Greene King Beer Cafe in St Edmundsbury

Brilliant tour today of the Greene King Brewery. Despite not minding a beer or two, I’d never been on a brewery tour before and my knowledge of the beer making process was virtually non existent, but not anymore! Paul, our guide, was very engaging and a walking encyclopaedia of beer, brewing and local knowledge. Rounded off with a very generous tasting paddle, I was able to sample beers I probably wouldn’t normally try. Great experience and highly recommended.

What better way to prepare for the ‘gruelling’ 190 step climb to the roof of the Greene King brewery than a pit stop on the Beer Cafe. I limited myself to an energy boosting slice of chocolate cake while my significant other indulged in a soup washed down with an Americano. But what made this refuelling special was the friendly staff and chatty fellow customers - united by an appreciation for good beer. Spoiler alert - the cafe is adjacent to the shop - a chance to stock up or even grab a present for someone you want to impress. Thank you!

This was the first time that I visited the Greene King Beer Cafe and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I had pie and chips for lunch which was cooked to perfection. The price of the food and drinks was very reasonable and the staff were polite, friendly and provided a great service. I will definitely return.

Great food at a very good price. A group of nine people were all very happy with good food. Everyone thought it was great

We had an excellent lunch. The food was delicious, plentiful portions making it great value for money plus super friendly service. I would definitely go here again, the menu has some lovely brunch and lunch choices.

Understandably due to Covid the tour is not the usual tour but I booked it anyway - we were not disappointed- our guide Maureen who is retiring next week after 30 something years - was a delight and the tasting, free gift and discount in the shop was music to my beer loving husband on our wedding anniversary - I enjoyed it too. Staff very friendly welcoming and helpful - happy retirement Maureen

Well organised, clean, friendly efficient staff. Lovely lunch, my husband had a breakfast bap even though it was just after 12 midday and it was only available until 12. I had a cheese and chutney sandwich and we shared a portion of chips. Obviously great beers available but wine and soft drinks too. Nice little brewery shop and interesting facts on the walls so even if you don’t do the brewery tour you get an insight in to how the beer is made. Well worth a visit.

Interesting tour of the brewery including the various processes, and a bit about the history of the company and the buildings. Plus a chance to sample some excellent beer!

Popped in after a long walk to have a warm up and sit down.The hot chocolate was delicious and very welcoming.The cakes are very tasty here, but on a no cake & chocolate regime at the moment. Doesn't stop my dinosaur Annasawus having a nibble when no one is looking.

Unlike some, I did not take the tour but I did try the beer which was as I hoped, pretty good. There is a choice of around six of their brews and at lunchtime there is a modest menu. It is part of the brewery shop and is quite small, but worth a look,

Very friendly bunch working on sat 27th july, great place to start the brewery tour ! John was our tour guide and made us feel very welcome at the brewery.

For the first time we visited the cafe for a lunchtime meal.The cafe is an extension for the brewery shop.The staff were pleasant and helpful.The food was plain in flavour and only average in value for money.With the history and size of Greene King I was looking forward to a more creative environment and food selection.

Even when we could not attend the tour because it was impossible due to our timetable, it seems very interesting. We would propose more availability for the tour. Some more other hours

Yesterday, I posted a scathing review of Greene King, having had an awful visit to one of their establishments in Haywards Heath. This visit, IN NO WAY, involved The Star in Haywards Heath. I was (rightly) angry about the lack of equipment and stock that I encountered when attempting (with great futility) to order something from their shiny new menus!! To be completely frank, I lay responsibility for this debacle wholly at the feet of the brewer, not any of the house staff.

Delicious hot chocolate and really tasty coffee cake where there was room at tables or the bar. Quick, cheerful bar lady with a smile on her face.

Pre booking the tours is essential. Well informed, interesting guides show you around. Easy to find, as only a few minutes walk from the town centre and well signed. View from the roof is superb, too. Naturally, sampling the product is the fitting end to the tour.

Really knowledgeable guide Maureen, who made us all laugh along the way! Really fab trip out for my Dad’s 50th birthday treat!

Received tickets for a brewery tour for Christmas. Was expecting a festive afternoon treat and came away with loads of great knowledge about the town and plenty of tasty beer! Mark was great - really informative and passionate about the brewery and it’s history. Would definitely go back again! Recommend to locals and tourists alike.

Went in for a quick bite to eat after popping in to look round the shop.

We rolled down the stairs to the Beer Cafe after taking the earlier brewery tour. Good menu which would appeal to everyone, two of us opted for the homemade broccoli and Stilton soup with granary bread, another of our party had the cheddar and chutney sandwich and my husband had the speckled hen sausage sandwich. We all throughly enjoyed our lunch, a little pricey but quality ingredients make up for the cost. There was also a lovely selection of cakes which we just couldn’t walk past so we took some away! There isn’t a huge amount of seating downstairs but there is a bigger area upstairs which gets used.

Before joining an afternoon brewery tour we sampled a lovely cheese and chutney sandwich.

Nice little cafe. We only had drinks but it was a nice, clean venue with a reasonably priced menu and friendly staff.

We called in here before going to a theatre performance.Best coffee for a long time! Staff were really pleasant and looked to enjoy being there. Oh and the Coffee cake is Yummy!

we stopped off here on our tour of the town and were amazed by the wonderful sandwiches which were made to order. Fresh local bread and fillings - great. Friendly staff ad a fascinating room to eat in

When visiting Bury St Edmunds you have to take part in the Green King Brewery Tour. You need to call in or telephone the 'Beer Cafe' to pre-book the tour. We were treated to what felt to be a very personal tour but a thoroughly professional tour guide. The visit lasted a couple of hours which included a sampling session afterwards. If you're into your real ales do not miss this opportunity to gain some knowledge in the dark art of brewing at a very reasonable price.

The Beer Cafe is part of the Greene King brewery in Bury St Edmunds. Although the cafe offers a limited menu it well prepared and served. The staff were very friendly and helpful

Parking was a bit difficult but the brewery is in the middle of the city. Good range of tea and cakes available (we arrived too late for lunch) although my friend decided on a pint of their London Glory Bitter with his cake. Cafe and shop seemed ok but nothing outstanding

Needed to spend a couple of days in BSE whilst my wife underwent treatment at the nearby St Edmunds Hospital, I thought what better way to spend some time, so I undertook the Brewery tour no better way to spend 90 odd minutes hearing about one of the largest brewers in the UK, I wasn’t disappointed, superbly guided by Steve,with excellent knowledge, of all things brewing, filled with quirky stories etc, including my favourite the naming of “ the Old Speckeled Hen” story, which is worth a pint from your mates at anytime, all this then followed by a flight of GK beer, IPA, Abbot, finishing off with the freshest Tate of the “Hen” I’ve ever had, I can thoroughly recommend this tour, even if your not a beer drinker, however proceed with caution, it’s so easy drinking, you could make a habit of it.

Whether you’d like a coffee, food or beer, this is a great place to relax and chat. Comfy sofas aplenty and the brewery shop is in the same room. Top quality real ale perfectly presented by friendly staff with no TV screens or bleeping machines to spoil the enjoyment. Level access, WiFi and all mod cons!

We won a tour and lunch to the brewery through our local The Blue Lion. On entrance the staff was very welcoming and very informative. We arrived early as our tour wasn't till 3.30 so we had our lunch, I have to say the food was excellent and fantastic service from Mark and the staff ( do apologies of forgetting the other staff names). Beer was brilliant and can't wait for the tour. Thank you Green King Bury St Edmunds beer cafe.

The mushroom soup and sausage roll were just what the doctor ordered on a chilly and damp January day, washed down by a superb pint of Mighty Moose (5.6% but oh so smooth and full of flavour) Friendly and prompt service, everything immaculately clean, great value. Definitely coming back.

After we did the tour we decided to stay and eat in the cafe where we had really nice sandwiches all served with crisps and coleslaw very reasonable.

My friend and I came here for a quick hot drink before going to the theatre opposite. The service was quick, efficient and friendly. Our drinks were hot and good. We didn't try the food but I saw plenty of delicious looking sandwiches etc. on other people's plates. We shall be back for a quick lunch at some point. A lovely place to come for a light lunch before the theatre.

We visited the Beer Cafe for lunch followed by a tour of the Greene King Brewery. Our guide for the tour was the lovely Maureen who possessed an extensive knowledge of the company, brewing and the history of the local area. I would recommend a tour of the brewery and or lunch in the Beer Cafe and a visit to the shop afterwards. Many thanks for a great tour.

This really is named appropriately- it feels like a cafe- quite an up market one- and serves food that looked good as well as a great beer selection- we only dropped in for a beer. Staff very friendly, prices fine.

There was a free parking spot so we thought we would have a look inside.Nicely stocked shop we were persuaded to have a beer by Mark even though it was only 10.30. We opted for a paddle/flight (3 samples of a third of a pint). We also had a bacon and sausage sandwich featuring the speckled hen sausage. Excellent. The staff are very passionate about there products will probably make a repeat visit.

Stopped in for coffee. Nice laid back place away from the main shops but opposite the Theatre Royal. Great range of beers and you can sample different types.

We stopped for lunch here before we took our brewery tour. Lunch (speckled hen sausage sandwich) was lovely and the staff were friendly. It was a nice place to eat. Would recommend.

I have visited the Beer Cafe several times since moving into the area and have found the selection and quality of the beers to be excellent and reasonably priced. The food is also very tasty and tempting, especially the lovely cakes on the bar! The staff could not be more friendly or efficient and I simply do not understand the odd negative review posted on here. The proof of the pudding is in the eating - and drinking! See for yourself and pay it a visit!

Have been twice now. First time I took a group in for coffee and the manageress's reaction was classic! Oh no, you could at least have booked. For coffee???? Never had to do that before! 2nd visit, around 5 in the evening. Me: Can I order food? Waiter: No we close the kitchen at 3. Me; It didn't say that on the website. W: It's on the menu. Me: But you have to come here to see the menu! Duh! When I complained that I had now been twice his response was unbelievable : If you had been here before you would know the kitchen closes at 3! It's all about service and clearly this place knows nothing about service! D & P for us!

Pop into the Beer Cafe if you are local and aren't discovering the delights of the Greene King Brewery as your find a great range of bottled beers that you won't get the chance to purchase again especially if your not local. The Old Speckled Hen sausage sandwiches are to die for and I suspect the sausage and creamy mash would be delicious as Would the Steak & Abbott Ale Pie. The staff and the service is impeccable and it's well worth dropping in to take some GK memorabilia home with you as they sell little mini kegs of beer for you to be able to savour in the comfort of your own home. If you have a spare 30 minutes and you haven't done the brewery tour you are able to buy tickets right here for this experience and this is something I can also recommend. If you don't have the appropriate footwear then they will be able to help but there is lots of climbing and it's not for the faint hearted.

Let me say I believe Abbot Reserve ale is one of the finest ales available and the only one you will find in my house so I was looking forward to visiting the Beer Cafe.

Nipped in, had a couple. The beer is beautiful The shop has some very cool stuff in it at good prices. Apparently there's a beer club every month which I shall mostly be checking out asap!

Cercavamo un pub per provare la cucina inglese, abbiamo trovato questo pub tranquillo nonostante la finale del chelsea. Buon cibo, bella atmosfera, staff gentile. Ci è piaciuto!

We went in for an afternoon pint but there was a party taking place and rather noisy.

So a surprise party was arranged by my family and friends in the Beer Cafe last weekend. There were about 40 people (capacity for 50) and the venue located on the upper floor was perfect for this. Staff were brilliant and the bar met the needs of everyone (especially the chaps with the variety of beer provided); food was presented in a lovely way and very good - well nothing was left so that's always a good sign! We were allowed to provide our own music courtesy of a friend (see details in photos) and also decorate with our own banners and balloons. The location is ideal just off the centre of town but close enough to hotel accommodation (I had several family and friends who had come from afar staying at pubs/hotels/b&b; in the immediate vicinity). Everyone was very impressed with the beer cafe and I cannot rate it highly enough. It is perfect for all occasions and would highly recommend this venue for a party.

We stopped in here before going on the Brewery Tour. Was nice to see a range of draft bitters and ales produced by Greene king but a range of other alcohol available too. U can choose to sit at the bar or in some comfy sofas. A range of snacks, home made cakes/scones, tea, coffees, and soft drinks too.

I had been booked on a brewery tour, but because of my disability, I was unable to take the tour, so the cafe staff made me a free tea while Inwaited for my friends to return for the beer tasting session.

I think many people use this café after a brewery tour, but we called in just after we'd arrived in Bury St Edmunds and checked into the Premier Inn just round the corner. The shop has a great selection of bottled beers and the café was pleasant - I had a coffee and my husband had a pint of Abbot Ale. We didn't eat, although the menu looked quite interesting. Staff were friendly and polite.

Had a very enjoyable tour of the brewery with a very knowledgeable and funny guide Rob. I'm not a real beer drinker but found the whole experience very interesting and even enjoyed the tasting at the end. I would definitely recommend the tour. And Rob!

We had a great cooked lunch (sausage & mash and steak & Abbot Ale pie) here with a very good selection of beers to go with it. Would highly recommend.

Took my brother here for his birthday and also a brewery tour , great day out , nice friendly staff , good well stocked shop .

The beer cafe is good to visit to sample the beers and to buy takeaway. The brewery tour is great as well.

Bom lugar para almoçar para quem esta pela região. A comida era boa, mas sem sal. Os únicos problemas mesmo sao que tem que pedir e ja pagar a comida no balcão e a maioria dos copos estavam sujos.

A great place to visit after the tour. All of the beers are available in the shop, as well as at the bar.

Sausages and mash lunch was fantastic. There is also an on-site shop selling lots of quality gifts. Well worth a visit - and the tour is great.

After a very good tour of the brewery relax over your beer tasting with some fantastic home food, locally sourced from nearby butchers, grocers etc. Well worth while and very good value

Excellent place for a bite and a beer. A good selection of fine Greene King Ales available, gift shop to browse, tour to go on if there's a space available (if not book the next one as it is really very good). Whatever you've done it can be celebrated with a bite and a beer here! We both enjoyed it very much.

Cafe is a ideal place to have a up of tea and a bite to eat after you have toured the brewery. Nice and clean.

Very interesting tour of the brewery where Susan and Mark made the visit informative and fun. They were brilliant, good to know my birthday cake injury cheered them up!

After a long drive Bury St Edmunds I wanted to relax, collect my thoughts and plan my day. The Beer Cafe was the perfect place as having arrived just as it was opening the cafe was quiet and I could chat to the staff and learn more about the brewery and the local attractions. The staff were friendly and very helpful. The coffee and food were lovely. Located in part of the brewery the cafe has good ambience and many interesting things to read/look at; also it is only a very short walk from the centre of BStE so conveniently located. The biggest challenge though is parking so if your driving it is advisable to working out where your going to park before you get to the area.

Really disappointed, luke warm coffee, no lime to make lime and soda. Just basic beer glasses, not even a correct measure when are ales were poured. All in all you would be better off going to one of the pubs in Bury St Edmunds to drink the same beer.

The sandwich and chips were delicious. They had recipes that used the beers in their food. The testers were wonderful. I had a paddle myself. My favourite was the "Old Speckled Hen".

Cracking little cafe with good food and good beer. The shop is on the ground floor and upstairs is for the tasting.

Great people (the Beer elf's) lovely atmosphere. And of course great beer and nice drop of beer. the cafe is the start and end of the brewery tour as well as the cash point for the shop, selling both beer and merchandise.

Very attentive staff in a beautiful setting.well worth a visit for a light lunch, beverage or beer. Wonderful building and stock in the shop.

Good trip led by the very knowledgable and enthusiastic Susan. Short tour but learnt lots and the tasting was great.