the Cock and Bull that is less than awesome is that they don’t allow you to taste test the draft beers. But, hey, life is a risk. And, if a risk only costs you $4.00, you’re not doing too bad.
The Cock and Bull is located at 975 Cattlemen Rd in Sarasota. (941)-341-9785.
